Photography: Jorge Matreno/ANSurfistas
The list of beaches, marinas and eco-tourist vessels that will be able to hoist the Blue Flag during the 2023 bathing season, which starts in June in Portugal, were recently announced.
Just like last year, in 2023 the beaches in the Municipality of Mafra distinguished with this award are the following: Algodio (North Beach), Baleia (South Beach), Foz do Lizandro-Mar, Calada’s Port, Ribeira d’Ilhas and São Lourenço.
Portugal totals 432 Blue Flag beaches
This year the Blue Flag reaches 394 river and coastal beaches in Portugal, a total that has only one more beach than in 2022. In addition to the beaches, blue flags were awarded to 17 marinas and 21 vessels, making a total of 432 locations awarded.
In full, 347 coastal beaches were awarded (four more than last year) and 47 in inland areas (three less). Although there has been a growing trend in 2022, the numbers do not reflect the same result this year, with more outs (12) than new entries (9), adding four re-entries: Boa Nova in the North, Infante in the Tagus , Carrapicho pools and beach, both in the Azores.
Surprisingly, for the first time, the North of the country reveals a greater number of Blue Flag beaches (87) than the Algarve – 85.
Altogether, there are 103 municipalities that will receive blue flags on their beaches, adding one in relation to the past year. Portugal ranks sixth in the world for the absolute number of blue flags.
The official ceremonies for raising the first Blue Flag will take place on the 1st of June at Praia do Mar, in Caldas da Rainha, for coastal beaches, on the 5th of June at Marina de Tróia, in Grândola, for the marinas, and on the 15th of June at Reconquinho, in Penacova, for the inland beaches.
Esta publicação também está disponível em | This article is also available in: Portuguese (Portugal)
