Photography: Immersion/Aleksandra Yurchenko
Imovirtual revealed that in March 2026, 139,308 searches for properties near the beach were made in Portugal, an increase of 143.7% compared to the 57,165 searches recorded in the same month of 2025. In the municipality of Mafra (which includes the Ericeira region, the most attractive coastal destination), this growth was 246%, well above the national average.
This analysis by the real estate portal also reveals the emergence of new real estate hotspots, with some municipalities standing out particularly in terms of search growth. Lagos leads this movement with an increase of 416% in searches, followed by Tavira (302%), Grândola (282%), Caldas da Rainha (250%) and Mafra (the aforementioned +246%), in 5th place, highlighting a diversification of the most sought-after coastal areas.
the decrease in the average budget in coastal areas indicates that this type of location is attracting a broader demand profile
At the level of major cities, growth is also significant, with Porto recording an increase of 174.2% in demand, Faro +161.9% and Setúbal +141.5%, confirming a trend across the entire territory.
Imovirtual thus reveals that demand for houses near the sea in Portugal has seen a strong acceleration over the past year, reflecting a structural shift in how Portuguese people choose where to live – this growth exceeds that recorded in non-coastal areas: +124.9%.
This increase in demand has also translated into significant growth in market pressure, with the so-called “economic interest volume” — which combines the number of searches with the average budget sought — rising from around €27 billion to €59 billion, an increase of +120% in one year.
“Data shows that demand for houses by the sea is growing very significantly, but also that buyers are adjusting their expectations, particularly in terms of budget. The decrease in the average budget in coastal areas, unlike what happens in non-coastal areas, indicates that this type of location is attracting a broader demand profile,” says Sylvia Bozzo, Marketing Manager at Imovirtual.
Despite the increase in demand, the average budget for houses near the coast decreased, going from €471,451 to €426,666 (-9.5%), indicating an adjustment in buyer expectations and a possible democratization of access to these locations. In contrast, in non-coastal areas the average budget remained practically stable: +0.3%.
the demand for houses near the beach increasingly reflects a lifestyle choice that is becoming more present and widespread
This dynamic reveals a clear geographical redistribution of demand, with the North and Centre asserting themselves as areas of higher valuation, particularly in Porto, where the average budget increased by 32% to around €520,000, and in Coimbra, with a rise of 20% to €240,000. In the South, regions such as Faro (-27%, to around €376,000) and Lisbon (-21%, to around €628,000) recorded a decrease in the average sought budget, making them relatively more affordable.
Overall, these data point to a structural transformation of the Portuguese real estate market, where demand for houses near the beach is no longer limited to premium segments or second-home contexts, but increasingly reflects a lifestyle choice that is becoming more present and widespread.
Esta publicação também está disponível em | This article is also available in: Portuguese (Portugal)
