The algarve v the silver coast

Which of these two popular regions of Portugal has the cheapest house prices…?

Well, according to the Telegraph, house prices in the Silver Coast area are about one-third cheaper than those in the Algarve. The newspaper described the region as an "up and coming" market which is experiencing considerable growth, and recommended that people who want to collect the highest capital gains invest in the area as soon as they possibly can.

The Telegraph article also stated: “The Silver Coast is becoming increasingly attractive to affluent investors, as properties including luxury developments are being created across the region”.

A spokesperson for currency specialist FC Exchange added: “Portugal is becoming more and more popular with people who want a property for their own personal use. A large number of those who are interested in the Portuguese market are top-end buyers who are willing to spend about £590,000 on a second home abroad”.

Paul Collins, overseas property editor at BuyAssociation, concluded: "The Silver Coast, stretching from Porto to Lisbon, is one of the areas to look out for in 2008, along with the Costa Verde, or Green Coast, further to the north." Mr Collins described some of the properties to be found in this area of Portugal as "keenly-priced" and also pointed out that there is an interesting local culture.