Naturwaterpark

Naturwaterpark is a leisure complex at Quinta do Barroco in Andrães, just outside Vila Real, with a summer water park, an adventure park and a campsite with bungalows. The park says the water park was the first part to be built, and that with the campsite it makes a complex where you can find everything you need without leaving.

For families in Trás-os-Montes and the upper Douro it is the obvious water park day out. In 2026 the water park was due to open from 29 May to 6 September, from 10:00 to 18:30, with the slides and pools closing half an hour before the gates. When we checked in late September, the price page said the next opening dates were still to be announced.

Most of the slides are for confident swimmers aged 10 and over, or at least 1.20 metres tall. The park’s list includes:

• The SkyBox tower, 14 metres high, with two rides: Loopy (blue, 97.5 metres long) and Freefall (yellow, 52 metres long), both rated high difficulty with a 1.20-metre height minimum.
• The Multiracer, red and green lanes side by side, 88 metres long from a 14-metre start, for racing a brother, sister or parent.
• Three 10-metre rides ridden on a single or double ring: the Space Bowl, the Pendulum and the Boomerang, all for ages 10 and up.
• The Kamikaze, a red slide dropping 9.7 metres over 26 metres.
• The Tubogan, a blue slide 56.84 metres long that you can ride with or without a mat.
• The Crazy River, ridden on a ring, and a set of racing lanes (Pistas).

The Lane Slide, 26 metres long from 6 metres up and rated medium difficulty, has a lower minimum age of 8, so it is a good first “big” slide for younger children who are nearly tall enough for the rest.

Small children are well looked after. The Playground area has five easy slides and various water toys in water 30 centimetres deep, and the park says it is suitable for all ages. The children’s pool (Piscina Infantil) has six easy slides and a waterfall, with water from 20 to 80 centimetres deep.

There is also a hydrotherapy pool 50 centimetres to 1 metre deep with a waterfall, and an adult pool that goes from 0 to 1.6 metres. The park asks that children in all the pools be supervised by an adult, bans diving, and requires swim nappies for babies.

When checked in September 2026, a full day in July or August cost €14 for ages 4 to 11 (and over-65s) and €22 for ages 12 to 64. A half-day ticket from 13:30 cost €13 and €20, and a late-afternoon ticket from 17:00 cost €8 and €12. Children up to 3 go free.

In May, June and September it was cheaper: at weekends and on public holidays a full day cost €12 for children and €20 for adults, and on weekdays €10 and €17. Groups of 20 or more paying visitors got 15% off, except in August and on online tickets. Sunshade hire cost €5 and a sun lounger €7.

Everyone gets a wristband when they buy a ticket. It opens the gates and is the only way to pay for anything inside the water park, so load it with credit at reception (cash or card) or inside (card only, minimum €5). Unused credit must be claimed back at reception by 20:00 on the same day, or it is lost.

The park’s rules are strict about what you can bring in. Glass is banned, and so are parasols, rubber rings, balls, chairs and beach tents, including baby sun tents and windbreaks. Eating, drinking and smoking are banned in the water areas, and you can’t wear necklaces, rings, bracelets, watches, earrings or glasses on the rides. Swimwear is compulsory for everyone, including babies, and water shoes are allowed. There is a shop inside selling swimsuits, towels, flip-flops, sun cream and caps.

Children under 12 are not allowed in without an adult responsible for them, so this is not a drop-off venue. The park can close rides for safety, weather or maintenance without refunds. Parking is free.

The adventure park (Parque Aventura) has activities for a mix of ages, booked at reception with a minimum of two people. When checked in September 2026: a 200-metre zip line from age 6 (€7 for one go, €9 for two), a climbing wall, abseil and zip line combination from age 6 (€14), a tree-top trail with 16 rope bridges (€6 for children up to 11, €10 for adults), 16-hole mini golf (€2 an hour for children, €3 for adults), a bungee trampoline (€3.50 for 5 minutes), target shooting with slingshot, blowpipe or soft guns from age 5 (€3), archery from 12, and paintball from age 10 (from €15 for an hour).

The campsite takes tents, caravans and motorhomes on a first-come basis, and there are bungalows and mobile homes to book. The site lists a playground, free Wi-Fi at the bar and restaurant, a first-aid post and access for people with disabilities. Guests get half-price water park entry for each night they stay.

In Vila Real, the Parque Corgo runs along both banks of the Corgo with 6 km of paths and a playground rebuilt in 2026. Down in the Douro valley, the historic Douro train runs from Régua to Tua in summer with early-20th-century carriages. North of Vila Real, the Tresminas Roman gold mines have tunnels you can walk through with a guide.

How much does Naturwaterpark cost?

When checked in September 2026, a full day in July or August cost €14 for ages 4 to 11 and €22 for ages 12 to 64, with cheaper half-day and late-afternoon tickets. Under-3s go free.

Is Naturwaterpark good for toddlers?

Yes. The Playground pool is 30 centimetres deep with five small slides, and the children’s pool has six easy slides. Swim nappies are compulsory and an adult must supervise.

What is the minimum age for the big slides?

Most big slides need riders to be 10 or older, or at least 1.20 metres tall. The Lane Slide has a minimum age of 8.

Can you take your own food to Naturwaterpark?

The rules ban glass and metal cutlery, and eating or drinking in the water areas, and all payments inside are made with the wristband. The published rules don’t say whether you can bring a picnic, so ask at the ticket office.

When is Naturwaterpark open?

It is a summer water park. In 2026 it was due to open from 29 May to 6 September, 10:00 to 18:30. Check the website for next season’s dates.