Comporta: A Little piece of Heaven

Comporta off-season

What to do in Comporta

• Bike riding.
• Amazing beach walks.
• Count the stars.
• Sailing if the weather permits.
• Boat rides.
• Swimming (summer only).
• Shopping downtown Comporta.
• Eating in fantastic restaurants in Comporta.
• Road trips.
• Relax.

I love being near the ocean during colder months because I can be out all day without worrying about getting sunburned or too hot.

Empty beaches mean I can walk on the beach for hours and have the luxury of only hearing the ocean and the birds. It’s selfish, I know. But it’s wonderful.

The downside of traveling off-season is that many of the good restaurants are closed. The upside is that the best hotels will be open and I can enjoy their fabulous cuisines and winter discounts.

The Sublime Hotel

I spent a few nights at the Sublime Hotel. I took my watercolors and sketchbook and treated this solo trip as if it were my very private retreat.

Sublime Hotel has gorgeous chalets with their own pools, and smaller rooms that face the garden.

My room faced the garden, and I had a little terrace where I painted. I loved spending the evenings here.

The hotel is about 15 minutes from downtown on a large and private property surrounded by the Alentejo landscape, silence, and starry nights. 

Things to do at Sublime Hotel

• Bike riding around the hotel property.
• Yoga.
• Work out at their gym.
• Swim in their lovely pool.
• Study the stars at night.
• Cocktails in the evening at their beautiful terrace.
• Dinner is awesome at their restaurant!

Comporta Village

When I went into the village of Comporta, I found a great little coffee shop called Eucalyptus. The cafe has a gorgeous tree that provided me with a nice shade and I was able to linger there quite a bit.  They have great snacks and I believe that they are serving light meals now.

During the fall, it can rain quite a bit, but I was very lucky. I had all sorts of weather, sunny days, rainy days, cloudy- it was perfect!

Comporta is surrounded by rice paddies that look mysterious and beautiful when it rains.

Tea time at the Sublime is sublime!

Tea time at the hotel is special! They serve their tea piping hot—as it should be—and bring you homemade, just-baked pastries.

 Tea infusions are made with herbs from their garden, so your tea will always be a little different from the previous day, but it will always be fantastic.

When you go off-season, you get pampered!

When I went, there were no yoga classes, so I reserved the yoga room for myself. I wanted to relax, stretch, enjoy my music, and meditate. 

When I entered the room I was so surprised and happy to see that the staff had placed a mat for me in the middle of the room. There was a jug of water and a glass, towels and the room temperature was perfect for that cold winter evening.

It was such a pleasure to have this little bit of attention and care.

About solo travel and resort hotels

I want to start off by saying that I always felt very comfortable on my own at the Sublime.

The staff treated me very well, and I felt welcome. I loved my quiet walks, photographing, painting, and doing yoga on my own.

I have found that when I stay at a better hotel or resort it’s a challenge if not almost impossible to meet people.

There are more couples who want to enjoy a private vacation or closed groups that are traveling to a party or for some reason.

My experience in resorts is varied. I have met many fun people on some trips, but other trips were less social.  Not lonely, just not social.

When you go to a resort on your own, be prepared to be alone, but keep your mind open to meeting people.

Traveling alone

I have met women my age (60+) who will only stay at hostels when they travel because they like to be around people. They said that they end up doing things with other people.

I am not a hostel person. I don’t like to share a room – I know some offer private room and baths but I have not found a great hostel yet.

If you know of one, I would love to hear about it!

When you travel solo

Take your own entertainment and make your own plans.

Keep yourself busy with fun activities.

If you do meet people, that will be great, but if you don’t, you will be very happy to be on your own.

Links for you

Sublime Hotel

Condé Nast Traveller article about Comporta

Independent article about Comporta

Things to know about Comporta

• The nearest airport is in Lisbon.
• Comporta is one hour and thirty minutes from Lisbon.
• The best way to go to Comporta is to rent a car so that you can visit other villages.
• The best time to visit comporta is during the spring and fall. Summers are very popular, hot and the mosquitos also love it!
• Beach clubs in Comporta: Sublime, JNcQUOI. I am sure there will be more very soon!
• Comporta has a great little market with amazing foods, wines and cheese- downtown Comporta.
• Best glass swimming pool: Quinta da Comporta Hotel
• Best view of the rice paddies: Near downtown Comporta
• Best beach: They are all so beautiful- I couldn’t choose one!
• Visit the Cais Plafitico da Carrasqueira. It’s about 20 minutes from downtown.
• Beach villages near Comporta: Carvalhal, Pego, Possanco.
• Road trip! “Must visit” villages near Comporta: Mélides, Alcácer do Sal, Porto Covo.

This article was updated in July 2024.