A report by Savills – Global Destinations for Second Homes – has highlighted the increasing importance of wellness when it comes to choosing second homes. From sporting facilities to spas and mindfulness activities, buyers are seeking out locations that can deliver an holistic approach to looking after mind, body and spirit.
Spotlight on the Algarve
One destination that is faring well when it comes to servicing this new appetite for wellness is Portugal’s Algarve. With a 200 km coastline that wraps around the southern and western edges of the region, the natural setting is idyllic; even more so when you factor in the Algarve’s islands, mountains, rolling pastures and hidden waterfalls. Christina Hippisley, General Manager of the Portuguese Chamber of Commerce in the UK, comments:
“The Algarve is wellness embodied in a region. From its clean air to the pace of life to the ample opportunities to keep fit, it has the perfect outdoor lifestyle to appeal to buyers tired of the stress and pollution back home. The abundance of luxurious spas and wellness centres is an added bonus, while the local gastronomy is both healthy and delicious. It’s a very special place to live for those focused on their personal health and wellness.”
Luxury at every turn
On top of its natural environment, the Algarve provides a wealth of luxurious amenities. There are Michelin-starred restaurants for those who want to nourish their bodies well. One of the newest, Al Sud, received its first Michelin star within just seven months of opening. The local cuisine borrows heavily from the abundance of seafood and fresh fruit, vegetables and nuts that the Algarve produces. Carobs, olives, oranges, figs and almonds are some of the stars of local dishes, alongside pork from acorn-fed Iberian black pigs, razor clams and salted codfish (bacalhau).
The Algarve is also home to a multitude of spa retreats, so is ideal for second home owners who want to spend their free time soaking their cares away in bubbling warm waters before relaxing with a massage. From traditional therapies to phyto-aromatic facials and golden quartz treatments, the 40+ spas and treatment centres that dot the region deliver wellness in all its forms.
Exercising in the great outdoors
Physical fitness is also a priority when it comes to the wellness that second home buyers are seeking. While those in the UK are subjected to the blustery rain and cold of autumn, the Algarve remains gloriously sunny, meaning that outdoor exercise is something that can be enjoyed year-round.
At Amendoeira Golf Resort in the central Algarve, for example, homeowners have two 18-hole golf courses, a nine-hole golf course, two five-a-side football fields, six tennis courts, two padel courts, a playpark and two communal swimming pools at their disposal. The emphasis is on enjoying the great outdoors when keeping fit, no matter whether it’s January or June.
All of this adds up to tick all the right boxes when it comes to a wellness-focused location for buying second homes. It has led to property being snapped up fast. At Amendoeira, for example, just three of the resort’s large four/five-bedroom villas remain available for sale (priced from €1.58 million). According to the latest RICS/Confidencial Imobiliário (Ci) Portuguese Housing Market Survey, property stock levels in Portugal are currently at historic lows. Ricardo Guimarães, Director of Ci, reports:
“The main constraint comes from the lack of houses on market available to sell. Data from Confi-dencial Imobiliário shows that stock levels are at historic lows, in both the new and second-hand segments.”
This means that anyone wanting to jump on board the trend of buying second homes for wellness needs to move fast if they have Portugal in their sights.
Jesse Pitts has been with the Global Banking & Finance Review since 2016, serving in various capacities, including Graphic Designer, Content Publisher, and Editorial Assistant. As the sole graphic designer for the company, Jesse plays a crucial role in shaping the visual identity of Global Banking & Finance Review. Additionally, Jesse manages the publishing of content across multiple platforms, including Global Banking & Finance Review, Asset Digest, Biz Dispatch, Blockchain Tribune, Business Express, Brands Journal, Companies Digest, Economy Standard, Entrepreneur Tribune, Finance Digest, Fintech Herald, Global Islamic Finance Magazine, International Releases, Online World News, Luxury Adviser, Palmbay Herald, Startup Observer, Technology Dispatch, Trading Herald, and Wealth Tribune.