Described by Conde Nast, the publication house behind Vogue and Tatler, as “Portugal’s best secret beach spot”, Comporta has attracted a considerable celebrity following in recent years. Madonna, Christian Louboutin, George Clooney and Cindy Crawford are just some of the big names that have become associated with Comporta. So what is this mysterious location?
In this guide, we explore the area and look at the practicalities of moving to Comporta.
Steps down to the white sands of a Comporta beach
An introduction to Comporta
Comporta is right at the north-western tip of Portugal’s Alentejo region. The area is composed of several small villages, of which Comporta itself is one. However, the area widely known as Comporta stretches up the Tróia Peninsula, ending at the resorts of Costa de Galé and Tróia Mar, home to a range of five-star hotels that all offer a true “barefoot living” experience.
Comporta is a pristine white sand paradise just 90 minutes from Lisbon.
Comporta is a unique place, with Conde Nast saying that it is “unlike anywhere you’ve been before”. The region is dotted with rice paddies, salt pans and farms, and is classified as a nature reserve.
Historically, the area has been owned by the Espirito Santo banking family. In the 1990s, it began to morph from a nature reserve into a playground for the rich and well-connected. This trend continues to this day and – unsurprisingly – property comes at a price premium.
Practicalities
While Lisbon and Comporta are close together “as the crow flies”, the journey by road takes about 90 minutes, due to the need to drive around the Sado Estuary. One could argue that this helps maintain the exclusive atmosphere. Day trippers from Lisbon are more likely to make the easier journey to Cascais or Costa da Caparica. (That said, the presence of so many celebrities is certainly putting Comporta on the map!)
Travel by public transport isn’t especially straightforward either. Trains run from Lisbon to nearby Setúbal, typically taking just under an hour. From there, there’s a ferry taking 25 mins, and then eight miles to cover by taxi.
Of course, it’s important to remember that for those thinking of moving to Comporta, the relatively remote location is not a disadvantage – it’s part of the appeal.
Looking further afield, it’s only a two-hour drive from Comporta to Faro, giving easy access to all of the Algarve. Faro provides one airport option, with Lisbon being the other.
Modern villa exterior in Comporta
Life in Comporta
Described by some as the “Portuguese Hamptons”, Comporta offers an escape from everyday life. It’s a place of endless beach days, leisurely lunches, and evenings when residents dress in their finery and enjoy some of Portugal’s most exceptional food. (Notably, the cuisine in Comporta often includes both regional shellfish and the land-based dishes that the Alentejo region is famous for).
Comporta’s beaches have a true desert island feel, and some take effort to reach, hence the popularity of quads and Mini Mokes. Development around the Comporta region is highly restricted and – as such – the place remains authentic and unspoiled. That said, the village hubs are well provisioned, as would be expected for anywhere serving a sophisticated and affluent crowd. The bars, beach clubs and cafés have real atmosphere.
For shopping, there’s the exclusive Spot Market in place all summer, offering independent fashions and crafts in Comporta village. There’s also the Casa da Cultura selling one-off designer items.
Unsurprisingly, people moving to Comporta have easy access to golf, with five courses in the area. There are also tennis, padel and volleyball courts, and various yoga, pilates and meditation clubs. The Marina de Tróia caters to those who want to arrive and depart by boat, and is also home to a casino, within the five-star Tróia design hotel.
Browse homes on Portugal’s Silver Coast today
Property in Comporta
It will come as little surprise that property around Comporta is expensive. Restricted development limits the number of available homes, and ensures that designs are understated and well-suited to a spot that is – essentially – an unspoiled nature reserve.
Villas start at around €700,000, but it’s possible to spend considerably more. New build villas start at around €2 Million, and you can pay a similar amount for even relatively small properties if they are right on the beach.
For those considering moving to Comporta on more of a budget, there are some apartments below €500,000. There are also some eco lodges, and mobile homes on resorts. Occasionally, properties for renovation appear on the market. These come at a high price compared to those a couple of hours away in central Portugal, but their value once completed may present a compelling proposition.
It’s worth noting that many new developments are being launched in Muda, a short distance south from Comporta itself. Here, the planning restrictions aren’t quite as strict, making Muda attractive to those seeking modern, design-led homes.
Wide sandy beach of Quarteira and Vilamoura
Alternatives to Comporta
As Portugal is a compact country, there’s typically the option of enjoying all the amenities of a high-end area whilst living somewhere more affordable. In the Algarve, for example, people can choose Quarteira and be just walking distance from the more expensive Vilamoura.
Since Comporta is more remote, there’s not an equivalent, but there are a couple of options for those who’d like to be close, but don’t have a “Comporta budget”. One is the attractive and historic city of Alcácer do Sal. 30 minutes from Comporta and one hour from Lisbon, it’s an interesting option – especially when you see villas from €200,000 and renovation projects for much less.
Setúbal is another option, and just a short hop away on the ferry. There, apartments start from around €120,000.
Moving to Comporta (or owning a holiday home there) is certainly an ambition for lots of celebrities and high-profile people. Even if you don’t have that kind of budget, moving to Portugal and making Comporta part of your life may still be a viable option.
