Portugal

Mention Portugal and most Britons will immediately think of the Algarve, the region stretching almost 100 miles along the country’s southern coast that has long been a popular holiday destination, with its superb beach resorts, traditional fishing villages, olive groves and vineyards, and the multitude of golf courses. The most sought area has traditionally been the “golden triangle” of central Algarve between Faro, Albufeira and Loule. This is not pioneer country, but rather a mature, developed market, with facilities and prices to match. Those in search of substantial capital gains should probably look northwards to the interior, with its flower-decked, whitewashed villages. The west of the Algarve, beyond Lagos, has traditionally been less developed, but prices are rising quickly boosted by demand by buyers looking for the “real Portugal”. The Costa de Prata, which lies further north between Lisbon and Oporto, has long, sandy beaches and beautiful towns and villages inland. Prices in Portugal are rising - although far more slowly than in Spain - but this is not a place for quick speculative gains, especially since buying costs are high and can add as much as 10-15% to the purchase price.

If you want to know more, you’ve got to buy the book…