Alentejo Coast

The Alentejo coast is Portugal's best-kept secret — 150 km of wild, undeveloped coastline between the Tróia Peninsula and the Algarve border. While resorts line up along the Algarve, here you find: dunes, rice fields, pine forests, and beaches where you can be alone even in high summer. The entire coastal strip is under nature protection (Parque Natural do Sudoeste Alentejano), which has prevented large-scale developments.

Comporta & Carvalhal

Comporta is the Portuguese Hamptons — but still with charm. Wealthy Lisboans discovered the former fishing village 15 years ago and turned it into a discreet luxury hotspot. The beaches (Praia da Comporta, Praia do Carvalhal, Praia do Pego) are endlessly long, deserted, and surrounded by rice fields and dunes. Simple wooden shack restaurants stand in the sand, where you eat fresh fish barefoot — for prices that are no longer fishing village-like (main courses €18–35).

The rice fields behind the dunes are a fascinating sight — Comporta is one of the few rice-growing areas in Europe. In spring, the fields are flooded and reflect the sky.

Vila Nova de Milfontes

Vila Nova de Milfontes, where the Mira River flows into the Atlantic, is the most relaxed seaside resort on the Alentejo coast. Small enough to reach everything on foot, large enough for good restaurants and a minimum of infrastructure. The town has a pretty fortress on the riverbank, a lively promenade, and several fantastic beaches within walking distance.

The Praia das Furnas (2 km south) is one of the most spectacular beaches in Portugal: nestled between cliffs with golden rock arches and caves, accessible via a cliff path. The Praia do Malhão (5 km north) is an endless, wild surf beach — often completely empty.

In summer, you can kayak on the Mira River, stand-up paddle, or just let yourself drift. The river mouth with its calm bays is perfect for families with small children.

Zambujeira do Mar

The tiny cliff village of Zambujeira do Mar would be completely unknown if it weren't for the Festival Sudoeste — one of Portugal's largest music festivals (every year in early August, about 40,000 visitors). Outside the festival week, Zambujeira is a sleepy village with dramatic cliffs and wild beaches. The Praia dos Alteirinhos, accessible via 200 steps down to the cliff, is paradisiacal.