Algarve once again region with most Blue Flags in Portugal

Portugal will be flying Blue Flags at 360 beaches this year, with the Algarve once again standing out as the region with the most flags (87).

Following the Algarve are the north (76), the Tejo region (57), the centre (46), the Azores (42), Alentejo (36) and Madeira (16).

The total number in the Algarve has fallen, however, compared to last year. While Portimão Marina beach received its first flag, Batata and Camilo beaches in Lagos have lost theirs.

All other beaches in the region retain their Blue Flags this year.

On a national level, the number is up from 352 to 360 with several beaches joining the list this year: Castelo do Queijo and Árvore, in the north; Pedrogão Sul and Mâmoa, in the centre; Caxias, Paço d’ Arcos and Foz do Sizandro, in the Tejo region; Praia da Amieira, Alqueva, Alentejo; Sargentos, in the Azores; and Banda D’Além, in Madeira.

Here’s the list of Blue Flag beaches in the Algarve, 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, D. Ana, Meia Praia

• Portimão: Alvor Poente, Alvor Nascente – Três Irmãos, Vau, Três Castelos, Rocha and Marina

• 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

michael.bruxo@algarveresident.com