Escola das Bicas

This Schoolhouse Rocks

Simplicity is the key to this former schoolhouse’s sophistication, its main building transformed into a contemporary coastal retreat with an open-plan layout built around its pool, and alfresco entertainment areas built into the white sand. Former classrooms have been given new life as a bedroom suite, a breezy living and dining area and a new kitchen, while a new annex offers an additional suite, a living room (with sofa bed) and a kitchenette, making the home ideal for two couples or a family with older children who can sleep independently.

A pool is sunken into pristine white sands, surrounded by a deck with multiple lounge areas, and an alfresco dining area runs the length of one whitewashed wall. The pristine beaches of Carvalhal and Comporta are both less than 10 kilometers away.

Additional features

The kitchenette of the annex has a sink, a coffee machine, a toaster, utensils, crockery, pans, a two-ring induction hob, and a fridge.

Around

Located near Carvalhal, this former schoolhouse served coastal kids in days’ past. Now it shelters guests ready to explore the Comporta region’s many charms. Carvalhal village is rural and slow-moving, surrounded by rice paddies, pine forests and grass-tufted dunes. The village is adjacent to the Sado Estuary’s nature reserve and is made up of a single main street flanked by homes, hotels, and shops. Carvalhal Beach feels a bit lost in time, a quiet stretch of sand located at the end of the village’s main street on the outskirts of town. A favorite of local families and famed for its sunsets, Carvalhal is one of seven beaches in the Herdade de Comporta. There’s a small waterfront restaurant serving traditional fare, and loungers and umbrellas for rent. Pego Beach is a bit further from the home, tucked into the pine forest and dunes, a remote crescent of sand that’s home to a locally-famed restaurant, Sal, and a pod of dolphins named for the Sado reserve. Big waves make the entire region a surfing hotspot for pros and beginners alike, and the region is well served by surf schools and local guiding companies.

The town of Comporta is a quick drive away. Originally a fishing village on the dramatic Alentejo coastline, Comporta has become a hip destination these last few years, home to fashionistas and global nomads who have transformed the modest coastal village into a favored getaway, bringing boutique hotels and sleek, modern architecture to this mostly unspoiled coastline. A land of cork oak trees and citrus groves, glinting stands of olive trees and low-lying rice fields, Comporta is a picturesque mix of the nostalgic and brand new. Agricultural family homes neighbor artisanal boutiques, and there’s a lively gallery scene in addition to both simple and glitzier cafes.

The area’s golden beaches extend for miles, beaches known for their big, rolling waves. Not to be missed are Praia da Galé-Fontainhas, Praia da Comporta and the Praia da Melides. Protected lagoons, their waters rich with birds and wildlife, fill the region’s coastline, including Lagoa de Santo André and the Lagoa de Melides. Walkers will love the Vereda de Melides footpath, the BioMelides pedestrian route, and serious hikers should try the more vigorous Rota da Serra de Grândola nearby, that circles inland through a massive cork-oak forest and over hills crisscrossed by streams.

Location

Carvalhal, Alentejo, Portugal. Nearest airport: Lisbon (1 to 1.5 hours)

Best time to visit

May to October