The sun-drenched beaches of this coastal nation are about to see a real shake-up. The government is stepping in to put a lid on the price of everyday items sold right on the sand. Imagine a set “public service menu” for beachgoers, says the Environment Minister, Maria da Graça Carvalho, speaking to the publication ‘Sábado’. This bold step aims to ensure that soaking up the sun doesn’t drain your wallet.
This move wasn’t pulled out of thin air. It started with a deep dive into beach access and pricing. The country’s own Portuguese Environment Agency, known as APA, launched an investigation. They focused on a stretch of coastline between Troia and Melides, an area where folks had complained about difficulties just getting to the water’s edge.
What the APA team found was jaw-dropping. Their probe confirmed stories of limited public access. Even worse, some beach operators were charging outrageous fees. Picture this: a whopping 300 euros for a simple sunshade, just for one day. That’s a steep price for a little patch of shade on a public beach.
Minister Carvalho quickly took action after seeing these findings. Her plan goes beyond just capping prices. She also promised to create more clear pathways and entrances to the beaches themselves. The full results of this major investigation are set to be revealed at a press conference on Wednesday. It looks like fair play is finally making its way to the shoreline.