According to Quercus, the environmental association awarded a total of 434 beaches across Portugal with its Gold Quality distinction for the 2026 bathing season, an increase of eight compared with last year. Of these, 370 are coastal beaches, 53 are inland river beaches, and 11 are transitional water beaches.

The Algarve received 86 Gold Quality awards, making it the second-most-awarded region in the country.

Marine environment

Monte Gordo is one of the five beaches in the municipality of Vila Real de Santo António to receive the accolade this year.

Credits: Supplied Image; Author: Quercus;

On 7 July, the Gold Quality flag was officially raised during a ceremony that was attended by Vila Real de Santo António Mayor Álvaro Palma de Araújo, Monto Gordo Parish Council President Ricardo Catarino, Carolina Nunes representing Quercus, Teresa Fernandes, spokesperson and head of communications and environmental education at Águas do Algarve, and a representative of the Port Authority of Vila Real de Santo António.

According to Quercus, the selection reflects the consistently high quality of Monte Gordo’s bathing waters, based on official public data published by the Portuguese Environment Agency (Agência Portuguesa do Ambiente).

The association also noted the environmental work carried out locally by the municipality and by Águas do Algarve, whose wastewater treatment operations play an important role in protecting the marine environment and supporting healthy coastal ecosystems.