Way down south in Portugal lies the sun-soaked Algarve and on the southernmost tip of this lovely province are miles and miles of stunning beaches. Add the fact that this region enjoys over 300 days of sunshine each year, you can understand the area’s popularity. Enjoyed by Portuguese and expat residents all year round, the Algarve’s beaches are also famously popular with tourists from Portugal and across Europe.
73 Blue Flags for the Algarve
If you’ve walked the shores of the Algarve, you won’t be surprised to learn that sixty-nine of the region’s beaches and four of its marinas have been awarded the coveted Blue Flag for the coming summer season. An excellent achievement, as beaches and marinas throughout the world strive to attain this heady award each year and, in 2013, only 3,850 beaches and marinas across 46 countries actually made it.
Why did the Blue Flag concept catch on?
The concept of the Blue Flag was born in France in 1985 and for those of us old enough to remember the disgusting conditions of swimming in the seas, polluted with waste and sewage, this was a real breakthrough. French coastal municipalities were awarded with a Blue Flag for complying with all waste treatment and bathing water quality criteria. Swimming in the sea sans poop was a revolutionary idea, heartily welcomed by beach goers.
This proved such a success that in 1987, during the ‘European Year of the Environment’, the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) jumped on the bandwagon. They took over, included marinas and broadened and refined the criteria for obtaining a Blue Flag, eventually taking it worldwide.
How is a Blue Flag awarded?
The Blue Flag is awarded season to season, and beaches must meet 32 criteria in four categories:
► Environmental Education and Information
► Water Quality
► Environmental Management
► Safety and Services
Which Algarve beaches have a Blue Flag?
So, now we know what the Blue Flag stands for, we can go back to the glorious sunshine and fabulous sandy beaches and marinas of the Algarve where those 73 Blue Flags are flying. But how do you know where to go?
At Meravistayou can read various articles about the Algarve’s beaches including general information, Blue Flag and Safety, accessible beaches for those with reduced mobility and even details of the Algarve’s naturist beaches. Somewhat surprisingly, Portugal is very welcoming to naturists and sees naturists from across Europe come to enjoy the sun, sea and sand. (Watch out for those crevices!)
Meravista also offers a printable list of the Algarve’s Blue Flag beaches and marinas, where you can be assured of clean water, clean sand, good accessibility for the disabled, tanned life guards (although this isn’t a Blue Flag criterion) and all the necessary amenities that go to making a good, safe beach.
Click here to download a list of Algarve Blue Flag beaches and marinas.
Since the Algarve is only a short flight from most European cities, the location and the weather makes it the perfect place for a holiday, second home or retirement spot. Come and find out what all the excitement is about!
Does a Blue Flag make a difference when you’re choosing a beach? What things do you look for when deciding where to take your family & friends for a day out at the beach? We’d love to hear your feedback!
Brought to you by Meravista – the place where smart people search for Algarve property for sale.
Blue flags, beaches and the Algarve
by Sun’s Dragon
Way down south in Portugal lies the sun-soaked Algarve and on the southernmost tip of this lovely province are miles and miles of stunning beaches. Add the fact that this region enjoys over 300 days of sunshine each year, you can understand the area’s popularity. Enjoyed by Portuguese and expat residents all year round, the Algarve’s beaches are also famously popular with tourists from Portugal and across Europe.
73 Blue Flags for the Algarve
If you’ve walked the shores of the Algarve, you won’t be surprised to learn that sixty-nine of the region’s beaches and four of its marinas have been awarded the coveted Blue Flag for the coming summer season. An excellent achievement, as beaches and marinas throughout the world strive to attain this heady award each year and, in 2013, only 3,850 beaches and marinas across 46 countries actually made it.
Why did the Blue Flag concept catch on?
The concept of the Blue Flag was born in France in 1985 and for those of us old enough to remember the disgusting conditions of swimming in the seas, polluted with waste and sewage, this was a real breakthrough. French coastal municipalities were awarded with a Blue Flag for complying with all waste treatment and bathing water quality criteria. Swimming in the sea sans poop was a revolutionary idea, heartily welcomed by beach goers.
This proved such a success that in 1987, during the ‘European Year of the Environment’, the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) jumped on the bandwagon. They took over, included marinas and broadened and refined the criteria for obtaining a Blue Flag, eventually taking it worldwide.
How is a Blue Flag awarded?
The Blue Flag is awarded season to season, and beaches must meet 32 criteria in four categories:
► Environmental Education and Information
► Water Quality
► Environmental Management
► Safety and Services
Which Algarve beaches have a Blue Flag?
So, now we know what the Blue Flag stands for, we can go back to the glorious sunshine and fabulous sandy beaches and marinas of the Algarve where those 73 Blue Flags are flying. But how do you know where to go?
At Meravista you can read various articles about the Algarve’s beaches including general information, Blue Flag and Safety, accessible beaches for those with reduced mobility and even details of the Algarve’s naturist beaches. Somewhat surprisingly, Portugal is very welcoming to naturists and sees naturists from across Europe come to enjoy the sun, sea and sand. (Watch out for those crevices!)
Meravista also offers a printable list of the Algarve’s Blue Flag beaches and marinas, where you can be assured of clean water, clean sand, good accessibility for the disabled, tanned life guards (although this isn’t a Blue Flag criterion) and all the necessary amenities that go to making a good, safe beach.
Click here to download a list of Algarve Blue Flag beaches and marinas.
Since the Algarve is only a short flight from most European cities, the location and the weather makes it the perfect place for a holiday, second home or retirement spot. Come and find out what all the excitement is about!
Does a Blue Flag make a difference when you’re choosing a beach? What things do you look for when deciding where to take your family & friends for a day out at the beach? We’d love to hear your feedback!
Brought to you by Meravista – the place where smart people search for Algarve property for sale.