If you’re craving a retirement where you get to feel the sand between your toes and the sea breeze in your hair, this is just the article for you.
We’ve chosen five brilliant beach towns to retire in Portugal. You might be surprised by how varied Portugal’s beaches are. You could retire to the amazing Algarve with its golden sands and golden reputation. Or, somewhere completely different with a quieter atmosphere.
As well as creating a snapshot of each area, we’ve found out what the weather like (maybe you’ll get to talk about it with more enthusiasm than we tend to in the UK), the nearest airport, and what the property market is like.
Plus, if you’d love some more information on how to retire to Portugal, then you can download our brand-new free guide on how to do just that.
Now to Portugal’s beaches!
Find homes in Portugal via our property portal.
1. Vilamoura, western Algarve
Vilamoura.
If you’re keen to retire in absolute style, then where better place than Vilamoura, one third of the Algarve’s famous golden triangle?
Praia de Vilamoura, with its long stretches of golden sands and dreamy waters, would become your go-to. Not only is it perfect for tanning, but you’ll have an abundance of restaurants and shops to take a leisurely stroll to when you fancy a snack or a cocktail. The heart of Vilamoura, the marina, buzzes with superyachts, five-star hotels and famous faces.
Plus, if one of you is more content with a golf club in your hand then in the sand, Vilamoura is ideal. It is home to world-class 18-hole golf courses such as Laguna, Millennium and Old Course. The choice will be whether to buy a home closer to the golf or the sea.
Nearest airport: It’s just twenty minutes in the car to Faro International Airport.
Weather: Enjoy about twelve hours of sunshine from June to September, with the peak in July (and 30 degree heat). January is when you’ll feel the greatest chill, with highs of 16°C.
Property:
Three-bedroom, €575,000
This gorgeous townhouse with an open-plan design.
See more properties for sale in Vilamoura here.
If you have the means, then Vilamoura boasts of excellent property choice for those looking for contemporary, high quality homes with features like a jacuzzi, gym and golf course views. You can also find older townhouses and renovation projects. As a general rule, the furtherer away from the marina, the more you’ll get your budget.
Best for: those looking for a year-round holiday feel, a spot of luxury & golfing enthusiasts.
2. Setúbal, Costa Azul
Spectacular Setúbal.
Setúbal has an undiscovered feel, which might suit those wishing to retire somewhere that isn’t populated by holidaymakers. It is both a city and a district. The city waterfront looks out to the Sado Estuary, which just so happens to be great for dolphin spotting.
You’ll get your fresh fish from the Mercado Do Livramento, which has been running since the 1930s and is one of the best places to buy fish in the country. Choco Frito, deep fried cuttle fish, is a speciality. As is Moscatel, a locally produced dessert wine.
Setúbal offers fantastic options for hikers and birdwatchers at the nearby Arrábida Natural Park. You can even see flamingos.
Plus, you can pass time walking through the colourful, arty streets or playing golf at the famous Trio Peninsula.
But whenever you want a complete change of pace, Lisbon city is just forty-five minutes away.
Nearest airport: Lisbon International Airport is half an hour away.
Weather: Expect pleasant temperatures from April to October, peaking with highs in the 20s during July and August. December and January see possible highs of 15 degrees.
Property: Two-bedroom, €305,000
Fancy a new-build property?
See more properties for sale in Setúbal here.
Setúbal offers splendid budget-friendly property options. You can get a one-bedroom apartment for around €100,000. Family homes can be purchased from €300,000.
Best for: those looking for a quieter atmosphere, an excellent culinary scene & straightforward access to Lisbon.
Get information on visas, residency, healthcare & pensions.
3. Cascais, Lisbon
Cascais.
Since the 1870s, Cascais has cultivated a reputation as a glamorous seaside getaway. It has been enjoyed by Portuguese, Spanish and British royalty alike. Its Casino Estroil even inspired a certain spy book set around a casino by little-known British author Ian Fleming.
That reputation hasn’t wilted away with time. It is home to gorgeous Blue Flag beaches, including Praia da Rainha (named after Queen Amelia) and Praia da Conceicao (overlooked by the grand Albatroz Hotel). Plus, you can enjoy strolls through its museum district and games of golf.
