Praia das Rocas

Praia das Rocas (the Rocas river beach) is a summer leisure complex on a lake almost a kilometre long in the middle of Castanheira de Pera, a small town on the south side of the Serra da Lousã. The water comes from the Ribeira de Pêra, a stream that runs down from the serra. Around it are palm trees, lawns, a small island, a reservoir and a bridge the council describes as more than a century old.

The main draw for children is the wave pool. The Câmara Municipal de Castanheira de Pera gives it an area of 2,100 square metres and calls it the largest in the country. The complex opened in 2005 and, according to the council, gets around 100,000 visits a year. It’s run by Prazilândia, the town’s municipal tourism company.

It’s a long way from the sea, which is part of the appeal. Families in the Coimbra and Leiria hinterland get waves and lifeguards without the cold Atlantic.

The wave pool is where most of the day goes. The waves don’t run all the time: the regulations say the staff decide when to make waves and for how long, only start the machine when it’s safe, and switch it off straight away for any emergency or first aid. Lifeguards watch the water and everyone has to follow their instructions while the waves are on. Non-swimmers aren’t allowed in the deepest part of the pool.

There’s also a circular pool (piscina circular), which has its own spectator stands and shade rentals around it, and a jetty area called the Cais das Gaivotas. The official pages don’t publish depths for either pool, so ask at the entrance which area suits a child who can’t swim yet.

In 2026 the activities went under the name Rocas Fun Park, and the operator says they’re all included in the entry price. Each has its own age limit, taken from the 2026 poster and activity rules:

• Barquinhos (little boats): ages 3 to 7, one child per boat, 15 minutes, with a parent staying close by.
• Cisnes (pedal swans): from age 3 with someone aged 14 or over, or from 12 alone. Up to three people per swan, 15 minutes, life jackets on.
• Canoes: from age 7 with someone aged 14 or over, or from 12 alone. Two per canoe, 15 minutes, life jackets on.
• Crocodile inflatable (the small one): ages 4 to 12, 10-minute turns, no shoes or jewellery.
• Jungle inflatable (the big one): for older children and teens up to 18, three goes each.
• Slide (zip line): from age 7, weighing 30 to 120 kg, with helmet and harness fitted by the instructors. Long hair has to be tied back and glasses come off.
• Stand-up paddleboarding: from age 12, on a single board or a family board for up to five, 15 minutes.
• Volleyball net, table football and a slackline, free to use.

Rollerball is open from age 5 but the rules say it needs its own ticket. Activities stop in strong wind or thunder, and instructors can limit numbers on busy days.

These are the 2026 prices from the official price list. Under-6s go in free all season.

Ticket	30 May, June, 1 to 13 September	July and August
Child 6 to 10, or 65+, full day	€10	€11
Child 6 to 10, or 65+, after 14:00	€8	€9
Adult 11 to 64, full day	€13	€15
Adult 11 to 64, after 14:00	€10	€12
Family (2 adults + 2 children aged 6 to 10), full day	€35	€39
Family, after 14:00	€28	€32

Note that children count as adults from 11. The family ticket is only for parents and their own children, and you must show citizen cards (and may be asked for proof you’re one household). It can’t be combined with other discounts. Visitors with a multi-purpose disability certificate (Atestado Médico de Incapacidade Multiusos) get half price at the ticket office, and anyone whose birthday it is gets in free with their citizen card.

Residents of Castanheira de Pera and the neighbouring councils of Lousã, Góis, Pedrógão Grande and Figueiró dos Vinhos can buy cheaper resident or “proximity” tickets with proof of address. Tickets are sold at the entrance or online through BOL.

Sunshades and loungers

You can’t bring your own sunshade into the bathing area, so shade is rented. In July and August 2026 a front-row awning with three loungers cost €21 a day, an umbrella with two loungers by the circular pool or the Cais das Gaivotas €18, and an umbrella with two mats on the circular pool’s stands €11. The Rocas Lounge beds cost €40. Everything is a little cheaper in June and September and after 14:00.

From the 2026 regulations:

• Children under 12 can only come in with their parents or whoever is responsible for them, and all minors stay the adults’ responsibility.
• Everyone needs proper swimwear, whatever their age. Babies must wear swim nappies, and a swim top is allowed for sunburn. Ordinary clothes and underwear aren’t allowed in the water.
• No lilos, large inflatables or big rings.
• No jewellery, watches or large earrings in the pool, and no oily creams or lotions before going in.
• Proper footwear only in the bathing area, and no running on wet ground.
• Light snacks and soft drinks are fine in non-glass containers. Full meals, large cool boxes and glass stay out of the bathing area, and picnics are only allowed in the marked spots.
• No dogs or other animals, except guide dogs.
• The changing rooms are split by sex. Children under 7 can use the other one with a parent.

The regulations don’t mention a swim cap, which is normal for an outdoor leisure pool like this. Lockers are mentioned only “where they exist”, so bring as little as you can.

There’s a restaurant in the complex. Its 2026 menus included a children’s menu of a main dish with chips and a drink, and adult set menus (burgers, salads, a vegetarian option) at €9 with chips or soup and a drink.

The complex only opens for the summer bathing season, which in 2026 ran from 30 May to 13 September, every day from 10:00 to 19:00. Outside that the pools are closed, though the Villa Praia bungalows beside the lake stay open all year.

July and August weekends are the busiest time and prices go up then. An after-14:00 ticket takes a few euros off and still gives you five hours. The mountains can bring thunder in summer, and the regulations let staff clear the water in storms or strong wind, with no refunds for bad weather or temporary closures. Castanheira de Pera is well inland, so check the beach cam on MEO’s Beachcam site before a long drive.

It’s a car trip for most people. The operator gives rough driving times of 30 minutes from Pombal, 40 minutes from Coimbra or Tomar, an hour from Leiria and under two hours from Lisbon or Porto.

The Serra da Lousã has more to do if you stay nearby. At Trialmotor in Lousã children can try motorbike trials, and the underground river at the Gruta do Soprador do Carvalho near Penela is a cool escape on a hot day. Towards Coimbra, the Roman ruins at Conímbriga make a good second day.

Is Praia das Rocas a water park?

Not quite. It’s a river-fed lake with a large wave pool, a circular pool and supervised activities such as a zip line, pedal swans and inflatables. The official pages list no water slides.

How much does Praia das Rocas cost for a family?

In July and August 2026 a family ticket for two adults and two children aged 6 to 10 cost €39 for the day, or €32 after 14:00. Under-6s are free. Children aged 11 and over pay the adult price.

Can toddlers go?

Yes, and they go free. Babies must wear swim nappies, and the little boats take children from age 3. Keep non-swimmers out of the deep end of the wave pool; the rules forbid it.

Can we bring a picnic?

Light snacks and soft drinks are allowed in the bathing area. Full picnics are only allowed in the signed picnic areas, and glass and large cool boxes are not allowed.

Is it open in September?

Only for the first part. The 2026 season ended on 13 September. Check the official site in spring for next year’s dates.

Do children need a swim cap?

The 2026 regulations don’t ask for one. They do require proper swimwear for everyone and swim nappies for babies.