Why Choose The Eastern Algarve?

Many people ask us: Why choose the Eastern Algarve when looking for a new property?

The Eastern Algarve has escaped the over-development which has occurred in some areas of the central and Western Algarve, so retains much of its natural beauty and tranquility. It has quick and easy access from Faro airport and the rest of the Algarve, but feels a world apart.

The eastern Algarve's principal town, Tavira is "arguably the Algarve's most charming town", according to Lonely Planet 2017. It has something for everyone - a beautiful, historic town with wide cobbled avenues, shady plazas, a maze of atmospheric streets hiding a treasure-trove of little boutiques and family run restaurants and of course plenty of bars where you can enjoy an alfresco drink. It has a wonderfully relaxed and friendly feel and huge charm and character.

Tavira has a long history dating from the late Bronze Age. It was then colonized by the Phoenicians in the 8th century BC followed by the Romans and Moors; the latter heavily influencing the town's architecture, including Tavira castle, two mosques and several palaces.

The river Gilao meanders through the centre of town, spanned by old bridges and sets the pace for this town, where no-one is in a hurry and the pace of life feels like stepping back twenty years in time. There is a fishing quay on the river and a large market offering a huge range of local products with a wonderful range of fresh fruit, vegetables and fish.

The river flows into the Atlantic Ocean and ferries run from the centre of town to the wonderful beaches on the Ilha de Tavira. Most of the Eastern Algarve is fringed by some of the best beaches in Europe, with a series of islands just offshore providing pristine blue water and soft white sand. Much of the coastline incorporates the beautiful Ria Formosa nature reserve, a perfect place for year-round bird watching. This is one of Europe's last unspoilt coasts and with virtually no development there are endless beaches to choose from between Faro and the border with Spain.

Inland there is a great choice for golf enthusiasts with several courses including the famous Monte Rei club, where a second course is currently under construction. The area around Tavira is perfect for many other leisure activities including horse riding, walking, cycling, kite surfing, paddle boarding and kayaking, together with numerous clubs covering most interests. Tavira also has a large shopping complex with a 5 screen cinema.

The cost of living is still remarkably low with eating out especially good value - with dinner for two including wine costing around €35. Drinks and coffees are around half UK bar prices. To illustrate this, the UK Post Office in April 2017 awarded the Algarve, Portugal second place in Europe's cheapest holiday destinations (after Bulgaria). This was calculated buying a "shopping basket" of normal holiday expenditure. The basket includes a cup of coffee, a bottle of beer, a can of coca-cola, a glass of wine, a bottle of mineral water, sun screen, insect repellent, an English newspaper, a three-course evening meal for two, including a bottle of wine, and a two-course for lunch for two: for the Algarve this came to just £58.38.

And of course, there is the weather, the reason most people come here. Year round sunshine, long summers where you can live outdoors for 6 months of the year, balmy winters perfect for walking or playing golf and an active expat community combine to provide near perfect retirement or holiday living.

Finally, you can really relax here with a slow pace of life and almost no stress. Portugal has recently been ranked as the third safest and most peaceful country in the world by the 2017 Global Peace Index, which, in this time of worldwide instability, provides a reassurance to anyone thinking of investing in this area.

For the fourth year in a row, the Algarve has again been named the "best place in the world to retire to" by the influential Live and Invest Overseas website.

So why not contact us at Tavira House and Home and let us help you find your dream property.