If you’re wondering where to buy in Portugal and like the idea of being within easy reach of Lisbon, here are five affordable places to buy property. Each location is either near Lisbon or has good transport connections to the bustling capital.
Lisbon has always been a beautiful, desirable and affordable city by the sea. But in recent years, Portugal’s capital has evolved and transformed. It’s now a thriving hub for start-ups, entrepreneurs, digital nomads and overseas residents. It offers stunning natural beauty, a great quality of life, and economical everyday luxuries.
Love Lisbon but not keen on the price tag? You’ve come to the right place…
However, urban living isn’t for everyone. Plenty of people like the idea of living close enough to Lisbon to dip in and out of the action, but far enough away to enjoy a slower pace of life and acquire a larger property for their money.
With that in mind, here are five affordable places to buy in Portugal near Lisbon. Close enough to pop into the city for a day at the office, a dip into some culture, or a night out – but far enough away for low-key, low-cost living. Places like this are especially appealing in these days of widespread remote working, allowing for a couple of days of meetings per week, and the rest spent comfortably at home.
Thankfully, this part of Portugal provides plenty of choice.
Santarém
Alcochete
Caldas da Rainha
Sintra
Costa de Caparica
Aerial view of narrow streets and stone houses of Santarem, Portugal
Santarém
Santarém is a small and elegant city around 80km north of Lisbon. Regular trains travel between the two cities in 40 minutes, with a car journey taking around 70 minutes.
With a population of around 60,000 people, Santarém has a low-key feel. But it’s a beautiful place, packed with historical monuments and churches, and with a picturesque location on a plateau over the Tagus river. Foreign residents account for around 5% of the local population, meaning this is a place that maintains its authenticity whilst still giving you an opportunity to meet other expats.
The area around Santarém is primarily agricultural, making the city a popular foodie destination. An agricultural fair (the Feira Nacional da Agricultura) is held every June, and a gastronomic festival (the Festival de Gastronomia) each October / November.
PROPERTY: If you want to live near Lisbon but still find a choice of affordable property, Santarém is a great choice. You’re looking at prices that feel much more Central Portugal than Central Lisbon!
You’ll find older houses – with land – for less than €100,000, and modern apartments for around €150,000. €300,000+ will find you a sizeable, detached villa in this area.
Samouco beach in Alcochete, Portugal
Alcochete
Alcochete directly faces Lisbon over the Tagus river but feels a world away in terms of atmosphere. It’s a sleepy, family-orientated place, where life centres around an estuary beach with warm and shallow water.
Very much a Portuguese town, this perhaps isn’t the place for those seeking a vibrant international community. However, Lisbon is conveniently located. The drive to central Lisbon takes about 45 minutes, but it’s only 30 to the modern Parque das Nações area and Oriente station. There are also bus routes, and regular ferries from nearby Montijo.
This is a great choice for families – perfect for being close to Lisbon but delivering a picture-postcard life away from the frenetic pace of the city.
PROPERTY: Property in Alcochete is well priced, with small houses for less than €200,000. Modern developments regularly spring up in the area, with large apartments from around €300,000, and condominium villas with pools at around €550,000.
Beautiful park in Caldas da Rainha, Portugal
Caldas da Rainha
Caldas da Rainha slightly pushes the boundaries of being a place to live near Lisbon. It’s 90km away, and the journey takes 75 minutes by car. There are trains, but they’re not the fastest – typically taking around two hours each way.
However, if you’re only planning to travel to Lisbon two or three times per week, it’s well worth your consideration. Caldas de Rainha is a spa city and just a few miles from glorious Silver Coast beaches. The city itself is a UNESCO Creative City, packed with museums, sport venues, restaurants and shops.
Plenty of overseas residents choose Caldas da Rainha for its own attractions – the fact that Lisbon is in relatively easy reach could be seen as a bonus.
PROPERTY: Older apartments from €125,000. Newer apartments from €175,000. Detached villas from €300,000.
Sintra city near Lisbon with Sintra National Palace in the background
Sintra
An essential day trip for visitors to Lisbon, Sintra also makes for a glorious place to live. Located just over 30km from the city, the journey takes about 45 minutes by road, or 55 by train.
Sintra is an historic town, known for its Disney princess-worthy castles and beautiful outside spaces. It’s also just a short drive from a wide range of wild Atlantic coast beaches.
Although it’s a popular day trip destination, Sintra feels pretty low-key, especially in the evening. However, there’s a wide range of restaurants and bars, and plenty of opportunities for walking and outdoor living.
PROPERTY: Unsurprisingly, Sintra isn’t the cheapest place to live, and there is some high-density housing on the outskirts that’s not particularly desirable. However, good small apartments with balconies start at around €165,000, and villas from around €325,000.
Seascape in the Natural Park Arriba Fossil of Caparica during summer
Costa de Caparica
Fancy the idea of commuting to Lisbon by boat? Then Costa de Caparica should be on your list of places to live near Lisbon.
The Costa de Caparica is a 26km stretch of coastline located just across the Tagus river from Portugal’s capital. The beaches range from those dotted with restaurants and bars around the main town (also called Costa de Caparica) to truly deserted boltholes further down the coast. These are best accessed by car or bike, although there is a regular miniature train serving the entire coast during the peak summer months.
Costa de Caparica has proved popular with digital nomads and entrepreneurs, with the emergence of co-working spaces in the town itself – and even on the beach! If you need to travel into Lisbon, you’re looking at a 40-minute bus ride, a picturesque (and laughably cheap) ferry ride of just over an hour, or a drive of around 20 minute – traffic permitting.
PROPERTY: One huge positive of the Costa de Caparica is the variety of property available. You’ll find new build apartments with spacious terraces from around €250,000, and a few options in older buildings for less. The sky’s the limit for plush sea view villas if your budget allows.
