Douro valley 'offering alternative' in Portugal

Investors looking to buy property in Portugal can find a lower-priced alternative in Porto and the Douro valley, it has been stated.

The area, famed for its port wines, has plenty of inexpensive property in attractive rural areas to be found, Paul Symington of port wine producer Symingtons told the Financial Times.

He stated: "The government is keen to encourage people to renovate houses in the old mountain villages such as Alijo and many inland vineyards are being depopulated, so there are opportunities."

The paper also reports that this region is enjoying enhanced transport, with direct flights from the UK, a new underground system in Porto itself and a forthcoming high-speed rail link that will enable passengers to travel down to Lisbon in just 90 minutes.

Another Portuguese location tipped to emerge in years to come is Tavira on the eastern Algarve, the Daily Telegraph reports.

Mary Mangan of estate agency Winksworth told the paper this area is much quieter than the crowded central Algarve.