Discovering the Gorgeous Portuguese Riviera

There’s nowhere quite like the Portuguese Riviera. Stretching on from the coastal towns of Cascais, Estoril, and Sintra, to the west of Lisbon, this area is one of the most sought after in Portugal. With golden beaches, luxury shopping, and a delectable cuisine, there’s not many who would say no to a trip to this gem in Portugal’s crown. 

What sets the Portuguese Riviera in a league of its own? 

The Portuguese Riviera was once the haunt of Portuguese royalty, who frequented the area to enjoy the stunning ocean views and relaxed pace of life outside the city. Nowadays, many celebrities and lifestyle buyers enjoy living in this unique part of Portugal, driven by gorgeous views, a relaxed pace of life, and upscale amenities.

• Unrivalled scenic beauty: With glorious beaches such as Praia da Conceição and Praia da Ribeira, and spots such as Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point in Europe, you will be spoilt completely by the abundance of the natural landscapes on offer. The Sintra Cascais Natural Park, where you’ll come across palaces, such as the colorful Pena Palace, is also right on your doorstep.
• Luxury lifestyle: With high end resorts, the famous Estoril Casino, world-class golf courses, and fine dining restaurants, the Portuguese Riviera offers some of the best luxury amenities in Portugal.
• Investor’s dream: With high rental yields (for example, 5.5 percent in Cascais, and 6.8 percent in Sintra) you’ll find property investments on the Portuguese Riviera can lead to attractive returns on your investment and high potential for capital appreciation.
• Top-quality international schools: Some of the best international schools in Portugal can be found in this part of Portugal. Out of the 51 international schools in the country, 13 are in Cascais and Estoril, 3 in Sintra, and 4 in Carcavelos and Oeiras, with a further 8 in Lisbon itself.
• Strategic location: On the Portuguese Riviera, your very close to Lisbon and can enjoy all the perks that come with living close to one of the most vibrant capitals in Europe. The airport is very close by, making international travel for business or leisure seamless.

Most Desirable Locations on the Portuguese Riviera

Whichever location you visit on the Portuguese Riviera, you’re likely to think, yes, this is the place for me, with each location a true pleasure for the eye.

However, let’s delve into three of the key areas that should be firmly on your radar. You will also find spacious properties elsewhere in the region, such as close to Carcavelos or in Oeiras, so maybe take a trip to explore the entire region before deciding on which part of the Portuguese Riviera could be the perfect spot for you.

Cascais

Where else to start that Cascais. About 30 minutes’ drive from Lisbon, you’ll find a quaint seaside town with charming cobblestone streets and restaurants and bars offering up views of the electric blue Atlantic Ocean.

The Cascais real estate market has much to offer. For luxury property buyers, you’ll find a selection of modern apartments and more spacious properties perfect to relocate to for families. Buying property in Cascais is something of a dream for lifestyle buyers.

From its fine dining cuisine – boasting five Michelin restaurants – to its brilliant beaches, Cascais is, in many ways, the ultimate escape for lifestyle buyers. Plus, snapping up an apartment here could prove to be a top investment choice as demand continues to increase.

Estoril

The novelist Ian Flemming, who famously penned the James Bond novels, could once be found finding inspiration for his novels at the Hotel Palácio Estoril whilst enjoying a cocktail or two.

From the Estoril Circuit to the Millennium Estoril Open tennis tournament that sees the best tennis players in the world head to Portugal, there always seems to be some event or other taking part here.

The Estoril real estate market offers luxury buyers spacious properties, exclusive amenities, and where they will be welcomed every morning by fabulous ocean views.

Sintra

The English Romantic poet, Byron, once wrote, ‘the village of Sintra is perhaps the most beautiful in the world’, and we wouldn’t disagree with this sweeping statement. Sintra is a wonderful town nestled in the foothills of the Sintra Mountains.

You’ll discover elegant villas, delightful palaces emerging from the forest, and ruins of the tenth century Castle of the Moors.

If you are on the hunt for luxury homes for sale in Portugal, whilst living almost in a fairytale-like location, then Sintra real estate should be on your hit list.

What is it really like to live on the Portuguese Riviera?

The Portuguese Riviera is region with two sides – on the one, the glamorous luxury lifestyle, while on the other, the spectacle of nature at its finest. Living on the Portuguese Riviera is unique, where you’ll be frequenting the casino one evening and then, the following day, be waking up to a hike or a surfing session.

Rich and glamourous history

Cascais’s history as a popular seaside resort originated in the 1870s when King Luís of Portugal and the Portuguese royalty used the charming town as their residence by the coast. This, in turn, attracted a wave of nobility who established a summer community in the town.

Now, you’ll still see plenty of signs of the rich and famous, with glamourous celebrities and stars setting up shop here, such as Madonna, Monica Bellucci, and Michael Fassbender.

Incredible beaches and stunning landscapes

Many people dream of living by the ocean or in the countryside. In Cascais, you can have both, with some of the most fantastic Portuguese beaches found close to Cascais and Estoril, and quieter options nearby Sintra. The Sintra Cascais Natural Park allows you to enjoy the great outdoors to the fullest, one of the main reasons why Sintra has become a firm favorite amongst families seeking to relocate here.

Non-stop activities on offer- From golf to water sports

While relaxing on the beach may be your preference, should you wish to enjoy a round of golf or take a turn at surfing, you’ll be spoilt entirely. The Portuguese Riviera has it all, with a number of excellent surf schools and world-class golf clubs, such as Campo de Golfe Oitavos Dunes and Clube de Golf do Estoril. You can also go hiking in the Sintra Cascais Natural Park, cycle along the coast, or relax in one of the many hotel rooftop swimming pools.

Excellent education and healthcare

As we’ve mentioned, there are 20 excellent international schools on the Portuguese Riviera, with a further 8 in Lisbon, offering a wide range of curricula, teaching methods, and languages. International schools in Portugal are a good choice to set your children up in the best way for the challenges or life, although public schools in the country are also, generally, very good.

Healthcare in Portugal is also very affordable, with the public system open to all residents in Portugal and the private system offering excellent value for money. Compared with other Western European countries and the USA, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by how affordable private healthcare and health insurance is in Portugal.

Michelin-starred restaurants and sought-after gastronomy

Portugal’s west coast is a popular gastronomic destination in Europe, not surprising as the seafood and fish fresh from the Atlantic is second to none. Cascais boasts more than five Michelin-starred restaurants, whilst, in Sintra, you’ll find culinary delights, including Tascantiga Sintra, which you should visit for the delectable Portuguese tapas, Incomum by Luis Santos for a memorable fine dining experience, and Casa Piriquita, an elegant 160-year-old bakery. In this bakery, you’ll be able to try the feather-light travesseiros, which translates to “pillows” – a puff pastry with a sweet almond cream filling.

Is the Portuguese Riviera for you?

Yes, the Portuguese Riviera is one of the most treasured locations in Portugal – with a high quality of life all but guaranteed, elegant properties with ocean views, and quaint beaches hugging the coastline.

This is complemented by some of the finest foods in the country and an array of activities and leisure offerings. The fact that many expats have relocated here makes establishing a close network of friends quite straightforward. Plus, for property investors, real estate on the Portuguese Riviera is dynamic and thriving.

With this said, if you are considering buying property on the Portuguese Riviera, we recommend speaking with local experts on the ground who can provide recommendations and suggestions to guide you in your decision.