Portugal to limit the privatization of beaches by hotels and resorts

Portugal’s southwest coastline is now at a crossroads reported recently Euronews. Quaint typical villages along the coast with pristine beaches are getting increasingly under the pressure of upper-class and luxury resorts as well as private holiday residences which redefine life.

From Melides to Troia, a 45-kilometre coastal ribbon has become the backdrop for a high-stakes transformation. Spurred by international investors and ultra-wealthy tourists, simple seaside towns have rapidly evolved into exclusive enclaves, raising alarm bells over access, affordability, and identity.

“We used to camp here and walk barefoot to the beach,” says a young couple to Euronews. They are currently working in the area and have to provide an ID at a gate just to get to the beach, they told.

They’re not alone. A recent inspection by the Portuguese Environment Agency (APA) found that nine of the 22 beaches in the region now have restricted access—some controlled by private resorts, others funneled through gated developments. At Galé-Fontainhas, for example, beachgoers must pass through Costa Terra, a sprawling compound owned by an American investor.

Parking is scarce. Pathways have been diverted. And in the most extreme cases, locals say they’re effectively cut off from the coastline they’ve known all their lives.

A Price Too High

The real cost is meanwhile cultural and asks all tourism stakeholders how far tourism can affect local people. In Comporta, once a rustic retreat famed for its rice paddies and barefoot charm, prices have surged beyond recognition. “There are houses going for €5,000 a night,” tells a waiter to Euronews at a local pizzeria. “It’s absurd. We can’t keep up.”

His story echoes across the community. Workers commute long distances. Surf instructors struggle to find space for lessons. And residents now navigate a patchwork of beach rules, high parking fees, and soaring prices. It can cost up to €200 for a single day’s rental of a sunbath chair and sun umbrella!

In response to growing backlash, the government is now stepping in. Environment Minister Maria da Graça Carvalho has promised that it would not approve new tourist developments near beaches unless they guarantee public access.

There are also plans to regulate prices for beachside essentials—like coffee, water, and sun umbrellas—in a bid to prevent coastal capitalism from spiraling further out of reach. The government’s act fails to convince completely local citizens. Grassroots movements like “Reopen Galé” are planning protests at Melides Beach during the Atlantic UltraMarathon on July 27.

Even some of the early adopters of the Comporta dream feel disappointed. Renowned designer Christian Louboutin, who once called the area a “paradise,” has relocated further south to Melides, in search of what Comporta used to be. “People feel touched by authenticity,” he explained, warning against turning the region into another St Tropez.

The reference to the famed French village is worrying. Over the years, the Provence-style village has turned into a living museum filled with dubious artisan shops. Only ultra-wealthy people are able to stay there, while natives relocated far away…

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