Navaconcejo’s four natural pools draw summer bathers to the Jerte River, and all were officially open for swimming as of June 2026. The best-known is ‘El Benidorm’, a local nickname that mixes pride with a touch of humor about Spain’s best-known beach city.
But this ‘Benidorm’ is nothing like the coast. Instead of high-rises, there’s a shaded, grassy bank at the south end of town, lined with alders and poplars, with ash among the trees. There’s no beach bar or lifeguard. The parking lot fills up early on hot days, though the area doesn’t draw crowds of tourists.
Regional media often call Navaconcejo the ‘Benidorm de Extremadura’, reflecting its status as a summer hotspot for river swimming, El Confidencial reports.
The four pools, El Cajón, El Pilar, El Cristo and El Chamizo, also called ‘El Benidorm’, are carved straight from the river, and each has its own draw. El Cajón is the quietest, with easy access and a simple grassy edge, but no food or rescue services. El Pilar, at the upper end of town, has a sandy patch and big trees for shade, with shops and parking nearby. El Cristo runs along Calle del Santísimo Cristo, where visitors will find a playground and picnic tables, with bars close at hand. For those after the ‘Benidorm’ vibe, El Chamizo sits at the edge of town in a leafy, peaceful spot.
El Pilar is also a popular starting point for the Garganta de Nogaleas hiking route, El Confidencial reports. Visitors can pair a swim in the river with a scenic walk in the Valle del Jerte.
Navaconcejo stands apart from other rural swimming spots because the pools are so close to one another. Instead of picking one swimming hole for the day, visitors can walk between all four and change plans as the mood or crowds shift.
There’s more to do than swim. The Nogaleas route, a six-kilometre circular trail marked SL-CC 33, starts and ends in Navaconcejo. It climbs through granite cascades and steep hills, gaining 330 metres in elevation. It’s not an easy walk: good shoes and water are impressive, especially in summer. Hikers pass a string of waterfalls and get a view of the valley most swimmers never see.
Official guides say none of the four pools has lifeguards. The basic swimming season runs from mid-June to mid-September, and pets aren’t allowed. River conditions can change, so check local updates before heading out.
Local notices confirm that all four pools are open for swimming as of June 2026. This isn’t a new launch. Navaconcejo remains a reliable late-summer spot, with four river pools and a waterfall trail starting right in town.
Other places for a riverside day with a playground and tables include Charco de la Escribana in Málaga. Navaconcejo offers a different experience: visitors can swim in the river and hike, all within walking distance of small-town Extremadura.
The nickname ‘El Benidorm’ may be a joke, but the pools offer cold river water and mountain air in a field shaped by nature rather than concrete, a different kind of summer escape from the Mediterranean coast.
