This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page Latest UpdatesCountries Why Join?IL MagazineFree Daily E-LetterVideoOur ExpertsTestimonialsFAQsTopics Living overseas since 2011 Terry and her husband went on a housesitting assignment to Portugal in 2018 and they knew they’d found a place they wanted to call home It’s no secret that Portugal has become one of the most desirable Although relatively small in size compared to its neighbor Spain, Portugal offers a plethora of living options. While some people never look beyond Lisbon, the country’s lively capital, or Porto there are plenty of small-town options just waiting to be called home Discover why we love a slower pace of life Portugal and info on other European countries in our daily postcard e-letter Simply enter your email address below and we’ll send you a FREE REPORT – Explore the Old World in Laidback Portugal with temperatures averaging between 65 F and 75 F while winters bring abundant rain and above-freezing temperatures a summer day in the north may only reach 65 F A typical winter day in the north might be wet you’ll find abundant sunshine and temperatures in the 70s This fortified border town, located at the mouth of the Minho River, was once the site of battles between Spain and Portugal. With a population of around 17,000, Caminha (camin-yah) is part of a municipality divided into fourteen subdivisions called "freguesias." showcases the remains of this medieval wonder The 17th-century clock tower stands proudly atop one of the three original city gates that has survived while the nearby church invites all to step inside with additional amenities and an international airport Portuguese explorers set sail from here to find new worlds the town gained fame for cod fishing and trade offering a plethora of seafood restaurants and the historic Gil Eannes At the heart of the old town lies Praça da República an enchanting plaza flanked by historic buildings like the Igreja da Misericórdia and the former city hall A 16th-century Renaissance fountain stands at its center Foreigners love Viana do Castelo’s authentic Portuguese charm a shopping center with an English-friendly cinema and more make the city a livable option for expats The middle of Portugal is a bit warmer than the north with summer temperatures reaching into the 80s but winters still bring plenty of rain and cold The town of Tomar (tu-mar) was founded in 1159 when the king gifted a former castle to the Knights Templar The castle was converted into the Convento de Cristo a colossal stronghold and home base of the Knights Templar for nearly 700 years The massive complex took over five decades to complete and is perched on top of a hill overlooking the town While most people visit Tomar to see the convent many fall in love with its charms and decide to stay Tomar invites visitors to witness a celebration like none other Known locally as the Festa dos Tabuleiros (or tray festival) women process through the streets carrying five-foot trays on top of their heads that weigh around fifty pounds each Each tray is made of bread loaves and flowers The charming city of 20,000 has both public and private hospitals Just a short distance from the city center are the river beaches of Montes Tomar The town of Caldas da Rainha (cal-dash-d-hain-yah) The city of 30,000 was founded in the 15th century by Queen Leonor when she discovered some locals bathing in a thermal spring along the roadside Her majesty took advantage of the thermal water which healed an unknown affliction of hers she ordered a hospital to be built on the site The bustling Praça da Fruta hosts a daily fresh produce market while the nearby fish market offers local catches Caldas also features a flea market every Monday and is renowned for its ceramics culture and a multi-level shopping center with English-language movies Óbidos (awe-bee-do-ssh) is one of Portugal’s best-preserved medieval towns cobbled streets lead to charming shops selling the famous ginja liqueur served in chocolate cups a well-preserved castle now operates as a luxurious hotel Óbidos hosts diverse festivals throughout the year from medieval fairs to a whimsical Christmas village enjoying the proximity to Caldas da Rainha’s amenities The Alentejo is the rural interior of Portugal it may be hard for new expats to make friends and be fully immersed in the Portuguese culture and language One of the few places in the Alentejo that does see its share of tourists is Évora. The historic center is a living museum where the ancient Roman Temple of Diana dominates the skyline Part of the wall that once enclosed the city still remains like the fortified gate and the timeworn Arab Kasbah the Chapel of Bones coaxes visitors in to read the eerie inscription pelos vossos esperamos”—“we bones that are here await yours.” Because of the influx of tourists English-speaking locals are easy to find in Évora Expats can expect to find apartments to rent or buy within the city while freestanding houses can be found in rural The city of 50,000 boasts private and public hospitals The closest airport to Évora is in Badajoz The ancient city of Beja (bay-jah) is surrounded by a seemingly endless landscape of agricultural fields and countryside In the center of the old town is a medieval castle with its imposing tower Meander through the castle’s medieval walls and feel like royalty it was here that Julius Caesar signed a peace treaty with the Lusitanian tribes to gain control over the land is the heartbeat of Beja for visitors and locals alike Grab a chair at any cafe and order a coffee and pastry or return for dinner under the stars and sip wine with friends until the sun comes up Life in this traditional working city is slow-paced and calm foreigners can expect to find property to buy with land apartment living is the norm for those who wish to live near the center The closest international airport is a 90-minute drive in Faro In the south is the Algarve which boasts the best weather in the country and sunshine galore was founded in 1774 by the Marquis of Pombal Destroyed by a tsunami following the great earthquake of 1755 the town was reconstructed in just two years following the grid-like design of downtown Lisbon this fishing village of 20,000 is situated between the Guadiana River the town glows with holiday decorations and the most colossal Christmas village in the country The massive design features more than 5,600 figures filling a 2,500-square-foot space in the cultural center babbling brooks run through miniature villages and sounds of people and animals fill the air The town has a private health clinic for medical and dental services Nearby beaches include both river and ocean options and the Spanish border is easily accessible The city of Faro is less than an hour’s drive away In the western Algarve, Lagos (lah-gush) sits along the banks of the Bensafrim River The venerable 17th-century fort that