Many visitors of years past know that this isn't a first-time win.  So, just another day at the office – ahem, the beach - for us locals? Not exactly. That Blue Flag isn't just handed out like candy.

Our community, as well as vacationing (!) volunteers, once again have worked hard for it. Thank you all.

So, what exactly does it take to snag one of these Blue Flags? Well, it's not just about having a pretty shoreline. Nope, your beaches - our beach - has to tick all the boxes: from water quality to safety measures to environmental education programs. It's like a checklist for beach greatness. And it's safe to say that the 2024 Blue Flag judges liked, again, what they found at the Praia de São Jacinto, Aveiro's very own "house beach".

What's all the fuss about?

Especially if you're from outside Europe, you might be wondering: what's all the fuss about this Blue Flag thing anyway? Well, let me break it down for you. The Blue Flag award isn't just some random tourism marketing  trophy.

Rather, it's a symbol of top-notch quality. Think ecological planning and use of space, crystal-clear and clean waters, pristine sands, safety, and top-notch facilities.

Think of the Blue Flag as the gold standard for beaches. Who's behind this recognition? It's the Blue Flag Association of Europe. You could call them the European Union's guardians of beach excellence.

More than about raising Blue Flags each year, the Blue Flag Program is about raising awareness. It is an education effort for sustainable development, promoted in Portugal by the the Portuguese section of the Foundation for Environmental Education.

Eco-rides on the Ria de Aveiro

But wait, there's more. This year, Aveiro's spectacular São Jacinto beach isn't the only local winner. Aveiro's solar-driven ecotourism boat Gaivinha is also getting some well-deserved recognition.

Speaking of silent cruising: who knows, in 2025, perhaps Aveiro's newest pride, Portugal's first fully electric (car) ferry, will fly the Blue Flag? The Salicórnia now connects downtown Aveiro (via Forte de Barra) with, you guessed it, Blue Flag award-winning São Jacinto.

I should also mention our neighbors further down the coast that are not a part of Aveiro: Barra and Costa Nova. These  bustling beach towns, which belong to Ílhavo, have also been awarded a Blue Flag this year. That's quite an administrative, public safety, and clean-up achievement, considering how crowded it can get in Barra and Costa Nova even during the off-season.

Around Aveiro, Blue Flag beaches abound 

And let's not forget the other Blue Flag beaches in the Central Coast region that are raising the bar for seaside and riverside perfection: Areão, Labrego, and Vagueira (all three managed by the municipality of Vagos), Bico, Monte Branco, Torreira (part of Murtosa), and Cortegaça, Esmoriz, Furadouro, and São Pedro de Maceda (administrative oversight: Ovar).

So remember, wherever your excursions take you in the Aveiro region, you're never far from a Blue Flag beach. That is, should you ever get tired of the most spectacular of them all: the wild and unspoilt Praia de São Jacinto in Aveiro.

I haven't yet, after so many years.

If you're staying at Casa dos Jacintos in São Jacinto, you're lucky: the beach is right there, down the street. Just turn left when you step out of the building and take a leisurely walk down Av. Ria Mar to its "Mar" end.

You won't be disappointed. The European Blue Flag Association guarantees it.

Alex Alves
Alex writes about travel, tech, and business.

Where to Stay in São Jacinto (Aveiro)

Are you planning to visit Portugal's central coast? Book your stay in São Jacinto, Aveiro and get tips for your upcoming visit during this and other months from your host at Casa dos Jacintos. Rent a vacation home only a few steps from São Jacinto's quaint fishing harbor promenade and in walking distance from the Blue Flag-awarded São Jacinto Beach.