Rice therapy

Feb 26 2021

Marianne Brass

Comporta, a little corner of paradise between ocean and rice fields

Here we are in Comporta, a little corner of timeless paradise located in the Alentejo, about a hundred km south of Lisbon. A peaceful and discreet refuge in the middle of a magnificent nature reserve, long kept secret by its regulars, who appreciated its “tranquidade” and came to escape the tumult of the cities.

For many years, most of the territory belonged to the Espirito Santo family, one of the most influential banking families in Portugal, which is in fact a private reserve of 12 hectares. Following its bankruptcy, Comporta cautiously opened up to tourism, allowing wealthy Lisbon residents as well as several foreign celebrities such as Jacques Grange or Christian Louboutin to discover the unique charm of the region.

Comporta, a little corner of paradise between ocean and rice fields

At first glance, the small village of Comporta does not look like much. Simple white houses bordered in blue, cabins with thatched roofs, a small grocery store with wooden swing doors, few passers-by, a few shops offering local crafts….. Here, no bars, noisy restaurants or ostentatious luxury. It is the praise of simplicity.

Then, we discover a wild and preserved nature of rare beauty. We savor the delicious smell of cork pines and the warmth of the sun on our skin. We stroll along the wild coasts bordered by seemingly endless white sand beaches and listen to the sound of the waves. We could spend hours contemplating the ocean... the sight of water soothes and energizes us at the same time. We feel good.

Then, we observe the storks across the vast expanses of rice fields, which change color with the seasons. Since 1925, rice fields have shaped the landscape of Comporta and are at the heart of the life and history of the region. To better understand the impacts of rice cultivation in the history of Comporta, you can visit the rice museum, which is located in a former rice hulling factory dating from 1952.

During a stay in Comporta, it is impossible to miss the famous small fishing port on stilts of Carrasqueira. Located at the end of a bumpy road, this atypically charming port made of odds and ends which seems to date from another time, serves as an anchorage for the region's fishing boats.

You will have understood, Comporta is unique. Authenticity and simplicity mingle with nonchalant chic. It is the ideal place for a return to basics, to the essential, in harmony with nature. Here, no fuss or complications... but simply happiness.