Located just over an hour south of Lisbon and less than 30 minutes from neighbouring Comporta, Melides is a beautiful, unspoiled paradise. Despite being relatively unknown, it has attracted some of the world's most prominent celebrities, including Christian Louboutin, designer Phillipe Starck, Italian countess Noemi Marone Cinzano, actress Kristin Scott Thomas, and even George Clooney. Melides combines pristine sandy beaches, some of which are deserted, and kilometres of vineyards, cork oaks and rice paddies with a vibrant and authentic atmosphere. This makes it the perfect destination for those seeking a peaceful haven away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

While new real estate projects have been launched in the region and offer excellent investment potential, plots for development are hard to come by as Melides is bordered by the protected Lagoas de Santo André and Sancha Nature Reserve. To protect the natural landscape, there has been a focus on sustainable development practices. This includes the creation of small resorts comprised of villas as well as the use of exclusive ecologically sustainable infrastructure, all of which appeal to environmentally conscious buyers.

Melides has retained its essence and slow-living lifestyle, something the Alentejo coast is known for, but property prices have skyrocketed due to its popularity on the international stage. Some properties have registered price increases of around 150% in the last quarter and property prices have risen 33% in the last month. This has made it one of the most appealing locations for property investment in Portugal, whether for relocation, a second home or as a rental investment. Even if you only plan to rent it out for part of the year, you can expect a good financial return since both the number of overnight stays and property prices have grown in recent times.

With long summers and mild winters, the region has everything to enchant those who visit. Stretching from Tróia to Sines, the coastline has 45 kilometres of beach bordered by crystalline waters. Besides the well-known and well-equipped Melides Beach, there are others that remain almost secret, such as Praia da Galé, where no one is indifferent to the beauty of its cliffs and the access stairway that Condé Nast immortalised in a beautiful image. Another spot not to miss is sandy Praia da Vigia, one of the last wild beaches on the Alentejo coast.

While Melides is evolving with new beach restaurants offering sunset cocktails, there is also a vast array of traditional restaurants where you can experience the authentic Alentejo lifestyle and enjoy regional snacks and seafood dishes such as Açorda de Mariscos. Dining spots not to miss include Tia Rosa and Escola. This unique and inspiring place has the ability to reinvent itself and become one of the most coveted destinations in the world, all without losing sight of the aspects that make it so enchanting such as its idyllic landscapes, authenticity and slow-living lifestyle.

In 2019, the New York Times featured an article about Melides and Condé Nast Traveler named it one of the best destinations in the world for 2023. Melides is a destination that is slowly gaining popularity, but still retains its charm and authenticity, making it an ideal destination for those who want to escape the crowds and unwind in a serene and peaceful setting.

Though opportunities to own a slice of this paradise are hard to find, Athena Advisers can help you find the perfect Melides property and help you navigate the entire buying process.