Oásis Parque Aquático de Galveias

Galveias is a village in the municipality of Ponte de Sor, in the Portalegre district. Its summer pool park, the Oásis Parque Aquático de Galveias, is run by the parish council (junta de freguesia), which keeps prices very low. It is far smaller than the commercial water parks in the Algarve. It has two water slides, a main pool, a shallow lagoon pool for children and a big lawn.

In 2026 the season ran from 12 June to 13 September.

The outdoor pools are laid out by pace.

• The main pool is up to 2 metres deep, for swimming and cooling off.
• The slide pool is a separate pool used only for the two slides. One slide is open and long, with a slower ride. The other is a closed tube, higher and clearly faster.
• The lagoon pool (piscina lago) is 50 cm deep and is for children. A family directory describes it as a paddling area with a small slide of its own for the youngest.

Around the pools is a large lawn with trees and thatched parasols (chapéus de colmo), plus a picnic area. Bringing a packed lunch and spending the day is normal here.

The site also has an indoor pool, 17 by 10 metres and 1 to 1.45 metres deep, according to the Ponte de Sor council. We couldn’t find current public-swim times for it, so ask locally if you want to use it outside summer.

For summer 2026 Time Out listed these prices:

• Adults: €3
• Ages 13 to 18: €1.50
• Children under 12: €0.75

A family of two adults and two young children could get in for €7.50. The park opens from Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 to 20:00, and closes on Mondays. Dates change a little each year, so check before you travel early or late in the summer.

We didn’t find a published set of rules for the Oásis. Take swim caps and flip-flops in case they are asked for, and check at the entrance about age or height limits for the tube slide before a small child queues for it.

The park has two slides, so on a hot weekend there will be queues. Shade comes from trees and the thatched parasols, and it goes quickly on busy days, so arrive early or bring a parasol. We could not confirm what food is sold on site, so pack a picnic. It’s also a drive: Galveias is a small village, and you will need a car.

If the Oásis is full, or you are staying in Ponte de Sor itself, the town’s outdoor council pools are by the riverside area (Zona Ribeirinha). In 2026 they were due to open on 7 July, Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 20:00, with swimmers out of the water by 19:30. A 2023 report described a 25 by 18 metre main pool up to 2.30 m deep, a semicircular children’s pool up to 1.30 m deep and a small paddling pool.

Ponte de Sor’s 2026 prices were €3 for over-16s, €2 for 11 to 16-year-olds with a student card, €1 for ages 4 to 10, and free for under-4s. Glass is not allowed, you can only go in the water in proper swimwear, and you may be asked to show an ID card. Students must show an up-to-date student card to get the lower price.

The Coudelaria de Alter, the historic stud farm at Alter do Chão, is in the same corner of the Alentejo and pairs well with a swim. The Crato water park is another council pool with a slide further east. For an indoor rainy-day option with animals, the Fluviário de Mora, a freshwater aquarium, is south west of Ponte de Sor.

How much does the Galveias water park cost?

In summer 2026 it cost €3 for adults, €1.50 for ages 13 to 18 and €0.75 for children under 12.

Is it good for toddlers?

Yes. The 50 cm lagoon pool is for young children, and the lawn and picnic area make a long day easy with small ones.

How many slides are there?

Two: a long open slide with a slower ride and a higher, faster closed tube slide. Both land in their own pool.

When is it open?

In summer only, Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 20:00. In 2026 it ran from 12 June to 13 September.

Is it heated or indoor?

The slides and main pools are outdoors, and we found no mention of heating. There is also a small indoor pool on the site, but check locally for public times.