Mafra Portugal Real Estate: An Overview

Less than an hour northwest of Lisbon, between the capital and the Atlantic, lies Mafra. Mafra is a municipality and city that retains a historic, quiet, and relaxed atmosphere and where local life still permeates. Mafra Portugal real estate is hotting up at the moment, providing homebuyers and investors with lucrative properties that are the perfect distance between the buzz of Lisbon and the beautiful coastal landscapes, quaint villages, and sundrenched beaches of the Silver Coast. 

In this article, we’ll delve into buying Mafra Portugal real estate, including providing you with information on the current real estate market in Mafra. Following this, we’ll provide a history of Mafra and what it is like to live in and around this tranquil city. 

If you are looking to buy property in Portugal but are unsure where to buy, or if you simply want to have more information on a particular area, you can book a call to speak with a Goldcrest advisor, who will be able to provide you with tailored advice based on your current needs – whether you are looking for a lucrative investment, a second home, or a delightful abode in a quiet area to spend your retirement. 

 

 

Why choose Mafra?

Mafra is made up of eleven parishes, which include the city of Mafra and the beach and surf paradise of Ericeira. The population of the municipality is almost 75,000, and the municipality extends across 291 square kilometers. Mafra borders Torres Vedras to the north, which hosts the lovely Santa Cruz seaside parish, and Sintra to the south. 

Driving through the city of Mafra, you will see the Mafra National Palace, a beautiful baroque palace, and UNESCO World Heritage Site, which provides a centerpiece to the city. The historic Mafra retains a very local feel to it and you are surrounded by leisure areas, pleasant countryside view, and pristine beaches. 

For nature lovers, you have the countryside close at hand and beautiful hikes to get outside. For beach enthusiasts, you have an array of stunning options to choose from, and for those that can’t get enough of Portuguese cuisine, you have excellent access to restaurants with some of the best seafood and fish dishes in the country served along the Silver Coast. Also, with the bright lights of Lisbon close by, you can enjoy all the perks of an exciting, cosmopolitan city. 

 

Mafra Portugal real estate

Mafra real estate is gaining in popularity with expats in Portugal. Here, we’ll run over the current real estate market in the municipality.

 

Mafra Portugal real estate – prices

Outside the hustle and bustle of Lisbon, Mafra is an excellent location to own a property. The average asking property price for the Mafra municipality stands at €2,600/m² on average in 2022. Note that this is the average price and, buying property in Portugal, you will find that prices are either higher or lower than the asking price. This may not be as affordable as in some other areas of the country, but prices here are still quite reasonable. As with many other parts of the country, prices have been increasing and look set to continue on this trend.

Mafra Portugal real estate – a taste of luxury

There are several options for luxury homes in Mafra, with many properties with private pools, gyms, and security. You also have properties in Ericeira and on the coast (still in the Mafra municipality) that provide luxury properties with waterfront, unobstructed views of the Atlantic. 

An advantage of buying a luxury property here is that you will have a spacious property, potentially with a large garden, but also be very close to an array of attractions – Lisbon, Sintra, and the Silver Coast, to name but a few. Whether you are looking for a house, villa, apartment, or townhouse, you should be able to find many options that fit your needs. 

While luxury properties are obviously expensive, buyers will be glad to know that compared to other western European countries, prices are still fairly modest.

 

An Introduction to Mafra

Mafra once was a primary supplier to Lisbon of garden produce and is famous for its impressive Mafra Palace, the largest edifice in the country, which was built in the 18th Century by King Dom João V. After three years of marriage to Dona Maria Ana of Austria, he still had no children and therefore promised the Franciscan friars that he would build them a convent if his prayers for an heir to the throne were answered. 

Therefore, following the birth of his daughter, Dona Maria Pia, the king started to build the palace, initially as a quite modest building. However, the German architect, Ludwig, was contacted and the plan underwent considerable alterations as a result of the opulence and luxury that Portugal was experiencing at the time, due to the riches coming in overseas from Brazil. The impressive result can be seen for yourself firsthand if you pay a visit to the palace. The palace was built in a record time from 1717 to 1730.

In the surrounding areas, it is worth visiting the village of Sobreiro, where José Franco’s ceramics workshop can be found and you can enjoy the authentic and cultural aspects of local village life. 

From the city of Mafra, you are very close to Ericeira, which is a World Surf Reserve, with outstanding beaches, quaint restaurants, and a distinctly local feel – to find out more about Ericeira, our overview of Ericeira Portugal Real Estate will provide you with all that you need to know. Elsewhere, both Cascais and Sintra are easily reachable for beach and nature lovers.  

 

Lifestyle in Mafra

The historic city of Mafra still has a very local feel to it, and you should easily be able to become part of the community. There are also many expats in the area, with the Silver Coast a favorite for those looking to move to Portugal. Indeed, if you are looking for a spacious property to unwind and relax, then Mafra is a very good option.

With current trends in remote working allowing for greater flexibility and improved work-life balance, then owning a property in the Mafra municipality certainly caters to this. You can work from the comfort of your home, perhaps on a sunny balcony. Alongside this, you’ll likely be able to spend more precious time with your family. 

There are many activities to keep yourself occupied. For watersports and surf enthusiasts, the Silver Coast is one of the best places to get your fix of the sea. For those that prefer dry land, the Sintra-Cascais National Park is close by, so you can go hiking in the mountains. You also have activities such as yoga, cooking classes, cycling, and mountain biking. Indeed there are activities to cater to whatever need. And if you prefer to simply relax on the beach, there are many delightful spots to choose from.

When it comes to schooling, the education system in Portugal is very good, with excellent public and private schools. There are also international schools that could be an option if you are looking for a specific curriculum or for your child or children to be taught in their native language. In the Lisbon area, there are many, some of which are not too far from Mafra. 

You can find out more about the international schools in Portugal in this guide on International Schools in Portugal 2022, which was created by our residency and citizenship division, Global Citizen Solutions.