INFORMATION
Entrance to Espiunca of Paiva Walkways is temporarily closed. Areinho - Vau section available. It will be possible to leave by taxi/jeep at Vau, but it will not be possible to enter at this point. The return from Vau to the starting point, via the walkway, will be authorized as long as it is done within the infrastructure's operating hours.
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Located in the heart of the Paiva valley, close to the Paiva Walkways and part of the AROUCA UNESCO Global Geopark, the 516 Arouca - Suspension Bridge connects the two banks of the Paiva River. It is 516 m long, 1.20 m wide and made up of 127 metal railing decks and steel cables, and has the capacity to support 2,000 people simultaneously. Towering 175 m above the River Paiva, it is an exciting way to look at the Paiva region, its walkways and all the natural beauty of the Arouca Geopark, and is one of the largest pedestrian suspension bridges in the world.

Departure: Areinho / Alvarenga
Distance: 516m (linear)
Average Duration: 1h00
Level of Difficulty: Medium
Recommended season: All year round

SCHEDULES:
April and October: 9:30 | 11:00 | 13:00 | 14:30 | 16:00 | 17:30*
May to September: 8:30 | 10:00 | 11:30 | 14:00 | 15:30 | 17:00 | 18:30*
November to March: 9:30 | 11:00 | 14:00 | 15:30*
 
*If you choose the last time to visit the bridge, and if you want to visit the Paiva Walkways, you must visit them before visiting the bridge.
 
Terms of use
Rules for using the 516 Arouca - Suspension Bridge
Contribute to the smooth running of the infrastructure:
• Bring comfortable shoes and clothing. Slippers and high-heeled shoes are not allowed;
• On hotter days and when you're exposed to the sun, make sure you drink water and put on sunscreen;
• Show up at the place marked as the meeting point 15 minutes before the time of your reservation. If you are late for your visit, you have a 15-minute grace period. Once this time has elapsed, entry to 516 Arouca will not be permitted;
• Make sure you have your access ticket to 516 Arouca with you. If you don't bring your ticket with you, you may be denied entry;
• The booking confirmation email does not replace the bridge ticket.
• If you are accompanied by children, make sure that crossing the 516 Arouca does not cause them anxiety;
• Keep an eye on the children in your care;
• Follow the official guidelines, the signs for each location and the directions given by the staff;
• Please keep your belongings with you during your visit. The Municipality will not be held responsible for any dropped or damaged items;
• Don't put your hands at the junction of the decks to avoid hurting yourself when the bridge swings;
• Please bring your ID card and/or student card with you. The on-site team reserves the right to request these documents whenever necessary consider;
• Don't take bulky backpacks onto the bridge (maximum size allowed: 40cm x 20cm x 25cm);
• Contact our staff whenever you need clarification or if you detect any irregularities;
• Contribute to ensuring good traffic conditions.

Prohibited:
• Entry for children under 6;
• Baby carriage entrance;
• Cycling or electric mobility vehicles;
• Pets not allowed;
• Entering the bridge with bulky and heavy backpacks/bags;
• Entering in flip-flops, high-heeled shoes or other footwear that is considered inappropriate;
• Entry with umbrellas on the bridge;
• Entry by anyone showing signs of drunkenness or apparent mental abnormality;
• Climb up and sit on the bridge railings;
• Sit or lie down on the bridge deck;
• Hang from the arches;
• Smoking, eating or drinking during the visit, except water;
• Attaching any type of object to the bridge structure;
• Writing, drawing or any other activity that damages the structure of the bridge;
• Throwing objects or other materials;
• Remain on the bridge after the end of the visit;
• Any drone filming. For this purpose, prior authorization must be requested from the Arouca City Council, which manages the bridge, by e-mail: comunicacao@cm-arouca.pt


Cancellations and refunds:
• Cancellations can be refunded with a penalty of 50% of the fare charged.
• Cancellations must be made up to 48 hours before the day of the visit. In other words, no cancellations will be accepted the day before the visit;
• If entry to 516 Arouca is not permitted due to non-compliance with the above rules, the visitor will not be entitled to a refund.
• Rebookings are allowed with an extra payment of 25% of the entrance fee, subject to availability;
• Reschedules must be made up to 48 hours before the originally scheduled day. In other words, rescheduling the day before the originally scheduled day is not accepted.
• A reservation can only be rebooked once and the amount paid for the rebooking is non-refundable.
• For a reservation that has already been rebooked, the general cancellation conditions apply to the amount initially paid.
• Failure to show up on the day and time booked will result in the total loss of the ticket purchased;
• If 516 Arouca closes for reasons of force majeure, such as high fire risk alerts, rain and strong winds with gusts of more than 40km/h, thunderstorms, or any other reason that justifies it, the user may:
• Reschedule your visit at no extra cost, within one year, on a date of your choice (subject to availability);
• Request a full refund. If you opt for a refund, you must request it within ten working days of the date of the visit. Requests with a later date will not be accepted. To request your rescheduling, please contact the Arouca Interactive Tourism Store through 256 940 258 or turismo@cm-arouca.pt.

Ticket changes:
It is not possible to change the type of ticket purchased. In other words, child, youth, student or senior tickets, since they cost less, cannot be changed to adult tickets. The same applies to family packs. Once you have purchased a family pack, you cannot change the child ticket to an adult ticket or senior. It is not possible to partially refund a family pack, i.e. only the entire pack will be refunded.

Additional information:
• It is not possible to change the invoice details. Please validate them beforehand;
• Groups of more than 25 people should contact the Arouca Geopark Interactive Tourism Store (turismo@cm-arouca.pt or (+) 351 256 940 258);
• The Municipality of Arouca reserves the right to use the email contacts and visitor's telephone/mobile phone for communication purposes directly related to 516 Arouca;
• The access ticket to 516 Arouca includes entry to the Paiva Walkways, as long as the visit takes place on the same day. If you choose the last time to visit the 516 Arouca, and if you want to do the Walkways, you must visit the even before that visit to the bridge.
 
Useful contacts:
Arouca Interactive Tourism Store
(+) 351 256 940 258 | turismo@cm-arouca.pt

Opening hours:
09:00 to 12:30 and 14:00 to 17:30 (weekdays)
09:30 to 13:00 and 14:00 to 17:30 (weekends and holidays)