once protected the port stands as a reminder of days gone by The city of 19,000 is a favorite among expats and visitors The golden sands of Praia da Batata (Potato Beach) lure visitors to dip their toes in the water The beach is sheltered from large Atlantic waves A short jaunt from the town center is Ponta da Piedade a dramatic headland of towering limestone cliffs Expats in Lagos enjoy access to both public and private hospitals and numerous smaller shops and restaurants The town has a large international expat community and Faro International Airport is just an hour away Stroll across the picturesque Roman Bridge that spans the slow-moving River Gilão and cherish the view and the sound of a violinist playing nearby set a romantic scene Expats are drawn to Tavira for its authentic charm with modern conveniences like the Gran Plaza shopping center and easy access to the beaches of Tavira Island The nearby cities of Faro and Loulé provide additional healthcare options including private hospitals and specialized clinics Portugal’s small towns offer an affordable high-quality lifestyle with modern conveniences there’s a perfect Portuguese town waiting for you The policy implications of this election will impact your retirement funds you can live comfortably on a budget from $2,000-$3,800 a month (all-in—housing and extras included) Read today's Portuguese stories delivered to your email Vila Real de Santo António is preparing to welcome “thousands of visitors” to yet another edition of the Praia Fair which will bring “life and excitement to the city and the Historic Center” between October 9th and 15th “The fairgrounds will once again be spread along Avenida da República, the riverside area and Praça Marquês de Pombal, welcoming thousands of visitors, mainly Spanish, who, on October 12th, a public holiday in Spain, head to the Algarve city”, according to the VRSA City Council utensils and clothes on display on Avenida da República and the riverside area to the many food products and stalls on Praça Marquês de Pombal there is no shortage of reasons to visit Vila Real de Santo António” originated in the original location of the event the year Vila Real de Santo António was founded with the purpose of expanding social and economic activities and promoting fishing We appreciate that not everyone can afford to pay for our services but if you are able to we ask you to support The Portugal News by making a contribution – no matter how small You can change how much you give or cancel your contributions at any time Send us your comments or opinion on this article Reaching over 400,000 people a week with news about Portugal Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time Portugal’s south-eastern railroad terminates at Vila Real de Santo Antonio a fishing town overlooking the mouth of the Guadiana River the completion of one country and the birth of another the Andalusian town of Ayamonte blazes white; onward travellers take a ferry to this Spanish outpost or cross the bridge four kilometres upriver But our journey is spooling in reverse; we alight at the final stop beside an art deco headhouse freshly whitewashed and tiled with sky-blue azulejos the ubiquitous glazed tiles introduced to Portugal from north Africa in the 13th century Vila Real De Santo Antonio is at the end of the line.Credit: iStock my son and I arrive late at night at Faro International Airport A stroppy immigration official delays our release into the warm night air; the last bus to Faro has just departed Taxi driver Emiliano drops us at our hostel in Faro and advises us to visit the fish market in his hometown “You have more chance to see fishermen coming from the sea,” he says is said to be the hipper of the two cities passing Olhao on our way to Vila Real de Santo Antonio This instinct aligns with the government’s Tourism Strategy 2027 which encourages tourists to venture beyond Portugal’s hotspots Rail mobility is one of the improvements under way; the campaign Portugal was the fourth most-Googled destination after Greece Lighthouse in Vila Real de Santo Antonio.Credit: Alamy Portugal’s hotspots are already blistering elbowing our way up the streets of Lisbon’s trendy Bairro Alto district we’ll contribute to the nascent menace of overtourism But there’s breathing space in the salt-scrubbed south-eastern corner of Portugal We’ve put our faith in the national railway The network is constrained by industrial strikes and a compact configuration it splays into the hinterland like the fingers of an outstretched hand; one can go only so far before the line runs out that we find the train idling at Faro railway station the next morning limping along the tracks as though emerging from a torpor mudflats and orchards flash by and beyond the dunes lies the Ramsar-listed Ria Formosa a sinuous lagoon system and migratory bird habitat spanning 60 kilometres of coastline The conductor checks our tickets – a charmingly old-school custom employed on all intercity trains but we’re the only tourists to disembark an hour later at Vila Real de Santo Antonio Praca Marques de Pombol is empty; we stand alone on sunburst-patterned cobblestones anchored by an obelisk and encircled by buildings built in the geometrically precise Pombaline style The lighthouse at the end of Avenida Ministro Duarte Pacheco appears to be marooned inland but its looming lantern has provided salvation to tugboats chugging upriver and ships adrift at sea the Monumento ao Pescador commemorates the town’s tuna and sardine industry and prompts thoughts of lunch but there are plenty of tables free outside Honoritos Vila Real de Santo Antonio from above.Credit: iStock “I think this is a bit of a hidden gem,” says my son favouring my sardine pate over his Sardinian pizza This simple pleasure is amplified by the roving band of Portuguese guitar the patron breaking into accompanying song Spain’s wind turbines spinning white against a sky glazed as blue as the azulejos “Is this the train to Olhao?” I ask a man striding along the platform back at the station climbing into the driver’s compartment and shutting the door behind him admittedly; there’s only one direction in which we can travel – westwards past telephone poles topped with stork nests The fish market is closed by the time we reach Olhao Nearby we find the Jardim Pescador Olhanense memorial painted azulejos depict the men who sailed to Brazil in 1808 to deliver good news to the Portuguese colonial court – Napoleon’s troops had withdrawn from the Algarve Meandering back towards the station along the Path of Legends a route linking the historic quarter’s main squares we come upon a fishy tale: a sculpture of the wide-eyed boy said to have appeared before fishermen returning from the sea on dark nights Such gloomy apparitions are vanquished on the short train ride back to Faro; the Ria Formosa laps the tracks There’s no direct rail link between Faro and the