With Portugal being on the UK’s “green list”, property buyers can now go and physically view Portuguese homes without worrying about quarantining on their return.

For those seeking a healthy and active retirement abroad, Portugal is a brilliant option. Indeed, according to a survey by one international health insurer, it offers the best quality of life to expats. So, where are the best spots in Portugal to enjoy health and happiness?

Sagres

Surfing hotspot of the Algarve, Sagres is an ideal location for those seeking an active lifestyle. Along with excellent surfing, this bohemian town on the very western tip of the Algarve offers rugged scenery that is perfect for exploring on foot or by bike. There are plenty of cliffside trails with spectacular views of the coastline. If you’re lucky, you might spot the white storks that nest on the cliff face.

The town is under an hour’s drive from both Lagos and Portimão, so is within easy reach of larger facilities and amenities. The whole vibe of the town is chilled and laid back, with a friendly community who are very welcoming of new residents.

You can find apartments in Sagres from around €185,000 and villas with pools from under €300,000.

Lisbon

Portugal’s vibrant capital city presents a different, but equally wonderful lifestyle for overseas buyers.

Enjoying around 3,000 hours of sunshine a day, more than double that in the UK, you’ll definitely receive a healthy dose of Vitamin D here. Like Sagres, the city’s atmosphere is easy-going and there is a lovely community feel, with numerous music and cultural events taking place throughout the year.

There is a great selection of restaurants and cafés serving a wide range of Portuguese treats, from freshly grilled sardines to the infamously irresistible custard tart. And for those seeking a lively social scene, Lisbon offers a plethora of bars and clubs, including some fantastic rooftop cocktail bars.

A budget of €100,000-€150,000 would present you with a good selection of smaller apartments in the city, with larger ones costing closer to €200,000. Villas tend to start from around €350,000.

Vilamoura

The seaside town of Vilamoura is conveniently located, just 20 minutes from the airport, and is practically purpose built for healthy living.

There are four championship golf courses and more than 50 tennis courts, so you’ll have no trouble keeping fit. Being by the beach, you can also try your hand at all sorts of water sports. Or, of course, you can just lie back on the golden sand, soak in the sun and enjoy some much-needed R&R!

The long promenade is lined with bars and restaurants, and there are several Michelin-star restaurants in the area.

Glitzy and glamourous, Vilamoura offers a luxury lifestyle at surprisingly affordable prices. With a marina filled with million-pound yachts, there are some very high-end properties, but nonetheless, you can find one-bedroom apartments for around €150,000 and small villas for just over €200,000.

The North and the Minho

For those who love healthy outdoor pursuits like cycling, walking, kayaking or simply birdwatching and “forest bathing”, Portugal is the place to live. It has a population density somewhere between Wales and Scotland, with a quarter of the population per square mile of England, so getting away from other people won’t be a problem.

For the most spectacular scenery, head north from Porto airport, past the beautiful, historic towns like Braga and Guimaraes, to the Peneda-Gerês National Park in the Minho area. Here you can ride horses along paths that wolves prowl at night and dive into clean rivers and rock pools where otters swim.

Being so close to Porto, wealthy city folk buying a second home tend to push up prices, but a budget of €150,000 will offer a good choice of nice apartments in the northern cities, or €300,0000 for a country house.