water and shade in inland Alentejo
A pool two metres deep, a lake pool fifty centimetres deep, two slides with opposite personalities and a lawn full of thatched parasols. That's the Oásis Parque Aquático de Galveias, in a village in the interior of Ponte de Sor where summer arrives early and stays.
The complex has a clear logic: it separates the spaces by pace. The outdoor pools work in the sun, the lawn with natural shade and straw parasols serves as base camp for whoever wants to stop moving. And then there's the covered pool, 17 by 10 metres, which extends the season beyond the hottest months.
The two slides are the dividing line between those who came to relax and those who came for something else. One is open, long, with a slower descent. The other is a closed tube, higher and clearly faster. The Oásis manages to please families with small children and anyone who wants some adrenaline, all on the same ticket.
Galveias is in the Alentejo interior, far from the beaches and August crowds. You come here on purpose, not in passing. And that's exactly what gives the park its own identity: on a properly hot day in Alentejo, having all this at prices managed by the parish council completely changes the tone of summer.
the full complex
- main pool with a maximum depth of two metres
- lake pool fifty centimetres deep, designed for the youngest
- two slides: one open and long, one closed tube and faster
- covered pool (17×10 metres) for outside the bathing season
- lawn with natural shade, thatched parasols and picnic area