Alentejo city of Evora We must take the train all the way to Lisbon’s outskirts before doglegging eastwards The journey takes not much longer than it would by road a cafeteria and a refreshment trolley from which we purchase pasteis de nata before we’ve even pulled out of Faro Speed blurs villages huddled around church spires shuttered homes – do they belong to the many expats living here Graffiti has made stained glass of the train windows on one side; sunlight pours through them illuminating the carriage like a cathedral stepping into an older compartment devoid of graffiti but juicy with colour turquoise upholstery: a retro relic streaking across plains studded with cork oaks and blanched by sunshine my son helps a couple from New Zealand unload their bicycles from the train At the tail end of a “bike packing” holiday they’re visiting the city before flying home in three days’ time “We ran out of time to cycle here,” says the man Evora’s UNESCO World Heritage-listed historic centre is uniformly whitewashed and painted with yellow trim We climb cobbled staircases and weave through alleyways towards the Roman Temple ruins and Evora Cathedral the flags from Vasco da Gama’s first expedition fleet were blessed in 1497; the explorer’s story is painted into life on the azulejos decorating Evora station’s walls The Capela dos Ossos (Chapel of Bones) is the only place with a queue forming; more visitors will arrive when the high-speed Lisbon to Madrid railway The end of the line will become a thoroughfare a tantalising stop between the capital cities of two of Europe’s most fashionable destinations we’re surprised to see the bike-packers on the train to Lisbon “Catching the last one out before tomorrow’s strike,” says the woman The Alentejo dissolves behind us; within an hour we’re cruising high above the Tagus River on the 25 de Abril Bridge pulling in beneath the monumental trusses of Lisbon Oriente station We farewell the bike-packers and take the metro to Santa Apolonia station in Alfama The locomotive halts inside the train shed; tomorrow it will sit idle ascending the streets of this higgledy-piggledy neighbourhood upon which Lisbon was founded TRAINRail Europe’s Portugal Pass costs from €110 ($180). Individual tickets can be booked on the Rail Europe app. Seats for intercity and Alfa Pendular trains must be reserved at the station at additional cost. See raileurope.com/en-auFor strike updates and timetable changes, download Comboios de Portugal’s app. See cp.pt/passageiros/en STAYTwinshare rooms with shared bathroom at Hostellicious in Faro from €45. See farohostel.com/en/hostelliciousTwinshare rooms at Evora Olive Hotel from €70. See evoraolivehotelevora.com-hotel.com FLYEtihad flies daily from Sydney and Melbourne via Abu Dhabi to Paris (CDG). See etihad.com/en-aueasyJet flies twice weekly from Paris (CDG) to Faro. See easyjet.com/en The writer travelled at her own expense; her Portugal Pass was provided by Rail Europe Sign up for the Traveller Deals newsletter Get exclusive travel deals delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up now Portugal\\u2019s south-eastern railroad terminates at Vila Real de Santo Antonio It\\u2019s at once a dead-end and a prelude \\u201CYou have more chance to see fishermen coming from the sea,\\u201D he says This instinct aligns with the government\\u2019s Tourism Strategy 2027 which encourages tourists to venture beyond Portugal\\u2019s hotspots Portugal\\u2019s hotspots are already blistering elbowing our way up the streets of Lisbon\\u2019s trendy Bairro Alto district we\\u2019ll contribute to the nascent menace of overtourism But there\\u2019s breathing space in the salt-scrubbed south-eastern corner of Portugal We\\u2019ve put our faith in the national railway The conductor checks our tickets \\u2013 a charmingly old-school custom employed on all intercity trains but we\\u2019re the only tourists to disembark an hour later at Vila Real de Santo Antonio the Monumento ao Pescador commemorates the town\\u2019s tuna and sardine industry and prompts thoughts of lunch \\u201CI think this is a bit of a hidden gem,\\u201D says my son Spain\\u2019s wind turbines spinning white against a sky glazed as blue as the azulejos \\u201CIs this the train to Olhao?\\u201D I ask a man striding along the platform back at the station climbing into the driver\\u2019s compartment and shutting the door behind him admittedly; there\\u2019s only one direction in which we can travel \\u2013 westwards painted azulejos depict the men who sailed to Brazil in 1808 to deliver good news to the Portuguese colonial court \\u2013 Napoleon\\u2019s troops had withdrawn from the Algarve a route linking the historic quarter\\u2019s main squares There\\u2019s no direct rail link between Faro and the Alentejo city of Evora We must take the train all the way to Lisbon\\u2019s outskirts before doglegging eastwards a cafeteria and a refreshment trolley from which we purchase pasteis de nata before we\\u2019ve even pulled out of Faro shuttered homes \\u2013 do they belong to the many expats living here \\u2013 sprawled indolently across hillsides At the tail end of a \\u201Cbike packing\\u201D holiday they\\u2019re visiting the city before flying home in three days\\u2019 time \\u201CWe ran out of time to cycle here,\\u201D says the man \\u201Cso caught the train instead.\\u201D Evora\\u2019s UNESCO World Heritage-listed historic centre is uniformly whitewashed and painted with yellow trim the flags from Vasco da Gama\\u2019s first expedition fleet were blessed in 1497; the explorer\\u2019s story is painted into life on the azulejos decorating Evora station\\u2019s walls a tantalising stop between the capital cities of two of Europe\\u2019s most fashionable destinations we\\u2019re surprised to see the bike-packers on the train to Lisbon \\u201CCatching the last one out before tomorrow\\u2019s strike,\\u201D says the woman \\u201CDon\\u2019t want to miss our flight!