According to the local mayor, José Calixto, €150,000 of that sum was spent on the construction of the beach and €200,000 on equipment and buildings for bathers' use.

The new river beach is to be 120 metres long and will be able to be used by "hundreds of bathers" at the same time, Calixto said. It is flanked by a lawn and parking, with shade.

Shelter from the sun on the beach itself will be provided by 20 sunshades, as well as existing trees.

Across from the beach will be a swimming pool with an area of 100 square metres in a floating structure, with a solarium and separate areas for children and adults.

There is to be a watchtower for lifeguards, a first-aid post, public showers, access ramps for bathers with mobility problems and 120 parking spaces. A bar and restaurant, children's play area, picnic area, dock and ramp for boats already exist.

According to Calixto, there were no regulatory problems in getting the beach approved and classified, and the water from the reservoir "has no problem" where quality is concerned.

The completion of the Alqueva reservoir in 2004 was seen as hugely significant for agriculture in the region, but tourism development in the thinly-populated region has been slower to advance.