Blue flag beaches

You don’t have to drive down to the Algarve to find some of the best Blue Flag beaches in Portugal.

The Algarve leads Portugal again in 2026 for Blue Flag beaches, but most people still gravitate towards the big resort names.

Portugal’s Atlantic coastline stretches for more than 800 kilometres, and it isn’t all wild surf and dramatic cliffs. There are plenty of safe beaches in Portugal for children, especially in the Algarve, around Lisbon and along the sheltered lagoons of the south.

Across the western cliffs, through the resort coastline, and all the way to the barrier islands, the Algarve once again dominates the national Blue Flag list. In 2026, dozens of beaches and marinas across the region have received the award, confirming the Algarve as Portugal’s benchmark for wat

Portugal’s newest Blue Flag beaches for 2026 stretch far beyond the usual Algarve suspects. This year’s additions to Portugal's Blue Flag recognitions include wild Atlantic sands in the north, river beaches in central Portugal, and freshwater reservoir spots in the Alentejo.Rodanho Beach, Viana

One of the best things about Portugal is its incredible coastline, but with literally thousands of beaches, figuring out where to lay your towel can be tricky. That's where the Blue Flag award comes in handy.

TripAdvisor has unveiled its 2026 ranking of the best beaches in the world, and Portugal has claimed a spot in the global top five. Located in the Algarve, the beach has earned another international accolade for Portugal’s Atlantic coastline.

A stretch of the Portuguese coastline has just been crowned the World’s Leading Beach Destination 2025 at the World Travel Awards, often nicknamed the “Oscars of Tourism”.

Spending time in the busy centre of Lisbon, or Lisboa, often calls for some downtime on the coast. Fortunately, Lisbon offers easy access to some of Portugal's most beautiful beaches, making for a great day trip or weekend getaway.

Waters to rival the Caribbean, endless golden sands, and an environmental commitment worthy of a gold medal. Tucked away in the Algarve lies a beach that captivates at first sight — and has earned its place among the cleanest in the world.

Summer is just around the corner, and that means plenty of trips to the beach will be in order. If you're planning a trip to Portugal, check out which beaches have been awarded Blue Flags in 2023 for the best bathing experience. How many Blue Flag beaches are there in Portugal?

Portugal is the sixth country in the world with the most Blue Flag beaches. This is according to declarations made by the Assistant Secretary of State for Regional Development in Portugal, Carlos Miguel. Praia de Mira is the only beach that has had a Blue Flag for 35 years.

The Blue Flag is awarded to the best beaches in Europe and other non-European countries and this year is has updated its list.