A new app dedicated to Portugal's river beaches has launched, helping travelers discover hidden inland swimming spots away from the crowded Algarve coast.
The app, called River Beaches, is available on the Apple App Store and coming soon to Google Play. It maps more than 130 lesser-known inland swimming spots with photographs and descriptions.
Available in Portuguese, English and Spanish, the app offers user-submitted tips on how to best enjoy each location. Filters allow users to find beaches that match their preferences-from those with restaurants and parking to dog-friendly and lifeguard-patrolled spots.
The app taps into the growing popularity of freshwater swimming as an alternative to packed coastal beaches, especially during heatwaves. Many of the featured spots are in forested mountain areas around central Portugal's Mondego, Zêzere and Alva rivers.
While River Beaches is free and ad-free, the team behind it pledges 50% of its profits to river restoration and water retention projects across the country.