In recent decades, the Portuguese coast has been progressively mapped by tourists and investors. From the Algarve to the behavior, few corners remain out of the media radar. According to VisitPortugal, there is still a beach on the poorly frequented Portuguese coast and regular presence of birds, where anonymity is still possible.
At the end of the day, sunlight shows a little altered coastal landscape over the last few years, marked by preserved natural elements.
It is in this scenario that some international public figures have opted to remain outside the most common scripts and media visibility.
Visited by elements of the royal family
According to The Times, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle visited this region, described as one of the few calm bathing areas in Western Europe.
The name of the locality in question is Melides, parish of the municipality of Grândola, known for integrating beach and lagoon in the same landscape unit.
Lagoon and ocean side by side
Melides beach extends along a dunar cord that separates the Atlantic Ocean from the lagoon with the same name, with about 26 hectares of surface.
While the sea has ripple and more intense currents, the lagoon offers calm and less profound waters, being frequented by swimmers and bird observers.
Favorite Destination by Sonantes Names
According to Business Insider, the area has attracted names such as designer Christian Louboutin, Princess Eugenie, artist Anselm Kiefer and architect Vincent Van Duysen.
Christian Louboutin is also owner of the Boutique Red Melides hotel, installed in the village, which reinforces the positioning of the region as a niche destination.
We recommend:
Old stories and sustainable future
In the past, Melides Lagoon was used as a natural port, although tidal changes closed the connection to the sea over time. Some historical reports indicate that Fernão Mendes Pinto will have wreck in the area, allegedly after an attack by French Cables, although the episode remains wrapped in uncertainty.
In recent years, several cleaning actions have been developed on site, namely by the sea brigade, which removes accumulated waste in the coastal strip.
Light infrastructure and natural charm
Access to the beach is made by local road, with walkways over the dunes. There is parking, bathing surveillance, bar and restaurant.
The area is classified with blue flag, certifying the environmental and bathing conditions. There is also a nearby camping park with limited capacity.
Resistance to mass tourism
Melides has been following a small -scale tourist growth strategy, avoiding the models of rapid urbanization observed in other coastal regions.
A destination that has not yet been lost
According to, it is a destination with preserved natural characteristics, combining elements of tranquility, ecological diversity and cultural interest.
The landscape of dunes, the existence of distinct habitats and historical heritage make Melides a growing point of interest, still far from mass tourism.
Also read:
