The environmental association Quercus classified 356 beaches as “Golden Quality” this year, 38 fewer than in the 2023 bathing season, with the Tagus/West and North regions registering the biggest increase, with 74 and 71, respectively.
According to the entity, of the 356 beaches awarded, 291 are coastal (82%), with 58 beaches in the Azores, 24 in Madeira, 55 in the Tagus and West, 54 in the north, 58 from the Algarve, 17 from the center and 25 from the Alentejo.
In addition, 55 inland beaches were awarded, 16 in the Tagus and West, 14 in the north, 22 in the center and three in Alentejo.
In relation to transition beaches, 10 are distinguished with this award, three in the Tagus and West, three in the North, three in Alentejo and one in the Algarve.
To receive the classification of “Beach with Gold Quality”, bathing water must meet several criteria, such as “excellent” water quality in the annual classification of the five bathing seasons prior to the last and all analyzes carried out in the last bathing season ( 2023) should have presented better results in several bacterial indicators.
To evaluate the beaches, analyzes are carried out in the laboratories of the different Regional Hydrographic Administrations, according to the environmental association.
This year, 11 bathing areas were distinguished for the first time, informs the entity, of which five are inland, four coastal and two transitional, located in the Autonomous Region of the Azores and Madeira, the Central, North and Tagus and West regions.
However, a large drop in coastal bathing waters was recorded, with 36 fewer awards compared to 2023, which the association explains, in most cases, due to non-compliance with the criteria relating to analyzes carried out in the 2023 bathing season. “Pollution levels were observed somewhat persistent, not entirely clarified, but to which the impact of tourist pressure in some regions may have contributed”, indicates the association.
To evaluate the beaches, analyzes are carried out in the laboratories of the different Regional Hydrographic Administrations, according to the environmental association.
See here the complete list of beaches awarded the “Golden Quality Beach” award this year.
