Sharing a land border with Spain, Portugal is a country home to a varied yet consistently beautiful landscape. In the North are stunning mountains and rivers, whilst the South is home to rolling plains and beaches. The Algarve’s beaches are unmissable, and are a major reason for many to travel over to the country. Lisbon, its capital city, is bursting with culture, from its historical architecture to its vast array of independently owned shops. In town are beautiful pastel buildings, which can be seen from the impressive São Jorge Castle, overlooking the area. Easily accessible from the centre are lovely Atlantic beaches. With a Mediterranean climate, this rich and thriving country is a brilliant place for a holiday home or even a permanent residence.
In an episode from June 2022, Colin and Janet were searching for a retirement home on the Eastern Algarve. Their budget was £350,000, and with the help of Danni Menzies they were able to find a recently refurbished farmhouse on the outskirts of Moncarapacho, the town within easy walking distance. This was slightly over their budget, totalling £431,192, but the couple thought it was worth every penny with how impressive the property and its amenities were. The plot itself is spacious, and there’s some incredible living space available inside. The property has four bedrooms, each of which were large and airy so that the couple could host family and friends easily in their forever home.
Also in Moncarapacho was a five-bed house that boasted a modern finish and large garden area. Whilst the outside needed renovation, its interior was recently renovated and remained in excellent condition. This one was valued at £366,972, and once everything has been updated, it would make for a fantastic permanent home for anyone wanting to live over in Portugal. In Olhão, a harbour town with views over the stunning stretches of sand by the coast, there was a five-bed house available for £412,844. The villa was detached and had an impressive amount of outdoor space perfect for soaking in the sun, including a swimming pool and garden, and entertainment areas. There was also a roof terrace and sauna.
Myra and Eric were also looking for their Portugal retirement home in January 2022, on a budget of £300,000. Ben Hillman united them with their stunning three-bedroomed house in Quinta do Bom Sucesso, valued at £301,835. It was a detached property with a large garden that the couple could spend long sunny afternoons in, as well as a pool to cool off in. There were also two terraces to enjoy the tranquillity offered by the setting. Nestled in the countryside region with a stretch of sandy beach only a 15-minute drive away, the area is perfect for those wanting a more peaceful setting for their Portugal retreat.
The couple were tempted by the five-bedroomed converted farmhouse in Bombarral, which was valued at £320,148. This is a small town just north of Lisbon, from which the breath-taking natural reserve Serra de Montejunto is easily accessible. Panoramic views of the surrounding area are visible from there, and there’s also caves and fossils to discover. The property had three acres of land and a private swimming pool, making it ideal to enjoy the Portuguese sun. There was also a homely living room with a log burner, and a sun room.
Brannie and Paul, during an episode from December 2021, were looking for their permanent Portugal home on a budget of £225,000. Danni Menzies offered them five incredible properties in the Coimbra region of Portugal. This area is full of culture and history, and the university is a UNESCO heritage site. There’s plenty of natural spots to visit, including breath-taking mountain ranges and medieval towns. One such town is Penela, where Danni offered a four-bedroomed house valued at £240,741. This was an impressively large property, with a basement and two floors above and even a loft. The terrace wrapped around the whole house and led to the garden, and above on the first floor there was a balcony. The double bedrooms are large, and there was a bathroom for each.
A quaint cottage in Lousã was another option, this being worth £226,852. It had a rustic farmhouse charm, and a huge garden encompassing the whole property. The hallway was impressive in space and style, and there were four bright bedrooms, three of which were on the first floor. In Coimbrão, in the heart of the countryside, was a beautiful three-bedroomed house valued at £230,556. There were two homely lounges inside, as well as a breakfast room from which the patio doors led to the space outside. The bedrooms were impressively grand, the main room boasting a walk-in wardrobe.
