The Algarve will again fly the most Blue Flags in Portugal, with 88 beaches and four marinas receiving the coveted seal of quality in 2019.
The total number has fallen from 88 to 87, however, as Lagoa’s Praia do Pintadinho lost its ‘Blue Flag status’.
The marinas in Lagos, Portimão, Albufeira and Vilamoura have also retained their flags while the Algarve will be hosting 125 environmental education activities throughout 2019, one of the key factors that determine whether a Blue Flag is awarded.
On a national level, Portugal will be flying a record 352 flags – 20 more than in 2018.
Most of the Blue Flags were awarded to coastal beaches and marinas (317) while the remainder went to river beaches.
Catarina Gonçalves, national coordinator of the Blue Flag programme, explained the most important factors that determine whether a location is deserving of a Blue Flag.
“First, it is information and environmental education, which for us is fundamental. Second it is the quality of the water, third the services and equipment and fourth safety,” she said at the press conference held in Lisbon which revealed this year’s winners.
Here’s the list of every Blue Flag beach in the Algarve, starting from west to east:
• Aljezur: Odeceixe-Mar, Amoreira Mar, Monte Clérigo and Arrifana
• Vila do Bispo: Cordoama, Beliche, Castelejo, Tonel, Mareta, Martinhal, Ingrina, Zavial, Salema, Almádena – Cabanas Velha and Burgau
• Lagos: Luz, Porto de Mós, Camilo, D. Ana, Batata, Meia Praia
• Portimão: Alvor Poente, Alvor Nascente – Três Irmãos, Vau, Três Castelos and Rocha
• Lagoa: Ferragudo, Caneiros, Carvoeiro, Vale Centeanes, Senhora da Rocha and Vale do Olival
• Silves: Armação de Pêra and Praia Grande Poente
• Albufeira: Salgados, Galé-Oeste, Galé-Este, Manuel Lourenço, Evaristo, Castelo, Coelha, São Rafael, Arrifes, Peneco, Pescadores, Alemães, Inatel, Aveiros, Oura, Oura-Leste, Santa Eulália, Maria Luísa, Olhos D’Água, Belharucas, Falésia Açoteias, Falésia Alfamar, Rocha Baixinha Poente, Rocha Baixinha and Rocha Baixinha Nascente.
• Loulé: Vilamoura, Quarteira, Forte Novo, Almargem, Loulé Velho, Vale do Lobo, Garrão-Poente, Garrão-Nascente, Ancão and Quinta do Lago
• Faro: Faro-Mar, Barreta, Ilha do Farol-Mar and Culatra-Mar
• Olhão: Armona-Mar, Armona-Ria, Fuseta-Mar and Fuseta-Ria
• Tavira: Barril, Terra Estreita, Ilha de Tavira-Mar and Cabanas-Mar
• Castro Marim: Praia Verde, Cabeço and Alagoa-Altura
• Vila Real de Santo António: Manta Rota, Lota, Monte Gordo and Santo António
The full list of Blue Flag locations in Portugal can be found online (here).
