Portugal Forum » Costa Verde

Investing outside the Algarve in Portugal

moveforward — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 20:13:42 +0000

The first thing that comes to mind upon the mention of Portugal is the Algarve. As it is well known, the Algarve is one of the most scintillating places in all of Europe. It’s plentiful beaches, great accommodations and myriad of attractions makes the Algarve a truly popular tourist destination. Since it is the most well known, it is no wonder that most of the investments have been focused on developing the locale to the exclusion of the other areas in Portugal.

The Algarve, ever since its “rediscovery” in the 1960s, has been experiencing a construction boom. This boom has been fuelled not only by governmental money, but more of private investors seeking to cash in on the tourist trade. These investments include the building of private resorts, apartment complexes and hotels in the area. Also, there has been great real estate development, such as water parks, golf courses as well as gated communities in the many towns in the Algarve region. Together with this are the many enterprises and businesses that serve the tourist trade as well as the local economy. The volume of investments in the many commercial opportunities in the area has made the Algarve one of the richest regions in Portugal.

This has also produced a drawback to others. Many others seeking to invest in the area find that the market is already too crowded and this leads to a lowering of the probable return on investment. The returns, together with the steep cost of living have made the Algarve a victim of its own success. All though is not lost for those who seek to spend their money in a commercial enterprise in Portugal. There are still many investment opportunities outside the Algarve.

One of the most valued investment areas is the Douro region. You can enjoy a day trip on the Rio Douro as well as going backpacking and nature tripping in the area. There are also many places to enjoy traditional Portuguese cuisine prepared the old fashioned way. You can also enjoy nature’s bounty at its freshest, be it wine or the catch of the day. This slow paced and pristine environ still has been able to conserve its surroundings providing both a relaxing getaway as well as a great investment area where your money can also flourish like the natural surroundings at the Douro region.

Another area that is well worth looking into for commercial as well as investment opportunities is located on the south central region called Alentejo. This region is just next door to the Algarve. It has the many of the beautiful surroundings that the Algarve has, without the packed beaches filled with summertime’s tourists and their families. The Alentejo region also has much more affordable property rates compared to its more illustrious neighbour. There is also so much more that the Alentejo offers, such as a town that provides the slow pace of the traditional Portuguese locale with the offerings of what the modern Portugal has in store. It provides the reclusive area far from the tourist lines and crowds with the same beautiful beaches and places to go to.

One of the little known but spectacularly beautiful locales in Portugal is the Silver Coast. The area is easily accessible from Lisbon, much like the Algarve, and has become a haven for property developers geared specifically for homeowners both local and foreign. As of the past few years, there has been a gold rush of development in the Silver Coast, as the land near the famed beaches have been lapped up by investors and have turned the once sleepy fishing village to become a hub of oceanfront properties that are available for the future homeowners of the Silver Coast. There are also many amenities in the area, such as golf courses and historic sites that provide all sorts of activities for individuals of all ages.

If you really want to be quite far from the tourist scene, then you can go on over to the western Atlantic Coast, particularly the Costa Verde region. This area is a treasure of natural beauty. The area is dotted with many small beachfront resorts that have become a staple to many beachcombers dream getaways. From the beach, the inland of the area is a step back in time, with many traditional rural homes, many of which are in a state of dilapidation and disrepair. This makes the area a prime location for investments in the restoration of traditional homes from their shabby state to habitable homes with many modern amenities. If you don’t want the hassle of the renovation, you also have options of purchasing ready to occupy apartment complexes or restored villas available in the market. Since this is a burgeoning locale, the investment opportunities abound, as rich as the natural environs in the area, be it in real estate or commerce for the many locals and visitors to the area.

Another forgotten place for investment, yet rife with opportunity is the Madeira. The archipelago of Madeira is a wonderful location boasting of the best sceneries in all of Portugal. Despite already being developed as a holiday destination, the investments have come few and far between. Maybe it is because of the 600-meter cliffs that the islands of the Madeira have together with nearly 70% of the island has been declared as protected wildlife area. The weather of the archipelago is temperate all year round, with a climate of cool breeziness with vistas of great mountain views and natural beauty. The developed area provides great accommodations and even greater shopping offerings that can sure to provide high returns for its investors.

As you can see, the Algarve is but a small portion of the truly resplendent allure of Portugal. There are many more areas that opportunities abound in Portugal, such as the Douro region, the Alentejo, the Silver Coast, the Costa Verde Region and the Madeiras archipelago. These areas are but some of the most beautiful areas in Portugal, as well as destination where your hard earned investment can earn for you, outside of the Algarve region.

