In the most expected season of the year, the summer, the subject is beaches, of course!
Portugal, one of the most sought-after countries in Europe, precisely for its numerous and beautiful beaches, has stood out for its attention on the preservation of the environment.
The Blue Flag Program is an education program for environmental development promoted by the European association that bears the same name – ABAZ – Blue Flag Association of Europe.
Portugal now with 372 beaches, maintaining 6th place, considering the total number of Blue Flags already allocated. The 372 beaches are located by 98 municipalities, of which 5 have beaches for the first time. The municipalities are:
- Fafe – Beach: Albufeira da Queimadela
- Oleiros – Beach: Açude do Pinto
- Óbidos – Bom Sucesso e Rei Cortiço
- Avis – Clube Naval de Avis
- Beja – Cinco Reis (Five Kings)
And Madeira, which reenters the program with Calheta Beach.
Applications for the Blue Flag Program have increased. And this represents a vote of confidence and recognition for the work that is developed by ABAE. That in addition to the Blue Flag program, develops another 6 (six) programs aimed at protecting the environment.
Let’s get to know a little about the 12 award-winning beaches:
1 – Luziamar or Luzia Mar Beach – (Praia de Luziamar ou Luzia Mar)
Where it is: Viana do Castelo
An oceanic beach located on the coast of Portugal, whose access is made by a walkway that crosses a forest area until you reach the sand.
Source/more details
2 – Albufeira da Queimadela
Where it is: Fafe Municipality
Supplied by the waters of the Vizela River, it is a beach accessible to all mainly for its infrastructure of leisure and sports practice.
Source/more details
Photo Copyright: [email protected] manuelmeira
3 – Fluvial do Rebolim Beach – (Praia Fluvial do Rebolim)
Where it is: Portela – Coimbra
It was once a well-kept secret for some and today it is awarded the Blue Flag. With many trees around it offers a calm and quiet environment for living with family, friends, or alone, yes, a perfect ecosystem to put reading and thoughts up to time.
Source/more details
4 – Praia Fluvial do Clube Naval de Avis
Where it is: Avis
The strong point of this river beach is the fact that it is a complex with assorted leisure infrastructure with more than 20 items.
Source/more details
5 – Alvares Beach (Praia de Alvares)
Where it is: Alvares – Coimbra
Natural space in the center of the village of Alvares, a quiet place with abundant shadows. Bar to support bathers, parking easy access.
Source/more details
6 – Açude do Pinto Beach – (Praia Açude do Pinto)
Where it is: Oleiros
Since 1996 to receive works and improvements. It is possible to fish, to do sport. Very close to Oleiros Camping can mean an invitation to moments of relaxation among the trees and fresh air.
Source/more details 1
9 – Cortiço King Beach
Where it is: Óbidos
With an extensive sand band, it contemplates two streams. It offers support parking.
10 – Five Kings Beach (Praia Cinco Reis)
Where it is: Beja
A beach is also accessible for people with reduced mobility.
It has bathing season 2021 from 10 June to 30 September, with a leisure area on the beach, huts, and sun loungers. It has a center of nautical activities such as canoeing, stand-up paddle, and others).
On the website of the Beja Chamber is possible to know more details.
11 – Morro Beach (Praia do Morro)
Where it is: Povoação
With extensive sand band and waters in perfect conditions for bathing. It offers an infrastructure with changing rooms and bathrooms.
12 – Poças da Ribeira Grande Beach – (Praia Poças da Ribeira Grande)
Where it is: São Miguel Island – Azores
This beach allows the practice of sports such as surfing and bodyboarding, as well as support infrastructure such as changing rooms, toilets, indoor and outdoor showers, bar service, surveillance, and parking for 100 seats.
How do the Blue Flag beaches work?
A world-renowned award trusted by millions around the globe, the Blue Flag program is operated under the auspices of the Foundation for Environmental Education and is headquartered in Copenhagen, Denmark. In order to qualify for this prestigious award, a series of stringent environmental, educational, safety-related, and access-related criteria must be met and maintained. Through close collaboration with our members on any and all issues they may have, the Foundation for Environmental Education works tirelessly to ensure the program’s expansion, and that the unrivaled standards of the Blue Flag are maintained internationally.
The Blue Flag Program is an education program for sustainable development, promoted in Portugal by the Blue Flag Europe Association, the Portuguese section of the Foundation for Environmental Education.
The Blue Flag is a symbol of quality that distinguishes the effort of various entities to make possible the coexistence of local development together with respect for the environment, raising the level of awareness of citizens in general, decision-makers in particular, to the need to protect the marine, coastal and lacustrine environment.
A symbol of environmental quality awarded annually to river and coastal beaches that apply for the award and that meet a set of criteria. The Blue Flag Program Criteria for beaches are divided into 4 groups: Information and Environmental Education; Water quality; Environmental Management and Equipment; Security and Services.
Portugal ABAE: https://bandeiraazul.abae.pt/sobre/
International Blue Flag: https://www.blueflag.global/our-programme
Why should tourists use these beaches?
Precisely because it is an education program for sustainable development at an international level, with well-founded criteria. Which currently includes in Portugal alone 372 Beaches, 16 Marinas, and 11 Ecotourism Boats.
How does it impact the environment?
The program is specially created to mitigate/reduce the impacts of human actions on the environment.
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