Portugal’s property market continues to heat up, with express home sales on the rise. According to recent data from idealista, around 12% of homes listed for sale in Portugal in September were snapped up in less than seven days, highlighting intense demand in certain regions.
Faro Takes the Lead
The southern city of Faro stands out as the top performer, with a remarkable 21% of properties being sold in under a week. This makes Faro the fastest-moving housing market among Portugal’s district capitals and autonomous regions. Other cities also seeing rapid sales include Évora (15% of homes sold in less than seven days), Santarém (14%), Funchal (13%), Aveiro (12%) and Coimbra (12%).
In comparison, larger markets like Porto and Lisbon see a smaller share of lightning-fast sales. Porto recorded 10% of express sales, while Lisbon and several other cities — including Setúbal, Castelo Branco, Leiria, Ponta Delgada, and Viseu — report just 6%. Meanwhile, the lowest rates of quick-turnover homes are seen in Beja (5%), Guarda (5%), Bragança (4%), and in Portalegre, no homes were sold in under a week during the period analyzed.
Breakdown by Districts and Islands
When looking at broader regions, Porto district leads the rankings, with 15% of houses selling within a week, followed by Madeira (14%) and Faro (12%). Aveiro markets also remain competitive (11%), as do São Miguel Island in the Azores (10%), and Braga, Castelo Branco, and Coimbra (9% each). Lisbon’s district sees 9% of properties sold within seven days.
On the lower end of the scale, Santarém, Évora, and Setúbal districts all see 8% of express sales, with Portalegre, Viana do Castelo, and Vila Real close behind at 7%. The slowest districts in Portugal, in terms of fast sales, are Leiria and Viseu (6%), Beja, Bragança, and Guarda (5%).
How Quickly Are Portuguese Homes Selling Overall?
Idealista’s analysis shows that, beyond express sales, 21% of homes were sold within one week to a month on the market. Around 26% sell between one and three months, while 35% take three months to a year to find a buyer. Only 6% of homes remain unsold for more than a year.
These figures underscore the dynamic nature of Portugal’s real estate market—especially in regions like Faro and Porto, where demand remains particularly strong. Buyers looking to secure a property in these areas are urged to act quickly, as homes are often off the market in a matter of days.
