This Charming Beach Town Is Called the 'Hamptons of Portugal' — and It's Home to a Massive Flock of Flamingos

Portugal is having its time in the limelight. The tiny Iberian nation is finally getting the global recognition it deserves for its gorgeous coastline, world-class dining, and delicious wines that will have you asking for mais um (one more) over and over again. And while its capital city of Lisbon tends to get the most attention, as someone who lives here, I’ll let you in on a little secret: one of Portugal’s best assets is actually about an hour's drive south, in the tiny coastal town of Comporta. 

The village, located in the district of Setúbal, is small by every measure. It has fewer than 1,500 full-time residents and is just over 50 square miles in size, most of which is made up of coastline. It may even remind you of the charming seaside destinations of the Northeastern United States, with many calling it the "Hamptons of Portugal." Here’s what you need to know to plan an epic vacation to Comporta right now. 

What to Know About Comporta

Like I said, it’s small, so don’t expect a ton going on here during a visit. But really, isn’t that the kind of quiet, relaxing getaway we’re all looking for these days anyway? Another thing to note is public transit here is essentially nonexistent, so if you fly into Lisbon, it’s best to rent a car at the airport and drive to Comporta so you can easily get around while you’re here. The drive should take about an hour and change.

When to Visit Comporta

Things tend to heat up in the region starting in early May when the average highs reach about 74 degrees. Temperatures stay toasty through the end of October and cool down to the 50s during the winter. Yes, the summers are warm and delightful but don’t overlook the shoulder seasons in April and November, when temperatures can still be balmy and there are far fewer tourists. 

Things to Do in Comporta

Visit Praia da Comporta.

If you’re traveling to Comporta, odds are your main objective is to enjoy the coast. So, it’s a good idea to head straight to Praia da Comporta, one of Portugal's best beaches. It has a lively atmosphere in the summer, with locals and tourists filling every inch of sand. Here visitors can find cafes and restaurants ready to serve you something tasty right on the beach, alongside surf schools that will have you going from novice to experienced in one lesson flat. There is plenty of parking at the beach, but you’ll still want to try to get there early to snag a prime spot.

Boat through Sado Estuary Natural Reserve.

Walk into an animal paradise with a visit to the Sado Estuary Natural Reserve. Here, visitors can watch a massive flock of pink flamingos gently dipping their beaks into the water or spot a pod of dolphins meandering by. One of the best ways to experience this reserve is via a boat tour, which will allow you to get closer to the aquatic life and spot the more than 250 bird species (including herons, kingfishers, and those above-mentioned flamingos) that call this gorgeous place home. 

Go horseback riding.

See Comporta from a slightly elevated perspective by booking a highly sought-after horseback ride with Cavalos na Areia (which translates to “horse in the sand”). During the ride, guests will traverse several landscapes, including desert lands and rice fields, to reach the soft, sandy beach, where they can gallop along the water’s edge, just like a scene straight out of a romance novel. Not feeling the gallop? Trips are tailored to every kind of rider, so a nice, leisurely walk is just as welcome. 

Bike through the rice paddies.

Those wanting to adventure through Comporta without the help of an animal can do just that with a little pedal power. Snag an e-bike from places like Comporta Electric Bikes and cruise from one end to the other, including through some of its gorgeous rice paddies found just about everywhere in town. Need more direction? Book a tour with Cool Explorers, who will happily show you around the community.

Comporta Hotels

Quinta da Comporta

Have a bohemian stay by booking a few nights at Quinta da Comporta. The hotel, which overlooks the rice fields, comes with nature-inspired rooms filled with neutral tones and natural materials. Groups can book its one- or two-bedroom townhouses or its three-bedroom private pool villas, while couples can enjoy the simple suites. Make sure to take a dip in its solar-heated pool, which stretches on for more than 130 feet.

Sublime Comporta

Find yourself amid 42 private acres of pristine land at Sublime Comporta. The hotel is a design lover’s paradise, with an ultra-clean aesthetic that will have you snapping pic after pic for Instagram. Choose between its rooms and suites, or go for a Bio-pool Suite, which overlooks one of the largest chemical-free freshwater pools in Europe. Don’t leave before dining in one of its restaurants, including the organic, farm-fresh plates at Food Circle and its hyper-local Tasca da Comporta, a seasonal outdoor restaurant serving Portuguese classics. 

Spatia Comporta

Easy breezy is the best way to describe Spatia Comporta. The hotel is designed so guests feel an easy flow between the inside and out, with massive floor-to-ceiling windows and doors to heighten the experience. Its Mediterranean-style design and landscaping keep things simple, while its all-white rooms and villas keep things chic. Guests can take advantage of a multitude of services here too, from grocery delivery straight to their villa to readily available bikes, laundry service, in-villa dining, and even pickleball paddles when they want to work up a sweat. 

Comporta Restaurants

There are a variety of places to eat in Comporta, from casual beachside eateries to trendy restaurants in town highlighting regional ingredients. Comporta Café has been the go-to spot for grilled fish since opening on Praia da Comporta in the early aughts, and a slew of newer concepts have popped up in recent years. On the shore of Praia do Pego, the stylish Lisbon-based JNcQUOI brand has its Comporta outpost, JNcQUOI Beach Club, specializing in tasty seafood dishes. Set among the sand dunes nearby, Praia na Comporta is a ski chalet-inspired Portuguese restaurant designed by architect Philippe Starck. If you're craving a high-end dining experience, reserve a table at the Michelin-lauded Cavalariça, which serves creative small plates such as kale tempura with white bean hummus and steak tartare, in a refurbished horse stable in the village.

How to Get to Comporta

The simplest way to get to Comporta is to hop on a flight to Lisbon’s Humberto Delgado Airport, which receives regular direct flights from destinations around Europe, as well as from Boston, New York City, Miami, San Francisco, Chicago, and more. Then, rent a car and make the drive down the A2. Do opt for the pre-paid toll option, as toll roads are abundant across Portugal.