The Portuguese Environment Agency (APA) conducted inspections in August and September this year at 29 Algarve beaches in municipalities with either reported irregularities or a history of such occurrences, stated APA President José Pimenta Machado.
Among the findings were two beaches in Castro Marim and in Albufeira where public access was restricted or prohibited. Additional violations by concessionaires included the misuse of mandatory lifeguard stations as storage for concession products, restrooms closed or restricted to concession customers (as seen at Monte Gordo beach), and instances of dirt and piled-up trash around beach support areas.
Pimenta Machado reminded that access to restrooms should be universal and, along with operational lifeguard posts, are critical factors in beach concession approvals.
At Tremoços Beach — VilaVita (Lagoa), the illegal occupation of the sand with unlicensed umbrellas from the establishment was discovered, with nearly all the umbrellas installed in a risk area close to cliffs marked as dangerous.
In Armação de Pêra (Silves), there was excessive sand occupation, surpassing licensed areas, and at other beaches in Portimão, such as Rocha, Alvor, and Prainha, unauthorized vending was found occupying the sand and “using cliffs as displays.”
Several Algarve beaches exhibited “discrepancies in the understanding regarding possible occupations with umbrellas in front of licensed areas, reducing the free area for other users,” APA indicated.
“Concessions are assigned to occupy a specific space. They cannot limit or prevent someone from placing an umbrella in front of the concessioned area. We will need to correct these situations,” added Pimenta Machado.
The APA also found generally insufficient or unclear signage and requested the Institute of Lifeguards to review and adjust signs for clarity.
The APA President emphasized the need to empower municipalities, especially those with fewer resources, to fulfill their beach management responsibilities in line with regulations and legislation.
Regarding detected infractions, approximately ten complaints were issued, and offenders have been or are being notified. “Consideration will be given to whether they voluntarily corrected the situation when determining fines,” he stated.
Environment Minister Maria da Graça Carvalho announced that inspections next year will focus on beaches in the central Portugal region and those in the Ourique municipality (Beja), where the local government noted some weaknesses.
Maria da Graça Carvalho also highlighted that the government is exploring the establishment of “flexible teams” of lifeguards for off-season beaches, “to assist more frequented beaches throughout the year during good weather conditions.”
The APA noted that Portugal has 673 bathing waters, 404 of which were awarded the blue flag in 2025.
July (5% of beaches) and August (7%) were the months with the most bathing areas subject to swimming restrictions due to “increased pressure” during these times.
Examples include the swimming bans at Matosinhos beach due to contamination, at Vieira beach (Marinha Grande) due to a severe malfunction at the Monte Real Pumping Station, Nazaré beach was closed three times this year, and a pipeline rupture caused swimming bans at four beaches in Albufeira.
