The Blue Flag is an award given annually by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) to beaches, marinas and sustainable boating tourism operators that meet rigorous standards of environmental quality, safety and services. In Portugal, the programme is managed by the Associação Bandeira Azul da Europa (ABAE).
What is the Blue Flag?
Created in 1987 in France, the Blue Flag quickly became the reference symbol of quality on European beaches. To obtain and maintain the award, a beach must meet over 33 criteria organised into four categories: water quality, environmental information and education, environmental management, and safety and services.
Portugal and the Blue Flag
Portugal is one of the European countries with the highest number of Blue Flags, the result of decades of investment in the environmental quality of beaches. The quality of Portuguese bathing waters is among the highest in Europe, with over 95% of assessed beaches meeting "Good" or "Excellent" standards.
Filter Blue Flag beaches in our beach explorer.
