Days in Gerês, nights with a private pool
There's a better way to explore Peneda-Gerês National Park — Portugal's only national park — without giving up comfort: use a whole holiday home with a private pool as your base and treat Gerês as a day trip. Alojamento Rio Neiva sits in Tregosa, in the heart of the Minho, about 1 hour's drive from the park's main entrances. Head out in the morning to the waterfalls, viewpoints and trails; in the late afternoon, come back to a house all your own, dive into the private pool and rest your legs in the garden, away from the crowds and the mountain roads at night.
It's the best of both worlds: the wild nature of Gerês by day and the calm of the rural Minho by evening. The house is rented out as a whole for up to 8 people, across 4 comfortable bedrooms, with a fully equipped kitchen, spacious living areas and an outdoor barbecue for a grill after a hike. It's pet-friendly, with Wi-Fi, heating in every bedroom and private parking — ready for a summer of swimming or an autumn weekend between the park and the fireplace.
What to visit in Gerês from the house
The Peneda-Gerês region rewards those who take their time. From the house, it's worth dedicating a day or two to some of its highlights:
- Arado Waterfall and Pedra Bela viewpoint — panoramic views over the valleys and one of the park's most photographed waterfalls.
- Gerês village and spa — the classic starting point, with thermal waters and cafés at the foot of the mountains.
- Lagoons and reservoirs — Vilarinho das Furnas and the Caniçada dam, ideal for a picnic with a view.
- Trails and mountain villages — walking routes through oak woods, granaries and granite villages like Soajo and Lindoso.
- Wild garrano horses and Barrosã cattle roaming free, in a setting that feels from another time.
Bring comfortable shoes, water and sunscreen — and save the pool as the reward for coming back. In hot weather, early mornings are best for the trails; in the afternoon, the private pool makes perfect sense.
Central in the Minho, near Gerês and much more
Tregosa, in the municipality of Barcelos, is one of Northern Portugal's best-kept secrets: peaceful countryside, yet minutes from everything. As well as serving as a base for Gerês (~1h), the house puts you around 20 minutes from Viana do Castelo, 30 from Braga and 15 from the beaches of Esposende. You can mix mountain days with beach days, historic cities or a vinho verde tasting — all from the same place.
This central position lets you plan a varied holiday without changing accommodation: Gerês one day, the beach the next, Braga and Bom Jesus another, and always back to the pool in the late afternoon. To plan your routes, see what to visit between Viana and Braga in 3 days on our blog.
Book direct, no fees, best price
We're on Booking and Airbnb — rated 9.5/10 — but the smartest way to book is to talk to us directly. Booking via WhatsApp means no platform fees, which means a guaranteed best price, more flexibility on dates and a human reply within minutes. Discover the whole house, the gallery and availability at our boutique holiday home with a private pool in Tregosa, Barcelos, near Gerês — or send us your dates today.