In 2018, the Algarve has another Blue Flag beach: Pintadinho, in the municipality of Lagoa, regained the award it had lost last year. With 89 distinguished beaches (one more than in 2017), the Algarve is once again the region in the country where more beaches will display this seal of quality.
Albufeira is again the county in the country with the most awarded beaches, in a total of 25, followed, in the region, by Vila do Bispo, with 11, and Loulé, with 10 (see the complete list below).
In the Algarve, the marinas of Albufeira, Lagos, Portimão and Vilamoura, as last year, were also distinguished.
Across the country, including the Azores and Madeira, the Blue Flag will be flown this year on 332 beaches, 12 more attributions than in 2017. Of the 332 beaches, located in 86 municipalities, 299 are coastal beaches and 33 river beaches.
In the North, the 73 beaches (three more than in 2017) receive the award, in the Center 39 (three more than in 2017), in the Tagus region the 48 beaches were maintained, in the Alentejo 32 (+1), in the Algarve 89 (+1), in the Azores 37 (three more than in 2017) and in Madeira 14 (+1).
In relation to 2017, there are 12 new beaches, nine beaches re-entered the list and only one came out, Poço dos Frades, in the Azores. In the list, there are also 4 new beaches, among them Praia Fluvial de Mourão, which makes the Alentejo county's debut among the distinguished.
The beaches of Azul/Conchinha and Boa Nova/Senhora, in the North, Louçaínha, in the Center, Pintadinho, in the Algarve, once again receive the award, Piscinas do Cais, Santo António, Quatro Ribeiras and Silveira, in the Azores, and Ribeira Brava, in the Wood.
José Carlos Rolo, mayor of Albufeira, which is the country's record holder, highlights that this is excellent news for his municipality. The mayor stresses “that this recognition is very important for the visibility it gives us at national and international level, but on the other hand it represents an added responsibility in order to maintain this level of excellence. Year after year we have been setting the bar higher and higher, for which we have counted on the commitment of the Executive, the Municipality's employees and all entities with responsibilities on the coastline, who work in close coordination so that the county continues to be recognized for its environmental quality'.
According to the Blue Flag Association, more than 55% of the national beaches suitable for bathing will this year raise the Blue Flag.
The Blue Flag is an environmental award awarded annually to beaches, marinas and recreational ports that meet a set of criteria for environmental management, environmental education, information, bathing water quality, services and user safety.
In Portugal, the award is developed by Associação Bandeira Azul, Portuguese section of the Foundation for Environmental Education, and has the technical support of the Portuguese Environment Agency, among other public and private entities with responsibilities in the management of beaches, marinas and marinas .
List of Beaches awarded the Blue Flag in 2018
ALBUFEIRA (25)
Germans
Arrifs
Aveiro
tees
Castle
rabbit
Evaristo
Cliff / Rooftops
Cliff/Alfamar
East Galley
West Galley
innate
Manuel Lourenco
Maria Luisa
water eyes
Oura
Oura-East
peeco
Fishermen
Little Rock
Low Rock / Spring
Small Rock/West
S. Rafael
Savory food items
Saint eulalia
BISHOP'S VILLAGE (11)
Almadena/Old Cabins
Bunk bed
burgau
castle
cordama
ingrin
mistletoe
Martinhal
Salema
Tonel
Zavial
LOULÉ (10)
Almargem
elder
strong new
Nascent Garrão
West Garron
Loulé Old
Quarteira
Quinta do Lago
Vale do Lobo
Vilamoura
POND (7)
Caners
Carvoeiro
Ferragudo/Praia Grande
Lady of the Rock
speckled (new/reenters the list)
Valley of Hundreds
olive valley
LAKES (6)
French Fries
Camilo
Mrs. Ana
Luz
Port of Mós
Meia Praia
Portimão (5)
Alvor Nascent/Three Brothers
sunset dawn
Rocha
three castles
Woof
ALJEZUR (4)
Mulberry-Mar (new)
Arrifana
Monte Cleric
odeceixe-sea
FARO (4)
Barred
Breech-Sea
Faro-Sea
island of Farol-Sea
TAVIRA (4)
Barril
Cabanas-Sea
Tavira-Mar Island
Narrow Land
Vila Real de Santo António (4)
Burbot
Manta Rota
Monte Gordo
Santo António
EYE (4)
armona sea
Armona Ria (new)
Fuseta Sea
Fuseta Ria
CASTRO MARIM (3)
Alagoa/Height
Head
Praia Verde
SILVES (2)
Armação de Pêra
Great West Beach
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