Prepare your swimsuit and dive into the fluvial beaches of the Coimbra region

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They are real surprises in the middle of the green landscape for all those who want to spend their afternoons with their families.

With the heat that has been felt in recent weeks, one must look for cool spots where it is possible to bathe in the clear waters of a river and enjoy the natural shadows that exist in its surroundings. On these beaches, it is possible to dive into the cold waters of the rivers that bathe the region, the dams, and even the natural pools that can be found. Many of them have the blue flag, thus leaving the guarantee that you are bathing in pure waters, as well as enjoying idyllic sceneries to spend afternoons with the family.

Some of the spaces promise to be a real surprise in the middle of the landscape, wild and untouched, perfect for the most restless and adventurous spirits. So here are the natural spaces in the region for you to make an itinerary and get to know some of these paradisiacal places.

Arganil

Against the backdrop of the greenery and freshness of the Serra do Açor, Arganil has established itself as a tourist destination of choice for its many and varied potential. To the natural wealth of the county are added the refreshing river beaches scattered around the four corners of the county, which, with its crystal clear waters, become the best ally when the heat presses.

Prepare your swimsuit and dive into the fluvial beaches of the Coimbra region

The fluvial beach of Benfeita is located in the Schist Village of Benfeita, where the brooks of Mata and Carcavão join. It is a fluvial zone that gathers conditions for the practice of the balneal activity. It is constituted by a weir that created in the inferior part, a “water mirror”, as well as a sandy beach that allows the permanence of bathers near the water.

Côja was nicknamed by poets and painters as the “Princess of Alva”. Rich in natural beauty, one of which is its fluvial beach. It is a place of passage for those who want to know the beauties that the mountainous area contains. Near the confluence of the Ribeira da Mata with the river Alva, we can see the dams of the river Alva, with particular emphasis on the existing one, near the campsite, which by its natural characteristics allows the location near the beach.

The Praia Fluvial da Cascalheira, in Secarias, is the only one in the county with the Blue Flag seal. Next to a weir on the banks of the river Alva, it is a privileged space for the shadow areas provided by the alder riverside gallery. It has a bar/terrace, picnic area, parking and lifeguard station.

In Piódão, a village classified as “property of public interest” and hidden on the slopes of Serra do Açor, a dam was built that created a river area that meets the conditions for the practice of bathing. Known for its clear and refreshing waters that, due to the current, carve the schist blocks of this historic village, it is favorable and much sought after for leisure days, because it is surrounded by several trees that ensure shade in the hottest days.

Cantanhede

The municipality of Cantanhede has known in recent years great evolution and has some of the main fluvial beaches of the region. Source of water supply for the county and other neighboring ones, the springs of Olhos da Fervença, in the parish of Cadima, are one of the places that annually attract a significant influx of visitors. The unusual and unique particularities and its integration in a natural area of choice have created a space that is enjoyed by many families.

Prepare your swimsuit and dive into the fluvial beaches of the Coimbra region

In the parish of Ourentã, was built the fluvial beach of Sete Fontes. With an oval shape and depth of up to 1.20 meters, the water is clean and has the surveillance of a lifeguard during the bathing season. As for the fluvial beach of Ançã, its fluvial pool is fed by the flow of the “Fonte de Ançã”. Despite being a small space, the whole place has a calm and tranquil environment and is right in the center of the parish.

Coimbra

At the beginning of the 20th century, the city of Coimbra had fluvial beaches near the current Santa Clara Bridge and around the Choupal National Forest. With the construction of the Açude Bridge, the spaces for using the Mondego River became very centered in a parish 15 kilometers from the city.

In the parish of Torres de Mondego, the fluvial beach of Palheiros and Zorro has white sand and is a much appreciated leisure area, in an area of great natural beauty. The beach has very complete support infrastructures, which include bar, playing fields, grills and picnic area, and offers excellent conditions for the practice of several activities such as kayaking, canoeing, fishing and beach volleyball.

In recent years, more attention has been given to a second space. We are talking about Rebolim that is located in the area of Portela, one of the entrances of the city of Coimbra. A fluvial beach with a low depth bathing area, ideal for the younger ones to have fun. It has a parking lot with capacity for 269 places, with eight places for disabled citizens, and a shaded picnic area.

