The number of ‘Zero Pollution’ beaches in Portugal increased from 59 to 81
Environmental association ZERO has given 81 beaches in Portugal its ‘Zero Pollution’ quality stamp – an increase of 22 compared to 2024.
The designation, based on data from the Portuguese Environment Agency (APA), is awarded to beaches that achieved three consecutive years of “excellent” water quality, with no detectable pollution in key microbiological tests.
This year’s list covers 39 municipalities, with 55 beaches on the mainland, 20 in the Azores, and six in Madeira, making up 12% of the 673 officially classified bathing waters in Portugal. The Algarve, on the other hand, saw 14 of its beaches make the list.
Two inland beaches – Alqueidão and Montes, both in the municipality of Tomar – also made the list, a notable achievement as inland waters are much more vulnerable to microbiological contamination, ZERO explains.
In total, 41 new beaches joined the list this year, while 19 dropped off. Some municipalities joined the list for the first time – including Olhão, Peniche, Ílhavo, and Sines – and others like Leiria and Machico lost their’ Zero Pollution’ status.
While it praised Portugal’s progress, ZERO also urged APA to improve the information provided to beachgoers about which beaches are safe to visit. Thus, the association shared some tips: only swim in officially designated bathing areas, take your trash with you, and respect sensitive ecosystems like dunes and wetlands.
For Portugal to keep improving its results, ZERO also underlined the need for ongoing investments in urban wastewater treatment and river ecosystem protection.
Here’s the full list of ‘Zero Pollution’ beaches in Portugal:
Mainland Portugal (55 beaches)
- Alcobaça: Água de Madeiros, Légua, Pedra do Ouro, Polvoeira
- Aljezur: Odeceixe-Mar, Vale dos Homens, Vale Figueiras
- Caldas da Rainha: Praia do Mar
- Caminha: Forte do Cão
- Faro: Barreta, Culatra-Mar, Ilha do Farol-Mar
- Grândola: Aberta Nova, Atlântica, Camarinhas, Comporta, Melides, Pego, Tróia-Bico das Lulas
- Ílhavo: Costa Nova
- Lourinhã: Peralta
- Mafra: São Lourenço
- Matosinhos: Agudela
- Nazaré: Salgado
- Odemira: Alteirinhos
- Olhão: Armona-Ria, Fuseta-Mar
- Peniche: Consolação, Consolação Norte, São Bernardino
- Santiago do Cacém: Costa de Santo André
- Sesimbra: Bicas, Lagoa de Albufeira-Mar
- Sines: São Torpes
- Sintra: Grande
- Tavira: Barril, Ilha de Tavira-Mar, Terra Estreita
- Tomar (inland): Alqueidão, Montes (Castelo de Bode)
- Torres Vedras: Amanhã (Santa Cruz), Azul, Centro (Santa Cruz), Física (Santa Cruz), Foz do Sizandro-Mar, Mirante (Santa Cruz), Navio, Pisão (Santa Cruz), Santa Helena, Santa Rita-Norte, Santa Rita-Sul
- Viana do Castelo: Ínsua
- Vila do Bispo: Furnas, Ingrina, Zavial
Azores (20 beaches)
- Angra do Heroísmo: Baía do Refugo
- Horta: Fajã
- Lajes das Flores: Fajã Grande
- Lajes do Pico: Lajes (Maré), Manhenha, Pontes
- Madalena: Baixas, Cais Mourato
- Ponta Delgada: Milícias
- Povoação: Praia do Fogo (Ribeira Quente)
- Praia da Vitória: Biscoitos, Escaleiras
- Santa Cruz da Graciosa: Barro Vermelho
- São Roque do Pico: Furna de Santo António, Poças de São Roque
- Velas: Poça dos Frades, Preguiça-Velas
- Vila do Porto: Anjos, Formosa, Maia
Madeira (six beaches)
- Calheta: Portinho
- Porto Moniz: Porto do Seixal
- Porto Santo: Porto Santo-Cabeço da Ponta, Porto Santo-Calheta, Porto Santo-Lagoa
- Santa Cruz: Boaventura
