An Insider's Guide To Comporta
Here's everything you need to know to have a perfect beach vacation on Portugal's West Coast.
Where To Stay
The Two Best Hotel Options are:
Sublime offers minimalist design and delicious Portuguese food while Quinta da Comporta has better views and is a little closer to the beaches. Both operate all year round.
Where To Eat & Drink
The main beach in the village is called Praia da Comporta, and the culinary scene revolves around this stunning golden-sand stretch. Beachfront dining is best at Comporta Café, a laid-back beach-hut restaurant where guests can sit in nautical-style booths inside, out on the deck or in hammocks. Serving traditional Mediterranean dishes and local seafood with cocktails and local wine. A short walk away, Ilha do Arroz serves jugs of white sangria with local cheeses followed by salads, calamari and the freshest seafood. Further along in Praia do Pego, Sal is a lively bar offering delicious seafood alongside beers and delicious margaritas. For long days on the beach with parasols and sun loungers, Sublime has one of the best beach clubs at the coast. Book the restaurant and try their Portuguese wines with dishes like spaghetti Vongole and seafood platters. For modern Portuguese fine dining, Cavalarica has a regularly changing seasonal menu.
What To Do
Although Comporta is a village, there’s no shortage of activities on offer. Whatever type of trip you’re planning, the Sado estuary is a must-visit. The nature reserve encompasses sandbanks, rice paddies and woodland where visitors can see several bird species including flamingos. You can also book boat trips to see pods of dolphins – Sado Emotion is a reputable company. One of the best ways to explore Comporta’s beaches and rice paddies is to hire an electric bike. Comporta Electric Bikes has a range of hire options and its bikes are sturdy enough to ride along the beach towards Pego and Carvalhal. Lovers of the outdoors should also make a beeline for the neighboring village of Melides with its beautiful, secluded beach. Here, you’ll find several art galleries, as well as sandstone cliffs and a deep blue lagoon which locals swim in. In terms of beaches, Tróia Galé, Carvalhal and Pego top the list (you’ll find parasols, restaurants and beach clubs), while Robinson and Brejos are a little more secluded with beautiful views. Horse riding along the beach is a popular pastime for locals, and there are two excellent riding schools in the area: Passeios a Cavalo and Cavalos na Areia, the latter runs group tours if you don’t want to go solo. For surfing or paddleboarding, hire equipment or take lessons with Surf in Comporta, which operates across most of the beaches in the area.
84 Rooms recommends: The 8 Best Restaurants In Lisbon, and The Most Incredible Villas To Stay In This Summer That Are Right By The Sea.