Real Estate On Portugal’s Silver Coast

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Stretching roughly 90-miles along Portugal’s Atlantic coast between the cities of Lisbon and Porto lies the Silver Coast, or “Costa de Prata.” 

​​Framed by the Serra de Montejunto mountains and the raw beauty of virgin Atlantic beaches, the Silver Coast is home to Portugal’s only marine nature reserve.

The beaches here are long, wild, and sandy—ideal for walkers. The world’s surfers gather here to ride waves the size of multi-story buildings. And you’ll also find amazing fishing, hiking, and paddleboarding right on your doorstep, alongside world-class golf courses.

The Silver Coast is beautiful and desirable, but this is not the Algarve. You won’t find anything close to the mass tourism of Portugal’s southern coast. The weather is also gentler and more temperate. Warm afternoons are framed by cooler mornings and evenings—perfect for lounging on the beach during the day and getting a restful sleep at night.

The Silver Coast is quiet and authentic. For those who value stunning natural scenery, a more traditional pace of life, and exceptional value for money in the property market, the Silver Coast presents a compelling and increasingly popular destination.

Go back several years and this coast was little known outside of Portugal. But the world is catching on to the region…

Property Market on The Silver Coast

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Portugal’s Silver Coast is experiencing steady growth as more foreign buyers discover its appeal, drawn by the combination of affordability, beautiful scenery, and easy transport links to other regions of Portugal.

As Lisbon and the Algarve have become more and more popular, a growing cohort of vacationers, long-term renters, and second homeowners have been looking for quieter, more secluded escapes in Portugal. 

This is particularly true since the pandemic accelerated the work-from-anywhere trend, enabling millions more people to work fully remotely for all or part of the year. Which has led to a spike in demand for rentals and resales on the Silver Coast.

When it comes to Silver Coast real estate, prices here are on the rise. As an example, a condo in the golf and beach community of Praia D’El Rey that once cost €300,000 would now list for around €450,000.

Where to Buy on The Silver Coast

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The Silver Coast offers a diverse range of properties to suit different lifestyles and budgets. Popular towns and villages here include Caldas da Rainha, Nazare, Foz do Arelhos, Praia del Rey, and Óbidos (a stunning medieval village surrounded by ancient castle walls).

Nowadays, you’ll see a lot of shiny new projects on the Silver Coast to serve the growing demand for real estate. But these projects come with a high—and sometimes unjustified, premium.

But it is possible to find true beachfront property (a rarity these days) along this coastline for a lot less than you’ll pay elsewhere in the world.

Villas in the Praia D’El Rey Golf and Beach Resort list for up to €4 million, but you can also find high-quality, spacious homes there in the €270,000 to €370,000 range. The lower prices are partly because so much of the advertising focus is on the newer developments in the area. So resales here are overlooked.

Here’s a few examples of condos that were recently on the market…

A first-floor, two-bed was on the market for €360,000 in Praia D’El Rey. It had spacious, spanning more than 1,600 square feet. And while it doesn’t have sea views, it’s surrounded by the golf course and a stunning garden.

Also on the market was a second-floor two-bed condo. It spans about 1,250 square feet and has ocean views from its side terrace. It’s listed for €310,000.

A two-bed condo spanning almost 2,000 square feet. It has panoramic ocean views and a large, ocean-facing terrace from which to enjoy them. It’s on the market for €595,000.

When compared to the Algarve, or almost anywhere in Europe…this is a fraction of what you would expect to pay for true beachfront real estate.

Living on The Silver Coast

The Silver Coast is quiet and authentic.

The lifestyle is noticeably more Portuguese than in the heavily expat-populated areas of the south. While there is a growing international community, daily life is conducted at a slower pace, and integrating often means embracing local customs.

The climate here is mild and comfortable, with warm, sun-soaked afternoons giving way to cooler mornings and evenings. Even in August, when it’s baking hot 15 minutes inland, temperatures at the beach tend to stay in the comfortable mid-70s range.

Food is a highlight, with the region being famous for its fish and seafood. Regional specialties like Polvo à Lagareira, a traditional dish of roast octopus, and caldeirada (a traditional fish stew) are common along the Silver Coast. You can also expect to try Ginjinha, a famous sour cherry liqueur, which is traditionally served in an edible chocolate cup in the medieval town of Óbidos.

The Silver Coast is well-connected, particularly to the capital, Lisbon. The modern A8 motorway provides a direct and efficient link down the coast to Lisbon and its international airport, with the journey taking approximately one hour from most parts of the region.

Cost of Living on The Silver Coast

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One of the most significant draws of the Silver Coast is its exceptional affordability. The cost of living here is considerably lower than in Portugal’s regional centers and tourist hotspots like the Algarve and Lisbon, allowing for a high-quality lifestyle on a very manageable budget. 

This value extends to everyday expenses. A cup of coffee at a local cafe is typically around one dollar, and a “prato do dia” (dish of the day) at a traditional restaurant offers a full lunch for under $10. 

Groceries, particularly fresh seafood and produce from the region’s excellent local markets, are also very reasonably priced. 

This affordability, combined with the lower cost of real estate, is a key reason why the Silver Coast is becoming increasingly popular with savvy expats and retirees looking to maximise the value of their income.

Silver Coast Real Estate: Our Thoughts

The Silver Coast represents a compelling blend of affordability, authentic culture, and stunning natural beauty that is becoming increasingly hard to find. For buyers who find the prices in places like the Algarve, Madeira or Lisbon prohibitive, the Silver Coast provides an opportunity to purchase a high-quality coastal property for significantly less, making it a very smart investment.