What is the best beachfront property for sale in the Algarve to own? Portugal’s darling Algarve is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world and has been named the best beach area in Europe several times. Our guide to beachfront property for sale in the Algarve will help you plan your investment on the south coast of Portugal.
Why buy beachfront property for sale in the Algarve?
The question is: if you can, why not? Whether for leisure, retirement, or an investment opportunity, the Algarve is beautiful and there are many advantages to buying a property in the region:
The Algarve won the Oscar for Best Beach Destination in Europe 2019 (six times),
The Algarve is a peaceful and safe region,
Has a mild climate all year round,
The Portuguese people are friendly to visitors from all over the world (and most speak English)
The Algarve has an immense diversity of natural landscapes and environments (endless sandy beaches, golden mountains and plains, and a thousand-year-old heritage)
Portugal’s South is one of the top party destinations in Europe.
You can also breathe fresh, pure air, eat delicious local food, and enjoy the many nautic sports and activities that the Algarve has to offer.
In Algarve, real estate can still be purchased at lower prices than in other European locations.
What are the best locations to buy beachfront property for sale in Algarve?
The Golden Triangle includes the premium beachfront property for sale in the Algarve, between Almancil, Quinta do Lago, and Vale do Lobo. Over the years, the Golden Triangle has established itself as the most expensive territorial area of Portugal.
However, the Algarve has other wonderful locations to invest in a beachfront property, such as:
Lagos
Portimão
Albufeira
Faro
Tavira
Sagres
The Best Algarve beach property for sale
The Algarve has two hundred kilometers of golden sand as far as the eye can see, with beach property for sale for all tastes.
In 2020, the Blue Flag Association of Europe awarded 87 Algarvian beaches with Blue Flags for the water quality, safety, cleanliness, and diversity of services. 76 beaches received the Gold Quality Award – conferred by Quercus – the National Association for Nature Conservation –, which distinguishes bathing areas with better water quality. According to the ZERO (Sustainable Land System Association), 10 beaches were qualified as Zero Pollution beaches. Among these, there are 46 accessible beaches.
Marinha Beach, Lagoa
The orange cliffs and rocks that rise from the blue and emerald green waters are a national symbol of Portugal’s beautiful beaches, and even Condé Nast Traveler magazine distinguished it as one of the ten best in Europe. 115 steps lead down the beach, past a cliff filled with vegetation.
Praia da Rocha Beach
Praia da Rocha is the main beach of Portimão. It is here where mass tourism in the Algarve was born. To date, it is one of the most popular destinations in the Algarve, offering 24/7 fun and entertainment. It is a grand beach, surrounded by one of a kind rock formations.
Praia da Dona Ana Beach, Lagos
Dona Ana’s Beach unfolds in recesses generated by the cliff’s cut, providing sheltered corners for bathers. Under the water, a sea dive or snorkel reveals many treasures: algae, anemones, starfish, sea urchins, shrimp, or small fish, which populate the immersed rock blocks. Dona Ana is a very popular beach, having already been considered one of the best beaches in the world by many publications.
Falésia Beach, Albufeira
The sand is immense, inserted in a continuous stretch of sand almost 6 km long, flanked by a line of high cliffs in strong tones, sometimes red, sometimes whitish, creating contrasting color games with the outstanding green patches of stone.
Odeceixe Beach, Aljezur
It is the most northerly beach in the Algarve (this means that it is there on the border with the Alentejo Coast).On one side, it is bathed, by the Odeceixe stream, good for taking the kids, and, on the other, by the sea, which is customary to walk in turmoil — at the level of the waves — for surfers it is incredible. It already had a spot on the list of the seven wonders of Portugal in 2012.
Carvalho Beach
The access to the beach is through a tunnel dug by hand in the rock wall, where marine fossils are observed. The ravine that precedes the beach is verdant and is home to dense coastal scrubland where juniper, mastic, and dwarf palm dominate, the only native palm in Europe.
Bordeira Beach
The sand is vast, more than 3 km long, and is very exposed to sea winds. The Bordeira cliffs are famous for their almost inaccessible fishing grounds and are very popular with several sea birds that find refuge there. A network of walkways allows you to cross a stretch of the riverbank, reach viewpoints, or go down the top of the cliff to the sand.
Tavira Island, Tavira
Tavira Island is accessed by boat, preferably from the quay of Quatro Águas. The beach corresponds to the most humanized section of Ilha de Tavira: there are several summer houses, a camping site, and numerous tourist facilities, including “feet in the sand” bars. It is also possible to find local support to practice nautical activities and take cruises on the Ria Formosa.
Arrifana Beach, Aljezur
Arrifana beach is one of the busiest on the west coast of the Algarve. It is located in a cove, protected by high schist cliffs, in an area of high ecological importance and rare natural beauty. The sand, which stretches for more than half a kilometer, ends in the south at the well-known Pedra da Agulha, a vertical rock erected in the water, which has become an icon of the Vincentian coast.
Vale Figueiras Beach, Carrapateira
Still little explored by the human presence, this beach has a unique beauty, ideal for nature lovers in its pure state. The type of coastal landscape is formed by hills with rounded shapes and low altitudes surrounding a valley, ending gently in the sand.
