While Portugal’s south coast has made its name as the golf capital of Europe, the quieter west coast has stayed pretty much off the map. Running south of Lisbon from Sesimbra towards Cape Vincent on the country’s most south-westerly tip, the Costa Azul, or Blue Coast, borders the rural Alentejo region and offers long stretches of golden beach, 60,000 hectares of national park and a scattering of important archaeological sites.

There is development on the Blue Coast but, so far, it’s less intense than on the Algarve and the presence of the national parks has restricted building. On the coast there are fishing ports, such as Sesimbra and Vila Nova de Milfontes, that have retained their character, and inland you will still find tiny rural communities.

“People attracted to the Blue Coast are looking for more than just golf or the beach,” says Charles Roberts of local agency IRG Portugal. “Of course those things play a part in their decision to buy here, but they are looking for more cultural pursuits, too.”

Roberts says that people on tight budgets are well catered for, especially if they are prepared to take on a renovation project. “Fishermen’s cottages can still be found from around £20,000 – though I doubt they will be for long. They are very rustic, though, and will need work.” Roberts says that there are also lots of farmhouses less than 30 minutes inland that can be snapped up for less than £150,000. He says many are “dismal and abandoned but can be converted into nice three- or four-bedroom villas.”

For those who can’t face the idea of building work, there is a lot of high-end property in this region. As well as a selection of posh detached villas costing £1m-plus, IRG is marketing the Troia Resort. This redevelopment of an existing complex sits on the northern tip of the stunning Troia Peninsula, an 18km strip of beautiful beaches flanked by nature reserves. Waterfront properties cost from £200,000 for a one-bed apartment with marina views. Villas start from £1.2m, which includes the land.

If resort life doesn’t appeal there are several attractive towns, such as Alcácer do Sal, adjacent to the Sado Estuary National Park. Property doesn’t come up for sale here often, though when villas do they generally cost between £250,000 and £400,000.

Connie Vitto of Quadrant Overseas Property is selling Patios Do Sado, attractive contemporary apartments in the town with prices starting at £76,000 for a one-bed and £88,000 for two bedrooms. She’s amazed she doesn’t get more enquiries. “It’s an area of outstanding natural beauty with a spectacular coastline and long beaches.”

It might be time to pick up a bargain while you can. Local agent Bert Snijder of Alentejo Homes has plenty of properties needing attention at knock-down prices. He says older apartments with two bedrooms can be bought for as little as £68,000, though a sea view pushes the price up to about £120,000, and decent-size villas in good condition can be bought for £160,000. New property, he claims, is around similar prices with luxury apartments costing from around £120,000.

“The blue coast suits people who are looking for tranquillity and nature,” says Snijder. “Here we have Portugal as it once was and as it should be.”

Alentejo Home: 00 351 269 441 717, www.alentejohome.com; IRG Portugal: 00 351 91 948 2536, www.irgportugal.com; Quadrant Overseas Property: www.quadrant-property.com; 01276 507 513

Buyers’ guide

* Two new airports will give easier access to the Blue Coast: the Lisbon airport at Alcochete is set to open in 2012 and one at Baja

By Laura Latham

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