Travelling to Gerês as a family can mean completely different things.
For some families, it means days spent exploring waterfalls, river beaches and villages. For others, it’s about easy hikes, picnics and time in nature. And, of course, some simply want to escape their routine, find somewhere beautiful and peaceful, and spend a few days relaxing.
That’s why choosing where to stay in Gerês is about more than simply looking for a hotel with family rooms.
The location of your accommodation can completely change the experience.
If you want to spend your days by the water, staying near Caniçada or an area with easy access to river beaches may make more sense. If your goal is to explore nature and go hiking, staying closer to the mountains can save you hours of driving. And if you’re travelling with young children, having a kitchen, swimming pool or simply somewhere comfortable to relax may matter more than being close to a trail.
In this guide, we’ve organised a few options according to the kind of family trip you want to have.
Before Choosing Where to Stay
Before booking, think about your trip first.
Ask yourself:
· How old are the children?
· Will you be travelling by car?
· Do you want to explore different parts of Gerês every day?
· Would you rather stay close to restaurants and supermarkets?
· Do you want a swimming pool?
· Do you need a kitchen?
· Will you be bringing a pushchair?
· Do you want to go hiking or stick to easier walks?
· Is the idea to be out exploring all the time, or also spend some days simply relaxing?
A family with babies or young children won’t necessarily be looking for the same kind of accommodation as a family with teenagers.
And that’s perfectly normal.
There is no single “best place for families in Gerês”. There is only the place that best fits the trip you want to have.
A Little Bit of Everything
If it’s your first time in Gerês and you want to combine a little of everything — nature, restaurants, waterfalls, walks and some time to relax — this is probably the most balanced option.
The area between Vilar da Veiga, Gerês and Caniçada allows you to stay relatively close to different types of experiences, without being tied exclusively to a more remote part of the mountains.
It’s a good choice for families who want to wake up without necessarily having every day completely planned out.
One day might be spent exploring.
The next, you might head to the water.
And the next, you might simply relax.
Our Pick: Hotel Lagoa Azul do Gerês
Hotel Lagoa Azul do Gerês is around 3.5 km from Vila do Gerês and offers rooms, studios and apartments, including apartments with kitchenettes. It also has an outdoor swimming pool and views over the Caniçada Reservoir or the mountains.
For a family, having the option of an apartment can be particularly useful.
A kitchenette means you don’t have to rely on restaurants for every meal — something that can make a huge difference when travelling with children.
Best for:
· Families who want to explore different parts of Gerês
· Children who enjoy swimming pools
· Anyone who prefers having access to a kitchen
· Multi-day trips
· Families who want to combine exploration and relaxation
What to expect:
🏊 Outdoor swimming pool
🏠 Rooms, studios and apartments
🍳 Kitchenette in apartments
🏞️ Views of the mountains or Caniçada Reservoir
🚗 Good base for exploring different areas
Why we like it for families: it’s not just a room where you’ll sleep. Having the option of an apartment gives you more freedom to adapt the trip to your family’s pace.
For Families Who Want Nature & Easy Adventures
Gerês doesn’t have to mean 15- or 20-kilometre hikes.
Some families want to introduce their children to nature, take short walks, visit villages, spot animals, explore forests and discover waterfalls — without turning every day into an expedition.
For this kind of trip, it makes sense to look for accommodation where nature is part of the experience from the moment you step outside.
Our Pick: Chalet Villas Gerês
Chalet Villas Gerês consists of three independent accommodation units and is around a three-minute walk from the centre of Vila do Gerês. The units include equipped kitchens and there are options with enough space for families, including additional beds or sofa beds for children. During the summer, guests can use the swimming pool.
The property can also provide some baby equipment upon request, such as a travel cot, high chair and other accessories.
Best for:
· Families who want to stay close to Vila do Gerês
· Anyone who prefers having a house or apartment rather than a hotel room
· Families who need a kitchen
· Anyone who wants to combine nature with easy access to services
· Families with babies or young children
What to expect:
🏡 Independent accommodation units
🍳 Equipped kitchen
🏊 Swimming pool
🚗 Parking
👶 Some baby equipment available on request
🌿 Close to both nature and Vila do Gerês
Why we like it for families: it gives you more independence. You can prepare meals, organise the day at your own pace and return to a more home-like space after a full day of exploring.
For Families Who Want River Days & Summer Adventures
If your idea of a Gerês holiday includes spending plenty of time by the water, this is an important category to consider.
During the warmer months, a trip to Gerês doesn’t have to be all about trails and waterfalls.
You can alternate days of exploring with slower days, spend time by the reservoir, swim and simply let the children enjoy being outdoors.
In that case, it makes sense to look for accommodation where water is genuinely part of the experience.
Our Pick: Gerês Villas
Gerês Villas offers equipped apartments, an outdoor swimming pool and direct access to the Gerês Reservoir. There are T1 and T2 options, which can work well for different family sizes.
