With summer here and the sun shining brighter and brighter, it’s only natural that the desire to enjoy the outdoors grows. Around this time of year, having a picnic is always a good idea, but you might also start feeling the urge to set out and discover some river beaches near Porto or in the northern region.
We’ve already featured guides to the best swimming spots on the outskirts of the city, as well as one dedicated to the most fun water parks in northern Portugal. So now it’s time to explore some freshwater spots.
Located about 40 minutes from Porto, in the municipality of Gondomar, this is a great destination to relax on a weekend outing or even a short summer getaway .
This spot is known for its long stretch of sand, and it’s a great place to have picnics or even camp nearby. In addition, the river beach has a range of useful amenities for swimmers.
It has been nominated for River Beach of the Year 2026.
About a half-hour drive from Porto, the Mâmoa River Beach is one of the best-kept “treasures” in the municipality of Santa Maria da Feira.
Located in Milheirós de Poiares, in the Úl River basin, this river beach covers an area of about two hectares and is a pleasant spot to relax on summer afternoons.
According to the Santa Maria da Feira City Councilwebsite, this spot was awarded the “Gold Quality Beach” seal in 2023 for the second consecutive year.
A little farther away than Lomba, but still well worth the trip, you’ll find Bitetos Beach in the Marco de Canaveses area.
About an hour’s drive from Porto, and bathed by the Douro River, this spot is located next to the pier where river tour boats dock.
Ideal for canoeing and water skiing, this is one of the river beaches that offers a variety of amenities for swimmers, such as:
- Bar on site;
- Facilities;
- Parking lot;
- Showers;
- Beach stations;
- Access ramps, among other amenities.
About an hour from Porto, in the municipality of Castelo de Paiva (Aveiro district), there is a river beach that stands out for the beauty of its surroundings: Praia do Castelo, also known as Praia da Ilha dos Amores.
This freshwater spot has a unique feature: it’s a river beach formed by two rivers— specifically, the Douro and the Paiva. The area has all the necessary amenities for the swimming season. Plus, you can enjoy water sports there.
Of all the suggestions, this one might not be the closest to Porto. But think of it this way: it’s summer, and we just want to get out and about, right?
Located about a 1.5-hour drive away, the Porto de Rei River Beach is one of the most beautiful spots along the Douro River. It’s also one of the most popular summer destinations in the municipality of Resende.
There you’ll find a picnic area for those who want to have a picnic and a café, as well as a swimming pool for those who prefer calmer waters.
Also in Gondomar, on the right bank of the Douro, this beach underwent renovation work completed in May 2025, which made the area more accessible with ramps, platforms, and assistive mobility equipment.
It has a parking lot, a bar with an outdoor terrace, a supervised swimming area, and a beach volleyball court. It was also nominated for River Beach of the Year 2026.
About 30 km from Porto, also in Gondomar, this stretch of sand along the Douro River is ideal for a family day out: it has a parking lot, restrooms, a playground, a multi-sport field, and even a spot for rock climbing and rappelling. There’s no on-site bar, but there’s a café right off the N108.
Gondomar’s third nominee for River Beach of the Year 2026.
