Villa Ayina

A Secluded Coastal Haven

A cluster of three retreats built around an azure swimming pool and dropped into a rural lot in Comporta’s private Brejos da Carregueira de Baixo community, these getaways are easygoing, alfresco-focused beach houses with direct access to the secluded sands of Praia dos Brejos, and close to the hip Alentejo enclaves of Comporta and Melides.

Furnished breezily with cane, grass, reed, and straw, and shaded by the region’s classic slatted-wood awnings, this cheery villa trio benefits from privileged access to the exclusive private beach at Brejos. The golden sands of Brejos are reputed to be one of the region’s wildest waterfronts, accessible via a path across Comporta’s signature rice paddies. The landscape surrounding the home and its oasis-like swimming pool is equally idyllic, a tranquil rural reserve that's close to Comporta’s artsy buzz when you’re ready for action. All about the outdoors, the compound lines up loungers and shaded patios, has a lean lap pool, features several outdoor dining and seating zones, and offers a wild garden with a boules pitch.

AROUND

An authentic rural retreat in the hamlet development of Brejos da Carregueira, the home is surrounded by Comporta’s classic rice paddies and cork oak stands, and flanked by miles of relatively undeveloped beaches. The Atlantic roils along this section of Portugal’s Alentejo Coast, a region of big dunes and bigger waves just over an hour south of Lisbon that has long been a surfer’s paradise and a low key nature-lovers’ kind of oceanfront. Watersports opportunities are abundant here, and horseback riding along the wild stretches of sand is a favorite way to explore the beaches. Rice, citrus, agricultural production and cork harvesting have long been the region’s livelihood, enhanced by the recent arrival of jet-setting seekers of sunshine eager to explore “Europe’s last unspoiled coastline.” Situated largely between the Sado Estuary and the sea, the region is referred to as the Herdade da Comporta, and encompasses the coastline and a vast inland reserve.

Hip global nomads have marked the region as their new favorite playground, riding in on the coattails of expat fashion designers, international architects, entrepreneurial urbanites, and modern art collectors. And it’s no wonder! This part of Portugal’s coast is a landscape of vineyards and cork oak fields, rice paddies and groves of glinting olive and orange dotted citrus trees. Blue and yellow striped, cobbled villages are watched over by huge stork nests, and the region has historically been more agricultural than touristy. Comporta is well loved for its easygoing elegance and trendy artisanal boutiques. There’s a lively gallery scene and a handful of cute cafes. Nearby Melides is also a favorite of design-conscious shoppers and patrons of the arts who delight in the burgeoning selection of galleries, studio/workshops, and carefully curated boutiques. The region’s beaches are known for their big, rolling waves, including Praia da Galé-Fontainhas, Praia da Comporta, and Praia da Melides, and the protected lagoons, their waters rich with birds and wildlife, include Lagoa de Santo André and the Lagoa de Melides. Hikers can take to the vigorous Rota da Serra de Grândola that circles through a massive cork-oak and pine forest, and over hills crisscrossed by streams. The nearby Troia peninsula is a big draw for kite and wind surfers, and the Sado Estuary is a natural wetland reserve with resident flamingos, otters, dolphins and more than 250 types of protected birds.

LOCATION

Comporta, Alentejo, Portugal. Nearest airport: Lisbon (120km)

BEST TIME TO VISIT: April to October