Explore the most notable freshwater areas of Portugal, from natural lakes to artificial reservoirs, located on the mainland and the Azores islands. This collection presents a variety of sites offering swimming, water sports, and birdwatching, from the mountains of the North to the Alentejo regions, including the volcanic formations of the Azores.
Guarda, Portugal
River swimming area located in the mountains of Guarda region, featuring natural pools shaped by erosion.
Portugal
Large freshwater area formed by marshes in the Aveiro region, offering natural swimming spots and paths for observing aquatic wildlife.
Penamacor, Portugal
This river beach has modern facilities including changing rooms, bathrooms, and picnic areas. The waters are supervised during the summer season, and the swimming area is marked by safety buoys.
Alentejo, Portugal
Artificial reservoir with sandy beaches and facilities for swimming, surrounded by pine and eucalyptus trees, with camping sites and restaurants.
Peneda-Gerês National Park, Portugal
Mountain lake with cool and clear water, accessible by hiking trails and featuring picnic areas near the shore.
Monsaraz, Portugal
Designated swimming area on the shores of the artificial Alqueva lake, accessible from the fortified village of Monsaraz in the Alentejo region.
Óbidos, Portugal
Coastal lagoon with brackish water, bordered by sand dunes and maritime pine forests, connected to the Atlantic Ocean by a narrow channel.
Macedo de Cavaleiros, Portugal
Freshwater reservoir created by a dam in the regional natural park, surrounded by walking paths and developed recreational spaces.
Santiago do Cacém, Portugal
Freshwater lagoon separated from the ocean by a strip of sand, located in a nature reserve visited by many species of water birds.
Figueira da Foz, Portugal
Artificial body of water created by damming an old quarry, used for water sports such as kayaking and dinghy sailing.
Mação, Portugal
River swimming site with rocky outcrops and natural pools carved by river erosion over time.
São Miguel, Azores, Portugal
Twin lake formed inside a volcanic crater on São Miguel island, made up of two basins with different colors, blue and green.
São Miguel, Azores, Portugal
Volcanic lake formed in a crater on São Miguel island, surrounded by dense vegetation and reachable by hiking trails.
Serra da Estrela, Portugal
Freshwater basin created by the river in a mountain setting, offering a refreshing swimming area surrounded by granite rocks and mountain plants.
Northern Portugal
Natural pool formed by the Coura river, fed by a waterfall and surrounded by granite rock formations and quartz caves.
Alte, Algarve, Portugal
Developed freshwater spring with stone pools, accessible by walking paths and popular among locals for summer swimming.
Alcoutim, Portugal
Natural swimming space located on the banks of the Guadiana river, in the municipality of Alcoutim, close to the border with Spain.
Góis, Portugal
This freshwater swimming spot is located in the central mountainous region of Portugal, surrounded by rock formations and dense vegetation.
Aveiro, Portugal
Coastal brackish water lagoon formed by the mouths of several rivers, crossed by navigable canals and bordered by salt marshes and protected wetlands.
Portugal
Mountain lake with cool water located in Sintra-Cascais Natural Park, accessible by hiking trails through the forest.
Tondela, Portugal
River swimming area supplied by natural hot springs, with higher water temperatures compared to regular rivers.
Azores, Portugal
Crater lake with green water located in the Corvo caldera, formed by volcanic activity and surrounded by steep cliffs and endemic plants.
Algarve, Portugal
Artificial reservoir built in a valley of western Algarve, fed by the Bravura stream and surrounded by hills covered in eucalyptus and cork oaks.
Alentejo, Portugal
Extensive freshwater reservoir created by a dam on the Guadiana river, featuring several equipped beaches with supervised swimming areas and rental of water sports equipment.
Portugal
Natural geological formation creating a freshwater pool with blue reflections, accessible for swimming in a preserved rocky environment.
Vinhais, Portugal
Equipped swimming area along a watercourse in the Trás-os-Montes region, with picnic tables and green areas.
Serra da Estrela, Portugal
Mountain lake featuring a distinctive circular spillway, providing a cool bathing spot in the Serra da Estrela range.
Portugal
Artificial lake created for water supply, offering monitored swimming zones and facilities for family water activities.
Portugal
Natural high-altitude water body known for its dark color and rocky shores, suitable for mountain swimming.
Vale de Cambra, Aveiro, Portugal
River swimming site with changing rooms, restrooms, and parking area, watched over in summer by lifeguards.
Portugal
Freshwater area located in a narrow valley, surrounded by thick vegetation and accessible by hiking trails.
Gondomar, Portugal
Equipped freshwater swimming site along a river, with designated swimming areas and visitor facilities.
Piodão, Portugal
River swimming space in the mountain region of Serra do Açor, with natural pools formed by the river.
Coja, Portugal
Located along the Alva river, this beach has shaded resting areas and easy access for families. Water depth ranges between 50 centimeters and 1.5 meters depending on the zone.
Vila de Rei, Portugal
Situated on the banks of the Tagus river, this beach offers free parking and walking trails. The water remains cool even in summer, providing welcome refreshment.
Azores, Portugal
Volcanic lake located in a crater with warm thermal waters, surrounded by thick vegetation and hot springs used for cooking food.
Arganil, Portugal
Bordered by the Ceira river, this beach provides a bar-restaurant and sports fields. Sandy bottoms make for safe swimming, and facilities are accessible for people with reduced mobility.
Ourém, Portugal
Natural hot spring supplying a swimming basin where water temperature remains between 18 and 20 degrees Celsius throughout the year.
Minho, Portugal
Group of artificial lakes in the Minho region including Lake Alvito, the largest of the group, with freshwater swimming areas.
Oliveira do Hospital, Portugal
Riverside swimming area with facilities for water sports, landscaped banks, and resting areas for visitors.
Beja, Portugal
Municipal recreation complex with a supervised swimming area, picnic areas, and sports facilities near Beja.