With the Great Reshuffle creating real movement in the world of business, and COVID restrictions over, is now the time to invest in property abroad? What better place to start looking than Portugal’s prime pocket, the Algarve’s Golden Triangle?
Just 30 minutes west of Faro – the capital of the Algarve region – you’ll find the renowned Golden Triangle, known for its rugged coastline, scenic views, golf resorts and beautiful fishing villages. Today, the area is a top destination with the rich and famous, and more and more people are relocating there for a better quality of life.
The Golden Triangle is formed of the Quinta da Lago and Vale do Lobo districts on the Atlantic coastline and goes as far as Loulé at its most northerly point. While the towns of Almancil and Quarteira form the triangle’s western border and goes as far east as Vilamoura near Faro airport.
The opulent way of life associated with living in the triangle comes with a little planning, but, it is easier than you think despite leaving the EU.
Since the start of the Golden Visa scheme, the area has turned into one of the most sought-after destinations for real estate investors.
The Golden Visa, created by the Portuguese Government back in 2012, is a residency programme aimed to attract more High Net Worth Individuals (HNWIs) to the shores of the Algarve. Since conception, the scheme has attracted more than £4.3billion of foreign investment into the country.
The Golden Visa offers a five-year residency visa in exchange for an investment made in Portugal. However, since January 2022, foreign citizens looking to invest in Portuguese property in order to gain residency, will be restricted slightly.
Even though the government has made changes to the Non-Habitual Residency (NHR) Scheme and the Golden Visa programme, there are still many reasons to move to or invest in the country.
The luxury lifestyle given to residents of the Golden Triangle is unrivalled. With places like Quinta do Lago offering excellent restaurants, spas, golfing, fitness and health facilities. So, we’ve put together a brief outline of the three main areas – Quinta do Lago, Vilamoura and Vale do Lobo – to help those thinking of buying into the luxury Algarve lifestyle make the right choice.
Quinta do Lago
Think of Quinta do Lago as the Mayfair of the Algarve. Millionaires and billionaires roam the resort throughout the year, indulging in all the luxuries money can buy.
Quinta do Lago is at the start of the Ria Formosa Natural Park (just a 20-minute drive from Faro Airport), an area of lakes, lagoons, wetlands and barrier islands that stretch along the Atlantic Ocean towards the Spanish border. It’s insanely beautiful. The resort itself is also just as visually impressive. The Quinta do Lago resort is surrounded by pine trees, rolling hills, a selection of rare plant and animal life, and plenty of lush greenery.
In addition, you’ll find over two miles of sandy Blue Flag beaches and an Instagrammable network of sand dunes which are made for long walks and days of sun tanning. Not convinced yet? The exclusive nature of Quinta do Lago has seen it become home to celebrities. It is one of the most expensive places to buy Central Algarve property.
Talking of celebrities, head to the state-of-the-art fitness complex, The Campus (thecampusqdl.com), in the heart of Quinta do Lago for world-class health facilities with the occasional England rugby player to boot.
Sports stars and renowned athletes have been known to work up a sweat in the gym, tennis courts and pool, so those wanting to brush up against the best, should sign up too.
Townhouses cost from around £250,000 and detached villas with gardens from £540,000.
And those searching for the crème de la crème of luxury villas should expect to pay upwards of £5million. These high-end properties come with all the latest technology, and are paired with elegant modern design.
And it’s all about the views here – with this property overlooking the resort’s golf course and many lakes. We can very easily see ourselves living in a place like this.
If you decide to look in this area, why not take a look at this charming four-bed villa (main picture) set in one of the most sought after areas in Quinta do Lago from One Select Properties (oneselectproperties.com). Developed for family living, all the areas are of generous sizes and the most modern comforts have been added.
The surrounding garden has been designed with the style of the villa in mind. A large lawn area with local mature trees, provides much needed shade from the warm Algarve climate.
The ground floor rooms feature large French doors, opening to the south facing covered terrace and the swimming pool. The kitchen, fully equipped and well-maintained, has a laundry and pantry right next to it. In the exterior of the ground floor, there is also an annex, which can be turned into an extra bedroom.
The staircase to the first floor presents two main en suite bedrooms, both with generous areas, walk-in wardrobes and a lovely outside terrace serving both rooms.
Just on the edge of Quinta do Lago, Quinta Verde offers an exciting version of the Algarve luxury villa experience. The complex is moments from the area’s main social and shopping hub, yet secluded from the busier side of coastal developments, the small but extremely luxurious and exclusive resort development contains everything you could ever need from resort living, including concierge facilities, while ensuring the premium of complete privacy and the very best in security services.
Vilamoura
If you picture the international home-owning lifestyle in Portugal, you’re probably thinking of the central Algarve – with Vilamoura being the quintessential version. Just 25km from Faro Airport, you’ll find this a land of bling, spas, golf, Michelin-starred restaurants and hyper-luxurious villas. It has an impressive reputation as one of the top resorts in Europe.
The most-loved feature of Vilamoura is the gorgeous marina, where you can spend the entire day admiring luxury yachts and gawking at celebrities dotted about the many bars and restaurants. You’ll also find an extensive array of outdoor sports and leisure activities. Play tennis, go horse riding and make a fool of yourself with water sports before hitting some of the five Championship golf courses and the glamorous casino.
And the resort has big plans for expansion, meaning more properties will be popping up over the next few years, in new and untouched parts.
Vale do Lobo
Vale do Lobo, about 20 minutes away from Faro too, is made up of some of the most exclusive residences in the Algarve – with countless celebrities continuing to flock to new and old properties scattered about the Central Algarve resort. Here you will find luxury villas, an impressive beach and world-renowned golf course, Ocean Course.
These folks are obsessed with golf. And these are some of the very best in the Golden Triangle. Some of the courses are even built on cliff tops overlooking the clear blue waters.
But, for those who prefer relaxation and pampering to a day on the golf course, there is the Royal Spa. Here, you can indulge in a wide variety of spa treatments and therapies on the regular.
Shoppers are catered for as well, thanks to the massive Quinta Shopping Mall located between Vale do Lobo and Quinta do Lago. It is home to a series of luxury fashion, home and sporting labels. Pick up some pro golfing equipment while there to help improve your round. This is the largest of the luxury resorts in the Golden Triangle so amenities are aplenty. You won’t go wanting here.
