Algarve beaches awarded 86 flags in 2022.

The Algarve continues to be the region with the most Blue Flags in Portugal, with 86 beaches and four marinas being awarded the coveted accolade in 2022.

Every beach in the Algarve maintained its Blue Flag from last year apart from Lagos’ D. Ana beach, which was left off the 2022 list. The reason has not been explained, although the beach – once considered one of the most beautiful in the world – has faced its fair share of controversy in recent years over a far-from-consensual sand replenishment project.

Meanwhile, the marinas in Lagos, Portimão, Albufeira and Vilamoura have retained their flags.

The national tally of Blue Flags awarded to beaches, marinas and boats has increased to 431 – 32 more than last year and “nearly 15 times higher than the number 25 years ago,” said José Archer, president of the Blue Flag association (ABAE), on Thursday in Cascais.

“Thirty-five years after hoisting the first Blue Flag here in the borough of Cascais, we announce the attribution of Blue Flags to 393 beaches, 18 marinas and 20 ecotourism boats,” he added.

The Blue Flag is an accolade awarded by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) to beaches, marinas and sustainable boating tourism operators.

“In order to qualify for the Blue Flag, a series of stringent environmental, educational, safety and accessibility criteria must be met and maintained,” the official Blue Flag website states.

In other words, the flag aims to show beachgoers that the beaches, marinas and boating tourism operators that have been awarded the accolade have high environmental and safety standards.

Here is the list of Blue Flag beaches in the Algarve, from west to east:
Aljezur: Odeceixe-Mar, Amoreira-Mar, Monte Clérigo and Arrifana
Vila do Bispo: Cordoama, Beliche, Castelejo, Tonel, Mareta, Martinhal, Ingrina, Zavial, Salema, Almádena – Cabanas Velha and Burgau
Lagos: Luz, Porto de Mós, Meia Praia
Portimão: Alvor Poente, Alvor Nascente, Vau, Três Castelos, Rocha and Marina
Lagoa: Ferragudo, Caneiros, Carvoeiro, Vale Centeanes, Senhora da Rocha and Vale do Olival
Silves: Armação de Pêra and Praia Grande Poente
Albufeira: Salgados, Galé-Oeste, Galé-Este, Manuel Lourenço, Evaristo, Castelo, Coelha, São Rafael, Arrifes, Peneco, Pescadores, Alemães, Inatel, Aveiros, Oura, Oura-Leste, Santa Eulália, Maria Luísa, Olhos D’Água, Belharucas, Falésia Açoteias, Falésia Alfamar, Rocha Baixinha Poente, Rocha Baixinha and Rocha Baixinha Nascente.
Loulé: Vilamoura, Quarteira, Forte Novo, Almargem, Loulé Velho, Vale do Lobo, Garrão-Poente, Garrão-Nascente, Ancão and Quinta do Lago
Faro: Faro-Mar, Barreta, Ilha do Farol-Mar and Culatra-Mar
Olhão: Armona-Mar, Armona-Ria, Fuseta-Mar and Fuseta-Ria
Tavira: Barril, Terra Estreita, Ilha de Tavira-Mar and Cabanas-Mar
Castro Marim: Praia Verde, Cabeço and Alagoa-Altura
Vila Real de Santo António: Manta Rota, Lota, Monte Gordo and Santo António

in "AlgarveResident"