For years, a coast extension in southern Lisbon has been seen as inaccessible to many. The ambiguous signaling, the absence of clear public ways and the proximity of tourist enterprises implied that there was only those who belonged to a restricted circle. This perception was recently contradicted, following the intervention of a public entity.
We talked about the beach of the gray dune, located between Troia and Melides, in the municipality of Grândola. The case gained prominence when the resort holds Beach & Golf, still under construction, mentioned on its website the existence of a “private beach”, which motivated the action of the Portuguese Environment Agency (APA). According to SIC Notícias, the references were removed in the meantime and no fine was applied.
Zone conditioned by tourist enterprises
According to the same source, about 80% of the beaches in this coastal band are flanked by hotels and luxury condominiums. Although Portuguese legislation provides for free access to any beach, in practice, many of these enterprises offer entries virtually exclusive to their guests.
The only alternative to access the gray dune without undergoing private properties was a dirt trail that was forbidden until a few weeks ago. It adds the publication that the path has been reopened in the meantime, restoring pedestrian access to the sand.
Measures to ensure accessibility
In a statement, the APA stressed that advertising private beaches is “false information”, reiterating that the owners of tourist units next to the coast have a duty to ensure the public passage equitably. It refers to the same source that, in addition to the correction of information, improvements in access are planned.
Write to which 150 free parking places will be created in the vicinity of the gray dune. The measure aims to avoid embarrassment and facilitate the arrival of visitors without connection to local enterprises.
Rules reinforced in the name of the public interest
According to the same source, the intervention of the APA in this case served as a warning to other similar situations that may exist along the Portuguese coast. The entity intends to reinforce the supervision and ensure that the communication made by tourist prosecutors respects the legislation in force.
The beach is now accessible to anyone, regardless of their condition or place of stay. South of Lisbon, access to this beach is no longer reserved for a minority.
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