Centro de Lazer da Portagem

The Centro de Lazer da Portagem is Marvão council’s summer leisure centre, down in the village of Portagem on the River Sever. The walled village of Marvão sits on its hill above, and the council points out the view of the castle from the pools. In 2026 the centre marked 25 years open.

According to the council, the complex has:

• Three outdoor pools with changing rooms: two for adults and one for children.
• A river pool in the bed of the Sever, recently refurbished, with lawn on one bank and plenty of tables and benches nearby.
• A children’s playground.
• A restaurant and bar.
• A sports court for tennis and five-a-side football, and outdoor exercise machines behind its stands.
• An open-air amphitheatre, used for summer concerts and events.

It’s a place for a whole day: swim, eat, let the children loose in the playground, swim again. The council says it draws plenty of Spanish visitors as well as Portuguese ones on hot days, as the border is close.

The centre opens only in summer. In 2026 the pool opened on Tuesday 9 June, and the council’s hours were Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 20:00, closed on Mondays.

Summer storms can shut it. On 17 June 2026 a heavy storm damaged the Portagem area, and the council closed the pool for repairs for an indefinite period and asked people not to swim in the river, according to Rádio Portalegre. The pool was open again later in the summer: the council offered free entry to young people there on 8 August for the Festival da Juventude. If the weather has been wild, ring before you drive over.

The price list the council links from its page is dated May 2019, so treat it as a guide and check at the gate:

• Family ticket (bilhete de família): €5 for parents and their children under 18. You need to show citizen’s cards or another document that proves the family relationship.
• Children up to 6: free.
• Children aged 7 to 10: €1.15. Students, people with disabilities and pensioners pay the same, with proof.
• Over 10: €2.30.
• Holders of Marvão’s municipal youth card get 50% off the over-10 ticket.
• A card of 12 entries: €19.20 (€1.60 a swim).

For a family of four or more, the family ticket is the obvious choice. Bring the children’s ID or citizen’s cards so you can use it.

Alongside the pools is the river pool (piscina fluvial) on the Sever, which the council describes as one of the landmarks of Marvão. It’s river water, so it will feel colder and less clear than the pools, and after storms the council may ask people to stay out, as it did in June 2026. The council’s page doesn’t say whether the river area has lifeguards, so keep a close eye on children there.

• The centre is closed on Mondays in summer.
• The council’s pages don’t give pool depths or say whether there are lifeguards at each pool, so ask at the entrance.
• There’s a restaurant and bar on site, and tables near the river for a picnic.
• Keep ID for everyone in the family if you want the €5 family ticket.
• Outside summer, Marvão council runs an indoor pool at Santo António das Areias, open Monday to Friday from 10:00 to 20:00, with children’s swimming classes on Friday evenings for ages 2 to 11, run by a local association (ACASM).

Portagem is at the foot of Marvão, whose walled village and castle make a good morning before an afternoon at the pool; in November Marvão holds its chestnut fair. Castelo de Vide’s outdoor pool with slides is the next town along if your children want slides. Further south west are the Crato water park and the Coudelaria de Alter, the royal stud farm at Alter do Chão.

Is there a children’s pool at Portagem?

Yes. One of the three outdoor pools is for children, according to the council.

How much does it cost?

On the council’s price list, a family ticket is €5 for parents and children under 18, under-7s go free, ages 7 to 10 pay €1.15 and over-10s €2.30. The list dates from 2019, so check at the gate.

When is the Portagem pool open?

In summer only, Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 20:00. In 2026 it opened on 9 June.

Can you swim in the river at Portagem?

Yes, in the river pool on the Sever beside the complex, unless the council has closed it after a storm. It’s river water, so supervise children closely.

Is there food?

Yes. There’s a restaurant and bar, plus tables and benches by the river.