\\u201D The Alentejo dissolves behind us; within an hour we\\u2019re cruising high above the Tagus River on the 25 de Abril Bridge We will find at the city\\u2019s beginning TRAINRail Europe\\u2019s Portugal Pass costs from \\u20AC110 ($180) Individual tickets can be booked on the Rail Europe app Seats for intercity and Alfa Pendular trains must be reserved at the station at additional cost See For strike updates and timetable changes STAYTwinshare rooms with shared bathroom at Hostellicious in Faro from \\u20AC45 See Twinshare rooms at Evora Olive Hotel from \\u20AC70 FLYEtihad flies daily from Sydney and Melbourne via Abu Dhabi to Paris (CDG) See easyJet flies twice weekly from Paris (CDG) to Faro Arnaud De Lie third after Alberto Dainese relegated from podium to 134th The final 5km was a heated battle between the sprint trains of the major favourites Visma-Lease a Bike and Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe most conspicuously controlling the pace as Dainese and Girmay shifted ahead of a fading Van Aert into the final straight Chaos erupted as a crash to the left of the peloton took down a dozen riders near the front of the sprint including a number of Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe riders but thankfully sparing the sprinters positioned at the front of the field Meeus follow a fortunate early sprint from Casper van Uden (Picnic-PostNL) before sweeping ahead of Girmay and Dainese in the final 100 metres meaning Girmay placed second and Arnaud De Lie moved up to third "I was second already in my first race and I was really focused on the first stage here [it] didn't work out as we all know but today was another opportunity," Meeus said at the finish to Eurosport I felt good all day and the team did an amazing job so I'm super happy to finish it off It was actually quite a hectic day all day the hilly part there was also some wind with 35k's to go so I was really nervous Then after the bonus sprint we turned into headwind and then the sprint preparations started.  It was still a bit hectic in the final with the corners and the roundabouts but I managed to position myself well and finish it off." With fourth-placed Romain Bardet (Picnic-PostNL) crashing out of the race with 23km to go António Morgado (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) shifted into his spot and all the others in the top 10 moved up one spot as well with Neilson Powless (EF Education-EasyPost) going into 10th who won the same 183.5-kilometre stage to Tavira last year was part of the bunch contesting the sprint "I was super punchy in the final 3km," Wout van Aert said after the finish "I was in a good position toward the roundabout at 800 I lost too many positions for a good sprint." Warm if windy weather greeted the peloton at the start in the Portuguese border town of Vila Real de San Antonio Van Aert logically found himself at the centre of the media attention at the sign-on through the much more rugged opening half of the course did not prevent nine Portuguese riders and one Briton going clear in what potentially constituted a serious challenge to the sprinters and WorldTour teams present.  nominally represented the most serious threat overall but the allure of some time off the front and perhaps a breakaway win were the most obvious goals for the 10-man move also containing  Gonçalo Oliveira (Anicolor-Tien 21) Bruno Silva (Tavfer-Ovos Matinados-Mortagua) Carlos Miguel Salgueiro (APHotels & Resorts-Tavira-SC Farense) Noah Campos and André Ribeiro (GI Group Holding-Simoldes-UDO) Joao Oliveira (Credibom-LA Aluminios-Marcos Car) and César Fonte (Radio Popular-Paredes-Boavista) By the foot of the first of the day's two classified climbs the 10 still held a solid three-minute gap But the climb itself began to take its toll with  Joao Oliveira one of the first to be dropped and the remainder of the breakaway shedding time as well.  the entire front move was recaptured and the sprinters' teams kept a strict eye on proceedings as the race moved towards the summit After German Nicolás Tivani (Aviludo-Louetano-Loule) darted ahead over the top to recapture the lead in the mountains classification from Foia winner Jan Christen (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) EF Education-EasyPost led the pack off the descent Soudal-QuickStep and Groupama-FDJ were notably present in the front part of the peloton as it zipped along a broad 'A'-road back down from inland towards the very windy segment of Atlantic coastline The unmistakeable figure of Filippo Ganna (Ineos Grenadiers) at the head of affairs added yet more speed to the peloton as it moved into the final 30 kilometres speeded along by a brisk tailwind and well-surfaced roads After rattling through the cobbled boulevards and past the famous lighthouse in the start town of Vila Real for a second time a 90-degree turn brought the pack onto the long series of straightaways leading to the finish in Tavira Just as a crash brought down Bardet and Picnic-PostNL teammate Romain Combaud Lidl-Trek put in their first concerted effort of the day on the front With the peloton together and a flat 20km ahead it was for the sprinters' teams to orchestrate their lead-out trains and all eyes were on Intermarché-Wanty Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe and Visma–Lease a Bike Results powered by FirstCycling Alasdair FotheringhamSocial Links NavigationAlasdair Fotheringham has been reporting on cycling since 1991 He has covered every Tour de France since 1992 bar one as well as numerous other bike races of all shapes and sizes ranging from the Olympic Games in 2008 to the now sadly defunct Subida a Urkiola hill climb in Spain he has also written for The Independent,  The Guardian,  ProCycling Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) secured the overall title at the Volta ao Algarve after storming to victory on the finale 19.6km time trial that finished atop Alto do Malhão Vingegaard covered the time trial with the fastest time of 28:25 with an average speed of 41.4kph beating his teammate and runner-up Wout van Aert by 11 seconds while Antonio Tiberi (Bahrain Victorious) finished 14 seconds back and in third place on the day Jordi Meeus (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) bolted from a large pack of riders with 150 metres to go and won stage 3 ahead of Alberto Dainese (Tudor Pro Cycling) and Biniam Girmay (Intermarché-Wanty) Lotto carried momentum ahead of a late crash in the final kilometre with their fastman Arnaud De Lie well-placed Race leader Jan Christen (UAE Term Emirates-XRG) finished safely in the bunch and will again wear yellow on Saturday's penultimate stage Jan Christen earned the first leader's jersey of the 2025 Volta ao Algarve on Thursday with an all-or-nothing acceleration from the breakaway with 400 metres to go that landed him the victory on the summit finish at Alto da Foia His UAE Team Emirates-XRG teammate João Almeida also accelerated on the double-digit gradient in the final kilometre to distance himself from other GC contenders and earn bonus points with a second-place finish In a bizarre ending to stage 1 that saw the majority of the peloton enter the final stretch of 800 metres on the wrong side of the road after Filippo Ganna raised his arms as the victor But he was only one of a few riders who made the correct turn on the final corner so organisers cancelled the stage results and held the designation of a GC leader until the conclusion of stage 2 is celebrating a milestone 50th edition from February 14-18 it has also become a significant early-season race that many top riders use to prepare for the upcoming Spring Classics More recent winners of the Volta ao Algarve include the likes of Tony Martin, Michal Kwiatkowski, Richie Porte, Geraint Thomas, Primož Roglič, Tadej Pogačar, and 2024 winner Remco Evenepoel This year's race is held across 748 