Costa Verde – The Emerald Locale

moveforward — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 19:11:47 +0000

Costa Verde is the second largest city in Portugal and is located on the northwest coast of Portugal. It is considered as the coffers of Portugal, being the center of finance and commerce in the country. Even with this modernity, the locale has stunning natural environs, white beaches and beautiful wineries making the city truly a unique place to visit for foreigners and locals alike. There are many offerings for the varied interests and enjoyments of the visitors to the Emerald Locale, and one can surely find the most suitable one while enjoying the history, culture and cuisine of the area.

The Costa Verde is in actuality the tourist area that comprises the districts of Minho and the greater part of Douro Litoral. The area is a swath of land area from the City of Porto right up to the Spanish border and the Viana do Castelo. The area has six sub-regions covering three districts of the eighteen spread throughout Portugal. There are many historic and interesting sites up and down this area that will surely pique the interest of many tourists. Primary among these locales are the towns of Braga and Guimaraes, as these are frequented by the young and the jet set. These towns offer the very best of Portuguese hospitality and culture that often guests become inebriated with a heady feeling of enjoying their lives in the wide expanse of the region called the Costa Verde.

One of the first items of historic interest in the region is that this is the birthplace of King Dom Afonso Henriques, Portugal’s first king. It was under the reign of King Henriques that Portugal was unified and was able to drive out the Moors from the country. As can be seen all throughout the area, Moorish influence still pervades in the architecture, cuisine and culture. Costa Verde is divided into three districts. These three districts are Viena de Castelo, Braga and Porto. Its climate is perfect for tourists, with mild dry summers and calm wet winters spread in seasons all year round.

Porto, or also known as Oporto, is one of the most charming albeit more older towns in Costa Verde. It is located in the southernmost part of Portugal, embracing the Duroro River. It is the acclaimed capital of the Costa Verde region. Within the city of Porto has an international airport and has the best and the most modern road system in Portugal. The tourist scene in the city is diverse, as there are many historic places, beautiful parks and gardens, and the delights one can enjoy in Oporto are many. The city has been subjected to conflicts of both local and foreign origin. Despite the many conflicts throughout its history, the populace has kept steadfast in its perseverance to survive and overcome. This overall feeling has been passed over generations, making it one of the academic centers, with the Universidade de Porto and the surrounding merchants and commerce of the city.

The city is also most known for the inebriating spirit affectionally called “Porto”. The grapes come from the lower slopes up in the middle area of the River Douro to be brought downstream to the city. Scattered on the riverbank are many manufacturers and artisans that make the renowned distilled spirit. A similar product is indigenous to the area and it is called Vinho Verde or young green wine. Though not as popular as Porto, Vinho Verde is said to capture Costa Verde’s spirit in a bottle.

One of the towns of Costa Verde is Braga, which is best known for the magnificent edifices that populate its skyline. The town was the original capital of the district in the medieval times, making for the many structures that are of the era’s design including the imposing castle in Braga. Guimaraes is the second town of great interest in the area. In 1139, Portugal’s first king, Dom Afonso Henriques declared in the town’s cathedral to conquer the rights to a kingdom and enlarge his fiefdom known as Portucale into a kingdom to be known as Portugal, where he will stand as king. His words rang true as from this area he was able to unify and proclaim his dream of a unified Portugal under his rule.

One of the reserves in the Costa Verde region is the Parque da Penada Gerez. In the nature reserve, many kinds of indigenous flora and fauna can be found, making it one of the serene natural environs in Costa Verde. The very northern part of the area is the Minho River basin, which lies on the border with Spain. The capital of this area is Braga and is said to have been founded by the Celts in 300 BC. From there, it developed into a Roman administrative center and continued on its career as an industrial as well as a religious area for tourists and visitors alike. One of the main edifices in the city is the Braga capital, the religious center of Minho. Another favored tourist destination are the locales around Pinhao and Sao Joao da Pesquiera. These farmland areas make use of the arable land even on the steep walls of the valley. This area is said to be the very heart of the wine industry, making it also a center of industry and culture in the Costa Verde Region.

The economy of the Costa Verde is greatly dependent on the Valley of the Douro River. It has a great agricultural base from the fertile areas surrounding it. Also, much of the income of the area comes from the trade and commerce of Port wine. It has also become one of the most industrialized regions in Portugal. This is best shown by the presence of many large corporations and businesses that call the area its headquarters. The tourism industry is also one of the cash cows of Costa Verde, especially during the high summer season as tourists come in droves to enjoy the sights and delights of the area. As its name implies, the Costa Verde is the one of the jewels of the Portuguese crown, the emerald locale for all to visit and enjoy.

