Faro's qualities were noted in a piece by the Chicago International Travel Examiner, following the decision of US president Barack Obama to buy a Portuguese water dog, a breed that originates in the region.

The news provider stated that the city has attractive architectural features such as the Moorish walls and the cathedral with its many side chapels, while the Infante Dom Henrique Archaeological Museum - built into an historic monastery - has many treasures.

Such elements may prompt those investing in Portuguese property to consider the area.

Another reason the Algarve may be high on buyer wish-lists is the price of real estate there.

Earlier this month Mary Mangan, a spokesperson for estate agency Winkworth Portugal, told the Times: "In the western Algarve, you can buy a newly refurbished one-bedroom village house in Raposeira, near Lagos, three minutes' drive from the beach, for GBP136,000."