Get ready for one of the most fun – and colorful – fighting games ever, which promises to bring all your friends together on a battlefield with paintballs flying over your head... if you can hide very well! If you’re looking for adventure and adrenaline, paintball is clearly the most spectacular and exciting option for team play.
But we’d like to warn you right now – in the words of someone who’s a big fan of this leisure activity – that, as well as being fun and exciting, it’s an addictive sport because of the adrenaline rush it offers.
And we’re sure you’ ll never forget your first bruise, which will be the talk of your friends for two weeks.
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The rules of paintball
Playing a paintball session may seem like a simple exchange of paintballs between two teams, but the truth is that it requires some strategy and even dexterity from its participants, who often end the sessions exhausted… but undoubtedly very happy, when they win, of course!
Before they are actual rules, these tips serve to ensure the safety of all players, since the small, fast paintballs can actually leave some bruises on the players, which makes the game even funnier, since after they have finished playing, all the players count them, much to the delight of all the participants.
In each of these fields you will have a person responsible who will inform you of these and other rules. To wit:
- The protective mask should NEVER come off your head/face (except in designated safe areas): this is the only way to protect the most sensitive parts of your body, such as your eyes and face.
- You should wear clothing that is suitable for paintballing: although the paint is washable, wearable clothing is recommended, preferably with long sleeves and long pants, to protect you from these balls. Overalls are the ideal choice, if possible.
- It’s not allowed to “pick up” balls from the ground: it’s true, you’ll often have this temptation, but doing so can damage your marker (ball gun) and thus leave you without a shot.
- Prevents improper shooting: as we’ve already mentioned, paintballs can hurt when shot from too close. So avoid shooting at people who are watching or at close range at players. And once someone shouts “I’m dead”, you avoid spending one of the precious colored balls.
- If you get hit, protect the barrel of the marker: you can also raise it above your head and try to leave the playing area as soon as possible so you don’t get caught in the crossfire.
These are just some of the rules you must respect to make a paintball session fun and fair for all participants, ensuring that they all enjoy a rewarding and, above all, safe experience.
Game modes
As for the game modes, we believe that the most fun will be had by everyone. Our suggestion is that you try these three and then choose the one that was most exciting for everyone.
There are several basic types of paintballgames, but we’re only going to list three that guarantee a lot of fun:
- Speed: is the most accessible mode for those who are playing for the first time and is characterized by fast games, usually on smaller fields and with obstacles. This mode requires speed and quick strategy.
- Scenario: is a game mode based on simulations of historical events, movies or even video games. The fields are generally larger and more complex, with many natural and artificial obstacles to add realism to the experience. In this mode, it’s strategy that wins, and it’s spectacular to be immersed in the scenery.
- Capture the Flag: or “Catch the Flag”, which is one of paintball‘ s most popular game modes, where two teams are asked to try to catch the flag placed on their opponent’s base post, then return to their base. Whoever manages to do so wins the session, which requires a lot of strategy and daring.
Now that we’ve made our introductions, let’s find out where you can apply these rules and ways of playing Paintball in Lisbon and the surrounding area.
Megacamp
The Megacampo lives up to its name, as it is considered the largest Paintball field in the Iberian Peninsula and is located in Sobral da Abelheira, in the municipality of Mafra, just 30 minutes from Lisbon.
With 40 hectares of land, it offers an authentic immersion in nature, with cinematic game maps, creative activities and exemplary assistance, so you always feel protected.
The options for playing paintball range from 8 to 80 years old, including mini paintball for the kids and Commando, Ranger, Swat, Elite and Immortal modes for the older players, each of these options in properly configured fields to entertain any enthusiast of the sport, as well as those who have never tried it.
At this paintball park you’ll find exclusively biodegradable balls, which also reflects the park’s concern for environmental issues.
Address: Avenida do Megacampo (Lugar da Romã, Sobral da Abelheira, Mafra)
Opening hours: every day from 9.30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 5.30 p.m
Prices and reservations: on website
Ambush Adventure Park
Our friends in Porto are also lucky enough to have an Ambush Adventure Park to enjoy some colorful shooting up north. In Lisbon it’s at Monsanto Forest Park and offer experiences for all ages.
The park’s Paintball pack allows team games with a minimum of 10 players, with a gift of 100 balls (€19.95 per person), 300 balls (€26 per person) or 400 balls (€30 per person), including a 68 caliber marker and a protective vest and mask.
Access is available to all of Emboscada Parque Aventura’s camps, which are divided into three scenarios: Western, Toxic City and Factory. Which challenge will you choose first?
Address: Circunvalação Road (Alto da Cabreira, Monsanto)
Opening hours: every day from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m
Prices and reservations: on website
Sniper Adventure Park
The person writing these lines had his bachelor party here! That’s why we can truly say that this is one of the most fantastic parks for paintballing in Bucelas, about 45 minutes from Lisbon.
For groups of 10 people or more, the range of challenges on offer increases considerably, with tailor-made experiences for the most demanding, from climbing to abseiling and slides.
But since it was Paintball that brought you to this article, you should know that in Sniper Adventure Park you have access to seven incredible game scenarios, reminiscent of the world’s most dangerous conflict zones: Kosovo, Vietnam, Somalia, the Far West, Pristina, Iraq and Fortresses.
You also have the chance to play in normal daytime sessions (€19 per person) and nighttime sessions (€27.50 per person, between 9pm and midnight), which include a mask with thermal lens; semi-automatic gun; 100 balls and unlimited gas; referee/monitor service; explanatory briefing; civil liability and personal accident insurance; and access to the changing rooms.
Address: Quinta do Areeiro (Freixial, Bucelas)
Hours: every day from 10am to 7pm
Prices and reservations: on website
The list of fields to play Paintball in Lisbon or near the capital isn’t even that long, but we have to point out that each of these spaces offers a good range of challenges that will provide you with several hours of fun and adrenaline.
Each location will have its own special characteristics, as well as offers of activities and, of course, prices. So now it’s up to you to decide where you want to go first.
One thing we’re sure of, because we’ve been through this kind of experience, is that this game is a very special opportunity to build lasting memories between friends or even work colleagues, for example, through team buildings business.
7 ideas for building stronger bonds between friends or coworkers