Do You Need Inspiration For A Weekend Getaway? ‘Casas Na Areia’ Is The City Escape You Need! ♦ Casas Na Areia is located in Comporta, one hour south from Lisbon. The region is well known for its white sandy beaches, amazing wines, fresh fish and beautiful rice paddies. It is integrated on the natural reserve of the river Sado, which is home to a great variety of wildlife such as flamingos, storks and dolphins. It is also one of the best places in Portugal for bird watching. Secrets From Portugal is here to inspire those who are in need of a city escape. Keep reading once more to understand why Comporta is the coastline that should be your weekend getaway sanctuary (trust us, you’ll love it).
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Comporta referred to as the ‘secret treasure of Europe’, is just over an hour’s drive south of Lisbon. It has long been a refuge for creatives wishing to put their urban lives on hold – and find inspiration in its raw scenery and down-to-earth charm. The likes of Christian Louboutin, Jacques Granges, Anselm Kiefer, and more recently Madonna have used it as their summer sanctuary. Meanwhile, British painter Jason Martin has a studio in Comporta and takes cues from the landscape for his work.
Renowned architects have also found creative fuel within the estate too, including Portuguese practices Aires Mateus and Pereira Miguel Arquitectos. They have re-appropriated the sandy-floored local hut vernacular into modern holiday homes in rural spots and the villages of Carvalhal and Carrasqueira. The latter – a local harbour built entirely on wooden stilts by fishermen – even found its way into Louboutin’s Spring/Summer 2013 campaign.
In the white-washed village of Comporta itself, storks assemble nests atop chimneys. The bank, church, bakery, offices, factories and workers’ houses all retain their rustic, laid-back character, and sit happily beside eco-chic new additions.
Architecture studio Aires Mateus designed this holiday home in 2010 for brothers João and Andreia Rodrigues, taking inspiration from local fishermen’s huts. It’s split into four units – one housing a living and cooking space, two more housing en-suite bedrooms and a fourth incorporating two bedrooms and two bathrooms.
Casas Na Areia was initially a private summer getaway, but it eventually represented our incredible opportunity at the 2010 Venice Biennale. Conclusion: Architectural magazines made the houses so famous that the owner, João Rodriguez, decided to open the doors to welcome those looking for a perfect weekend escape.
In all there are 4 houses and a common area. House 1 is a traditional thatched house with a seating area, a fully equipped kitchen for preparing meals, a large wooden table and relaxing sofas to enjoy the view. All under the sand floor (heated in winter). Houses 2 and 3 are white and minimalist. Each has a room with views of the surrounding nature and a private bathroom. House 4 has two bedrooms and two bathrooms, a better option for those with children.
Prices start from €600 per day. Sítio da Carrasqueira, 7580-613 Comporta
