The Tapada Grande Reservoir River Beach, in the municipality of Mértola, achieved third place in the national vote for the "River Beach of the Year 2026" award, competing among 216 river beaches and bathing areas from across the country. The ranking resulted from the direct choice of thousands of bathers and visitors through the voting platform of the Praias Fluviais portal.
First place was awarded to the Valhelhas River Beach, in the municipality of Guarda, while second place went to the Loriga River Beach, in Seia. Tapada Grande beach was the only representative from Alentejo among the top three, thus completing the national podium.
The beach is located at the São Domingos Mine and has established itself over the years as one of the main leisure destinations in the municipality of Mértola. The distinction recognizes the environmental quality of the space, the support infrastructure, and its growing tourist attractiveness, also highlighting the valorization of the region's natural, landscape, and heritage resources.
The Municipality of Mértola expressed pride in the recognition and thanked all those who participated in the vote, as well as the professionals and entities involved in the maintenance and preservation of the space. With this position in the national top 3, Tapada Grande reinforces Mértola's notoriety as a destination for nature and inland tourism in Portugal.
