Lakes in Portugal
Find lakes in Portugal: 49 designated lake bathing waters classified under the EU Bathing Water Directive. 44 are rated Excellent for 2025.
The same country also has official phosphorus, chlorophyll-a, and Secchi for 19 named lakes, sampled 2018–2023. Those are nutrient and clarity readings, a different measurement from the Directive's bacteria class.
Updated 2025
Lake map
Map shows 68 lakes with coordinates
Best-rated lakes to swim in Portugal
Officially classified Excellent for the 2025 bathing season, ranked by how often that class has held. Full best-lakes list →
- Albufeira da Tapada GrandeExcellent · Excellent 11/11 seasons
- Albufeira de QueimadelaExcellent · Excellent 11/11 seasons
- Albufeira do ErmalExcellent · Excellent 11/11 seasons
- Aldeia do MatoExcellent · Excellent 11/11 seasons
- AlqueirãoExcellent · Excellent 11/11 seasons
- CabrilExcellent · Excellent 11/11 seasons
- Castanheira Ou Lago AzulExcellent · Excellent 11/11 seasons
- FernandairesExcellent · Excellent 11/11 seasons
- Fraga da PegadaExcellent · Excellent 11/11 seasons
- LombaExcellent · Excellent 11/11 seasons
- MontesExcellent · Excellent 11/11 seasons
- RibeiraExcellent · Excellent 11/11 seasons
- Santa LuziaExcellent · Excellent 11/11 seasons
- Senhora da RibeiraExcellent · Excellent 11/11 seasons
- Vale do RossimExcellent · Excellent 11/11 seasons
Every rated bathing water in Portugal
- Albufeira da Tapada GrandeExcellent · Excellent 11/11 seasons
- Albufeira de QueimadelaExcellent · Excellent 11/11 seasons
- Albufeira do ErmalExcellent · Excellent 11/11 seasons
- Aldeia do MatoExcellent · Excellent 11/11 seasons
- AlqueirãoExcellent · Excellent 11/11 seasons
- CabrilExcellent · Excellent 11/11 seasons
- Castanheira Ou Lago AzulExcellent · Excellent 11/11 seasons
- FernandairesExcellent · Excellent 11/11 seasons
- Fraga da PegadaExcellent · Excellent 11/11 seasons
- LombaExcellent · Excellent 11/11 seasons
- MontesExcellent · Excellent 11/11 seasons
- RibeiraExcellent · Excellent 11/11 seasons
- Santa LuziaExcellent · Excellent 11/11 seasons
- Senhora da RibeiraExcellent · Excellent 11/11 seasons
- Vale do RossimExcellent · Excellent 11/11 seasons
- Vila Nova-SerraExcellent · Excellent 11/11 seasons
- ZaboeiraExcellent · Excellent 11/11 seasons
- Albufeira da MeimôaExcellent · Excellent 10/11 seasons
- CongidaExcellent · Excellent 10/11 seasons
- Albufeira do VilarExcellent · Excellent 10/10 seasons
- ÁlvaroExcellent · Excellent 10/10 seasons
- Santa ClaraExcellent · Excellent 10/10 seasons
- CambasGood · Excellent 9/11 seasons
- AlverangelNot classified · Excellent 9/9 seasons
- Clube Náutico de AvisExcellent · Excellent 9/9 seasons
- MourãoExcellent · Excellent 9/9 seasons
- Praia Fluvial de MonsarazExcellent · Excellent 9/9 seasons
- Albufeira de AlfaiatesExcellent · Excellent 8/8 seasons
- EreiraExcellent · Excellent 8/8 seasons
- AmieiraExcellent · Excellent 7/7 seasons
- CarriçaExcellent · Excellent 7/7 seasons
- Cinco ReisExcellent · Excellent 6/6 seasons
- FontesExcellent · Excellent 6/6 seasons
- BitetosPoor · Excellent 5/11 seasons
- Albufeira do CaldeirãoExcellent · Excellent 5/5 seasons
- AlqueidãoExcellent · Excellent 5/5 seasons
- Área Recreativa E de Lazer das Azenhas d'El ReiExcellent · Excellent 5/5 seasons
- Praia Fluvial de AlquevaExcellent · Excellent 5/5 seasons
- RebolimExcellent · Excellent 4/4 seasons
- Albergaria dos FusosExcellent · Excellent 3/3 seasons
- Lagoa da ErvedeiraExcellent · Excellent 3/3 seasons
- Vila da PonteExcellent · Excellent 3/3 seasons
- Albufeira de OdeleiteExcellent · Excellent 2/2 seasons
- Bairrada/BairradinhaExcellent · Excellent 2/2 seasons
