Property in Vila Real de Santo Antonio
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Vila Real de Santo Antonio is both a city and a municipality in the Algarve region of southern Portugal. With a population of around 14,000 this municipality contains three parishes each with their own features, but it is the city of Vila Real de Santo Antonio that this article is focusing on. Vila Real de Santo Antonio is situated on the western bank of the Rio Guardiana and faces Spain. A bridge was built in 1990 that connects Vila Real with the town of Ayamonte in Spain and has become a popular entry point into Spain without the hassle of having to wait for a ferry. This small city has a unique history in that it was completely submerged by the tidal wave caused by the earthquake of 1755. It was swiftly rebuilt thereafter, but gone were the haphazard and narrow roadways and instead a well planned street grid was built that is reminiscent of the downtown area of Lisbon. As such, Vila Real is one of the easiest cities to navigate and makes exploring it a pleasure. Like many other towns located along the Rio Guardiana, Vila Real enjoyed much early success as a river-port town and its economy depended heavily on river traffic as well as sardine and tuna fishing. Also like many other towns along this river it began to stagnate and slowly eased into a period of decline as river traffic slowed and the movement of goods to the coast no longer required the river. Once the tourist boom of the mid 20th century hit, Vila Real was once again enjoying a time of prosperity. Today this attractive town is very popular with the retired generation and families. This is due primarily to its location in the furthest southeast corner of Portugal and is somewhat distanced from the major tourist attractions that draw the younger crowd. The town itself has a large center square called Praзa Marquкs de Pombal that is paved with a beautiful mosaic design and is surrounded by fragrant orange trees and lined with cafes and boutiques for passing a lazy afternoon. The riverfront area is of particular appeal to residents and visitors and is complete with a marina for watching the boats come and go. Like the central square, the riverfront is perfect for leisurely walks and enjoying the pristine weather and on clear days Ayamonte is visible. River trips on the ferry across to Spain or travelling by boat up the river to Alcoutim is a popular activity for both tourists and residents. The beach at Vila Real is also a popular spot and is quite long. It stretches several kilometers nearly all the way to Tavira. As such, even in the height of summer it never feels overcrowded. And, unlike many other towns in Portugal, Vila Real is relatively flat and is perfect for cycling or long walks to explore the city and the outlying areas. Floral dresses About the Author
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