and 21 boats.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Algarve claimed 91 coveted Blue Flags this year, up from 86 in 2022 – with 85 beaches, four
marinas and two tour boats receiving the prestigious award.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jo\u00e3o Fernandes, President of the Algarve Tourism Board (RTA) commented, \u201cThese awards are the
acknowledgement of the work that has been carried out throughout the years in the 13 boroughs
with coastal beaches in the Algarve, be it through the investment in the gradual improvement of
beach conditions and the growing concern with the preservation of the quality of bathing waters.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A Blue Flag is intended to show beachgoers that the beaches, marinas and boating tourism operators The official Blue Flag website states: \u201cIn order to qualify for the Blue Flag, a series of stringent
that have been awarded the accolade have high environmental and safety standards. The Blue Flag
award was first introduced in 1987 across the European Union as part of the water quality standards
EU Water Framework Directive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"algarve](\"https:\/\/beta.oando.pt\/westalgarve\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2023\/09\/praias-bandeira-azul.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Top Algarve boroughs for Blue Flag beaches<\/em>
\u2022 Albufeira<\/strong>
The region\u2019s top performer, awarded the highest number of Blue Flags \u2013 26 (25 beaches and
Albufeira Marina) in the Algarve and the whole of Portugal.
\u2022 Loul\u00e9 <\/strong>with 11 flags (10 beaches and Vilamoura Marina), Vila do Bispo (10), Portim\u00e3o (six
beaches and Portim\u00e3o marina) and Lagoa (six).
\u2022 Aljezur, Faro, Olh\u00e3o, Tavira<\/strong> and Vila Real de Santo Ant\u00f3nio<\/strong> follow with four beaches each,
while Lagos<\/strong> and Castro Marim<\/strong> (three each) and Silves<\/strong> (two) round off the Algarve award list.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
environmental, educational, safety and accessibility<\/strong> criteria must be met and maintained.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n