The small port town of Fuzeta in the eastern Algarve is well-known amongst foodies as being home to some of the Algarve’s best fish restaurants, but less known is the history of winemaking in the area and the new wave of wines being produced, and there is even a local craft beer. The Fine & Country East Algarve office, located in the nearby village of Santa Luzia, has a new listing on the books that it perfect for food and wine lovers.

This immaculate 3+1-bedroom detached villa with a built area of 231,30m² on a 1.016m² plot, located in the quiet and secure environment of the Gramacho Golf Resort with a nearby clubhouse, bars and restaurants, tennis courts, swimming pools and a health spa. Carvoeiro, Ferragudo and several beaches are just a short drive away and Faro airport can be reached within 45 minutes by car.

When the pandemic hit Portugal and most of Europe back in March, many were expecting a total meltdown of the property market, especially as far as international buyers are concerned.
But as we write this in June, whenPortugal is slowly emerging from lockdown, the reality is quite different. Here at Fine & Country Algarve we kept very busy during the lockdown.

At Fine & Country Algarve we have seen a strong surge in buyer interest from all of our key markets with May enquiries up by more than 30% compared to May last year. Overall, since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic we have registered an increase in demand and it seems to us that the desire to invest in Algarve property is stronger than ever.

Many people are wondering what has happened to the housing market in the Algarve during these extraordinary times effecting the whole World. Whether the property prices are dropping, or interest from buyers is decreasing and if contracts are not completing.

Portugal started to ease lockdown measures from Monday 4th May with a three phase plan to reopen the country’s economy. Joao Fernandez, the Head of Algarve Regional Tourism Board predicts that international interest will resume as of mid June; visitors from both inside and outside of Portugal will seek a getaway once restrictions are lessened across Portugal’s popular tourist destinations. Beaches are set to open in June with health regulations in place to ensure visitor safety is paramount and with the Algarve experiencing little effects from the Coronavirus, this places the region in an ideal position to slowly open its economic and social activities.

Portugal has begun a partial relaxation of lockdown regulations from Monday May 4th, with many businesses allowed to return to operation along with outdoor activities such as golf, tennis and surfing. There will be a gradual return to a new state of normality with hygiene and distancing measures in place whilst all of us adapt to the new reality of living and working with the threat of the Coronavirus for the months ahead.

Welcome to our April newsletter! With businesses in lock down (locally we’re now at 2 months), we can see some light at the end of the tunnel with various countries in Europe slowly opening up for business again.

In Portugal, the official lock down is announced until the 2nd of May, and afterwards, measurements have been put in place so that businesses can start reopening sector by sector every 15 days.