Praia Fluvial do Areinho, River beach near Alvarenga, Portugal
Praia Fluvial do Areinho is a river beach on the banks of the Rio Paiva, near the village of Alvarenga in the municipality of Arouca. The site has a sandy area, a volleyball court, changing facilities, showers, toilets, a bar with an outdoor seating area, and a car park.
The beach was officially opened in 1997 and sits along a stretch of the Rio Paiva that has long been known as one of the cleanest rivers in Portugal. When the Passadiços do Paiva trail was developed in the 2010s, the area became a well-known destination for walkers from across Portugal and beyond.
The Praia Fluvial do Areinho sits at the end point of the Passadiços do Paiva, a long wooden boardwalk trail that runs along the river. Many visitors arrive here after the walk and use the beach as a place to cool off and rest before heading back.
In summer the beach is supervised and can get busy, especially on weekends, so arriving early in the morning or on a weekday makes for a calmer visit. The car park has limited space and fills up quickly on hot days, so early arrival is the best approach.
The riverbed at this spot is covered in slippery rocks, so even confident swimmers should walk carefully near the water's edge. Dense trees grow right down to the bank, providing natural shade along the sides of the beach throughout the day.
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