kilometres and includes five stages that boast something for every type of rider: climbers The event brings together 13 WorldTeams with Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) and Primož Roglič (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) the top contenders alongside João Almeida (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) Julian Alaphilippe will make his stage racing debut with Tudor Pro Cycling Defending champion Evenepoel, who was injured over the winter when a postal service driver opened their door in his path Volta ao Algarve 2025 route The PSD party of Vila Real de Santo António has filed a complaint with the Public Ministry questioning the legality of a licensed municipal urban planning project on the land of a former cinema in the city defended the legality of the process for the construction of 114 houses at controlled costs and guaranteed that it will forward all documentation to the Public Ministry (MP) claiming that the complaint presented by the opposition social democrat “has only political motivations” “What underpins this communication that the PSD makes to the Public Ministry are a set of facts that the PSD considered to be a set of strange facts” considering that “there are some legality issues that may not be being complied with ” Lusa confronted the president of the municipality with the complaint presented by the PSD and Álvaro Araújo said he was not aware of but added that he had asked the municipal services to send all the documentation to the MP showing his availability to clarify any doubts “What we have here is a process that should make us all happy which is the attempt to obtain housing at controlled costs for the middle class and young people in our municipality This process is transparent and available for consultation” Among the “strange” factors pointed out by the PSD is the fact that a company created with a “very small” share capital (100 euros) was chosen to build “a housing cluster of a very large size” and that there was an opinion from the urban planning division signalling non-compliance with the Detailed Safeguard Plan for the Pombalino Center or that construction had begun without a license but then it gets a little strange because the president claims the competence of the process for himself he no longer allows the process to go to the legal department for an opinion and to resolve the issues raised by the technique who at the time wasn't even in the urban planning division And then the president begins to dispatch the process removing the technician who assessed it in the first phase and also removing the councilor from the matter” The president of the municipality recalled that the company in question (Ferreira) is building houses along the same lines in Faro and said he had consulted one of the technicians participating in the preparation of the Safeguard Plan for the Pombalino Center without any non-compliance being pointed out justifying the fact that he brought the process to his attention with the need to speed it up as it was financed by the Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR) “As there is a whole process of urgency in carrying out the procedures because we have to have this entire process completed highlighting that it is a “very important project for the municipality” The mayor said he does not understand the “fight that the PSD is doing” and “the instrumentalization of some population” when what is at stake is housing at controlled costs for affordable rent for the middle class and young people “This is a clear attack that the PSD is making on the Local Housing Strategy because they know it will solve people's problems What they are concluding is that ‘if these people manage to solve the housing problem in the municipality we will never win elections in Vila Real again’ [de Santo António]” remembering the “terrible management” and “the ruinous situation” of the municipality after 16 years of PSD majority The Vila Real de Santo António (VRSA) Skate Park which is the result of an investment of €93,000 will be integrated into the Sports Complex of the city This work represents "a strategic investment in the area of ​​youth and in the promotion of sports, reinforcing the commitment of the Vila Real de Santo António City Council to the creation of infrastructures that encourage active and healthy lifestyles." The cornerstone of the Skate Park was laid on August 12th last year marking the beginning of a project long awaited by the local community and which is part of the "municipal strategy of valuing public spaces and encouraging outdoor sport." municipalities set the Municipal Property Tax (IMI) rates to be charged the following year In 2025 most municipalities will charge the minimum rate (0.30%) The IMI rate to be applied in 2025 has already been announced by the vast majority of the 308 Portuguese municipalities According to data published on the Finance Portal there are 195 city halls that will apply the minimum rate of 0.3% The number of municipalities that apply the maximum IMI rate of 0.45% remains the same The good news is that there were 37 municipalities that decided to lower the IMI rate in 2025 with the biggest reductions being observed in Vila Nova de Poiares (from 0.45% to 0.39%) Elvas (from 0.4% to 0.35% in both cases) and Portalegre (from 0.34% to 0.3%) leaving the exceptional maximum rate of 0.5% allocated to municipalities covered by the local economy support program or the municipal adjustment program For this year the IMI rate in this Algarve municipality is now 0.45% only two municipalities advanced with increases in this municipal tax: Torre de Moncorvo which increased from 0.3% to 0.45%; and Évora This means that the vast majority of municipalities (a total of 258) chose to keep their IMI rates unchanged Each municipality can choose to reduce the IMI for families according to the number of dependents (one child has a discount of 30 euros two are equivalent to 70 euros and three are equivalent to 140 euros) The IMI rate applied to rural properties continues to be 0.8% in all municipalities in the country Lota Beach in the municipality of Vila Real de Santo António will see an investment of €158 million to build a luxury hotel unit The new five-star hotel unit will offer services for luxury tourism segments and will be built in the Lota Beach area a seaside area in the parish of Vila Nova de Cacela municipality of Vila Real de Santo António will create around 337 direct jobs in the region The works are scheduled to take place between 2025 and 2026 five restaurants and a wellness centre and spa with 50 rooms for massages and treatments one indoor pool and gardens with “direct access to the beach via wooden walkways” “This is a structural investment for local economic development” that “will change the tourism paradigm of Vila Real de Santo António reinforcing the quality of the offer and attracting visitors