Portugal Silver Coast Property For Sale
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Area Guide
The beautiful stretch of Portuguese coastline between Lisbon in the south and Porto in the north make up the area known locally as the Costa de Prata. Known to the wider world as the Silver Coast, the area is famed for its white sandy beaches that seem to glitter in the endless Portuguese sun. Silver Coast property for sale can be found all along this vast Atlantic coastline, whether in traditional, sleepy fishing villages or modern seaside resorts. Inland, amid the unspoilt countryside of vineyards and forests, Silver Coast property can be found in ancient fortified villages or historic towns with cobbled streets and pretty whitewashed houses. With easy links to the UK and Europe via Lisbon’s International Airport, Silver Coast property is always an excellent investment, whether for rental, or a second home.
Silver Coast property for sale provides, of course, an excellent opportunity to enjoy the spectacular Portuguese coast. The long, sandy beaches are perfect for relaxing in the sunny climate, which boasts one of the highest average temperatures in Europe. Often the beaches near Silver Coast property for sale are vibrant and bustling, with restaurants and beach-bars, and sheltered swimming areas regularly patrolled by lifeguards. The crashing Atlantic breakers and gentle, refreshing breezes also produce the best surf in Europe, and the Silver Coast has a spectacular array of facilities and tuition for surfing, as well as many other aquatic and marine sports, from yachting to scuba-diving. Silver Coast properties for sale can also be found near quieter stretches of coastline, where the shore is characterised by rocky outcrops, secluded coves and dramatic cliffs. Wherever you choose to buy, Silver Coast properties for sale often have amazing sea views.
Silver Coast property for sale can be found within a huge variety of locations in Portugal. On the quieter areas of the coast, traditional Portuguese villages still retain all of their ancient charm and traditional culture. Here fishermen still put to sea, selling their fresh catches of seafood on the harbour-side or in the area’s many restaurants, with sea bass and shellfish being particular specialities of the region. Other areas with Silver Coast property for sale are packed with facilities, allowing a truly luxurious lifestyle in the sun, with exclusive casinos and chic boutiques, as well as top-class restaurants and bars.
There are a wide range of activities to enjoy near all Silver Coast property for sale, with the main activities being centred around the amazing coastline, with facilities for surfing, diving and swimming, to name but a few. Inland there are numerous golf courses, some situated amid the vineyards that produce some outstanding local wines. With so many excellent courses, including Penha Longa, a former Portugese Open venue, Silver Coast property for sale is a true haven for golfers of all levels of expertise.
Silver Coast property for sale also offers a great opportunity for island-hopping, with the Berlenga Islands just an hour away by boat from Peniche. The largest island of the archipelago, Berlenga Grande is a designated nature reserve with many rare seabirds nesting in the grottos and coves of the islands. Just off the coast, and connected by a small bridge, is the Forte de São João Baptista, a spectacular fortress dating from 1502, which also doubles as a hotel for overnight guests after a day swimming and diving in the crystal waters that surround the island.
Of course, with the rich history of Portugal, Silver Coast property for sale is almost always surrounded by heritage sites and historic buildings, often converted to house fascinating museums and galleries. The monastry at Alcobaca, built in 1153, boasts Portugal’s largest church, with breathtakingly simple medieval architecture, while housing the ornate tombs of kings. The chic town of Cascais, with its quaint cobbled streets, was once the favoured resort of the royal family, and still maintains an air of luxury and sophistication with a yachting harbour and casinos, including the Casino of Estoril, the largest in Europe. The 13th century castle at Torres Vedres is well worth a visit, and this ex-royal residence adds character and charm to the already beautiful town nestled on the banks of the River Sisandro, which also has a good selection of Silver Coast property for sale. In modern times, the city has become famous, not for its fortified defences built to repel Napoleon, but instead for its tranquil vineyards producing light refreshing wines.
The town of Sintra has an abundance of historic buildings, including the Pena Palace, one of the oldest in Portugal. Once occupied by the Romans, Sintra has featured in the works of many poets and artists through the ages, notably being described as a ‘glorious Eden’ by Byron. Surrounded by lush green forests and dotted with elaborate palaces, used as summer retreats by the royal family, Sintra truly is a Portugese gem in which to buy Silver Coast property for sale.
Among the many and varied other locations in which to buy Silver Coast property for sale are Ericeira and Peniche, both of which offer phenomenal, dual-facing, surfing beaches and are world famous for their surfing facilities and natural wave conditions of powerful, tubular waves known as the ‘European Pipeline’. Peniche boasts a number of Blue Flag beaches meaning that Silver Coast property for sale in the area makes an excellent base to enjoy the huge variety of water sports available, including scuba diving, kitesurfing and windsurfing, all of which are available with tuition for every level. Also well worth a visit is Peniche’s 16th century waterfront fort, formerly a prison, but now housing a fascinating museum of local archaeology and crafts.
