Piscina Praia da Covilhã

Covilhã climbs the eastern slope of the Serra da Estrela, a long way from the Atlantic. In summer the council opens the Piscina Praia (beach pool) in the lower part of the city, and its main draw for children is the artificial waves. For a child who has never been to the sea, or who misses it, waves in a pool with lifeguards watching is a good way to spend a hot afternoon.

The council lists changing rooms, an outdoor shower, a bar with a terrace, a first-aid post and lifeguard supervision. It doesn’t publish the pool’s size, depths or wave times, so if you need to know whether there’s a shallow area for toddlers, ask at the entrance or phone the council before you go.

The Piscina Praia is a summer-only pool. In 2026 it opened on Monday 15 June at 10:00 and ran every day from 10:00 to 20:00. In 2025 it opened later, on 26 June, after maintenance work, so opening dates move from year to year. The council announces them in June.

The council kept 2025 prices for 2026 and added a family ticket:

• Children up to 4: free
• Morning, 10:00 to 14:00: adults €3, children aged 5 to 11 €1.50
• Afternoon, 14:00 to 20:00: adults €4, children aged 5 to 11 €1.50
• Full day: adults €6, children aged 5 to 11 €2.50
• Family day ticket (two adults and two children): €14, which the council says saves up to €3
• 7-day card: adults €33.50, children aged 5 to 11 €14

Holders of Covilhã’s municipal social card (Cartão Social Municipal) pay the children’s rates or close to them. A family of four on a morning ticket pays €9.

The afternoon is the more expensive session for adults but the same price for children, so with small children the morning ticket is the best value, before the hottest part of the day.

The council uses the Piscina Praia for events during the season:

• Banhos Seguros (“safe swimming”): in July 2026, daily 20 to 30 minute sessions at 11:00 on first aid, basic life support, water rescue and summer dangers at pools and river beaches, mainly for holiday club groups using the pool at that time.
• International Youth Day (12 August): free entry for young people up to 25, with water polo and water basketball tournaments in the afternoon.

The council doesn’t publish the Piscina Praia’s rules online. Take swimwear, flip-flops and a swim cap in case they’re asked for, sun cream, hats and water. With waves involved, keep non-swimmers close and ask lifeguards about any age or height limits during the wave sessions.

For the rest of the year, the council’s indoor pool is the Piscina Municipal da Covilhã in the Bairro dos Penedos Altos. It was an open-air pool until it was rebuilt and covered in 1998. The council lists public swimming (regime livre), water-confidence classes for children and adults, swimming levels I to III, water aerobics and rehabilitation. Contact the pool on 275 327 872 or piscina.municipal@cm-covilha.pt for current times and prices.

• Opening dates change each year, so check before planning a June visit.
• There’s a bar on site, so you can buy drinks and snacks.
• The Piscina Praia is in the lower town, and the old town above is steep. Covilhã’s free lifts and funicular help you get between them.

Ride Covilhã’s lifts and funicular, including a footbridge as high as a 17-storey building. For a cooler, indoor outing, the Panasqueira mining museum is in the hills south-west of the city. Fundão’s council pools are a short drive down the valley.

How much is the Piscina Praia in Covilhã?

In 2026 a full day cost €6 for adults and €2.50 for children aged 5 to 11. A family day ticket for two adults and two children cost €14. Children up to 4 go free.

Does the Covilhã pool really have waves?

Yes. The council lists artificial waves among the Piscina Praia’s features. It doesn’t publish when the waves run, so ask when you arrive.

When is the Piscina Praia open?

Only in summer. In 2026 it opened on 15 June and ran daily from 10:00 to 20:00.

Is there food?

There’s a bar with a terrace on site.

Is there somewhere to swim in Covilhã in winter?

Yes, the indoor Piscina Municipal in the Bairro dos Penedos Altos, which has public swimming and lessons.