Preserved nature, rice fields and pines as far as the eye can see …
It is surrounded by rice paddies, the coastline, sand dunes, and pine trees, among other natural features. It’s a one-of-a-kind setting where you can reconnect with nature while remaining present in the moment. Although the fishing cottages on stilts recall ideas of Asia for some, and the stunning white-sand beaches bordering the ocean conjure images of the Hamptons for others, Comporta has its own rhythm and atmosphere that is distinct from any other place on the planet.
A secret for many years, this wild spot has been kept hidden by regular visitors who love the ‘tranquillity of this peculiar territory. In addition, despite the fact that vacationing in Comporta is becoming increasingly ‘in style,’ make no mistake: this isn’t the new Ibiza. In this small corner of paradise, suspended between the ocean and the rice terraces, you will find yourself in the midst of slowness and simplicity.
In the communities of the region, tradition and simplicity are the order of the day. The buildings blend in seamlessly, and the locals can still be found at the same cafés that they have frequented for decades. Tourist hordes and nightclubs are non-existent in this area. What you will discover is the authenticity and ease of life that Portugal has to offer.
The region’s primary feature is the Comporta beach, which stretches for 20 kilometres over a stretch of continuous white sand and is a beach lover’s paradise. Days in Comporta are leisurely and relaxed.
The Sado nature reserve is home to some 200 species of birds, including the storks, emblems of the city of Comporta. Have fun spotting them on horseback, on foot, by bike or even by paddle.
If tourists appreciate Comporta for its peace and quiet, as well as the quality of its surroundings, the storks appear to concur with their assessment of the town. Every year, the population of these birds in Comporta and the adjacent villages grows by a significant amount. This particular stage of their migratory trip appears to have influenced them. It is possible for them to settle down and complete their breeding cycle in optimal conditions because of the mild environment throughout the year. The Sado Nature Reserve prevents them from being hunted and provides them with an adequate food supply to feed the storks without exerting any effort. Why go on a difficult road every year when happiness is right around the corner? Come to Comporta and, like the storks, you’ll want to remain as long as possible!
Comporta is home to a port built on stilts and perched between the sky and the sea, seemingly untouched by time. Located in Carrasqueira on the Sado River, which is the starting point for the Alcácer do Sal. These makeshift landing, constructed of open-work boards and supported on stilts, serve as the foundation for this modest fishing port.
This exceptional example of popular architecture, which is the only one of its kind in Europe, was built between the 1950s and 1960s. It is a national treasure. The port served as an anchorage for fishing boats in the surrounding area, a function that it has continued to provide to this day.
The fishing industry, particularly for oysters, was responsible for much of the growth in the Carrasqueira area. The port was built particularly to ensure that fishermen would always be able to access their boats, regardless of how the tides were acting at the time.
In fact, when the tide is low, the land is separated from the water by around ten metres of mud (or occasionally as much as a hundred metres!). As a result, the very first fisherman pounded in stilts at the edge of the tidal wall (which protects the farmland) and built a few planks on top of them to shield themselves from the elements. They were followed by a group of fishermen who banded together to build a new pile of stilts and boards. Building on stilts and planks was a developing form of construction that allowed the tangle of stilts and planks to be gradually expanded by several hundreds of metres. This is how the peculiar jetty came to be, and it is now one of the most popular tourist attractions in the municipality of Alcácer due to its unique location.
Depending on the tides, the boats either float on the surface of the water or are submerged in the muck at times. A great number of modest wooden huts, some of which are recognised as national heritage buildings, line the length of the jetty, adding to the natural beauty of the surroundings.
This is the ideal place for those who enjoy taking photographs.
The port on stilts of Carrasqueira in Comporta, Portugal
10 Best things to do in Comporta
- Consume food in the manner of the locals! If you want to try something different, try the local dish of beans with rice and linguiça served with bacon, chorizo, and coriander and cooked in an earthen pot or over an open fire.
- Catch some waves with Surf in Comporta – They provide surf training for both children and adults, as well as board and wetsuit rental services
- Riding a horse along the beach, kayaking in the ocean or cycling are all options.
