Over the past few years there has been a heightened interest in property in Central Portugal from foreign buyers. Many are looking for a holiday home in the sun, some are looking to relocate to a warmer climate and others for pure investment.

Some of the key factors behind this are obvious: the climate in the central region of Portugal is far warmer than it's northern European counterparts, the Portuguese property market it stable and the cost of living is far less than the United Kingdom.

The Silver Coast in Central Portugal has already been identified as the third most popular location for Britons purchasing a second home. The Silver Coast (Costa da Prata) has kilometres of sandy, Blue Flag beaches and there are a mixture of historic towns dotted along the coastline including Óbidos, Peniche, Nazare, Figueira da Foz and Sao Martinho de Porto. These towns are not only popular holiday destinations for foreigners, but with Portuguese holiday makers.

Properties on the Silver Coast are far less expensive than similar ones in the Algarve and there are some superb golf courses including the award winning Praia d'el Rey course. However, prices may be conducive, but unlike the Algarve, which is busy year round, Silver Coast resort towns are seasonable. They can during the winter months resemble ghost towns once the holiday season has ended.

Away from the development villages, an hour inland, in the heart of central Portugal, you can get even more value for money. Though their names may not be familiar to you, the towns of Tomar, Abrantes, Alvaiázere, Ferreira do Zezêre, Figueiro dos Vinhos and Ansião are becoming increasingly popular with Britons looking for a place in the sun.

Not only are the towns attractive so are the property prices. With character and rustic stone cottages available from as little as 22,000€. However if you are not looking for a renovation project, don't worry there are a wealth of restored country property as well as new build villas with starting prices from 160,000€.

These locations are more accessible than ever now. An ongoing improvement scheme to both the road and rail infrastructures mean reduced driving times to both airports and the coast. In addition to this the construction of the new international airport at Ota will in the future increase the choice of low-cost airline routes to and from the United Kingdom.

So if you're thinking about buying a place in the sun, loose your heart in the centre of Portugal. A place where culture, history and hospitality combine to give you a taste of the real Portugal.