Blue flag beaches

You don't have to head all the way south to find excellent beaches. If you're visiting or living in Lisbon, you have some brilliant Portuguese Blue Flag beaches just a short train ride away.

If you're looking for the heartland of Blue Flag beaches in Portugal, you have to start in the southernmost region of Portugal.

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.

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.