- Take some beautiful images of the stunning beach and town to share on social media.
- There are plenty of stunning birds you can enjoy watching. You can take a stroll through the Sado Estuary to check out a variety of birds like flamingos, storks, and herons and the beautiful wildlife and nature
- Also part of the Sado Estuary is an area of freshwater that is home to a pod of bottlenose dolphins. You can relax on the shore while enjoying these beautiful animals.
- Make sure to stop by the Rice Museum, (Museu do Arroz), which is also the town’s oldest restaurant that specialises in rice delicacies. It is housed in a rice-husking mill built in 1952 and contains a museum displaying instruments and implements used in the rice harvesting process.
- Want to stretch your legs? You can rent bicycles to ride up and down the coast to explore the various towns that makeup Comporta.
- Discover the Cais Palafitico do Porto da Carrasqueira, a fascinating harbour filled with historic wooden docks and fishing boats.
- At the Casa da Cultura pop-up shop, you may peruse the wares of local artisans.
The Roman ruins of Tróia, Comporta
Tróia’s Roman ruins are located on a beach peninsula approximately ten minutes from Comporta. This site, which is surrounded by water, was originally a significant complex specialising in the manufacturing of salted and pickled fish. It was constructed in the first century and remained continuously occupied until the sixth century.
Here, salt fish and fish sauces were prepared using the abundant fish in the Atlantic Ocean and the exceptional salt generated on the Sado River. These same goods were then distributed across the Empire.
The site evolved into a complicated metropolitan region over time. It included not only several “salting factories,” but also residences, other factories, thermal spas, and the mausoleum and necropolis typical of Roman civilisation.
Excavations conducted in 1956 unearthed 450 m2 of Roman baths. There are pools with hot, temperate, and cold water, as well as an underground heating system, a swimming pool, and a sports arena.
Since 1910, this spectacular complex has been designated a “Monumento Nacional.” Throughout the year, it organises archaeological exhibitions, guided tours, equestrian shows, and other themed activities.
A timeless and unmissable destination that provides an authentic glimpse into the Comporta region’s distinctive history.
Museu do Arroz, Comporta
The Rice Museum in Comporta, Portugal, is located at the village’s entrance. It is devoted to the cultivation of rice in the region and its associated customs. In this cultural space, we retrace the history and development of “Herdade da Comporta” in order to better comprehend the effect of this unusual culture.
The museum is housed in a historic 1952 rice husking mill.
Along with this factory, there were other workshops, each equipped with a range of locksmithing, carpentry, and forging tools. These workshops were used to maintain the factory, employees’ housing, the office, the canteen, the butcher shop, the bakery, and the chapel, as well as to contribute to the creation of agricultural tools and automobiles. As a result, the realm could remain autonomous until the late 1960s.
Following this enlightening cultural and historical tour, we recommend stopping for a drink or meal at the museum’s adjacent restaurant, which bears the same name.
Strolling in the rice fields
Rice fields are important in Comporta and to the village’s heritage. Rice has been grown on this property since 1925. Seasonally, these fields form and colour the landscape. Whether they are green, yellow, or a mirror-like pool of water, they provide this landscape with a sense of magic and rhythm.
The densely packed shoots grow erratically and impart an element of wildness and primitiveness to Comporta. Although rice has been planted by hand for a long period of time, this method has been nearly entirely replaced by small planes that disperse seeds at low altitude across fields. Once sowed, the seeds fall to the ground and sprout at random.
Thus, the environment that exists today in Comporta was built about a century ago through rice cultivation, a relatively uncommon activity in Portugal. These tracts of land have been maintained by or are part of the Sado Estuary Nature Reserve, ensuring the protection of these attractive rice fields, as well as the species and flora that inhabit them.
To properly understand the rice fields, one must immerse oneself in them, inhale the aroma of the surrounding pine forests, and spend time observing the birds, canals, and old fishermen’s huts. There is a pleasant sense of harmony here, which is strangely countered by the sound of storks snapping their beaks in increasing numbers. Following this enlightening cultural and historical tour, we recommend stopping for a drink or meal at the museum’s adjacent restaurant, which bears the same name.
