A licensed development site on the Algarve's most under-supplied stretch of riverfront
Portugal's Algarve remains one of Europe's strongest and most supply-constrained resort markets — and hotel & resort development land with planning already in place is scarce. Lago da Atalaia is a rare exception: an approximately 50-hectare tourism development site on the Arade river, Silves, with a licensed programme already approved and in force.
The site occupies an elevated position with sweeping river views and direct access to a private anchorage on the Arade — within easy reach of Portimão, the Algarve coastline, and Faro International Airport. The asset is held through a single Portuguese company, and the transaction on offer is a sale of 100% of the share capital (a clean, single-point share deal) by one family group.
Silves, Algarve — Arade riverfront with a private anchorage
The land sits in the Barrocal Algarvio, close to the historic city of Silves and within the Algarve's established tourism corridor, served by the A2 and A22 motorways (Via do Infante) and Faro International Airport. It is surrounded by golf courses, marinas, and the wider Algarve leisure and hospitality economy that draws more than 20 million visitors a year.
The defining feature of the site is its position on the Arade river, with frontage that includes a private anchorage — a rare amenity for a resort development site anywhere on the Portuguese coast, let alone in the Algarve.
An approved scheme of approximately 200 keys / 600-bed capacity
The Urbanization Plan for the site was approved and published in the Portuguese Official Gazette in 2008, and remains in force. The prior-approval instrument (PIP — Pedido de Informação Prévia) was renewed in December 2024, valid for two years with a further extension available, confirming the licensing position is current, not historic.
The licensed programme comprises approximately 200 keys — a 600-bed capacity across three tourism typologies:
- Apart-hotel — a 96-bed apart-hotel of 39 units (studios, one- and two-bedroom apartments) with panoramic views over Silves and Portimão.
- Tourist villas — 104 units across a low-density tourist village typology, with pools, sports courts and walking trails.
- Restaurant / F&B zone — anchored by the restoration of the existing rural heritage estate (Quinta da Atalaia) as the development's landmark hospitality hub.
Buildable area is set at 149,100 m² — 30% of the NDT (intervention area) — under a low-density regime, with a maximum height of 12 m for the hotel building and 6.5 m for the villas.
The principal planning phase is already behind the asset
Comparable greenfield hotel and resort development sites in the Algarve typically face several years of permitting before a licensed programme is in place. At Lago da Atalaia, the Urbanization Plan has already been approved and published, and the prior-approval has been kept current through its December 2024 renewal — meaning a purchaser is acquiring a site where the framework for development is established, with defined buildability, height and land-use parameters, rather than a speculative rezoning process.
| Location | Silves, Algarve, Portugal — Arade riverfront |
| Site area | ~50 ha (registered total ~506,520 m²) |
| Planning status | Urbanization Plan in force since 2008 (Official Gazette); PIP renewed December 2024 |
| Licensed programme | ~200 keys / 600-bed capacity — 96-bed aparthotel (39 units) · 104 tourist villas · F&B zone |
| Buildable area | 149,100 m² (30% of the NDT area); max height 12 m (hotel) / 6.5 m (villas) |
| Waterfront | Arade river frontage with private anchorage |
| Transaction | Sale of 100% of the share capital (single corporate vehicle, sole asset) |
| Price | On application |
Scarcity, structure, and a market that keeps attracting capital
Licensing already in place
The tourism licensing framework is approved and current. Comparable greenfield sites in the Algarve typically face a multi-year permitting process before reaching this stage.
Scarcity
One of the last licensed tourism development nuclei (NDT) on the Arade estuary; riverfront land with an approved programme of this scale is effectively irreplaceable in this market.
Clean transaction structure
Single-asset company, 100% of the shares from one family group; a share-deal acquisition preserves the approved licensing in place; acquisition structure and tax treatment to be assessed by the buyer's advisers.
Market depth
The Algarve continues to attract institutional resort capital, with recent entries from major international developers and funds across Vilamoura, Vale do Lobo, and the western Algarve.
Independent valuation and full documentation available under NDA
An independent RICS valuation of the asset was carried out in 2025. Qualified parties who execute a non-disclosure agreement will receive the full RICS valuation report, the Information Memorandum, planning documentation, and access to a structured dataroom. Indicative offers are invited thereafter.
Portugal resort investment — at a glance
- Asset: ~50 ha licensed tourism development site, Silves, Algarve, Portugal.
- Programme: ~200 keys / 600-bed capacity — aparthotel, tourist villas, F&B / restauração zone.
- Planning: Urbanization Plan approved 2008 (in force); PIP renewed December 2024.
- Waterfront: Arade river frontage with a private anchorage.
- Transaction: sale of 100% of the share capital, single corporate vehicle, sole asset.
- Price: on application.