![\"Rotas](\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/rotas-de-macao.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/figure>\n\nThis region in central Portugal<\/a><\/strong>, on the border with Alentejo<\/a><\/strong>, is off the radar for most tourists. Unfairly so. Here you\u2019ll find river beaches with crystal-clear water, marked hiking trails past water mills and waterfalls, medieval castles perched high above the river, and village restaurants where the fishermen themselves cook the catch. Lisbon is an hour and a half drive away.<\/p>\n\n Note: The travel times in this article are calculated from Moinho da Fadagosa, just outside Ma\u00e7\u00e3o.<\/em><\/p>\n\n The Portuguese have a word for a swimming spot along a river: praia fluvial. In this region, they\u2019re everywhere. The larger ones have a small bar, restrooms, and sometimes canoes for rent in the summer. Outside of that, you often have them all to yourself.<\/p>\n\n It\u2019s the most famous river beach in the region\u2014and for good reason. You\u2019re right on the Tagus River with a view of Belver Castle across the way, and the beach restaurant serves tapas. It\u2019s a 25-minute drive, but it\u2019s nicer to walk from Belver: cross the bridge and follow the promenade, and you\u2019ll be there in less than an hour. Then you\u2019ll really have earned that ice cream.<\/p>\n\n A lively beach next to a campground, with a bar, canoes for rent, and a cable car across the water (ask at the bar if it\u2019s open). It can get crowded during peak season. Combine your visit with the PR1 hiking trail, which passes by here, and enjoy lunch in the village.<\/p>\n\n While Alamal and Ortiga are located on the Tagus River, Carvoeiro sits high in the hills. That makes a difference of a few degrees on really hot days. The beach is beautifully landscaped with little bridges, a bar, and a barbecue area. The road leading there feels like a drive to the end of the world. Keep driving anyway\u2014it\u2019s worth it.<\/p>\n\n A small waterfall at the foot of a massive rock face, with birds of prey circling overhead. It\u2019s hard to find, which is exactly why you\u2019ll often have it all to yourself. Bring a picnic and your swimsuit.<\/p>\n\n Where the Aziral and the Ribeira das Eiras meet, at the foot of the hill where the windmill stands, there is a small beach where the water is deep enough for swimming all year round. It\u2019s a 150-meter walk from the windmill for guests staying there.<\/p>\n\n The municipality of Ma\u00e7\u00e3o has established a network of marked hiking trails, known as the Rotas de Ma\u00e7\u00e3o<\/strong>. You can recognize them by their yellow-and-red markings and the code PR (pequena rota, short route).<\/p>\n\n A 16-kilometer loop connecting Belver, Praia do Alamal, and Ortiga. Some sections are quite challenging, but you\u2019ll be rewarded with views of the Tagus River, a castle, two river beaches, and a few bars. Not a bad trade-off. If you\u2019d prefer a shorter hike, just walk the section from Belver to Alamal and back.<\/p>\n\n The entire loop is about ten kilometers; the southern section is a little more than half that distance. You\u2019ll walk along forest trails to an azenha\u2014a watermill perched on a steep rock face\u2014and past the levadas, the small canals that carry water to the mill. The highlight is the Po\u00e7o das Talhas: a series of natural pools and small waterfalls that the stream has carved out of the rock in the shape of cauldrons.<\/p>\n\n The trail is considered easy, but it does have a few steep sections, so be sure to wear sturdy shoes. If you just want to see the mill and the waterfalls, it\u2019s a 20-minute walk from the village of Queixoperra. <\/p>\n\n If you visit on the weekend, the mill might be running, and you can buy cornmeal. The recipe for broa, the traditional cornbread, is posted on the wall in the little museum.<\/p>\n\n A short but steep climb takes you to a Neolithic defensive fort, 250 meters above sea level. Nothing remains of the fort itself except for the rocks on which it stood. The view of the Eiras, Aziral, and Carat\u00e3o rivers as they converge is all the more impressive, especially at sunset. <\/p>\n\n Since the 1940s, archaeologists have found items here including swords, arrowheads, and goldsmiths\u2019 tools. These finds are on display at the Museu de Arte Pr\u00e9-Hist\u00f3rica in Ma\u00e7\u00e3o. The name Carat\u00e3o is related to \u201ccarat,\u201d and people still search for gold along the riverbanks.<\/p>\n\n Boat tour on the Tagus.<\/strong> From Praia do Alamal, a skipper will take you on a two-hour cruise along a stretch of the river that\u2019s virtually inaccessible by land. You\u2019ll see colonies of griffon vultures on the cliffs, the remains of a long-forgotten railroad line, and a landscape where hardly anything has been built. If you speak Portuguese, you\u2019ll get the stories thrown in for free. If not, just sitting back and relaxing is a great plan, too.<\/p>\n\n Canoeing near Const\u00e2ncia.<\/strong> In Const\u00e2ncia, the Z\u00eazere flows into the Tagus. Here you can rent canoes and paddle a stretch of the river\u2014for example, with NaturZ.<\/p>\n\n Wildlife spotting.<\/strong> Otters, turtles, and crayfish live along the rivers. Kingfishers dart across the water, and in the evening you can hear tawny owls and nightingales. Wild boars are plentiful, though you rarely see them. Birdwatchers can visit a permanent bird-watching hide on the Tagus.<\/p>\n\n A white village nestled against a hill, crowned by a late 12th-century castle and offering a sweeping view of the Tagus River. At the weaving museum, the N\u00facleo Museol\u00f3gico das Mantas e Tape\u00e7arias, you can try your hand at a traditional loom. The castle and the museum are closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.