Villa Areia

A Carvalhal Glass and Wood Cabana by the Beach

Grab the family (or a half-dozen friends) and head to the Alentejo’s Praia do Pego or Praia do Carvalhal beaches near the cool coastal village of Comporta. Then share your time off the sand at this spacious, open-plan getaway. Minutes from the nearest village and even closer to the Atlantic, the home makes a great base for a group, with four king-sized bedrooms (en-suite, with showers), two of which can be converted into single bedrooms, with a pair of twin beds for the kids.

A heated pool anchors the sandy outdoor area, lined with boardwalk-like terraces and deck spaces, plus a lounge terrace and partially shaded, alfresco dining area. The interior vibe is breezy and beachy, with an abundance of whites accented by sea glass shades of blue, gold and green, with ample rattan, cane and wicker accents in classic coastal styling.

Around

Located just 500 meters from local restaurants and coffee shops, and about a kilometer from the nearest sandy beach, this home makes a great base for a beach vacation, within easy reach of sought after Comporta and Melides. A short drive lands you at the center of Carvalhal village, with its services, groceries, bakeries and cafes, plus a nearby golf course for putting enthusiasts. Beach goers love Carvalhal’s sands for their free and easy vibe, and Carvalhal town is one of seven towns in the Herdade de Comporta, a zone of rice paddies and the wetlands of the Sado Nature Reserve. The village’s namesake beach is located at the end of the main street. Dune-backed and flanked by rice paddies, the family-friendly beach also has a well-loved traditional waterfront restaurant, and there are beach loungers and umbrellas available for a fee. Pego Beach is more remote-feeling, a four-kilometer stretch of golden sand surrounded by a pine forest, with a destination restaurant for those in the know. Sal Restaurant on Pego is a family-run domain of grilled fish and freshly caught seafood. Dolphins jump in the waters offshore, and the waves make the entire region a surfing hotspot for pros and beginners alike, well-served by surf schools and local guiding companies.

Nearby Comporta is about 10 minutes north, a well-loved enclave famed for its easygoing elegance and artisanal boutiques, lively galleries and handful of cute cafes. Melides, also nearby, has become a favorite of design-conscious shoppers who delight in the burgeoning selection of galleries, studios, and carefully curated boutiques. This mostly unspoiled region remains undeniably beautiful—a green landscape of vineyards and cork oak fields, rice paddies and groves of olive and orange trees. Lovers of the laid-back and rugged will thrill with horseback rides along the rolling surf, and the area’s golden sands extend for miles, backed by dunes, cliffs, and wind-sculpted pines.

Location

Carvalhal, Alentejo, Portugal. Nearest airport: Lisbon (125km)

Best time to visit

April to October