It happened suddenly, albeit not surprisingly. Under 10 years ago, the protected reserve an hour and half south of Lisbon, Comporta’s little town’s storks and the 40 km-long unspoiled coastline it shares with neighbouring Melides were firmly put on the international map. A number of high-profile visitors and homeowners moving into what had been farmer’s homes sparsely dotted across the rice fields intended to keep a low profile and get a taste of affordable luxury. The sheer scarcity of coastal homes in dream settings made the little towns of the Alentejo region the “Hamptons of Portugal”, prime to attract the international crowd, the Lisbon lot, and to an up-and-coming art scene.

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