Some of the accommodation units include equipped kitchens, balconies and outdoor spaces, making the stay more flexible than a traditional hotel room.
Best for:
· Summer holidays
· Families who want to spend time in the water
· Anyone who prefers apartments
· Families who want to prepare some meals
· Anyone who likes alternating exploration with relaxing days
What to expect:
💧 Direct access to the reservoir
🏊 Outdoor swimming pool
🏠 T1 and T2 apartments
🍳 Equipped kitchen
🔥 Barbecue facilities in some units
🌄 Reservoir views
Why we like it for families: it allows the accommodation itself to become part of the holiday. You don’t necessarily have to go out looking for an activity every single day.
For Families Who Just Want to Relax
Not every family goes to Gerês with a list of waterfalls to visit.
Sometimes, the goal is simply to get away from the city.
Sleep well.
Breathe fresh air.
Let the children enjoy a swimming pool.
And not have a schedule from morning until night.
For this kind of trip, we looked for something that combines nature, comfort and space to simply do nothing for a few hours.
Our Pick: Retiro do Gerês
Retiro do Gerês is located in the village of Fafião and presents itself as accommodation surrounded by nature, with suites and private dormitory options. The property has an outdoor swimming pool, garden, jacuzzi and sauna, while trails, waterfalls and natural pools are nearby.
The outdoor pool is available during spring and summer.
Best for:
· Families who want to switch off
· Anyone looking for a more peaceful experience
· Families with older children
· Anyone who wants to combine a few outings with plenty of time to relax
· Anyone who prefers a village away from the busier areas
What to expect:
🏊 Outdoor swimming pool
🌿 Garden and nature
♨️ Jacuzzi
🔥 Sauna
🥾 Trails and waterfalls nearby
🏡 Village atmosphere
Why we like it for families: not every holiday needs to be a race to see everything. This kind of accommodation lets you choose a slower pace.
Our 3 Picks for Different Family Trips
If you don’t want to analyse every option, these would be our choices for three different experiences:
🧭 Best for Exploring
Hotel Lagoa Azul do Gerês
A well-balanced base for families who want to combine different experiences and explore several parts of the region.
💧 Best for Summer & Water
Gerês Villas
For families who want water to be part of the trip and like the freedom of staying in a fully equipped apartment.
🌿 Best for a More Relaxed Stay
Retiro do Gerês
For anyone looking for nature, tranquillity and a few less structured days.
Family Travel Tips for Gerês
Gerês is a fantastic destination for a family trip.
But it’s also a mountain region.
That means an apparently simple walk can involve rocks, uneven ground, uphill and downhill sections, water and slippery areas.
Before choosing an activity, always think about who is coming with you.
Don’t try to adapt a difficult hike to a child simply because you want to reach a waterfall.
And don’t assume that every waterfall or river beach is suitable for every age group.
Before leaving your accommodation:
· 🔋 Fully charge your phone
· 🔌 Bring a power bank if you’re spending the day out
· 💧 Take enough water
· 🥪 Bring food or snacks
· 👟 Wear suitable footwear
· 🧥 Check the weather conditions
· 🗺️ Check the route before setting off
· ⏰ Plan to return before dark
If you’re going on a trail, also check out our guide:
The Best Trails in Gerês
There you’ll find different types of routes, including options that may be better suited to families and people who aren’t looking for long or particularly demanding hikes.
Travelling With Babies or Young Children
If you’re travelling with a baby or very young child, think about the logistics before booking.
A beautiful accommodation in the mountains may not be the best choice if you’ll need to spend a lot of time driving every day.
Check:
· whether a cot is available;
· whether a high chair can be requested;
· whether there is a kitchen or kitchenette;
· whether access is easy;
· whether there are stairs;
· whether you’ll need to bring a pushchair;
· whether parking is available nearby;
· where the nearest supermarkets and restaurants are.
And remember:
not every Gerês experience needs to involve hours of walking.
There are also scenic roads, villages, viewpoints and places where you can simply park, walk for a few minutes and enjoy the landscape.
The Digrexo Rule
When travelling as a family, don’t try to do everything.
Gerês is too big to explore completely in a single trip — and, honestly, you’ll probably enjoy it much more if you don’t try.
Choose an area that makes sense for your family.
Pick a few experiences you genuinely want to have.
And leave some room to change your plans.
Maybe you’ll discover a river beach where the children want to stay longer.
Maybe the weather will change.
Maybe you’ll simply all wake up tired and decide to spend the morning by the pool.
And that’s part of the trip too.
The best family trip isn’t the one where you see everything.
It’s the one everyone actually enjoys.
Explore More
· Where to Stay in Gerês With Your Dog
· The Best Trails in Gerês
· The Waterfalls of Gerês You Shouldn’t Miss
· Where to Stay in Gerês for Hiking & Nature
· The Best Places to Stay in Gerês for a Relaxing Escape
