Mariparque

Mariparque is a summer water park at Praia da Vieira, the beach village at the mouth of the River Lis in the municipality of Marinha Grande. It belongs to the Hotéis Cristal group and sits between the group’s two hotels there, a short walk from the sea. It’s a useful plan for days when the Atlantic is too cold, too rough or too windy for small children.

The park is open only in summer. In 2026 it ran every day from 6 June to 6 September.

The park describes itself as a themed water amusement park with fast tracks, toboggans, spiral slides and two high-speed Kamikaze slides that start 25 metres up. Those two are the big draw for older children and teenagers who want speed and a drop.

Younger children have their own area. In 2023 the park added a children’s structure with two closed spiral tubes, two open slides and a row of hanging buckets that slowly fill and then tip over, soaking whoever is standing underneath. There are outdoor pools for adults and for children.

Every day an entertainment team called Olá Mariparque runs aquagym, flashdance, interactive games and pool dance sessions, which younger children often enjoy joining in.

Individual slides may have their own height or age rules. The park says its regulations are posted at the entrance, so check them when you arrive rather than promising a small child the Kamikaze.

When checked in September 2026, a full-day ticket cost €20 for ages 10 to 64 and €15 for children aged 4 to 9 and for over-65s. A half-day ticket for entry after 14:30 cost €18 and €14. Children aged 3 and under go free. Guests staying at the Hotel Cristal Vieira Praia & Spa or the Hotel Cristal Praia Resort & Spa get free entry to the park.

The park’s own page links to online sales through Last2Ticket. You can also buy at the park.

Opening hours are 10:00 to 19:00. In 2026 the slides opened at 10:30 and closed at 18:30. If you’re going for the afternoon ticket, that still gives you four hours on the slides.

Inside the park, A Palhota serves burgers, sandwiches, toasties, hot dogs, pizzas, soup and salads, so there’s something for fussy eaters. Sunshades and loungers can be hired at the ticket office for €6 (a sunshade plus a lounger, or two sunshades). You can’t bring your own sunshades, loungers, inflatables or rubber boats, and alcohol and sharp objects are banned.

There is a car park at the entrance, and a nurse is on duty in the park’s first-aid room.

The park also hosts birthday parties in summer; contact it through the Hotéis Cristal website.

The beach at Praia da Vieira is a long, open Atlantic beach south of the mouth of the River Lis. Marinha Grande council describes it as an urban beach with beach support buildings, beach bars and restaurants, accessible public toilets and changing rooms, a pharmacy post and a surf school, and says it provides access for people with reduced mobility. Parking near the beach can be difficult because of demand.

In 2026, after storm Kristin damaged beach buildings, the council hired lifeguards directly for Vieira, Praia Velha and São Pedro de Moel from 13 June to 13 September, 10:00 to 20:00. The Agência Portuguesa do Ambiente lists Vieira as accessible with an amphibious chair and classifies its water as Good.

Further south along the coast, São Pedro de Moel has a beach between cliffs and a lighthouse. To the north, Praia do Pedrógão has a beach library and free activities for children in July and August. For another water park in the region, the Aquaparque Panorâmico is inland in Pombal.

How much does Mariparque cost?

In 2026 a full day cost €20 for ages 10 to 64 and €15 for ages 4 to 9 and over-65s, with cheaper tickets after 14:30. Under-4s go free.

When is Mariparque open?

Only in summer. In 2026 it was open every day from 6 June to 6 September, 10:00 to 19:00, with the slides running from 10:30 to 18:30.

Is Mariparque good for toddlers?

Yes, within limits. There’s a children’s pool and a splash structure with small slides and tipping buckets. The big slides are for older children.

Can you bring food into Mariparque?

The park has its own restaurant, A Palhota. Check the park’s rules at the entrance about bringing your own food, since the published list of banned items covers sunshades, inflatables, alcohol and sharp objects.

Is there parking at Mariparque?

Yes, the park has its own car park at the entrance. Parking near Praia da Vieira beach itself can be hard to find in summer.