Property prices in the Algarve have risen 64% in the past five years, with Loulé — home to the renowned resorts of Quinta do Lago and Vale do Lobo — accounting for a significant share of this growth. Over time, the area has become increasingly popular among the wealthy international community thanks to its unrivalled infrastructure, widespread use of the English language, proximity to Faro International Airport (just 20 minutes away). This has shifted buyers’ perspectives, leading more families to relocate permanently to the Golden Triangle.
With its international hospitals, tennis clubs, golf courses, equestrian centres, international schools, golden beaches and 300 days of sunshine per year, the Golden Triangle commands the highest price per square metre in the Algarve region, and supply still falls short of demand. However, the surge in prices is now pushing demand further inland to the hillside villages.
For families seeking a villa near the coast in Quinta do Lago, Vale do Lobo or Vilamoura, the price tags can be prohibitive compared with the value they can find in the countryside surrounding the Golden Triangle. As a result, many are turning inland to the hillside villages around Loulé as a more affordable alternative.
“The inland hills offer the perfect compromise: proximity to the lifestyle and amenities of Quinta do Lago and Vale do Lobo, but at a more accessible price point,” explains Filip Malmström, CEO of ReCo, whose colleagues, Londoners Meera Patel and Dan Maher, will be present at the upcoming Moving to Portugal Show and Seminars to talk to buyers.
Villages such as Vale Formoso, Ferrarias, Fonte Santa, Santa Bárbara de Nexe and Goldra are experiencing rising demand, offering spacious villas with panoramic views and privacy — all beyond the borders of the main resorts but still within 15 minutes of the Algarve’s golden beaches. For buyers, this means they can remain close to international schools, golf courses, marinas and fine dining, without sacrificing access to the region’s most desirable lifestyle.
With panoramic views stretching all the way to the ocean, this magnificent villa packed with traditional charm typifies the kind of property that this new wave of tranquillity-focused buyers are seeking. Nestled within the Goldra hills, it is just 15 minutes’ drive from pristine beaches and 10 minutes from the Nobel Algarve British International School. The property, which comes with a heated infinity pool, sauna, gym and roof terrace, in addition to five spacious bedrooms, is on the market for €2,495,000.
Hillside properties range from sprawling, traditional homes to delightfully contemporary townhouses. Just five minutes from Vale do Lobo and seven minutes from Quinta do Lago, this elegant, three-storey townhouse offers three en-suite bedrooms, open plan living space, an expansive basement TV and games room, a roof terrace and a private pool. Rated ‘A’ for its energy efficiency, the modern home features underfloor heating, a central heating and cooling system and a low maintenance garden, for an asking price of €1,350,000.
Christina Hippisley, General Manager of the Portuguese Chamber of Commerce in the UK, points out that the growing popularity of slightly more inland locations aligns with the current inward migration trends that Portugal is seeing. She explains: “Portugal is welcoming families from the UK as they seek to relocate in pursuit of a better lifestyle. These buyers don’t necessarily want to be at the heart of the Algarve’s tourist crowds. They’re looking for peaceful locations within easy reach of good schools and everyday amenities, while still having beaches close to hand.”
Members of the ReCo team will be exhibiting at the Moving to Portugal Show and Seminars, organised by the Portuguese Chamber of Commerce in the UK, in London on 16th October 2025. They will join a range of other real estate and property development experts at the event, along with specialists in banking and financial services, foreign exchange, legal services, tax, wealth planning, asset management and visas. The carefully curated list of presenters and exhibitors ensures visitors can access all the information they need about moving to Portugal and/or buying property there.
The Moving to Portugal Show is free to attend, with registration required in advance at https://London-MTP-2025.eventbrite.co.uk
Organiser Christina Hippisley comments: “After a decade of hosting Moving to Portugal Shows and Seminars in the UK and Ireland, we’ve honed our presentation format and exhibition curation to ensure that visitors have access to the latest information in easily accessible formats. We have specialists on hand to showcase all aspects of moving to and living in Portugal, ensuring the Moving to Portugal Show serves as an invaluable resource.”
For more information, please contact the Portuguese Chamber of Commerce in the UK:
www.portuguese-chamber.org.uk or www.movingtoportugal.org.uk, tel 00 44 7463 689666.
Sponsored Content
