The Best Things to See and Do in Comporta, Portugal

Grab a candy-coloured bean bag from the bar on the sand and sit back and watch the kite surfers who love this beach in the south of the Troia peninsula. Hidden behind pine forests and windswept sand dunes, this is the trendiest beach in the area so you can expect sunbathing with all the trimmings – rustic thatched parasols, two hip barefoot restaurants where you can dine with feet in the sand, not to mention DJs and cocktails at the beach bar.

Foodies in flip-flops flock to this bleached-white beach to feast at Sal, a restaurant in a stilted hut on the sand. It’s worth dining here just to sit on the wraparound alfresco deck and take in knockout views of the crashing waves, revealing passing dolphins if you’re really lucky. But it’s the simple, fresh seafood that makes this a hot-spot – it’s known for mountains of clams, flavour-packed ceviche and ice-cold bottles of local wine.

No need to choose one postcard-perfect beach for your well-earned holiday. Hire a car and make the most of the entire Troia Peninsula instead, an 18km (11mi) stretch of coastline so spectacular it seems transported straight from the Maldives. Winding between the Sado estuary and the Atlantic Ocean, it’s a treasure trove of laid-back seafood restaurants, traditional fishing huts on stilts, deserted beaches and all sorts of activities from wine tasting to dolphin-watching.

For a real Robinson Crusoe moment, head to this gloriously secluded beach also known as Pinheiro da Cruz. It can only be reached by walking from the neighbouring beaches of Pego and Aberta Nova, so most people just don’t bother. That means you’re likely to be the only person making footprints in the powder-fine sand as you head straight to the calm waters for a dip. There’s no restaurant or loungers of course – but don’t let that put you off.

Drag yourself away from the waterfront to explore the vast protected expanse of wetlands by the coast. Flamingoes, otters, dolphins and over 250 bird species call it home, with a boat trip the best great way to spot them. Outdoorsy types are spoilt for choice too, with cycling trails zig-zagging through luscious green forest and hikes past marshes, rice paddies and surprise sheltered coves, perfect for cooling off.

Kids in tow? They can paddle to their heart’s content in the shallow waters of this golden-hued beach, untroubled by waves and manned by lifeguards in the summer. When they need time out of the sun, it’s an easy wander to the nearby marina for cafes, welcome ice creams and even boat trips to the Sado Reserve. Not to be confused with Galé Beach in the Algarve, it’s the stuff of family holiday fantasies.

You’ll be in great company if you bring your surfboard to this dreamy beach south of Praia da Comporta, where perfect conditions bring surfers racing towards the water. If you’re more of the paddling type, you won’t be disappointed either as this Blue Flag beach has a wide stretch of sand sheltered by undulating dunes, lifeguards on duty and a couple of idyllic restaurants for long, lazy lunches.