Praia da Luz Beach, Lagos
This bay of calm waters is conducive to water sports: windsurfing, kitesurfing, canoeing, or diving. The Praia da Luz Beach is associated as a very cosmopolitan summer town. It was once a fishing village of great importance, especially between the centuries. XIII and XVI. A paved promenade follows the seafront, offering sunny terraces and lots of entertainment during the summer.
Is it a good idea to buy a house for sale in Algarve near the beach?
The Algarve is one of the best places to buy a house and invest in real estate, especially in the long term, considering the area’s potential and the margin of growth and profitability.
For both private and commercial purposes, the Algarve region reconciles its attractiveness with various advantages of different natures, making it a place of choice, both in Portugal and in Europe.
The great advantage remains in the relationship between value and quality of life. The Algarve is a relatively cheap destination to buy a house, especially when compared to other similar places. It also has the advantage of being a European country with a competent and expeditious bureaucratic system, unlike what happens in countries offering equally cheap properties, but with less developed systems in place.
But it’s not just the long-term investments that make the Algarve appealing. Also, for those looking for a profitable real estate investment in the short or medium term, this is quite an attractive area. Being one of the main tourist destinations in Europe, especially for northern European countries, the Algarve is a region where real estate investment has lower risks.
Given the low Euribor rates and interest rates currently in place, buying a house in the Algarve for rent or local accommodation is a very low-risk investment. The most difficult part is to find the most suitable property for your specific needs.
Where can I find beachfront property for sale in Algarve?
Some of the best websites to find luxury real estate deals in the Algarve include Idealista, Sotheby’s, Christie’s, Engels&Volkers, and Imovirtual. Yet, since buying a beachfront property in the Algarve requires expertise, we suggest that you use an independent buyers agency. The Algarve is a competitive market that requires an expert’s guidance.
Algarve coast real estate tips
While beachfront property for sale in Algarve prices dropped by about 50% between 2009 and 2015, they have stabilized since 2015 and the market is in good condition. Though, it is a fact, that prices have fallen overall in the last ten years and it is, therefore, worth investing.
Buyer’s agent vs. a realtor
A realtor works for the seller of the property as their client, so you would be better represented by using a buyer’s agent who would remain neutral, ensuring you get the best deal possible.
Buying a beachfront property for sale in the Algarve to relocate
There are many profitable opportunities to buy beachfront property in the Algarve, and it is without a doubt, a beautiful place to live. Investing in a house to live in the Algarve would depend on your personality and lifestyle.
As the Algarve is a region of so many contrasts, we suggest you contact a buyer’s agent. They can provide you with in-depth regional knowledge and up-to-date data on the various regions.
Buying a beachfront property for sale in the Algarve to invest
The return on investment is more than satisfactory. In the Algarve, the average term is 6.5 years. 69.6% of entrepreneurs say that their expectations with regards to the investment return rates have been fulfilled and 23.5% say that they have been exceeded, leading many to continue in the sector.
Among the various challenges that arise from property investment, investors cited the problem of seasonality (77.6%), tax burden (48%), legal issues, and licensing (43.3%) as prominent considerations. The best way to get around these challenges is to collaborate with a specialized property investment firm.
Where to search for Algarve beach property for sale?
Online, through friends or specialized agents, it’s certainly not hard to find beachfront property for sale in the Algarve.
Due diligence check
The best approach is to hire specially trained agents, such as Goldcrest, who help buyers make sure they’re getting the best and safest deal from their property purchase.
Paperwork and contract
When buying a beachfront property in the Algarve or elsewhere in Portugal, it can be time-consuming to negotiate the right price for a property and procure all the documentation needed for the purchase.
We recommend the following steps:
Carefully select which seller to buy from;
Make your offer;
Make sure the funding is in place;
Take another look at the property or get a second opinion from a local buyers agency like Goldcrest;
Sign the pre-sale contract;
Sign the deed of purchase.
Get in touch
If you have found your beachfront property for sale in Algarve, seek help from a specialized property investment firm such as Goldcrest. As an independent local’s buyers agent, Goldcrest helps international individuals get sound property investments in their desired locations in Portugal.
Frequently asked questions about beachfront properties in the Algarve
What are the best areas for Algarve beach property for sale?
The Algarve has so many great cities and villages to offer that it's easy to be undecided. Some of the most beautiful regions you can invest in an Algarve beach property for sale are Faro, Portimão, Lagos, Tavira, or Sagres.
What are the best houses for sale in Algarve near the beach?
The best houses for sale in Algarve near the beach are located in the Algarve’s Golden Triangle.
Who do I approach to buy beachfront property for sale in Algarve?
You can research and approach your beachfront property for sale in the Algarve online or, even better, through a specialized buyer’s agent that knows the market, such as Goldcrest.
Why should I consider buying Algarve coast real estate?
Algarve coast real estate is among the most welcoming and attractive places in Europe for new projects and investments. According to Forbes' recent list of 20 best places for Americans to live or invest in Europe, Algarve is viewed as one of the very best places. This makes it all the more attractive to buy Algarve coast real estate.
