An hour's drive south of Lisbon, the long surf beaches, sandy dunes, salt flats, rice fields and pine woods of the Comporta coast have gained a loyal following among travel cognoscenti in the last few years. Some compare it to the Hamptons of Europe, or the French Riviera in the 1970s: sleepy villages, laidback bars under big open skies, a few boho-chic resorts, and a golf course. But, above all, those endless beaches - Comporta, Brejos, Carvalhal - over 12km in total, and with water on both sides giving them an island vibe.
The latest thing to blossom here are the beach houses - or rather not-quite-beach houses, since most are a few miles inland among pine woods and moors; but set on such soft sandy ground that you can roam barefoot. We're lucky to be able to offer six of the very best here, thanks to the enterprising young Pedro, who has courted the owners and now handles bookings with the expert touch of a local. Many are reinventions of old barns and cabins, grouped together around a pool, and linked by shady sit-outs, sandy walkways and semi-tropical gardens. This layout makes the larger ones (4-6 bedrooms) perfect for multi-family or multi-gen holidays, or groups of friends; while the smaller ones (2-3 bedrooms) will suit a family. Spend the days surfing, sunbathing, cycling to the village, walking the dunes. Come sunset, fire up the barbie and relax beneath whispering pines as a thousand stars sparkle into life.
The latest thing to blossom here are the beach houses - or rather not-quite-beach houses, since most are a few miles inland among pine woods and moors; but set on such soft sandy ground that you can roam barefoot. We're lucky to be able to offer six of the very best here, thanks to the enterprising young Pedro, who has courted the owners and now handles bookings with the expert touch of a local. Many are reinventions of old barns and cabins, grouped together around a pool, and linked by shady sit-outs, sandy walkways and semi-tropical gardens. This layout makes the larger ones (4-6 bedrooms) perfect for multi-family or multi-gen holidays, or groups of friends; while the smaller ones (2-3 bedrooms) will suit a family. Spend the days surfing, sunbathing, cycling to the village, walking the dunes. Come sunset, fire up the barbie and relax beneath whispering pines as a thousand stars sparkle into life.
Highs
- Whether it's their stunning interior design, pretty vernacular architecture or simple beach chic, all six houses stand out in their own way
- The larger houses' multi-building layout makes them perfect for a group of friends, or 2-3 families travelling together
- The medium villas - with 3 bedrooms each - are great for a larger family, or kids wanting separate rooms
- All except the two-bedroom villa (Lagoon House) have their own private pool
- Some houses are hidden away deep in pine forest for total seclusion; others are within walking distance of the beach
Lows
- Note the houses aren't on the beach, but between 500m-12km inland, so you'll probably need a car for getting around
- The Forest Cabins are a much simpler offering, as reflected by the lower price tag, and not all houses have air conditioning
- All houses require a 7-night stay in summer, generally Saturday to Saturday
- Not ideal with toddlers, and renting baby equipment isn't cheap
- Comporta's upmarket vibe means that it can be pricey in comparison to other coastal villages in Portugal
Best time to go
Any time between mid-May and mid-September, when the weather is sunny and the sea warm enough for swimming. Surfing is best from September to November. In winter - when some houses remain open (with heating of course, plus a fireplace or woodburner) - daytime temperatures hover around 15C: still warm enough for beach walks, horse rides and quick pool dips for the brave.
Our top tips
It can be hard getting your head round the different villas and locations on offer. So, if you know when you're travelling, start by checking availability for those dates (try and select a Saturday arrival / departure) – and see what's available. On that page you can scroll through an extended photo gallery for each house. Or, if location and proximity to the beach are your key factors, click here for a Google map of the villas.