We met this year during the summer River Beach of Our Lady of Mercy, located in Lousã, in the Central region of Portugal.
This beach is a charming and picturesque spot, known for its natural beauty and peaceful atmosphere as it is surrounded by dense vegetation and mountains. The crystal clear waters of the Arouce River, which feeds the river beach, are ideal for a refreshing dip. There are small dams that create natural pools of varying depths, perfect for swimming and relaxing. We spent most of our time in the shallower pool, which is ideal for children, but Patrick and Celo also took a dip in the deeper pool, which is closer to the bar.
What I liked most about this beach is that the floor is made of concrete and I didn't have to step on sand with possible hidden creatures. Also, because of the dams, there are no fish in the pools, so it really is paradise for those who don't like creatures in the water, like me. If the water were warmer, I would say that this place could be considered a paradise in Portugal, but the water was very cool... lol.
I thought it was cool that the place also offers several support facilities for visitors, such as picnic tables, rest areas and a small bar, as well as large and clean bathing areas. There is a restaurant just up the hill – Burgo – and you can drive right up to the water, and if you are lucky, park your car right there.
We loved spending 2 days exploring the Lousã Mountain Range in the middle of summer and we recommend it to all families who want to escape from crowded places during their vacation. Read more about our entire trip through the Serra in this post:
