Schist Villages: Blue Flag river beaches

Among the more than 50 river beaches located in the Schist Villages, in the middle of refreshing pine forests or in the centre of picturesque villages, these 15 have been awarded the Blue Flag and invite you to take a refreshing dip and have a pleasant picnic.

The Blue Flag is a symbol of quality that distinguishes the efforts of various organisations to enable local development to coexist with respect for the environment. The aim is to raise awareness among citizens and decision-makers of the need to protect nature. On the refreshing rivers and streams near the Schist Villages there are 15 beaches that deserve this award, given by the Blue Flag Association for the Environment and Education. Spread out your towel and get ready to discover the interior of Portugal by visiting the river beaches.

Arganil - Cascalheira River Beach

It's close to the centre of the municipality of Arganil and, over the years, the banks have been refurbished, making it a place for leisure and family fun. It has a bar with a terrace, a picnic area, showers and changing rooms. It is also accessible to people with reduced mobility. Its shallow depth makes it ideal for children to play in the water. During the bathing season, there are inflatables and a stone canyon where only the most daring dare to jump.

Arganil - Côja

The various weirs created along the Alva, just after the Medieval Bridge, favour the practice of sports, some of them extreme. The banks and the surrounding area are wooded with poplar and alder trees, allowing you to take advantage of the shade on warmer days. It has a bar with a terrace, a picnic area, a children's area, showers and toilets and changing rooms.

Castelo Branco - Sesmo

It is surrounded by hills and valleys characteristic of this part of the Pinhal Interior, in the village of Sesmo, close to the Schist Village of Sarzedas. The beach was created from a weir built on a small tributary stream of the River Ocreza and has all the necessary support infrastructures to welcome visitors, such as a children's playground, sanitary facilities, access ramps for people with reduced mobility, a picnic area and a bar service.

Góis - Peneda - Pego Escuro

Located in the historic centre of the town and on the small sandy island, the view is magnificent over the river and the Joanina de Góis bridge. It offers a vast grassy area on the banks of the River Ceira, with good support infrastructures, including access ramps and toilets for people with reduced mobility, public toilets with showers, a bar with a terrace on the water and a picnic area, campsite and children's beach. You can also hire pedalos, boats and parasols.

Lousã - Bogueira

Close to the village of Casal de Ermio, this river beach at Bogueira, six kilometres from Lousã, is set in a stunning landscape where you can enjoy nature in total safety and tranquillity. A leisure area next to the River Ceira, it has a complete infrastructure of support facilities, including a playground, picnic tables and a river pool for children. An area with a jumping board, a picnic area, showers and a bar with a terrace are just some of the facilities on offer.

Mação - Carvoeiro

Praia Fluvial de Carvoeiro is in the centre of the town of Carvoeiro, about 25 minutes from Mação. It is surrounded by tall, green pine trees, far from any source of pollution. It has an extensive water mirror, good access, a children's pool, night lighting, a picnic area, barbecue facilities and an amphibious chair. There are also sun loungers and straw awnings for when the sun is at its strongest.

Oleiros - Pinto Dam

Making exemplary use of the river and its banks, this river beach has all the necessary facilities for days of leisure and calm. With plenty of shade, grass and two swimming pools, one for the youngest and the other deeper, it also has a sunbathing area, children's playground, picnic area and terrace. Camping de Oleiros is very close by and, also in the immediate vicinity, it's possible to practise sport, go fishing or explore some hiking trails.

Pampilhosa da Serra - Pampilhosa da Serra

It's an urban beach that feels like it's in the countryside. The weir was installed next to the bridge, in the heart of the town, and completely transforms the town in the summer months. The Town Hall, the Mother Church and other public services are in the immediate vicinity of the beach, but the immense green areas and sunbeds along both banks of the stream, the views of the imposing and verdant surrounding mountains and the truly pure air you breathe, make it feel like you're in the countryside. With surveillance, plenty of shade, several bridges between the banks and a variety of support services, the space also has the great advantage of being close to the region's gastronomic delights.

Pampilhosa da Serra - Pessegueiro

Crossed by a stream with crystal-clear waters, the village of Pessegueiro and its river beach are a living postcard and a faithful portrait of nature in its purest state. On this beach, you can enjoy moments of leisure and fun in the old olive press, which has now been restored, and for the more active, you can walk along the Pessegueiro Schist Trail. There is a picnic area, children's playground, children's beach, medical centre and parasols and sun loungers for hire. In the summer there are lifeguards.

Pampilhosa da Serra - Santa Luzia

Built between two huge cliffs, this is one of the most breathtaking scenic areas in the municipality and in the entire Aldeias do Xisto territory.It's ideal for canoeing, hiking, climbing, fishing, nautical activities or simply taking a dip in the floating pool.You can take advantage of the cycle path, the maintenance circuit, various footpaths, a multi-sports field and even a skateboard half-pipe.The mountain bike centre is located on this beach, from where you can set off to discover the more than 122 km of marked trails, with four levels of difficulty.Penacova - VimieiroAlong the River Alva, spaces of particular beauty surprise those who want a closer contact with the clarity of the waters and the green of the landscape.It stands out for its surroundings, offering a lot of tranquillity and relaxation.In addition to being voted "River Beach of the Year" in 2023, it was also used as the theme tune for the RTP series "Bem Vindos a Beirais" (Welcome to Beirais).It has a restaurant and bar and a car park. On the hillside there is a water mill and a river wheel that give the place a picturesque atmosphere.

Penela - Louçainha

Adapted from the natural dams of the Azenha stream, this is a source of pride for the people of the municipality of Penela. Hidden among the Espinhal mountains, the bathing area is almost full in the summer months. With the exception of the children's area, the depth of the bathing area, which in the part of the diving board is ultra-deep, is not very deep.

Tábua - Ronqueira

This beach has benefited from a major upgrade in accessibility and is now a beach that does not forget people with reduced mobility, visual or hearing impairments. It has its own parking spaces, toilets and changing rooms, an amphibious chair and a platform lift for access between the beach level and the bar, which has been lowered to allow accessibility for all.The beach also has walking sticks, a walker and signage in Portuguese, English and Braille, as well as an area for leashed dogs and drinking fountains.There is also a picnic area with tables and a barbecue.Vila de Rei - BostelimIt lies on the border between the parishes of Fundada and São João do Peso.Surrounded by hills rich in biodiversity and with almost no human presence, the bathing area is characterised by its quietness and proximity to nature.The area is also home to the Bostelim Rural Camping Park, where the 9.5 kilometre Rota do Bostelim footpath begins, between levadas, weirs, mills and a century-old bridge.The area reserved for bathing is excellent, especially for family programmes, and is very safe for children and people who require greater care.The area next to the water line is provided with natural shade and grassy ground for the users' comfort.

Vila de Rei - Bostelim

It lies on the border between the parishes of Fundada and São João do Peso. Surrounded by hills rich in biodiversity and with almost no human presence, the bathing area is characterised by its quietness and proximity to nature.

The area is also home to the Bostelim Rural Camping Park, where the 9.5 kilometre Rota do Bostelim footpath begins, between levadas, weirs, mills and a century-old bridge.The area reserved for bathing is excellent, especially for family programmes, and is very safe for children and people who require greater care. The area next to the water line is provided with natural shade and grassy ground for the users' comfort.Vila de Rei - Fernandaires

Surrounded by high mountains, densely wooded with maritime pines and strawberry trees and inhabited by a small village, the river beach has an extensive basin of water from the Castelo de Bode dam.Preserving the pure nature that surrounds it and due to the depth of the water, this place has a floating pool for adults and children, as well as a bar, changing rooms and parking area.The cool shade of the pine trees offers holidaymakers the chance to rest or even go wild camping.

 

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