Latest news and stories about beaches in environment in Portugal for expats and residents.
Authorities are conducting significant sand replenishment operations on beaches in Costa da Caparica to improve safety and coastal protection. Meanwhile, the Algarve region has committed approximately 20 million euros toward similar artificial sand projects to support the upcoming bathing season.
The Inatel and Pescadores beaches in Albufeira were closed to swimming on Tuesday following a wastewater discharge caused by a burst pipe. The Portuguese Environment Agency (Agência Portuguesa do Ambiente or APA) ordered the closure to ensure public safety.
The Portuguese government has announced that there will be two fewer operational beaches this year, bringing the total to 671. The Ministry of Environment and Energy stated that five locations were removed from the list due to safety risks, cliff instability, and damage caused by severe winter storms, despite some new areas being added.
A new report from the Portuguese Environment Agency (Agência Portuguesa do Ambiente or APA) reveals that 35 beaches in the Algarve suffered significant erosion during recent winter storms. Peneco beach in Albufeira saw the most dramatic change, with the shoreline retreating by 24 meters. The agency also warned of increased cliff instability across the region due to the severe weather. Algarve residents should be aware of potential safety hazards and restricted access at affected coastal sites this spring.
The APA (Agência Portuguesa do Ambiente) is Portugal's central environmental authority, responsible for environmental policy, climate action, water resources, waste management, and coastal protection. It operates under the Ministry of Environment and Energy.
APA manages Portugal's water resources including river basins, dam operations, and flood risk planning. It monitors air and water quality, oversees waste treatment facilities, manages the national emissions trading scheme, and leads Portugal's climate adaptation strategies.
The agency is particularly prominent during flood events, as it controls dam discharges and coordinates water management across Portugal's major rivers. APA also processes environmental impact assessments and licenses for projects affecting natural resources.
Algarve and Alentejo municipalities are implementing maps at beach entrances to clearly distinguish between free-use areas and concessions, ensuring compliance with the 30% limit on concession space.
The Portuguese Environment Agency clarifies that the only area that is under concession is the one delimited by that rectangle and nothing else; everything else is for free use.
The number of beaches classified as pristine or immaculate in Portugal has decreased compared to previous years.
The government has allocated 15 million euros for urgent beach restoration following significant coastline damage caused by recent severe weather, with total repair costs estimated at 200 million euros.
It appears to be the same whale carcass that washed ashore last May between São Pedro Beach and the south breakwater of Cortegaça beach.
A new method of tackling the invasive algae that has repeatedly washed up along the Algarve coast is being tested at Carvoeiro beach this week. Lagoa Council is carrying out The post Carvoeiro tests new method to tackle invasive algae appeared first on Portugal Resident.
The Portuguese Environment Agency has one year to review the classification of beaches along a 220-kilometre stretch between Sesimbra and Odeceixe, due to increased demand, access issues, and environmental protection concerns.
The environmental association condemned the “intimidation strategies” used by the tourism developer Coporgest against the APA.
Several beaches in the Portimão municipality have been invaded by large quantities of algae.
Several beaches in the Portimão municipality have been invaded by large quantities of algae.
The number of districts under a yellow warning from the IPMA rose from nine to 13 this Sunday.
The absence of northerly winds on the west coast has left the water milder, while the lack of southeasterly winds in the Algarve has made its beaches colder.
Heavy accumulation observed on some beaches in the Sines municipality is the result of rough seas, which tore part of the algae from the seabed and transported it to the coast, a scientist explains.
The Codixeira, Lagoa, and Zona Urbana Sul II beaches show “high levels” of intestinal enterococci and/or E. coli.
The number of beaches closed to swimming due to poor water quality has more than doubled across mainland Portugal during the current summer season.
An analysis by the association ZERO concluded that advisories against swimming and outright bans have increased significantly this year. Microbiological contamination remains the primary cause of the problems detected in Portuguese bathing waters.
The association concluded that restrictions increased from 51 in 2025 to 84 in 2026, representing a 65% rise.
The analysis was based on a comparison of status reports from the APA and DGS regarding the summer months of 2025 and 2026. Bans increased by 143% due to microbiological contamination.
Swimming restrictions rose by 65% this summer in mainland Portugal, with closures more than doubling. The cause is almost always microbiological contamination, reveals Zero.
Heat is returning to mainland Portugal. After grey days, the final days of August and the first of September promise dry weather, sun, and a gradual rise in temperatures, which may exceed 35 degrees in some regions of the country.
The Portuguese Environment Agency (APA) detected high levels of enterococci and E. coli at Baía, Seca, Rua 37, and Frente Azul beaches. The City Council refers inquiries to the APA and states that the problem affects other municipalities in the North.
Swimming is advised against at four river beaches in the Braga municipality due to microbiological contamination. At Verim Beach, swimming is suspended as a precaution.
Swimming is advised against due to microbiological contamination.
On Tuesday, swimming was advised against at six beaches in Matosinhos. The Portuguese Environment Agency indicated that swimming is once again permitted at three of the six affected beaches.
The “Deslarrrguem a Arrábida!” movement is organising a rally to denounce the attempt to privatise five beaches in Arrábida, advocating for free access to the land near the Quinta da Herdade da Comenda estate.
Despite the improvement in the weather in Cascais, there is some rough sea, so caution should be maintained.
Home News Swimming prohibited on six Portuguese beaches Swimming prohibited on six Portuguese beaches The municipality of Matosinhos has six beaches where swimming is discouraged because of microbiological contamination, the Portuguese Environment Agency ( APA) said.
At least 64 out of 601 monitored beaches, more than 10%, recorded episodes of microbiological contamination, seven of which occurred in the last week. This figure is higher than last year, which the president of the Portuguese Environment Agency attributes to extreme drought and winter storms. Due to this week's rainfall, swimming is currently discouraged.
This summer has been marked by an eclipse with the National Commissioner, the president of the most powerful country fleeing to another plane in an airport catering van, and, of course, the now classic holidays of the wild boars on the beaches of Arrábida.