from luxury segments” from countries such as the United States The Vila Real de Santo António Council also quoted the vice-president of the municipality for whom “the project aims to diversify and qualify the municipality’s tourist offer” promoting environmental sustainability using “best practices for the environmental performance of the hotel’s buildings” “The project includes cutting-edge technological solutions both in terms of materials and construction techniques reinforcing its impact on the Innovation and Development sector” provided they will not repeat same horrible constructions as in Altura and nearby locations without any criterion except that of speculation it is welcome and recommendable that they keep environment and landcape first in their design ShareSaveCommentLifestyleTravelPortugal’s Grand House Hotel Is About To Get Even GranderByAnn Abel Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights Ann Abel is a Lisbon-based writer covering luxury travel with a soulFollow AuthorSep 20 05:57am EDTShareSaveCommentThis article is more than 3 years old.The dining room at Grand House Algarve I tasted that the food was yummy and sensed that the service and activities were top-notch it opened in 1926 as a way station for the merchants who bought and sold tinned fish from the 27 canneries of Vila Real Santo António It lived up to its name with sweeping staircases and marble columns with 30 light-filled rooms that are full of period details like ornate moldings and crystal chandeliers It’s also the grand jewel of the career of Portuguese-born internationally bred hotelier Luis Fernandes he tells me over a lunch of fresh fish and seafood at the Grand Beach Club a seaside restaurant a short ways from the hotel But he didn’t want to study law in South Africa the legendary hotelier behind Atlantis and One & Only and then went on to work with Orient Express Rosewood and Ty Warner on projects all over the world “I was like a Portuguese navigator,” he jokes “going from South African to Mozambique to Brazil to the Middle East At first he wasn’t interested in Vila Real Santo António “I fell in love with the building even though it was dilapidated,” he remembers What if Ralph Lauren designed a hotel in Portugal but gave it a Portuguese soul that means that nearly everything in the hotel was made in Portugal “Portugal should be seen as a luxury destination,” he says simply an homage to Vila Real Santo António’s history set to open in March with a restaurant specializing in canned fish (a delicacy in Portugal) followed by a members’ club and event space the Grand Beach Club Porto will open its doors followed by another Grand House hotel in Lisbon interior design and service” and located in preserved buildings from various moments in history (not only the obvious palaces) And they will be “authentically Portuguese and handmade things from Minho to the Algarve.” Because in the end he wants Grand House to be perceived as an ambassador to Portugal—diplomacy after all This sophisticated 5 star Belle Époque hotel a Grand Salon Restaurant & Bar for signature cocktails and gourmet dining; and close by a fabulous Grand Beach Club Grand House Algarve is an exquisitely restored Grand Dame; a historic hotel that first opened in the roaring 20s Now a century later Grand House combines the elegance of a bygone era with contemporary style and facilities There are lots of different spaces for different moods This is how the team at Grand House Algarve craft there very own interpretation of luxury General Manager Marita Barth and her team deliver a truly special guest experience despite the grandeur of the classic architecture and refined Art Nouveau detailing Grand House is all about the personalised attention and the friendly team I also found the ambiance to be relaxed and welcoming in this pet-friendly hotel The chances are you will be greeted in reception not only by the helpful Front Desk team but also by ‘Junior Butler Grand’ a fluffy Portuguese Water Dog puppy that is part of the hotel family She bounces from reception to the front door setting the tone for an unpretentious and cosy stay as well as Portugal’s colonial maritime history of global exploration Expect an eclectic mix of artefacts collected from around the world This unique style is the work of Portuguese interior design duo ‘White & Kaki’ each with a tranquil aesthetic that makes the most of the abundant natural light A few art nouveau features collide with baroque style elements from extravagant picture frames to ornate chandeliers There are also 12 ‘medium’ rooms and 12 ‘small’ rooms We were fortunate to stay in the corner Grand Suite with stunning double height French Windows that opened onto a balcony that wrapped around the room Thoughtful details at turndown included homemade local cookies (Areias) and homemade green apple and lime liquor although one morning we made the most of the spectacular sunrise and enjoyed breakfast in the room As a Relais & Châteaux property you can expect to eat & drink well here too The Grand Salon Restaurant & Bar offers expertly prepared cocktails gourmet tasting menus and an impressive selection of Portuguese wines Head barman Filipe is an award-winning mixologist have created a sensation cocktail menu for both the Grand House and the nearby Grand Beach Club  Start off your stay in style with a ´Grand Spritz’ with Portuguese vinho verde Or maybe before a tasting menu try an ‘Algarvian Sour’ created with homemade lemon sour Sophisticated dining in the elegant Grand Salon Dishes showcased local produce from Atlantic fresh fish and seafood to locally sourced vegetables Filipe expertly paired each dish with Portuguese wines Teodora Martins is an expert vacation designer and will be team will be happy to create tailored experiences to transform a stay into a memorial trip We enjoyed the expert insights of barman Felipe elements and different techniques of cocktails making the personalised masterclass was a fascinating and entertaining evening Teodora also took us to the nearby salt marches of the Sapal de Castro Marim Nature Reserve Here we visited a family-owned business that continues to harvest the flor de sal from water that naturally evaporates in salt pans dug out within the marshlands Owner Jorge shared his passion for this most artisan of products and invited us to try the delicate pyramids of salt learning about the different varieties that are prized by gourmet chefs Then we feasted on huge Atlantic carabineros prawns cooked on a bed of salt served with local goats’ cheese and over-sized juicy beef tomatoes Vila Real de Santo Antonio is in a unique location on the delta of the river Guadiana where it meets the Atlantic Here guests will find the Grand Beach Club A complimentary car service will whisk you there but I can recommend taking the hotel bicycles for the short ride down to this beautifully designed waterside restaurant with pool