Far from the overcrowded seaside resorts of the Algarve, hundreds of river beaches are waiting to be explored. The good news is that a new free app now lists more than 130 of them scattered across Portugal.
Portugal is home to several hidden treasures that most travellers know nothing about. Beyond the postcard-perfect streets of Lisbon and the packed beaches of the country’s south lie hundreds of river beaches tucked away in mountain forests and along crystal-clear rivers. These natural spots, once known mainly to locals, are now accessible to everyone thanks to a mobile app called River Beaches.
A new way to explore Portugal
Available on Apple’s App Store (and coming soon to Google Play), the app offers a complete map of more than 130 Portuguese river beaches to discover on iPhone and iPad, according to Euronews. Each location comes with detailed descriptions, several photographs, and tips left by visitors who have already explored the area. The advert-free interface, available in Portuguese, English, and Spanish, allows users from any country to plan their outing with ease and precision.
River Beaches also includes an advanced filtering system. Families with children, solo hikers, and dog owners can all refine their searches according to their own preferences. Users can choose to display only beaches with toilets, parking facilities, nearby restaurants, or even lifeguard supervision — a particularly useful feature for travellers who prefer to leave nothing to chance.
As for the river beaches themselves, they are mainly located in the mountainous regions of central Portugal, particularly around the Mondego, Zêzere, and Alva rivers. These wooded areas offer an atmosphere completely different from that of the coastal beaches. Here, visitors can also escape the heatwaves that regularly affect the Iberian Peninsula.
A commitment to protecting nature
Beyond its practical use, the app also has an ambitious and generous mission. Although access is entirely free, the creators of River Beaches — including developer Peter Bustin — have announced that half of their profits will be donated to projects aimed at restoring rivers across the country. The goal is to protect these natural sites so that future generations can continue to enjoy them.
Portugal, which is deeply committed to protecting its biodiversity, already offers several digital tools dedicated to swimming areas. One example is the Praia em Directo app, developed by the British telecommunications group Vodafone, which provides real-time information on water quality, temperatures, and the presence of lifeguards on many Portuguese beaches, whether coastal or river-based. River Beaches therefore complements an existing range of services by shining a spotlight on a natural part of Portugal’s heritage that has been overlooked for far too long.
You can find the River Beaches app on the App Store.
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