To Dive

In the heart of Serra da Estrela, at an altitude of 1,437 meters, this river beach is located in the largest glacial valley in Europe and is part of the Biogenetic Reserve of the Serra da Estrela Natural Park. Boasting unique beauty and enormous scientific and environmental value, this lagoon was created by the construction of a dam. It was one of the best pastures for transhumance herds.

Located in the Serra da Estrela Natural Park, it runs along the valley carved by the ancient glacier. It uses water from the Loriga stream, which originates on the mountain plateau. It is known for its cold, clear waters. Some traces of rugged terrain are visible, lending the area great scenic value, allowing for activities such as hiking and nature sports. It has beach support facilities, a parking lot, restrooms, a first aid station, and a picnic area. It also has a bike park, a bar with a terrace, a recycling center, and a children's playground, as well as several clearly marked hiking trails. Visit the Roman bridge and discover local crafts.

Located in the Serra da Estrela Natural Park, it is bathed by the Alva River and offers immense scenic beauty in its surroundings. It has a well-equipped picnic area, natural shade, a campsite, bar service, and even a children's playground. Enjoy the river beach and the streams of Vale de Paus, and be sure to admire the vast forest, predominantly pine, as well as cultural heritage, such as the Parish Church, the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament, the Casa das Obras, the Roman bridge, and the Monument to the Immaculate Conception.

The Senhora do Desterro bathing area, popularly known as Praia do Dr. Pedro (Dr. Pedro Beach), is located in the Mata do Desterro forest on the right bank of the Alva River, in the protected area of Serra da Estrela. Near the resort, you'll find a rich museum and religious heritage, beginning with the Natural Electricity Museum, which supports the beach, offering bathing facilities and restrooms. Along the banks of the Alva River, you'll have the opportunity to explore the ten chapels of the Sanctuary of Nossa Senhora do Desterro, a group classified as being of public interest.

It's located in the Serra da Estrela Natural Park, on the banks of the Caniça River, a tributary of the Alva River. The site is known as Souto da Lapa and also features granite outcrops with a clear mirror of water known as Praia Fluvial da Lapa dos Dinheiros or Praia da Caniça. Next to it is one of the largest and oldest chestnut groves in the area. Near the beach, there's a Roman bridge and a pedestrian path that leads to Buraco da Moura and a viewpoint overlooking the waterfalls. Buraco da Moura is an ancient system of cave dwellers. The construction of beach support facilities, such as a bar, a picnic area with barbecue grills and restrooms, a first aid station, and parking, are other added benefits.

It's located on the Alvoco River, in the village of Barriosa, in Vide. It's the result of human intervention over 200 years ago, when people realized that diverting the watercourse would better utilize this resource for agriculture. This created a stunning 10-meter-high waterfall that gave rise to the river beach. As you walk along the river's various slopes, you'll find the "Guarda Rios" restaurant on one of the banks. Besides the scenic beauty, you can also find herons, otters, blackbirds, and kingfishers along the banks.

At an altitude of 1,080 meters lies the Poço do Inferno waterfall. A gorge carved by a tributary of the Zêzere River, the Ribeira de Leandres, which flows down from the heights of Curral where schist meets granite. It's a popular tourist destination due to the rare beauty and spectacular effect of the crystal-clear, icy waterfall, which naturally tears through the granite and schist rock.

This lagoon, built from a natural lake, is located at an altitude of 1,600 meters and is the main water reservoir in Serra da Estrela. Two channels flow into its waters: one 2,354 meters deep, called Covão do Meio, which diverts water from the slopes of Planalto da Torre, and the other, Covão dos Conchos, at 1,519 meters, which diverts water from Ribeira das Naves. It is one of the most emblematic spots in Serra da Estrela. This landmark is located 7.9 km from the mountain village of Sabugueiro.

It is a glacial and fluvioglacial geosite (GF4) of Estrela Geopark.

O Rio Alva é afluente Mondego e a proximidade da serra garante águas frias e límpidas. A pureza da água permite ver os peixes a nadar. Em plena natureza, não há parque de estacionamento, é uma praia praticamente selvagem, onde se destaca a vegetação circundante. Tem ainda como atrativo a proximidade com a aldeia do Sabugueiro, ponto de paragem obrigatório pelos queijos e licores, e onde pode provar as sandes de queijo e presunto.