Góis

Góis is “torn” by the Ceira river valley, being delimited and separated from the Beira Serra Interior by the Lousã and Açor mountain ranges. Marked by its own geography, very rugged and by an essentially micro-regional and local dimension, it is called the “Capital of Ceira”. Between the river and the mountain there are predominant walking trails and fluvial beaches whose pure waters provide irresistible and refreshing baths.

Prepare your swimsuit and dive into the fluvial beaches of the Coimbra region

Located in Góis, and with quick access to the historic center of the town, the river beach of Peneda / Pego Escuro has a large grassy area on the banks of the river Ceira, with good support infrastructure. Framed by an imposing landscape with majestic mountains, this beach is part of an area of great natural beauty where there is even a sand island in the middle of the river to give a picturesque note.

The river beach of Alvares, located in the parish of Alvares, is situated on the banks of the Ribeira do Sinhel, is a great place to rest, quiet and allows close contact with nature. It has an extensive grassed area and has excellent support infrastructures.

Lousã

The municipality of Lousã has a natural and patrimonial potential, largely based on the Serra da Lousã and on identity elements such as the Schist Villages, Hermitages of Mrs. da Piedade or Castelo de Arouce. As a result of this involvement with nature, it has a varied offer of fluvial beaches.

Prepare your swimsuit and dive into the fluvial beaches of the Coimbra region

In Casal de Ermio, six kilometers from Lousã, vacationers and other visitors can bathe in the waters of the river Ceira. Integrated in the rural landscape, the Casal de Ermio river beach is designed for families with kids, both because it is guarded and because of the swimming pool for the little ones. An area with a jumping board, a picnic area, showers and a bar with a terrace are some of the facilities offered.

Praia Fluvial da Senhora da Piedade – included in the complex with the same name – is known among the population as “Burgo”. The natural space fascinates those who arrive after traveling the winding road of two kilometers through the mountains. Descending the schist built castle of Arouce, one has access to the clear waters of the Ribeira de São João. In the enclosure, there is a café with an esplanade and, crossing one of the passages over the Ribeira, you have access to the solarium area and the restaurant “O Burgo”, where you can taste typical dishes.

Located at the entrance to Serpins, the Senhora da Graça beach uses the river Ceira to offer days of leisure on the extensive grassy area and refreshing baths, both in the riverbed and in the children’s pool. The area is supervised and has toilets, showers, a picnic area and a support bar, as well as a camping site.

Montemor-o-Velho

Prepare your swimsuit and dive into the fluvial beaches of the Coimbra region

Visiting Montemor-o-Velho is to travel through an authentic festival of senses. Besides the excellent gastronomy and the always inspiring landscapes to the Mondego Valley, the county has one of the best international tracks for water sports. To the south, we find Esteiro da Ereira, the municipality’s river beach.

This year it raised the Blue Flag of the European Blue Flag Association (ABAE) for the first time. In addition to the area for bathing with sea sand, the space has fields for sports, including beach volleyball, and a leisure area with tables, benches and community barbecues. There is a bridge that connects the parking lot to the beach area.

Oliveira do Hospital

Prepare your swimsuit and dive into the fluvial beaches of the Coimbra region
The surprising portraits and enchanted refuges of the county are well documented in the various points of tourist interest of Oliveira do Hospital. The pedestrian and cycling routes, the excellent gastronomy and the built heritage are the flagship of a county with some river beaches.

In Alvovo das Várzeas, the beach is located in a valley on the bank of the Ribeira de Alvoco (it springs from the Serra da Estrela, near Alvoco da Serra), next to the 16th century medieval bridge and a view of the Serra da Estrela. The fluvial area offers large green and leisure spaces, a picnic park with a bar that serves small meals and delicious snacks over the many shadows provided by the large willows.

In the village of Avô, is located one of the most beautiful fluvial beaches of the country. Bathed by the river Alva and the Pomares stream, this area created the Picoto Island, which has several crossing points for pedestrians. This year, in Avô, there is one more attraction: an instagrammable swing in the middle of the river.

In the village of São Gião, we find a beach located in the tourist complex of the Albino Mendes da Silva Foundation. Inserted in the valley of the river Alva, this bathing area is in an idyllic setting, full of green valleys and crystal clear waters. The creation of a dam in order to increase the depth of the river and the construction of a jumping board were some of the improvements in recent years.

