Where to Stay

Vermelho

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This luxury hotel reflects Christian Louboutin’s passion for elegance and his vision of creating out-of-the-ordinary beauty: All 13 rooms and suites are unique and tasteful, with details that are a love song to Melides and pay homage to the old traditions of the Alentejo. The designer personally picked the distinctive regional furniture, artworks and locally made ceramics.

Vermelho
R. Dr. Evaristo Sousa Gago 2, 7570-635 Melides, Portugal
Tel.: +351 915 280 511
Web: vermelhohotel.com
Price: Doubles with breakfast from €684.

Eco Suites Resort Reserva Alecrim

The glamping domes sit atop wooden platforms along the coast of Alentejo, providing unrivaled privacy and guaranteeing the most stunning views. Some are for couples, others are big enough for a family of four; all have fully equipped kitchens, bathrooms, air conditioning and WiFi.

Eco Suites Resort Reserva Alecrim
Ademas, Santa Cruz Ademas, 7540-051 Santiago do Cacém, Portugal
Tel.: +351 911 111 137
Web: reservaalecrim.com
Price: Dome for two, from €496 per person.

Pa.Te.Os

©João Guimarães

This is a true place of artistic inspiration. The architecture, designed by the renowned architect Manuel Aires Mateus from Lisbon, is Portuguese minimalism par excellence with large areas of concrete. The four separate houses all offer a view over the lagoon of Melides. From a sculpture garden to bold paintings in the public spaces – every corner of this remarkable hotel is an engaging visual experience.

Pa.Te.Os
Estrada Nacional 261 - 2 Km 4, 7570-769 Melides, Portugal
Web: pateos.pt
Price: Villas from €550.

Sublime Comporta 

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Sublime Comporta sits in a 17-hectare estate in the middle of stunning natural scenery. Surrounded by pines and cork oaks, it sprawls over sandy dunes, vineyards, and rice fields, bordering on more than 60 kilometers of pristine white sandy beaches.

Sublime Comporta
EN 261-1, Muda, CCI 3954, 7570-337 Grândola, Portugal
Tel.: +351 269 449 376
Web: sublimecomporta.pt
Price: Doubles with breakfast from €695.

Where to Eat

Food Circle

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In this exceptional private dining restaurant, guests sit in a small hut at the heart of a fragrant herb garden at the Sublime Comporta Resort. The chefs use only traditional cooking methods – with fire playing a starring role. The hut has space for 12 diners.

Food Circle
EN 261-1, Muda, CCI 3954, 7570-337 Grândola, Portugal
Tel: + 351 269 499 376 
Web: sublimecomporta.pt

Xtian

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During the day, Xtian has a relaxed bistro vibe; in the evening, it is transformed into the perfect spot for a romantic date. The menu features dishes packed with Portuguese flavors and international twists.

Xtian
R. Dr. Evaristo Sousa Gago 2, 7570-635 Melides, Portugal
Tel.: +351 915 280 511
Web: vermelhohotel.com

Cavalariça

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Until the 1970s, this building was a stable for the horses (cavalariça) of the locals – now it has been turned into a fabulous restaurant that serves creative cooking.

Cavalariça
R. Do Secador 9, 7580-648 Comporta, Portugal
Tel.: +351 930 451 879
Web: cavalarica.com

What to Do

Horseback riding

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For the most beautiful memories, go on a riding excursion with Passeios a Cavalo. But be prepared for a tough choice: beach ride or mountain ride? We say: Do both!

Activities

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Melides offers a whole variety of pastimes, including paragliding, yoga classes, riding lessons, hot-air balloon trips, or stand-up paddleboarding on the glittering lagoon.

November

A fair is held every year on the third weekend in November, where a tempting choice of regional handcrafts like clay sculptures and local specialties such as Alentejo bread or alcomonias and doces de Pinhão (traditional regional cakes) are sold.