“The beaches in Portugal are public, therefore, access to the beaches cannot be blocked under any conditions”, said Maria da Graça Carvalho, after marking the official start of the bathing season at Praia de Carcavelos, in the municipality of Cascais.

The minister said that, given the news of “some problems with access to the beaches” in the southwest of Alentejo, “the APA [Portuguese Environmental Agency] with the Maritime Authority and other entities will carry out an inspection to see if all legalities are being complied with”, and if “all laws are being complied with”.

“We are working with the Grândola Council to ensure that there are more access routes to the beach on the coast of the municipality”, added Graça Carvalho, admitting that “there is a stretch there that is difficult to access, where access is not yet open” and the intention is to “provide conditions to make access to the beach easier”.

When asked whether the licensing of the developments themselves should not ensure some space for parking and free access to the beaches, the Minister of the Environment and Energy responded that yes, but that it is also up to the official entities “to carry out this monitoring and, if things are not going well, to act to ensure that the situation is re-established”.

In her speech to mark the official start of the summer season, Maria da Graça Carvalho said that “there are no private beaches in Portugal and any attempt to limit or hinder the free access of the population to the beaches will be identified” and opposed.

The APA’s inspection action, in conjunction with the Maritime Authority and other entities, will be “on the beaches of the southwest Alentejo” and the minister noted that “the beaches belong to everyone” and “for everyone” and it is up to the Government and national authorities and local authorities to ensure that people enjoy these spaces “safely” and “without obstacles”.

Access to the beaches in the municipality of Grândola has become difficult due to tourist developments under construction, mainly in the Comporta and Tróia areas, with the installation of barriers at the entrances and limited parking areas.