Amadora, Lisbon, Oct. 27, 2025 (Lusa) - Awnings mounted close to cliffs, the use of first aid stations as storage areas and locked toilets are some of the irregularities detected during an inspection of concessioned beaches in the Algarve region, the Portuguese Environment Agency (APA) revealed on Monday.
In August and September this year, the APA inspected 29 beaches in the Algarve in districts “where there had been reports of irregularities or a history of incidents”, revealed the president of the APA, José Pimenta Machado.
In addition to detecting two beaches, in Castro Marim and Albufeira, with restricted or prohibited public access, failures to comply with obligations by concessionaires were also detected.
These included the misuse of (mandatory) first aid stations as storage facilities for concessionaire products, sanitary facilities closed or restricted to concession customers (as in the case of Monte Gordo beach) and cases of dirt and rubbish piling up in the areas surrounding the beach facilities.
Pimenta Machado pointed out that access to changing rooms is universal and that, together with functioning first aid stations, these are determining factors in the awarding of beach concessions.
At Tremoços beach - VilaVita (Lagoa), illegal occupation of the beach was detected with unlicensed awnings from the resort, with almost all of the awnings erected in a risk zone (next to cliffs marked as dangerous).
In Armação de Pêra (Silves), excessive occupation of the beach was observed, exceeding the licensed area, and on other beaches in Portimão, such as Rocha, Alvor and Prainha, unauthorised street vending was observed, with occupation of the beach and “use of cliffs as display stands”.
On several beaches in the Algarve, “ differences in understanding regarding the possible occupation of parasols in front of licensed areas, which reduces the free area for beach goers ” were detected, according to the APA.
“The concessions are granted to occupy a certain space. They cannot limit or prevent someone from placing a parasol in front of the concession area. We will have to work to correct these situations,” added Pimenta Machado.
The APA also detected, in general, insufficient or unclear signage, and the Instituto de Socorros aos Náufragos (Shipwreck Rescue Institute) was asked to review and change the signs to clearer ones.
According to the president of the APA, it is also necessary to empower local authorities, especially those with fewer resources, to exercise their powers in bathing areas, in accordance with the provisions of regulations and legislation.
As for the infringements detected, around 10 reports were filed and the offenders have already been or will be notified, but when considering the fine, it will be taken into account whether they voluntarily corrected the situation”.
According to the minister for the environment, Maria da Graça Carvalho, next year there will be special inspections of beaches in the centre of the country, in addition to those in the district of Ourique (Beja), where the local authority has identified some weaknesses.
Maria da Graça Carvalho also reiterated that the Government is looking into a way of having “flexible teams” of lifeguards on beaches outside the bathing season, “who can help on the busiest beaches throughout the year, when the weather is good and the beaches are very busy”.
The APA pointed out that Portugal has 673 bathing waters, 404 of which were awarded a blue flag in 2025.
July (with 5% of beaches) and August (with 7%) were the months with the most bathing areas with restrictions on bathing, which was explained by the “greater pressure” on beaches during these months.
Examples include the closure of the beaches of Matosinhos due to contamination, the beach of Vieira (Marinha Grande) due to a serious breakdown at the Monte Real Pumping Station, the beach of Nazaré was closed to bathing three times this year and a broken sewer pipe caused the closure of four beaches in Albufeira.
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