In relation to São Sebastião da Feira, the beach is surrounded by nature, challenging all visitors to discover the natural heritage by walking the trails that surround the place. The river Alva, which presents itself as an S-shape, is the host to an area where straw hats are spread across the extensive sand on the right bank.

Pampilhosa da Serra

Prepare your swimsuit and dive into the fluvial beaches of the Coimbra region
Known as the “nature’s commercial center”, the Pampilhosa da Serra county can be proud of being the guardian of some of the true luxuries of the 21st century: the pure air, the crystalline waters, or the clear sky that rises before our eyes, allowing us to spot stars and galaxies.

As far as fluvial beaches are concerned, we start our route with Pessegueiro. Inserted in a village environment, typically mountainous, Pessegueiro and its river beach are, for sure, a living postcard and a faithful portrait of nature in its pure state.

Many Portuguese people relate the municipality of Pampilhosa da Serra to the Santa Luzia Dam. It is here that the municipality offers a river pool, which allows vacationers to swim and have fun safely in the vastness of this lake.

At the county seat, we have to stop at the town’s river beach, which is, today, one of its greatest picture postcards. The crystal clear waters of the Unhais river provide refreshing baths and moments of fun for all who dive in them.

Finally, the beach of Janeiro de Baixo. It is an idyllic place, since the valleys winding along the Zêzere are one of the most beautiful and relevant natural patrimony of the Beiras and Portugal. The beach has a wide strand and the beauty of the river invites bathers to rent canoes, made available by the camping site.

Penacova

The limpid water of the unpolluted stretches of the Mondego and Alva rivers, running in capricious curves between steep hills, offers those who visit Penacova the tranquility and harmony of a scenic landscape.

Prepare your swimsuit and dive into the fluvial beaches of the Coimbra region

On the left bank of the Mondego, in front of the village, we come to the Reconquinho Fluvial Beach. Ideal to spend a hot summer day, where its extensive sandy beach invites to extend the towel. Awarded with the Blue Flag, it has a café/restaurant as support infrastructure, a soccer field and a parking lot. You can have a family picnic in the designated area.

As for the Fluvial Beach of Vimieiro, it stands out for the bucolic surroundings of the landscape and has a restaurant/bar support and an area delimited by parking. Its bathing area is located on the right bank of the Alva River. The rural core has benefited from the surroundings of a set of equipment and infrastructure that complement the natural space.

Penela

With family or friends, the routes and trails of this municipality are an excellent option to discover Penela. A county where there is no lack of limestone or schist paths filled with vibrant flowers, secular trees and a diverse and wild fauna.

Prepare your swimsuit and dive into the fluvial beaches of the Coimbra region

The freshness, the green of the mountains, the calm and peace of this place make the Natural Dams of Louçainha one of the most pleasant natural places in the county. Here you can find, besides natural pools, a picnic park and a panoramic restaurant. The quality of the water, the river equipment and the environmental concern have earned it the Blue Flag, which it displays along with the classification of Accessible Beach.

Board

The mountainous landscapes of Tábua are only interrupted by the many streams and rivers, such as the Seia, Alva and Mondego. Besides the inspiring (and very photogenic) landscape of Penedo Oscilante (or Penedo Cabana, as it is also known), it is mandatory to make a stop at the main fluvial beach of the county: the beach of Ronqueira.

Characterized by rural and forest landscapes on the banks of the river Alva, it is distinguished by its focus on accessible tourism, both for people with reduced mobility, and with visual and/or hearing impairment, having its own spaces for parking, toilets and changing rooms, amphibious chair and a lifting platform for access between the beach level and the bar, which was lowered to be accessible to all.

Vila Nova de Poiares

Throughout the four parishes of the county, we can find natural landscapes that “take your breath away”, but also a gastronomy of excellence, a handicraft rich in traditions, but also unique conditions for economic development.

Prepare your swimsuit and dive into the fluvial beaches of the Coimbra region

Located in São Miguel de Poiares, next to Estrada da Beira (EN17), the Fraga Swimming Pool Complex is a must in the municipality. The bathing area there is a succession of waterfalls in several pools, great space with trees and for families with small kids and a support bar where they also rent straw hats in the grass area.

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