Gaia launches free heated pool at Areinho river beach

The Vila Nova de Gaia municipality inaugurated a new free heated pool on the Areinho river beach in Oliveira do Douro on 23 July. Built on the sand at the last fluvial beach before the Douro reaches the sea, the pool holds up to 80 users and limits stays to 30 minutes. Access is free, by order of arrival, with priority given to children under two, seniors over 65 and people with reduced mobility, and the facility follows universal‑access design criteria.

The pool is part of a broader river‑front improvement plan that includes upgrades to access routes, parking and supporting infrastructure. Earlier this month the council also opened a second heated‑water pool at the nearby Canide Norte beach, expanding free leisure options for residents and visitors.