Portugal has 432 beaches, marinas and boats flying the Blue Flag this year, the award that distinguishes the bathing areas with the highest environmental quality and safety in the country. Of these, 394 are beaches and the North of the country has overtaken the Algarve in the number of blue flags hoisted on its beaches compared to last year
The North of the country has 87 beaches with the award for safety and environmental sustainability, of which 77 are coastal and ten river beaches. There are five more than last year. Merelim São Paio, in Braga, Praia dos Beijinhos, Pedras da Agudela and Boa Nova, in Matosinhos and Seca, in Espinho.
For all regions of the country, except the North, there were exits in the list released this Thursday. The Algarve, with 85 beaches, lost one, Beliche. In Tejo, Coruche and Sorraia won the award, but three others lost it. Janeiro de Baixo, Caxias and Paço de Arcos.
The Centre of the country has one more beach in total, but lost Piodão, Alvôco das Várzeas, Sandomil, Côja, Sra. da Piedade and Torrão do Lameiro. On the other hand, in this area, Esteiro de Ereira, Labrego, Cabedelo and Montemor o Velho enter the list. Finally, the Alentejo has 31 awards, one less than last year, in Morgável.
Márcia Vieira, from the National Coordination of the Blue Flag, highlights the successive increase of awards in the country over the years. Last year there were 32 more compared to 2021 and this year there was one more, which is justified by the "work of the municipalities that are aware that bathers increasingly seek these beaches for their excellence and safety".
The Blue Flag Programme has this year's theme of geodiversity, not only in the aquatic environment but also on the beach. "Do you know where you lay your towel?" is the slogan on which the promoters, municipalities, are challenged to know and work on the geodiversity of their beaches, encouraged to investigate their formation, to publicise and promote the geosites and above all to understand how fundamental it is to respect and preserve them.
The list of blue flags is completed with 17 marinas and 21 recreational boats. The award is based on the analysis of different evaluation criteria. These are the environmental information and education, the excellent quality of the water, the management of cleanliness of the beach and equipment, such as sanitary facilities or the promotion of public transport to the beach and safety and services, such as ramps for people with reduced mobility and lifeguards on the beaches.
Get to know the distinguished beaches here.
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