Portugal and Spain are two of Europe's most celebrated holiday destinations. From the golden sands of the Algarve to the pale blue sea of the Costa Blanca, these iconic holiday destinations draw millions of visitors to their famous coasts in search of glorious sunshine, soft sands and a special festive summer ambience that is singular to the Iberian Peninsula.
But beyond the magnetic pull of the iconic beaches of Spain and Portugal lie countless other charms; hidden places, unspoiled parks, secret beaches, sparkling lakes and little-explored white villages hidden in the folds of hills and mountains, visited by rivers and streams whose grassy banks and clear waters set the scene for perfect days of exploring or relaxing with a picnic in these countries' abundant nature.
It is to those hidden places that we venture now, as we explore the best places to go wild swimming in Portugal and Spain.
Little more than a 2-hour drive from the Basque Country, you can find this vast artificial reservoir glistening with incredible sapphire tones. The colour is owing to the limestone rock and pale silt of the lake, which when combined with light creates this stunning hue. The silt is soft but rather sludgy underfoot, which can be an interesting sensation! It also stirs up easily, so take your photos of the beautiful landscape before jumping into the water! The reservoir was built in 1960, and enjoys some luxuriant surroundings of thriving oaks, beeches and pines, while also benefitting from a wonderfully secluded feel, despite being so close to the road. In the summer it can get a little busy. However outside of peak season you can feel as though you have much of the area completely to yourself. Anyone for a skinny dip?
Perhaps the most enchanting of this list is the azure pool of Ponte de São João in Northern Portugal, large and deep enough to dive into, with dancing light beams piercing through the transparent water all the way to the rocky lake bed. The pool is fringed with smooth granite rocks that you can lay out and sunbathe on, and is blessed with beautiful quartz caves you can swim within! A lovely waterfall feeds the pool, springing from the hilltop monastery of São João. To get here, you will need to pass through woodland and down a steep stony track that leads under an old bridge, an approximately five-minute walk from where you can park your car. Take the N301 in the direction of Covas, this place is located about 30 minutes before the Covas dam. This hidden place flows into the Coura River in the middle of the forest, right next to the old S.João Bridge. (41.876350, -8.733490)
Located in Les Planes d’Hostoles in the province of Girona, this magical waterfall feeds a beautiful pool surrounded by woodland, with mossy rock ledges that the water cascades over. After admiring the falls from the water’s edge, you can actually walk right up to them before slipping behind the curtain of water! This offers a unique perspective while allowing you to enjoy the roar of the falls up close. The paths that reach this natural pool criss-cross ravines and slip among large rocks, making the journey something of an adventure. As the bottom of the pool is rocky and at times slippery, take care when making your way in for a refreshing dip! This Eden-like location is a great place for families who want to find a beautiful swimming alternative to the beach - although the path behind the waterfall may not be suitable for smaller children.
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As the name suggests, the colour of this river is an emerald green, matching with the lush green blend of subtropical trees, plants and pine forests that characterise the area. Many thrillseekers come here to practise canyoning, climbing and throwing themselves into the water from rocky outcrops, scrambling along the streams and exploring the narrow gorges. For those dedicated to finding their own secluded watery paradise, approximately 90 minutes' drive northeast of Málaga you will find an area of crystal-clear unspoilt beauty. Freshwater rock pools, both shallow and deep, welcome you to bob about in perfect serenity. Rocky scrambles lead between various different pools, one of the most scenic being La Poza Central. Here, a small waterfall drops down mustard-coloured rocks into the clear turquoise swimming hole, where a dip is nearly impossible to resist! There are even some rope bridges with wooden planks that connect different sides of the gorges, a fantastic place to explore for those who aren’t afraid of heights!
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Found in the sweeping valleys of the Serra da Estrela Natural Park, around two and a half hours’ drive from Porto, the water of this natural pool flows straight from the glacial mountain valley, meaning, yes, the temperature can be a little brisk! However, in spite of the altitude of this delightful spot, the summer months can see the air temperature soar, leaving you in need of a quick dip in this vast azure pool to cool off. The turquoise rock pools are blissfully crystalline, with shallow areas that are perfect for young children to paddle around in. The surrounding mountains and terraced farmland slopes provide spectacular views, one of the best being from the edge of the natural infinity pool.
Here you can look out over the multiple layers of rock pools descending into the valley, savouring the complementary sensations of the refreshing water and warming sun on your back. During the months of July and August there is a lifeguard on duty and a café for those who forgot to bring a picnic, while these are also the months that it is advisable to arrive early for both parking and a good spot. Competition for the shaded areas beneath trees and rocks is fierce, so bringing your own parasol might be a good idea. Bring some good walking shoes as well, after a swim there are many stunning hikes in the area!
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With a vertical drop of 24 metres between cliffs of earthy red, this waterfall provides a breath-taking swimming location in the Algarve. The oval pool below it is much warmer than the glacial water of Loriga, and is also sparkling and clear. Moreover, it’s a spot that is fantastic for children, where they can play in the natural and jump off the rocks in the idyllic surroundings of fig, carob and olive trees and pretty wildflowers. The swimming hole is easily and conveniently accessible from the incredibly picturesque Alte, a village of pretty white houses wrapped in vines and cobbled streets, all surrounded by orchards and vineyards. There is a paved path leading to a patch of grass where you can stop off for a picnic, before going on to the falls a little further along and making the most of one of our favourite wild swimming spots. In Alte itself there is also the delightful Fonte Grande, a canal-like, long natural pool lined with trees and crossed by several small bridges. This is another wonderful place for swimming, with many shaded places to lay out your towels along the stone walkways. If you are in need of more food and refreshments, there is a restaurant here with a large terrace overlooking the beautiful stretch of water.