The Silver coast is an outstanding area for golf tourism, watersports, history and property, it has been stated.

In a feature on the area, the Manchester Evening News commented that the quality of the area is such that it is a "serious rival" to the Algarve.

The paper said that Portugal property seekers could find villas and townhouses close to golf courses such as Bom Successo, where over 1,000 such dwellings have been built, including some with grassed roofs.

Other attractions of the region include the Lines of Torres – a fort built by the Duke of Wellington – as well as many historic buildings and easy access to Lisbon for a day trip.

Green roofs may not be the only eco-friendly element Portugal property investors could enjoy.

A vote in the European parliament recently backed a move to provide Regional Development Fund aid for eco-friendly housing, something that could benefit a country like Portugal where there have been many pioneering renewable energy developments.

These include the world’s first multi-unit wave energy farm at Agucadoura.

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