Costa Verde

admin — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 15:16:17 +0000

Located on the northwest coast of Portugal you will find the second largest city in the country, Costa Verde. Although it is considered to be the financial and economic centre in Portugal, it still offers lush green rivers, valleys, beaches, and wineries which make the city truly unique and exceptional. You can access all the beautiful sceneries and gifts of nature with just an easy drive within the city or from the busy airport.

Geographical Background

Costa Verde is part of the Northern Region of Portugal, where the country actually originated. It has six sub-regions and it covers three districts out of the eighteen districts all over the country. Costa Verde is under traditional political divisions that’s why it is still divided into districts. The three districts that belong to Costa Verde are Viena de Castelo, Braga, and Porto.

The area of Costa Verde begins along the northern Spanish border and runs to the south of the Douro River and goes eastward to Braga. Although it is a small region, Costa Verde actually has a lot to offer.
Weather and Climate

The climate in Costa Verde is quite similar to the other climate conditions of its neighbouring cities and towns. It has mild, dry summers and experiences calm, wet winters with just rare hot and cold spells.

Economy

Although the economy of Costa Verde is said to be depending greatly on the Valley of Douro River, its fertile crops, and the famous Port wine, Costa Verde is also known for being a heavily industrialized region in Portugal. A lot of major companies and businesses are present in the city.

The coast of Costa Verde provides additional economic income, especially during summer, when a lot of foreigners visit the place to enjoy the sun, sand, and sea.

Places to Go

Porto is a major shipping centre and has a population of about 250,000 just within the city limits. In the greater metropolitan area, the population runs to about 1.7 million. This place is famous for their wine, named specially after the place, Port. The wine is a fortified, sweet beverage that comes from the Valley of Douro River. The river runs from Spain, all across Portugal, flows through Porto and gushes forth into the Atlantic Ocean. The name of the country also came from this area, since Porto was also the original port for the city of Gaia across the Douro River. The combination of the names of the two cities (Porto and Gaia) became the basis for the name of the country.

Porto is a popular cultural centre in the area, with its numerous concert halls, museums, and lively music scene. The lodges or caves where the famous Port wine is stored and aged are also a popular tourist attraction. These lodges or caves are mainly located at Vila Nova de Gaia on the other side of the river.

The largest school in the country is the University of Porto. Aside from this university, there are still other schools and universities found in and around Porto. The place is also known to be a popular sports centre, boasting of two main football clubs, Boavista FC and FC Porto.

Aside from Porto and its suburbs, the Atlantic Ocean and the Douro River are the major attractions. The Douro River valley in Costa Verde has a wonderful microclimate that makes it a perfect place for growing almonds, olives, and grapes.

The region around Pinhão and São João da Pesqueira is also known for its fascinating farms that are situated along the steep walls of the valley. The region is also considered to be the centre of the wine industry. Through the years, a lot of visitors have been visiting the place just to see the river and the farms located on the steep valley walls. One great way to visit or see the area is to take a cruise from Porto to Douro.

The very northern part of Costa Verde is the Minho River basin. Minho forms part of the border with Spain. The traditional capital of the area is Braga, a city with about 170,000 residents.

Minho is considered to be a very important historical centre because it was occupied in the pre-historic times and the city was founded by the Celts in 300 BC. It also became a Roman administrative centre in the past. Now, it is considered to be an industrial and religious centre, adorned with numerous monuments which are the attraction for visitors and tourists. The famous Braga Cathedral is known to be one of the famous tourist attractions of Minho.
Investing in Costa Verde

Costa Verde has a lot of beaches yet it still has very few resorts. Located along the mouth of River Lima is Viana do Castelo and it is considered to be the largest seaside town north of Porto. On the south of Viana do Castelo is a beach that is known to be a popular holiday resort in Esposende. Vila Praia de Ancora is another resort village on the other side of town which is built near a 17th century fort.

Travelling around Costa Verde is relatively fast and easy because it is just a small and compact area. The airport is just about 15 kilometres north of Porto and it is considered to be a popular gateway to the city. The airport offers direct flights to major European cities. There is also a rail service that travels to and beyond Spain and other countries in Europe.

There is a wide variety of wonderful property all around the Costa Verde region. If you want to have a second home, start a business, open a resort, or permanently live in this part of the country, you will surely find a nice place to invest your money in.

The area around Porto has the highest availability rate; although there are also available properties in Viana do Castelo and Vila Praia de Ancora. If you want to buy property further inland, there are beautiful ready-made country houses or untouched lands that you can buy.