The Beach of Cabanas de Tavira, situated on Cabanas Island, in the Ria Formosa Natural Park, was highlighted by the Idealista portal as one of the cleanest beaches in the world in 2025. This recognition is due to the environmental quality of the area, its integration into the protected area, and the award of the Blue Flag, which was maintained this year. The sandy beach stretches for about seven kilometres and benefits from the conservation work carried out by local authorities and the community.
Access to the beach is exclusively by boat, departing from the quay on Avenida Ria Formosa, in the centre of Cabanas de Tavira. The crossing takes less than five minutes and operates between April and October, with schedules that vary according to the month. During the journey, it is possible to observe birds and catch a glimpse of the Forte de São João da Barra, a fortification from the late 17th century built to defend the port of Tavira.
The distinction awarded by Idealista should not be confused with the Blue Flag classification, which assesses requirements in four areas: environmental information and education, water quality, environmental and facilities management, and safety and services. In Portugal, the coordination of this award is handled by the Association of the Blue Flag of Europe, responsible for evaluating applications and monitoring compliance with the criteria.
Maintaining environmental conditions also involves campaigns against plastic pollution and educational programmes for children and adults, developed by Taviraverde, a municipal company. During the bathing season, the beach also has bars, toilet facilities and lifeguard surveillance, complementing the use of the sandy area.