It’s a beautiful place that adds a little island magic to a stay Before the motorway bridge was built across the River Guadiana travellers crossing the border from Spain into the Algarve would have taken the ferry across to Vila Real de Santo António As the first town Spaniards from Andalucia would reach The main street looking out across the river to Ayemonte is a row of elegant houses with extravagant glass windows Grand House is part of the regeneration of this delightful main avenue An adjacent period property is being renovated to become a Grand Café the old customs house is also being restored and will be transformed into an exclusive venue for guests including a supper club and cigar club Santo António shares the same elegant 18th century Pombaline architectural style of the Portuguese capital it’s so evocative of Lisbon’s elegant Baixa centre since both were rebuilt after the 1755 earthquake and tsunami under the direction of the Marquês de Pombal. The town retains some delightful old houses and lots of interesting shops and market stalls selling everything from Portuguese towels and linens lined with orange trees and paved with distinctive black and white basalt and limestone mosaic tiles typical of the country’s ‘Calcada Portuguesa’ squares There are also fabulous beaches nearby and delightful hamlets and coastal villages – it all makes for a remarkable geaway Website: grandhousealgarve.comAddress: Av. da República nº 171, 8900-203 Vila Real de Santo António, Portugal Andrew is a Marketing Communications consultant His career in PR and marketing spans 30 years He writes regularly on international wellness and lifestyle themes with a particular passion for the Mediterranean and the Americas Andrew Forbes has lived in the US and France but now calls southern Spain his home where he is a specialist in hospitality marketing and content as well as a Contributing Editor for magazines and newspapers Enzo Sternal (17) was the subject of interest from rival clubs in the summer before Roberto De Zerbi and the hierarchy at Olympique de Marseille convinced him to stay at the club. However, just a few months later, the France youth international is set to depart OM, according to a report from L’Équipe Sternal is seen as one of the most talented prospects at Marseille and that was reflected in the club’s determination to retain him over the summer including from fierce rivals Olympique Lyonnais the France U18 international has found gametime hard to come by making just two brief substitute appearances off the bench he will join Anderlecht in the coming days The Belgian side are willing to offer him significantly more game time than he would get at OM Negotiations between the clubs are ongoing GFFN | Luke Entwistle has helped the Algarve to become a favourite destination for many Portuguese and foreigners to celebrate the arrival of the New Year.  Recognised for its natural beauty and diverse programming the region offers unforgettable experiences for those who want a memorable New Year's Eve The main promoters of the end of year festivities are the 16 municipalities in the Algarve with the main attraction being New Year's Eve in Albufeira which last year brought together around 350,000 people The iconic Praia dos Pescadores will be the stage for Albufeira Carpe Nox 2025 The countdown to the New Year will be marked by a laser show which will culminate in an all-night party to the sounds of DJ Diego Miranda other Algarve locations are also preparing unmissable events Additional highlights include celebrations in Fuseta (Olhão) Praia do Carvoeiro (Lagoa) and at the Algarve Congress Center “The Algarve is increasingly a natural choice for those looking for a special place to celebrate the New Year makes the region the ideal destination for all tastes We want to provide unique moments for both our visitors and our local community,” says André Gomes Chelsea are closely monitoring Lyon prospect Enzo Molebe (17), according to a report this Friday from Le Parisien The 17-year-old striker is touted as being one of the most promising 2007-born talents within Olympique Lyonnais’ famed Academy Molebe only has a couple of minutes of senior playing time this campaign under the tutelage of Lyon head coach Pierre Sage in Lyon’s Coupe de France R064 opener against fourth-tier side Entente Feignies-Aulnoye and in Lyon’s away Europa League 4-1 win at Qarabag Molebe is under contract with his formative club until 2027 The outlet adds that Molebe is unsure whether or not he will remain with Lyon after February 3rd which is when the winter transfer window closes in most European countries Le Parisien adds that Molebe is the subject of concrete interest from Chelsea as the Premier League side could go up a gear in their pursuit of the 17-year-old prospect in the coming days Enzo Maresca’s Blues could sign Molebe to loan him out – logically to BlueCo-owned Ligue 1 side RC Strasbourg – so as to not hamper his development GFFN | Bastien Cheval Official logo for the International Wheelchair and Amputee Sport Federation (IWAS) The International Wheelchair and Amputee Sports Federation (IWAS) has announced the 7th IWAS World Games 2017 will be hosted at the Vila Real de Santo António in Portugal from 30 November – 6 December 2017 The preliminary sports programme includes archery Final confirmation of the sports will be determined by the responses received in the ‘intention to compete’ phase of entry The age categories hosted at the Games will be Under 20's Open class and Master class for athletes of 40 years old and above The Vila Real de Santo António Complexo Desportivo located in Eastern Algarve of Southern Portugal offering a wide variety of sporting facilities at the acclaimed High Performance Training Centre Paul DePace said: “We are excited to bring the IWAS World Games to Vila Real de Santo Antonio Complexo Desportivo in Portugal for the first time which has the full support of the nation’s IWAS Member Federacao Portuguesa de Desporto para Pessoas com Deficiencia [FPDD] will bring a wider variety of sports than previous Games including Para taekwondo and beach ParaVolley giving an opportunity to new athletes to experience the value of the IWAS World Games We greatly look forward to welcoming the athletes and staff of the IWAS Membership to Portugal later in the year.” will also be held in conjunction with the IWAS World Games on 2 December Further information on the Assembly will be distributed to IWAS Member Nations in due course For more information, visit the IWAS’s website Google Earth Frederico Gonçalves 20 February 2025 9:00A five-star hotel is set to be built at Lota Beach within the municipality of Vila Real de Santo António (Algarve) "Developed by BodyHoliday, a leader in the Wellness and Spa tourism sector, the project will feature 220 accommodation units, consisting of 40 single rooms, 160 double rooms, and 20 suites," states the press release