River beach – Praia Fluvial
Discover the river beaches, praias fluviais, in the municipality of Arganil
Within the municipality of Arganil, Central Portugal, there are many river beaches. Some river beaches are more “luxurious” than others but all are beautiful and nice places usually on the Rio Alva. The municipality of Arganil itself has created on its website a top 10 of river beaches, prais fluviais, that have kiosks and sanitary facilities. They also have a handy guide both on paper and in pdf form.
I personally prefer a few other river beaches, which are not listed in the guide. Below are my top 10 river beaches in Arganil.
River beach Folques
In a good first place is the river beach of Folques. Not least because of the great kiosk Passo e Fico. I hardly ever swim here. The water is collected in a natural pool in the river through a dam wall, it is really very cold meltwater which flows into the rio Alva.
However Passo e Fico is open in the summer months, from June through September, daily from 10 a.m. until the last people leave……. . You can get good burgers with fries special, delicious sandwiches/toast and other snacks. I come there regularly when I don’t feel like cooking or just to meet friends there.
PS: if you stay a minimum of 4 nights at Casa Traca I will give you a voucher worth € 10.00 to spend at Passo e Fico.
Praia Fluvial Secarias Castanheira
From the beginning of living in Arganil I have loved coming to this river beach. It is about 10 minutes by car from Casa Traca in Secarias. Here you can swim in the river. This river beach has received an award for cleanest river beach for many years in a row. There is a kiosk where you can get drinks and snacks, there are good sanitary facilities. On the other side of the river, in the municipality of Tabua, is the river beach of Ronqueira (Mouronho), here you can rent kayaks and pedal boats. There is also a restaurant here with small dishes. The restaurant is located upstairs and offers a nice view of the river.
Praia Fluvial Peneda, Secarias
For years I have been coming to this place, just outside the town of Arganil is Peneda. In the beginning with Teun when he was still a puppy and it was difficult to get into the water through the vegetation. Then some building activities developed here but it took until this year for this new gem on the Rio Alva to open.
A fine sandy beach and a lovely terrace with lounge sofas. You can reach the beach and the river via stairs. There is a footpath along the river. This is because this piece is part of the GR51. Ideal location therefore. Also very nice is that the dog is allowed here. He can swim in the river and on both sides of the beach is ample opportunity for the dog to go in and out of the water. On the terrace he must of course be leashed. You can also possibly eat something small here, although I am a little less enthusiastic about this.
Poço da Cesta
This pearl is not in the guide of the municipality of Arganil, is also just outside it near Cepos. However, it should definitely not be missing from the list. It is about 20 minutes drive from Casa Traca into the Açor mountains. The last bit you have to walk, quite a climb but the reward is great. In the middle of nature you will find this place on the river Ceira. The ‘beach’ consists of large rocks where you can lie down and picnic.
In the river itself you will find bowls in the rocks where you can bathe and float. You can climb a bit upstream and then let yourself be carried downstream. Here you really are in the middle of nature and with nature. You need to bring your own food, drinks and other necessities.
Sarcina
The river beach of Sarcina. At least this name is actually too big for this place. There is really nothing except a nice place where you can sit yourself, easily get into the river and take the dog with you.
Furthermore, you have to bring everything yourself including something to sit on because the bare ground is littered with stones and other things. Families with children often come here because it is very quiet and the river is very shallow and calm.
Sarzedo
A beach I actually visit far too little myself. This while it is a fairly luxurious praia fluvial in Arganil. It is the only one in the wide surroundings that has a swimming pool. You can lie in the large lawn shaded by trees, there are (picnic) tables and a terrace.
The terrace is very cozy and original. You can get extensive snacks up to a small meal. Here is also a possibility to go out on the water with a boat: there is an exit for the trailer/car. By the way, also ideal if you want to easily enter the Rio Alva for swimming.
Coja
Besides being a super cozy village with lovely terraces and good restaurants, including one of my favorites (Principe do Alva), Coja also has a beautiful river beach.
Not this picture, I promise to take another good one. After the dam you come to the river beach with a large shallow area. Very suitable for families with smaller children. The river here is somewhat lower in relation to the surroundings so you experience a tremendous peace while this praia fluvial is in the “busiest” area of all.
Coja is only 15 minutes away from Casa Traca and a popular village especially with English people. It can be very busy here in the summer, also because the campground is located directly on the river and river beach.
One of the nearby attractions is Foz d’Egua. This semi-Roman river beach is not far from Piódão and takes you back in time. You can walk all the way up, climbing/stepping, quite a climb but once at the top a magnificent view.
There is a suspension bridge that is no longer in use but it gives a nice appearance. You can lie on the grass under the trees. If you choose to swim remember that the water comes directly from the mountains and is therefore ice cold. On a summer day it is very nice of course. It is a beautiful place but less suitable for small children. At the beginning of the road is a restaurant for refreshments.
Fraga da Pena
Although not really a praia fluvial, Fraga da Pena should not be missing from this list. These waterfalls near Benfeita are perfect for a very refreshing splash in the summer months. The water comes directly from the mountains and is therefore extremely cold. The waterfalls are located in a protected area where you can make beautiful walks. Especially the walk or climb to the top is very beautiful. You walk as it were along the course of the waterfalls upwards. Until you finally arrive at the basin of the melt water and its overflow.
Please note that this is a nature reserve, therefore there is no kiosk or sanitary building.
Piódão
Finally, Piódão, the slate village in the Serra do Açor. Known for its slate houses and blue frames and doors. A beautiful xisto village of which you will find many in the area. On a hot summer day it is also great to relax at the river beach which is located down in the village. Not really a beach more a natural pool with a stone edge where you can sit and sunbathe.
There are sanitary facilities but for refreshments you have to go up into the village. From here it is also a nice walk of about 2 1/2 kilometers to Foz d’Egua.