<\/p>\n\n A quiet little town where the Z\u00eazere and Tagus rivers meet, with a river beach and gardens dedicated to the poet Lu\u00eds de Cam\u00f5es, who is said to have once lived here. Ten minutes away is the Parque Ambiental de Santa Margarida, featuring hiking trails, red squirrels, and a butterfly house. Don\u2019t miss the queijinhos do c\u00e9u, a local treat that tastes even better than it sounds.<\/p>\n\n The nearest major city. The old town, with its castle and gardens, sits atop a hill, while the newer part of town lies below. It\u2019s a great place to enjoy coffee and pastries in a small square. Keep in mind that shops close for a few hours around lunchtime and don\u2019t reopen on Saturday afternoons.<\/p>\n\n A charming little town by the river, with a park and a square where you can spend hours people-watching. Perched above it is the Convento de Cristo, the former headquarters of the Knights Templar and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Set aside at least half a day to explore it.<\/p>\n\n Castelo de Vide is a fortified town near the Spanish border, with a maze of cobblestone streets and a rich Jewish history that you can explore in the medieval synagogue. The spring water is known for its purity, so bring a bottle to fill up. Fifteen minutes away lies Marv\u00e3o<\/a><\/strong>, a castle village perched on a rocky outcrop, and in between lies Portagem, with a natural swimming pool in the river.<\/p>\n\n Casa Cerro da Correia<\/a><\/strong> in Manteigas in the Serra da Estrela<\/a><\/strong> is less than a 2-hour drive away.<\/p>\n\n The capital of the northern Alentejo isn\u2019t the most beautiful city in Portugal, but it is situated in the heart of a fine wine region. The Guy Fino Tapestry Museum (Museu de Tape\u00e7aria Guy Fino) can turn even the biggest cynic into a tapestry lover.<\/p>\n\n Casa Anadia near Abrantes.<\/strong> Tucked away behind an industrial park lies an estate dating back to the 14th century, where olive oil has been produced since the 18th century. Since 2022, you can take a guided tour of the house, gardens, chapel, and museum, concluding with an olive oil tasting. Reservations required.<\/p>\n\n Wine from Alentejo.<\/strong> There are some interesting wineries around Portalegre. Guests at Moinho da Fadagosa can have owner Simon\u2014who is a wine expert himself\u2014arrange a visit.<\/p>\n\n Eat like the locals.<\/strong> Here are a few spots that top the lists of local foodies:<\/p>\n\nThe Tagus River Around Ma\u00e7\u00e3o and Belver: A Brief Overview<\/h2>\n\n
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Wild Swimming: The Most Beautiful River Beaches Along the Tagus<\/h2>\n\n
Praia do Alamal<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n
![\"Carvoeiro](\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/Praia-fluvial-do-carvoeiro.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"Ortiga](\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/Praia-fluvial-de-ortiga.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\nOrtiga River Beach<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n
Carvoeiro River Beach<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n
Pego da Rainha<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n
Swimming spot near Moinho da Fadagosa<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n
![\"Moinho](\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/Moinho-da-fadagosa-zwemmen.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"Moinho](\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/Moinho-da-fadagosa-rivier.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"Moinho](\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/Moinho-da-fadagosa-zwemmen-bij-rivier.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\nHiking Along the Tagus: Three Routes Worth Exploring<\/h2>\n\n
PR1 Belver: castle, river beach, and village (16 km)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n
![\"penedo](\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/penedo-furado.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"Castelo](\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/Castelo-velho-do-caratao.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\nPR5 Queixoperra: Watermill and Witches’ Cauldrons (approx. 10 km)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n
PR7 and Castelo Velho do Carat\u00e3o: Sunset Over Three Rivers<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n
On and along the water: vultures, otters, and canoes<\/h2>\n\n
Villages and castles in the area<\/h2>\n\n
Belver (15 minutes)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n
Const\u00e2ncia (30 minutes)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n
![\"Constancia—on](\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/Constancia.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"Tomar](\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/Tomar.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"Portalegre](\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/Portalegre.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\nAbrantes (30 minutes)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n
Tomar (50 minutes)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n
Castelo de Vide and Marv\u00e3o (about an hour)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n
![\"Manteigas](\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/Manteigas-serra-da-estrela.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"Castelo](\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/Castelo-de-vide.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"Belver](\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/Belver.png\" "\\"\\"")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"Abrantes](\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/Abrantes.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\nPortalegre (about an hour)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n
Tasting: olive oil, wine, and river fish<\/h2>\n\n
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For a rainy day: the Forest Museum in Proen\u00e7a-a-Nova<\/h2>\n\n