Comporta

The Alentejo is a good year-round destination, but it comes into its own in spring and autumn – the most popular time for walkers. Visit in April, May or June for wild flowers and nesting storks, or in September, October for warm days and cooler nights. It starts to get very hot in July, and the coast can get busy in August. In the off-season, the villages can feel like a ghost town and most of the restaurants and shops are closed or operating on reduced schedules. In a region with a limited number of places to eat and shop already, it’s best to visit during prime time.

Comporta is a tiny village on the west coast of Portugal, about an hour’s drive south from Lisbon. Those with some time on their hands may wish to take the scenic route, which means driving from Lisbon to Setubal and boarding the car ferry boat to Troia. The 30-minute crossing of the Sado river offers beautiful views and potential dolphin sightings.

Due to the lack of taxis and spread-out nature of the region’s attractions and beaches (there are about 40 miles of unspoiled coastline), a rental car is essential to making the most out of a Comporta vacation.