If all that there is to do in Cascais isn’t enough, then it’s just twenty minutes to the vibrant bustle of Lisbon. Alternatively, you can enjoy a longer, but more leisurely, train ride there.
Nearest airport: Lisbon International Airport is an easy twenty-five minutes in the car.
Weather: Make the most of the sunshine in July and August, with highs in the 20s. January is the chilliest.
Property:
A renovated duplex close to the golf course.
See more homes for sale in Cascais.
Property here is cheaper than it is in Lisbon – but it isn’t the most affordable either. For a small apartment, you’ll need a starting budget of €200,000 and triple that for a larger home.
Best for: those seeking somewhere with plenty to see & do, plus close proximity to Lisbon.
4. Nazaré, Silver Coast
Nazaré.
Portugal’s Silver Coast possess a more traditional feel at a smaller price tag than a retirement along the Algarve. It doesn’t quite boast of the same hot summers – but that may be more to your taste anyway.
If for you, the beach is about dramatic waves, whether to surf or to marvel at, then Nazaré could be perfect. Sitting at about the midway point of the Silver Coast, Nazaré experiences the best of the Atlantic’s huge waves.
While many former fishing villages have become more orientated around tourism, Nazaré remains an ideal place for a feast. Get the best catch straight from the water and onto your plate.
For days when you want (or need) the amenities of a larger town, the central town of Leira is just 30 minutes away.
Nearest airport: Lisbon International Airport is the closest, at 2:30 hours away.
Weather: July and August enjoy temperatures in the mid-twenties. Spring and autumn experience temperatures in the late teens. January is when you’ll feel the greatest cool but with a potential average daily maximum of 15°C.
Property: Two-bedroom, €197,000
A lovely apartment with a south-facing terrace.
See properties for sale in Nazaré here.
The terrific advantage of buying on the Silver Coast as opposed to the Algarve is just how much more you can get for your budget. You will be able to find a lovely little cottage that needs a bit of work for around €100,000. For a similar price, you can get a small apartment that you can move straight into.
Best for: Surfers & those looking for a quieter, relaxed atmosphere.
5. Tavira, eastern Algarve
Tavira.
How would you like to retire to the Venice of the Algarve? Sitting along the Gilão River, Tavira is made up of narrow canals and Moorish style white-washed buildings. Eastern Algarve has a less touristic, more authentic feel than the west, and Tavira is no exception.
As well as being picturesque, Tavira is great for those that want to spend their time reading up on a local history, seeing the sights and going on daytrips (even to Spain, which is an hour’s drive). It is famous for its Roman bridge, which has seven arches; the carefully preserved Moorish Tavira Castle (formerly the haunt of pirates); and the 13th century Santa Maria do Castelo Church. Plus, when you want to grab your morning coffee, the main square is uniquely delightful with a choice of cafes, a water feature and a small amphitheatre.
You’ll also be able to hop on a boat to Ilha de Tavira, part of the Ria de Formosa Natural Reserve, where you might be able to spy pink flamingos.
Between hikes and spots of local history, when all you feel like doing is lazing on the beach, Tavira has got your back. All of its beaches have been awarded a Blue Flag. To enjoy the most delicious octopus, head to the fishing village of Santa Luzia. For a unique photo opportunity, go to Praia de Barril, which is famous for its anchor cemetery.
Nearest airport: You’re just half an hour from Faro International Airport. Great, for feeling confident that you can return home in a jiffy if you need and for last-minute packers.
Weather: You’ll enjoy the best of the heat in July with twelve hours of sunshine and temperatures touching 30 degrees. January is the chilliest, with highs of 16°C.
Property: Five-bedroom, €980,000
This property includes a main and guest house, totaling five bedrooms.
See properties for sale in Tavira here.
While you can always find properties for less that need renovating, generally speaking, the starting price for a small apartment is around €170,000. If you’re after a country house with plenty of space for guests to visit, you’ll need a budget of upwards of €500,000.
Best for: Those looking for local history, beautiful nature & unusual spots for a dip.
Finally, you might also enjoy:
- Download our free guide to retiring in Portugal. It covers visas, residency, pension, healthcare and more.
- Your healthy retirement in Portugal: 7 fun activities to keep you fighting fit
- 5 affordable towns and villages for your retirement
- Portugal named the best place to retire in 2023
