A report by RTP on June 13th suggested that the bathing season started that day across the country, raising questions about a single official opening date.
In reality, there is no national opening day. The Portuguese Environment Agency (APA), in coordination with local authorities and concessionaires, annually defines the operating periods for each bathing area through official decrees, considering factors like tourist demand and weather conditions.
The bathing calendar is therefore staggered. Some beaches open in April, many in May, the majority in June, and others only in July. In Madeira, for instance, beach openings in 2026 began on April 15th and extended to July 1st, illustrating the regional variation and the absence of a single national date.
