Ginásio Clube Português (fencing and archery)

Ginásio Clube Português (GCP) is one of Lisbon’s oldest sports clubs, celebrating 151 years in January 2026. Its headquarters near Rato has 20 gyms spread over nine floors, around 8,000 square metres in all, plus tennis and padel courts and a car park; the club also runs a swimming pool in Campo de Ourique. It has more than 8,000 members.

Most families come for gymnastics or swimming, but GCP also teaches two Olympic sports that fascinate a lot of children: fencing (esgrima) and archery (tiro com arco). Both have long histories at the club, and both start with beginner groups called Formação, meaning training or foundation.

This is a club, not a drop-in activity. Children join as members and come to set sessions every week.

GCP’s fencing section teaches all three Olympic weapons. Each has its own rules about where you can score:

• foil, a light thrusting sword that scores only on the torso
• épée, a heavier thrusting sword that scores anywhere on the body
• sabre, which scores with the edge as well as the point, above the waist

The youngest group, Formação, is for ages 6 to 10 and meets twice a week, on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 17:00 and 19:30. The club describes it as an introduction to fencing that concentrates on general physical preparation, so fitness and movement come first.

From about 10, children can move to the Competição Base group, three times a week (Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 17:00 to 19:30), which works towards competition and starts specialising in one weapon. From 12 there’s a Competição group that trains every weekday evening from 19:30 to 22:00. Adults have a Masters group and a “comeback” session for former fencers, so a parent can fence too.

The coaches listed are José Bartissol, Hugo Miranda and Joana Viães. Individual lessons cost €30 per 30 minutes on the club’s price table.

Archery is part of the Olympic programme, and GCP says it has real history in the sport; the club describes itself as one of the Portuguese clubs with the most national titles in recent years.

The Formação groups are for ages 9 to 14 and meet in gym 12:

• group 330: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 18:00 to 19:15
• group 331: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 19:00 to 20:00

The aim at this level is to introduce the sport and build interest and motivation. From 14 there are Competição Base groups on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays (18:00 to 19:15 or 19:15 to 20:30). All archery sessions are coached by Pedro Vaz. Every archery group on the timetable is marked “ac”, which stands for acesso condicionado, or conditional access. Ask the club what that means for a new child.

In Portugal, archers must belong to a club affiliated to the national archery federation, which also handles licences and insurance. Beginners normally use club equipment at first, and a coach helps choose the right bow later.

You need to be a club member (sócio) to take part. On the 2026/27 price tables, under-18s don’t pay the €50 joining fee, and their annual membership is €30 by direct debit (€37.50 paid at the counter). Brothers and sisters under 18 get 5% off annual enrolments paid at the counter.

On top of membership comes a monthly activity fee. The price table lists several children’s cards and shows archery within a competition card (€78 to €93 a month), but it isn’t clear which card applies to the beginner fencing and archery groups, so ask at reception before you sign up.

GCP has an “Experimente Grátis” (try it free) form on its website where you can choose an activity, including fencing and archery, and request a trial session. The fencing and archery pages link to it too.

The club is at Praça Ginásio Clube Português 1, close to Rato metro station on the yellow line. Buses 74 and 713 also stop nearby. There’s a club car park. Reception is open on weekdays from 07:00 to 21:00 and on Saturdays from 08:30 to 14:00; the club itself stays open later.

Fencing suits a child who loves swords, likes to move fast and enjoys a one-on-one contest. It’s physical and tactical at once. Archery suits a child who can focus, likes precision and enjoys seeing steady progress on a target; it’s calmer, but the concentration is tiring in its own way. Both involve a lot of listening to a coach and following safety rules, and a child who wants instant action may find the early sessions slow.

The Águas Livres Aqueduct is not far away and makes a good history visit before or after a Saturday session. Families in the north can find historical sword fighting at GEMAC in Porto and Gaia, and archery for all ages at Ginásio Clube Vilacondense in Vila do Conde.

For a swim nearby that isn’t just for members, the Piscina Municipal de Campo de Ourique is a public indoor pool the club runs for the parish, with a warmer learner pool and children’s lessons.

What age can children start fencing at GCP?

Six. The Formação group is for ages 6 to 10 and meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 17:00 and 19:30.

What age can children start archery at GCP?

Nine. The Formação archery groups are for ages 9 to 14, on Tuesday and Thursday evenings.

Do you need to be a member?

Yes. Children join as club members. Under-18s pay no joining fee and €30 a year by direct debit, plus a monthly activity fee.

Can my child try fencing or archery before joining?

Yes. Fill in the club’s free trial form online and choose the activity.

Does my child need their own sword or bow?

Beginner archers normally use club equipment, according to the national archery federation. For fencing, ask the club what beginners need to bring.