Most foreign house-hunters in Portugal head to the Algarve, charmed by its wonderful beaches, pretty fishing villages and international leisure resorts. But venture off the coast away from the touristy areas and a whole new world awaits you.

The many towns and villages of the country’s interior offer a traditional lifestyle, bundles of rustic culture, affordable characterful homes as well as access to diverse landscapes and outdoorsy activities.

We bring you a sample of four inland spots and highlight their key attractions to adventurous house-hunters. Prepare to be seduced…

Hints of Alcoutim’s smuggling history can be found around the town

Riverside living – Alcoutim

Located on the western banks of the River Guadiana, looking across the water to Spain, Alcoutim blends the charm of an old border town with the excitement of having a beautiful river to play with.

40 kms upriver from the estuary at Vila Real de Santo António (Ayamonte on the Spanish side) meant that, in former times, Alcoutim’s quayside was alive with trading ships. The town became an outpost for smuggling, adding to its rich heritage. Today, Alcoutim’s history lives on through its architecture, notably the castle and classic white churches and houses.

The nearest coastal beaches are 35 minutes away at Praia Verde and Monte Gordo in the Eastern Algarve. But Alcoutim has its own fluvial beach at Pego Fundo, not to mention a small marina.

Besides bathing in the summer, water sports on the river include canoeing, kayaking, leisure boat tours and even jet skiing. All this is complemented by riverside walks and trails in the surrounding countryside. Alcoutim is the most easterly town on the trans-Algarve trail, the Via Algarviana.

In these parts, a €200,000 – €300,000 budget for a resale villa or house in good condition won’t disappoint. Braver souls might opt for an old-fashioned village house for less than €100,000.

Come down from the mountains and into the traditional town

Dam fine lifestyle – São Bartolomeu de Messines

A stone’s throw from two reservoirs where the forested Algarve mountains meet the lower plains of the coastline, São Bartolomeu de Messines occupies a stunning location.

Usually referred to as simply Messines, the town holds a large household market and separate flea market on different days each month. It remains as much a working community with a Portuguese feel as a destination for foreigners, who visit primarily for the outdoorsy attractions and scenery.

True to tradition, the locals of Messines love their festivals, including Carnival in February, a Festival of Traditions in August and a Gastronomy Week in November.

Arguably not as sweet as other smaller villages, the hiking and cycling trails (Messines is also on the Via Algarviana) and Funcho and Arade dams, with their bathing and water sports activities, have helped put it on the map.

For day trips to the coast, it’s only 30 minutes to Armação de Pêra and bright lights of Albufeira.

Typical prices for detached houses in and around Messines are €250,000 – €400,000, more for newer one.

You’ll have to learn the hills if you move this far inland

Mountain heaven – Monchique

A healthy, serene lifestyle and glorious views draw newcomers to the Monchique Mountains and the town that forms its beating heart. The bijou town is perched between the Algarve’s two highest peaks and looks out across eucalyptus and pine covered mountains as far as the sea in the central Algarve.

Monchique centres around a pretty square and church, which form the focal point of a maze of cobbled streets lined with traditional white houses. Landscape panoramas greet you around every corner. The town’s climate is cooler than the coastal resorts 500 metres below, but winters are still mild.

Not only more comfortable for year-round living, but Monchique’s better suited to enjoying the network of walking and cycling trails that zig-zig across the surrounding countryside. Meanwhile, locals keep busy knocking up the town’s celebrated cured ham, handicrafts and local liqueur.

Just beneath Monchique is Caldas de Monchique, a settlement built around a natural spa with thermal springs and waterfalls. Somewhere to bathe weary limbs after a day in the great outdoors – they’ve been doing it since Roman times so it must work.

When you do need a dose of urban living or to feel sand between your toes, Portimão, Alvor or Ferragudo are around 35 minutes away. Other communities in the Monchique Mountains that offer the same lifestyle but on a smaller scale are the villages of Marmelete and Alferce.

Do-uppers are dotted around Monchique with prices starting below €100,000. For villas in good condition and with a pool budget €400,000 – €600,000.

Call the medieval cobbled streets of Castelo Rodrigo home

Historical hideaways – Castelo Branco and Guarda

The neighbouring districts of Castelo Branco and Guarda are for those whose idea of a perfect home is one set in medieval surroundings unchanged for centuries. Oozing authentic Portuguese culture, you will, however, need to be comfortable being miles from a beach, major airport and any signs of a tourist resort.

Hidden away in Central Portugal’s deepest interior and tucked up against the cushion of the Spanish border has helped this area exist largely unspoilt throughout the ages.

It’s here you’ll find Portugal’s treasured ‘Historical Villages of Portugal’, a protective status awarded by the government. There are 12 of them, each a fortified village with a historical significance dating at least back to medieval times. Examples include Belmonte, Almeida and Castelo Rodrigo.

The natural landscape is stunning, too, with protected mountain areas dominating much of the skyline. The Serra da Estrela include Portugal’s highest mountain and only ski resort. Meanwhile, the areas main cities of Castelo Branco and Guarda are living museums of incredible architecture, dotted with cathedrals and churches, fortified walls, shady squares and gardens. For an idea of transport, Lisbon Airport is around 2 hours 15 minutes’ drive from Castelo and 3 hours to Guarda.

Fixer-upper character homes are in abundance with prices starting for less than €50,000. You’ll have lots of choice shopping for a detached home with a budget of €150,000 – €300,000 and spending more could land you large country house estate!