Mourão river beach is the largest on Lake Alqueva and one of the few with a Blue Flag. It's a kilometre from the village centre, on an island reached by a wooden boardwalk.
If you're staying at Casa de Santa Margarida, it's five minutes by car — or about twenty on foot, walking through Mourão.
What's there
There are 320 metres of sand, with a lawn behind it. On that lawn are around 45 free parasols, which in practice means you don't need to bring a sunshade or arrive early to claim shade.
In the water there's an enclosed floating pool for children, with netting and a safety rail, and a floating platform with a diving tower, a slide and ladders.
On land: a picnic area at the Parque de Merendas, with tables, benches, shade and barbecues; changing rooms and toilets; and free parking by the entrance.
Accessibility was thought about: there's a ramp into the water and an amphibious chair.
Blue Flag and lifeguards
The beach holds a Blue Flag — the certification covering water quality, safety and environmental standards.
Of the 320 metres of sand, 100 metres are lifeguarded during the bathing season, which typically runs from mid-June to mid-September. Exact dates change each year and are published by Mourão town council.
The island and the boardwalk
The beach is on an island. You reach it by a wooden boardwalk, and that crossing is half the pleasure — a good stretch out over the water, with the lake open on both sides.
When the reservoir level drops in summer, part of the land connection reappears. When it's full, the island really is an island.
With children
It's the easiest beach on Alqueva for small children, for three concrete reasons: the floating pool is enclosed with a controlled depth; there's shade on grass, which is more comfortable than hot sand; and there are proper changing rooms and toilets, which on a river beach is not a given.
Getting there
The beach is next to the Parque de Merendas, on the road linking the village to the lake. Parking is free and sits at the entrance.
From Mourão it's five minutes by car, or about twenty on foot.
Two tips
Bring lunch. The picnic area has shaded tables and barbecues. It's what most local families do at weekends.
Stay for sunset. The sun sets over the water, on the boardwalk side. It's the best hour of the day here, and the beach empties from six.