- Praia do LagoExcellent · Excellent 2/2 seasons
- Barrinha de MiraExcellent · Excellent 1/1 seasons
- Praia de OriolaExcellent · Excellent 1/1 seasons
- Montalvo/TesosNot classified
- Valongo-BredaNot classified
Places in Portugal
- Northern PortugalRegion · 12 lakes
- Southern PortugalRegion · 7 lakes
Named lakes
| Lake | Place | Total phosphorus | Chlorophyll-a | Secchi | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albufeira Aguieira | — | 14 µg/L | — | — | 2023 |
| Albufeira Alto Lindoso | — | 9.0 µg/L | — | — | 2023 |
| Albufeira Caldeirao | — | 11 µg/L | — | — | 2023 |
| Albufeira Castelo Bode | — | 5.9 µg/L | — | — | 2023 |
| Albufeira Divor | — | 150 µg/L | — | — | 2023 |
| Albufeira Fratel | — | 130 µg/L | — | — | 2023 |
| Albufeira Fronhas | — | 10 µg/L | — | — | 2023 |
| Albufeira Funcho Int C | — | 28 µg/L | — | — | 2018 |
| Albufeira Maranhao | — | 62 µg/L | — | — | 2023 |
| Albufeira Miranda | — | 40 µg/L | — | — | 2023 |
| Albufeira Paradela | — | 6.0 µg/L | — | — | 2023 |
| Albufeira Pisao | — | 20 µg/L | — | — | 2023 |
| Albufeira Pocinho | — | 40 µg/L | — | — | 2023 |
| Albufeira Pracana | — | 13 µg/L | — | — | 2023 |
| Albufeira Roxo C | — | 48 µg/L | — | — | 2021 |
| Albufeira Salamonde | — | 6.0 µg/L | — | — | 2023 |
| Albufeira Santa Clara C | — | 32 µg/L | — | — | 2018 |
| Albufeira Vale Gaio | — | 77 µg/L | — | — | 2022 |
| Albufeira Vilarinho Das Furnas | — | 5.0 µg/L | — | — | 2023 |
Get Portugal water-quality updates
New official ratings and water-quality readings for lakes in Portugal. Unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently asked questions
- Which lakes in Portugal are best to swim in?
- 44 of 49 designated bathing waters in Portugal are rated Excellent for 2025 under the EU Bathing Water Directive. That class measures E. coli and intestinal enterococci only — it is not a safety clearance.
- Is it safe to swim in Portugal lakes?
- The official class is a bacteriological rating, not a safety clearance. It does not cover algal blooms, nutrients, water clarity, currents, or depth. Conditions change after heavy rain. Check local signage and the operator's current notices before entering the water.
- How is lake water quality measured in Portugal?
- 19 named lakes in Portugal have official phosphorus from the Portuguese Environment Agency (APA), via UNEP GEMS/Water, 2018–2023. These are the authority's own measurements, shown as reported.
- Whose ratings do the Portugal lake pages show?
- The publishing authority's own. Pages for lakes in Portugal show the values and classes that authority reports, with the season or year each was taken.
Lakes in other countries
Directory of official lake water quality
Rated bathing waters at campgrounds
Excellent-rated bathing waters
Water quality for lakes in Slovakia
Water quality for lakes in Croatia
Water quality for lakes in Estonia
Water quality for lakes in Luxembourg
Water quality for lakes in Latvia
Water quality for lakes in Ireland
Water quality for lakes in Slovenia
Water quality for lakes in Albania
Where to stay near Portugal
Lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Portugal — live availability from Booking.com, Vrbo and Expedia.
Top-rated places to stay near Portugal
Prices for Sep 25–27, 4 adults. Change dates on the map below.
Availability and prices from Stay22 partners (Booking.com, Vrbo, Expedia). We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.
Planning a trip to Portugal?
Get lake water-quality updates plus the best cabin & lodging deals near Portugal — straight to your inbox. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.