After 6 months of experiencing the ‘new normality’ steadily setting in the Algarve – both for those who live there and also those who travel to Portugal’s most sought after touristic region –, the lively and estival destination is on-track for living up to its full potential once again, with the influx of UK flights seeing as much as 5,500 passengers arriving every day to Faro’s Airport since travel restrictions were lifted.
For many British residents, the race to Portugal’s southern Atlantic coast began in mid-May and also in late August, when the country was moved from the Covid blacklist to the “green” list by Boris Johnson’s Government, facts which decisively contributed to the region recovering from what was a catastrophic 2020 year, where tourism-related unemployment increased by 70% mainly due to the pandemic.
Summer days see Albufeira’s famous strip – the “Marina” – welcoming all sorts of partygoers while becoming a 24-hour destination, predominantly with Britons who eagerly spend their days and nights there, either enjoying the long hours in the sun, the Mediterranean food and the sangria, or the night-time dancing, beer drinking and, more often than not, singing and chanting – especially if there is a football European Championship in progress, and England is progressing to its later stages.
But the Algarve, and particularly Albufeira, offers so much more than the ephemeral and fleeting moments of amusement and relaxation, as it also asks to be discovered in its own unspoilt beaches and villages, improbable yet unique spots where flamingos take flight and, along its coastal landscapes, multiple locations where one can go hiking on easily-accessible walking trails or even entering the ocean for unique snorkeling and diving experiences.
Last but never the least, with an extensive variety and offer, golf courses will greatly appeal to both first-time enthusiasts and more experienced golfers who have their handicap improvement in mind when booking their holidays. Just over a mile away from Albufeira’s old town centre, the Eden Resort offers 11 hectares of green areas and leisure in a privileged location, with a 24-hour reception, 3 outdoor swimming pools with a total of 300 m², a kids club, the new Aquafun water park (for 2-12 year-old children), several restaurants and bars, free wi-fi, a mini market, tennis courts and a soccer field within the property, making it perfect for all types
Although the resort has apartments for rent, its superlatives are the villas, some of them boasting 210 m² in private gross areas within the 1125 m² land area, with all four suites having private bathrooms, air-conditioning, balcony access, while the wide social areas including a fireplace incorporated in the dining/living room, as well as a modern, fully-equipped kitchen, and an additional service bathroom.
Outside, a private 25 m² swimming pool discretely graces the grassed garden, providing more than enough space for an outdoor dining table, a must-have for those hot summer nights.
From time to time, one of these villas becomes available for sale, such as the one Caixa Imobiliário has in its portfolio, this being a perfect opportunity to invest in an attractive property that can be rented out for holidays, especially now that Covid has not yet been completely defeated and many visitors feel that it is safer to stay in a privately rented home instead of a large hotel full of people, thus making the renting of a luxury villa to tourists one of the most profitable real estate investments today.