North of Peniche, along the calm waters popular among yachters, is the beautifully preserved medieval town of Obidos. Known as the ‘Wedding City’ this town was customarily given as a bridal gift to a new queen. This beauty that made it literally ‘fit for a queen’ still exists in the cobbled streets lined with whitewashed houses cascading with flowers. The town has a good selection of Silver Coast property for sale, often nestled between the old haunts of famous painters and sculptors. The town still maintains its long links with the art world and boasts several museums and galleries and has a typically chic and bohemian feel to many areas. Nearby, the Praia D’El Rey Spa Resort offers a dazzling array of sports, including a championship golf course, tennis academy and many picturesque trails for hiking or cycling. Further towards the coast is the former royal spa town of Caldas da Rainha, which also has a wide selection of Silver Coast property for sale. This vibrant market town, built around the local, mineral rich ‘healing’ waters, is very similar in atmosphere to its near neighbour of Obidos, and Silver Coast property for sale in either of these cultural towns allows easy travel to the coast and the natural beauty of the countryside.
Foz Do Arelho is located a few kilometres west of Caldas da Rainha and set in the breathtaking surroundings of the Obidos Lagoon. Famed for its sporting facilities, this seaside resort is a great favourite of beach lovers as well as those that demand views of spectacular scenery when buying Silver Coast property for sale.
North of Baleal the coast transforms into a lazy stretch of golden sands bordered by dramatic cliffs and broken only by sleepy sheltered coves. This stretch of coastline boasts some of the better known resorts in the area such as Sao Martinho do Porto, Nazare and Sao Pedro do Moel, and Silver Coast property for sale here offers a wide range of amenities.
The major town in the area with Silver Coast property for sale is Marinha Grande, situated between Nazare and Figueira da Foz. Surrounded by 100 square kilometres of 700 year old pine forests and rare species of flora and fauna, the town has both a wealth of facilities and spectacular landscapes nearby in which to enjoy a host of outdoor pursuits. Offered on, or near, the most popular beach of Sao Pedro de Muel are sports such as sea-fishing and beach volleyball, and of course there are countless other ways to enjoy the landscapes such as well maintained hiking or cycling trails. Figueira da Foz itself is a lively resort at the mouth of the River Mondego consisting of several sandy beaches famed for their surfing. There are, of course, many nightlife activities from casinos to bars and restaurants.
Aveiro, another of the resorts with Silver Coast property for sale, boasts not only wonderfully sun-drenched beaches, but also lagoons and canals, leading to its alternative name as the ‘Venice of Portugal’. With good links to the rest of the country, nearby marshes and a nature reserve and the typically ‘seaside’ atmosphere, Aveiro is an excellent place to buy Silver Coast property for sale.
Finally, Ovar is an attractive market town to the north of the Silver Coast boasting a lively, but traditional atmosphere and a true taste of the ‘real’ Portugal. Many rural traditions still survive, including the carnival parade. Of course, like much of the Silver Coast, the sea is never far away, and the beaches nearby are sandy and fringed with sand dunes and pine trees.
Buying a Property in Portugal
1. Signing a Letter of Intent
On finding a property you wish to purchase, your agent will draw up a 'Letter of Intent, this will be signed by both parties, vendor and buyer. Copies of this will be given to the legal representatives of both parties and will be used in preparing the Promissory Contract. Included in this letter will be the price, what is included in the sale, furnishings etc. and any conditions of the sale plus the dates for both exchange and completion.
2. Exchange of Promissary Contract (Contrato Promessa de Compra e Venda)
The buyers lawyers are responsible for drawing up the promissory contract (Contrato Promessa de Compra e Venda) and as part of the process they will have carried out the legal searches and made sure that there are no charges, e.g. utilities, property tax etc. against the property. The contract will contain details of both parties and include clear title of ownership, when payments are due to be made, the completion date and an inventory, if required. The Promissory Contract is legally binding and will generally be signed by both parties and witnessed by a notary/lawyer. The contract will include penalty clauses in case either party does not fulfill the terms of the contract. A 10%, non-refundable deposit is required at this point, this will be paid to the vendor, through the lawyer's client account. Once the contract has been signed, if the vendor pulls out of the contract, they will be obliged to pay back double the deposit to the purchaser. If the purchaser pulls out, they will lose their deposit.
3. On Completion
The amount of time between signing the Promissary Contract and Completion will vary and will have been agreed in the contract. Before Completion your lawyer will need to arrange with a fiscal representative for you to obtain a Portuguese Fiscal Number. The official Deed of Transfer of ownership (the Escritura) will be signed by you (or someone representing you with your Power of Attorney), this is signed at the Notary and they will retain the document. The Deed will be read aloud by the Notary before all participants sign it. Your lawyer will need to check to ensure that you understand what is being said if you do not understand Portugese. The Escritura, once it has been signed, will officially give you ownership of the property, but will still need to be registered in your name on the Land Registry (Registo Predial) by your lawyer. Your lawyer should obtain a copy of this for your records. Once you have completed, the new utility contracts can be transferred into your name by your lawyer.