from the Vila Real de Santo António Municipality. The hotel will include, for example, five restaurants, and the wellness centre and spa will offer more than 50 rooms for massages and treatments. It will also have a gym, an indoor pool, three outdoor pools, and landscaped gardens with direct beach access via wooden walkways. According to Álvaro Araújo, Mayor of Vila Real de Santo António, this is an investment that "will change the tourism paradigm of the municipality, enhancing the quality of the offerings and attracting luxury segment visitors." Ricardo Cipriano, Deputy Mayor, highlights that "the project aims to diversify and upgrade the tourism offerings in the municipality, reducing seasonality and extending the average length of stay." Dream home in Arrábida, Portugal: a unique exterior and an unexpected interior Every week we open the doors to a dream home located in Portugal we travel to the Arrábida Natural Park to explore a property located in the Serra do Louro this house was built at the highest point of the land where a ruin in a state of advanced degradation once stood The curious exterior serves as the "entrance" to an interior that truly surprises Best in Travel is here! Discover 2025’s destinations The 30 best countries, cities and regions to visit in 2025 Plan your trip with Elsewhere, by Lonely Planet See where a Lonely Planet Membership takes you Subscribe to our weekly newsletters to get the latest travel news, expert advice, and insider recommendations Explore the world with our detailed, insightful guidebooks Stay ahead of the curve with our guidebooks Uncover exciting new ways to explore iconic destinations Every month, we release new books into the wild Search Search Close search menu Explore Best in Travel 2024 Africa Close menu Countries Antarctica Antarctica Close menu Regions Asia Asia Close menu Countries Australia & the Pacific Australia & the Pacific Close menu Countries The Caribbean The Caribbean Close menu Countries Central America Central America Close menu Countries Europe Europe Close menu Countries Middle East Middle East Close menu Countries North America North America Close menu Countries South America South America Close menu Countries Be ready for your trip to Portugal's Algarve with these top planning tips © Marco Bottigelli / Getty Images Anchoring the south of Portugal, the Algarve is famous for its cliff-backed beaches mouthwatering seafood and picturesque villages with a welcoming vibe for every kind of traveler While it’s easy to hop on a plane and jet down for a spontaneous week (or weekend) it's worth learning a few cultural tidbits before you arrive Make the most of your visit to the Algarve whether you're a first-time visitor or coming back for more a former fishing village with loads of character The Algarve’s growing popularity means some of the best places to stay get booked up months in advance This is especially true if you’re traveling in the peak months of June through August Seafood fresh off the boat has long been a hallmark of the dining scene in the Algarve A growing number of new restaurants headed by celebrated chefs are helping to transform the region into a major dining destination Once a virtual desert when it came to haute cuisine today the Algarve is home to five restaurants with a Michelin star and two restaurants (Ocean and Vila Joya) boasting two stars book at least a few weeks in advance (if you’re set on Vila Joya since hotel guests get priority for the limited restaurant seatings) If you’re not planning on dining at award winners or around seven days ahead of time if planning a weekend reservation with many lodgings slashing their high-season rates by 30% or more Many people speak English in Portugal, particularly in more touristy areas of the Algarve. Locals, however, always appreciate foreigners making the effort to speak the language. Apps like Duolingo are one of many ways to get a head start on the language. A few key phrases can go a long way. When entering a business, it’s common courtesy to say "bom dia" (good day) or "boa tarde" (good afternoon) to those around you – an easy way to make sure you get off on the right foot. In the Algarve, you’ll find a wide range of dining options, including adegas (wine cellar-like eateries, that often serve wines straight from the cask), tascas (taverns), and easily recognizable restaurantes, which typically open for lunch and dinner only. Pastries are an artform in Portugal, and you should definitely visit the nearest pastelaria (pastry and cake shop) wherever you roam. The pastel de nata (custard tart) is one of many Portuguese delicacies worth experiencing. Apart from cafes, most places close between meal times, roughly from about 2:30 to 7pm. Sundays can also be tricky when it comes to dining as many restaurants close entirely for the day or open only at lunchtime. This is a good time to have some snack food on hand – ideally sourced from the nearest mercado (market) the day before (since markets also typically close on Sundays!). The Algarve, like the rest of Portugal, overall is considered a very safe place. The main concerns are pickpocketing and bag snatching, which are more common in busy tourist areas. If you hire a rental vehicle, don’t keep valuables in the car – if you must, keep them hidden out of sight in the trunk/boot. And don’t leave your items unattended on the beach (or anywhere else for that matter). The ocean currents can be strong and unpredictable. If you plan on swimming, go to beaches with lifeguards and pay attention to the warning flags – green means it’s safe to swim, yellow means use caution and stay near the shore, and red means do not enter. This Continente Modelo located at Avenida Fernando Salgueiro Maia now joins the Continente Bom Dia of Vila Real de Santo António which has led to the creation of 77 new jobs reinforces the brand’s commitment in the district of Faro Continente Modelo de Vila Real de Santo António presents itself as a show place in the environmental arena where customers can charge their electric vehicles while shopping where their customers can use alternatives to single-use plastic bags such as paper bags (which support up to 2.5 kg) available free of charge reusable and washable cotton (€3/unit) or polyester (€1.50/unit) bags Also noteworthy is the fact that in this specific space there is no food packed in plastic The local population and the institutions of the region will be able to count on initiatives of social intervention as part of the Continente Mission Continente Modelo from Vila Real de Santo António will support the Vila Real de Santo António Delegation of the Portuguese Red Cross and the Guadi Animal Centre The new store will also offer support toSanta Casa da Misericórdia de Vila Real de Santo António and Refood Vila Real de Santo António with a focus on the fight against food waste the promotion of healthy food and environmental sustainability