Before entering the water at a beach, most people look at the colour of the sea, the wave conditions and the lifeguard flag. Few think about bacteriological water quality data — but this data exists, is public, and says a great deal about the health of Portugal's coastal and river ecosystems.
What the classifications mean
- Excellent — 95% of samples below the most restrictive reference values
- Good — 90% of samples below reference values. Considered safe.
- Sufficient — meets minimum requirements
- Insufficient/Poor — does not meet minimum requirements. May be closed for bathing.
Portugal in Europe
Portugal is consistently among the European countries with the best bathing water quality. According to European Environment Agency data, Portugal has over 96% of its beaches classified as "Good" or "Excellent" — above the European average of 85%.
