First Newsletter + My guide to Comporta Portugal

Author

Caleb Thill
April 06, 2023

Hey hey everyone! Welcome to my first newsletter! I’m so excited to share a deeper look into my life and share more detailed / in-depth content! There’s only so much I can share in a 60 second video on Tiktok! Soooooo what can you expect with this newsletter? Well, I’ll be sending one out every other week - maybe every week if I feel like it! I’ll be sharing lots of recommendations, travel stories, travel itineraries, guest itineraries from some really cool people and really just anything that inspires me!

For this first newsletter, we’re going to talk about Comporta Portugal!

Comporta Portugal

Carvalhal Beach - Comporta Portugal

Long white sand beaches that stretch as far as the eye can see, small seafood restaurants lining the beach and small boutiques selling incredible local goods. Comporta has a sort of discreet luxury that’s found only when you look close. Yes, without a doubt, Comporta is a stunning destination. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to come to that conclusion - there’s 40 miles of remote untouched white sand beaches. But what makes Comporta really special are the hidden gems found throughout the area. Upon arriving in Comporta, I really wasn’t sure what to expect. Driving the hour and a half drive south from Lisbon and arriving in Comporta, I felt as if I found something incredibly special - a place that has yet to be discovered by the masses. A place I knew I would visit again before even stepping out of our little orange smart car we rented in Lisbon that went 0-60 in about 30 seconds.

Where to stay: Quinta Da Comporta - $$$

Besides the incredible coastline, local boutiques and incredible seafood restaurants, one thing that makes Comporta really special are the eco-resorts around the area. You won't find these hotels on the beach because most of Comporta is on a protected nature reserve, but more inland where they can grow their own fruits and vegetables to serve at their restaurants. In fact, there really are only 2 hotels in Comporta, Sublime and Quinta da Comporta - the other options would be Airbnb or knowing a friend with a house or villa. For my friends and I, we stayed at the gorgeous Quinta da Comporta.

Quinta da Comporta opened in March 2019 and is personally one of the most stunning boutique hotels I’ve ever visited. It’s located right on a rice field in the village of Carvalhal, one of the 7 villages that make up Comporta. The restaurant serves up produce that has been grown on-site or in the villages nearby. The rooms are minimal, boho-chic and beach-y (I mood boarded everything for my future beach house haha). One of my favorite amenities at Quinta da Comporta was the infinity pool overlooking the rice fields. Swimming in the pool as the sun set was truly spectacular.

AlmaLusa is a more budget friendly (but just as gorgeous) property that opened up recently!

Sublime Comporta is the most lux property in the region. It’s truly unbelievable! Make a reservation for dinner here if you don’t want to blow the $$$$ staying here!

Where to eat

  • Cavalarica Comporta - On the fancier side. The restaurant used to be horse stables. 1000% recommend. Probably one of my favorite restaurants in Comporta!

  • Dona Bia - Iconic Comporta institution - Roadside eatery with amazing seafood!

  • Sublime Beach Club - Luxe beach club by the incredible hotel, Sublime!

  • BE Comporta (pictured - far left) - Great spot for breakfast and fresh juice before hitting the beach.

  • Colmo Bar - Another breakfast spot for coffee and juice!

  • Quinta da Comporta - The restaurant at the hotel, Quinta Da Comporta!

  • Sal Burger - Awesome burgers and great outdoor area with a fire pit! Amazing spot to hangout and grab a burger and beer!

  • Restaurant Sal - A Comporta institution!! Located right on the beach!

  • Comporta Cafe Restaurant Bar - amazing beachside bar and restaurant!

Where to swim

Left: Carvalhal Beach | Right: Praia Galé-Fontainhas

There’s no beach shortage in Comporta! Every single beach we visited was stunning, however, one of the most awe-inspiring beaches, Praia Galé-Fontainhas, was about a 20 minutes drive south. I definitely recommend going to Comporta beach and Carvalhal Beach for sunset cocktails, but if you just have a day to spend at a beach, definitely go to Praia Galé-Fontainhas!!

What you’ve missed on Tiktok

Next week: Ella Rose’s guide to Florence + My 10 favorite hotels in NYC!

Influencer and content creator, Ella Rose, dishes on her perfect Florence itinerary! I was drooling over this trip she took!

See you next week!