Blue flags galore – Portugal beaches

16/5/2009

This year 266 beaches on mainland Portugal, Madeira and the Azores will hoist the sought after ‘Blue Flag’, said José Archer, President of the Blue Flag Association.

This means 30 more beaches than last year have achieved the high standards necessary to be awarded a ‘Blue Flag’. Of those 30 beaches, 20 were first-time candidates and a further 25 re-applied after not making the cut last year, 15 of which saw their award revoked.

However, a number of beaches also lost their flags this year, the majority of which were through lack of safety.

To fly a ‘Blue Flag’, which can only be hoisted from June to September, beaches must comply with 29 different criteria, including indicators of hygiene, water quality, natural beauty and safety.

By region, the Algarve has the most number of ‘Blue Flag Beaches’, with 54 acclaimed areas of the coastline.

For the first time, Faro Ria, Camilo beach (Lagos) and Fuzeta Ria (Olhão) are amongst these.

Source, The Portugal news