Guimarães to gain certified River Ave beach and renewed D. Afonso I Garden

Guimarães is set to acquire the municipality’s first certified river beach at the Vaqueiro Recreation and Leisure Area, in the Union of Parishes of Souto Santa Maria, Souto São Salvador and Gondomar.

Vaqueiro river beach on the River Ave

The scheme stems from one of the protocols recently signed by Guimarães City Council and the Ministry for the Environment, and is expected to be completed in 2027. The signing ceremony took place at Vila Flor Palace, attended by the Mayor, Ricardo Araújo, and the Minister for the Environment, Maria da Graça Carvalho. As well as establishing the Vaqueiro river beach, the parties formally agreed a protocol to refurbish the D. Afonso I Garden.

Ricardo Araújo said that delivering the first certified river beach fulfils a long-standing ambition for the municipality. “It is unacceptable that a municipality such as Guimarães, European Green Capital, still does not have a river beach. But it will,” he assured.

According to the mayor, the works will receive funding from the Environmental Fund through the Portuguese Environment Agency, enabling the council to deliver a project it has sought for many years.

The minister also emphasised the symbolic importance of the future river beach. “A river beach only exists when water quality is excellent, a condition certified by the Portuguese Environment Agency. This shows that the River Ave, which for years suffered from pollution linked to industrial activity, has been restored,” said Maria da Graça Carvalho, who recalled swimming in the river as a child.

D. Afonso I Garden refurbishment

The second protocol covers the refurbishment of the D. Afonso I Garden, a project included in the urban ecosystems restoration programme. The intervention aims to reshape one of the city’s key green spaces, strengthening connections between the historic centre, the University of Minho and the monumental area encompassing the Castle, the Palace of the Dukes and the Campo de São Mamede.

Ricardo Araújo said he was confident the scheme would become a national benchmark. “It will be the best project of all six projects of this kind being funded in the country,” he stated, adding that the works would return the space to the city through a forest park, a botanical garden and new green areas for residents’ leisure and enjoyment.

The minister explained that the intervention will also provide new shaded areas, helping to lower temperatures on the hottest days.