National nature conservation association ‘Quercus’ has said that there are 286 gold quality beaches in Portugal this year, 17 more than in 2010 and the majority of them in Albufeira municipality.

“Albufeira is the council with the greatest number beaches with gold standard water quality (with 18 beaches), followed by Almada and Vila Nova de Gaia (15), Torres Vedras and Vila do Bispo (10),” read a Quercus statement released for the start of the official bathing season on 1 June.

The council with the greatest number of .........