São Brás de Alportel
São Brás de Alportel
Mix of traditional Algarve quintas, grand merchant houses and contemporary additions
The cork industry in Portugal has historically been very strong and although today it is not the worldwide trade it once was you can still see hundreds of cork trees in the fields throughout the countryside. Years ago São Brás de Alportel was at the heart of this industry.
The industry has now relocated, but the town’s former wealth is still noticeable in the architecture of its residential and commercial buildings.
Snuggled in an area dotted with cork and pine trees there is a main town square with numerous shops, bars and restaurants scattered throughout the town. It is a mix of the old and new, with typical Algarvean houses amongst the slightly dusty, grander merchant houses from its wealthy past.
The area near the church is the older part of town and is typically Algarvean with narrow, cobbled streets criss-crossing each other and small shops and cafes in between the houses. As you move further away from the church the streets widen and modern apartments take the place of the older white washed houses. A little further away again and streets of new villas and low rise apartments edge the town.
Property around São Bras de Alportel is a mix of traditional Algarve quintas, grand, former merchant houses and some contemporary additions on the outskirts of town. In terms of pricing, the larger villas can set you back a couple of million, these are really stunning properties and range from the traditional to the ultra modern. These will generally be found in the countryside on the outskirts of the town.
