Albarquel

Albarquel Beach (Praia de Albarquel) is a beach located in Setúbal, Portugal 30km southeast of Lisbon. The beach is on a bay overlooking the Tróia Peninsula and the city. The area is suitable for swimming, boating, windsurfing, and kitesurfing. In 2020, the Municipality of Setúbal started a program focused on making beaches accessible to everyone. Information on beach plaques is in Portuguese, English, French, and Braille. Solar-powered audio guides are available in Portuguese, English, French, and Spanish to help disabled guests safely move around the area. Other features expected to be introduced are accessible entrances into the water, including mats and walkways; the erection of a pergola made of recycled plastic to provide shade; accessible showers and bathrooms; and beach wheelchairs, one made for walking along the shore and one for venturing into the water. The Municipality also intends to train staff on inclusive practices and has connected with the physiotherapy, nursing, sport, speech therapy, and Portuguese sign language departments at the Polytechnic Institute of Setúbal to provide on-site assistance. In 2020, the beach was ranked the #1 most accessible beach in Portugal and received the Praia + Acessível Award which is sponsored by the National Institute of Rehabilitation, the Portuguese Environment Agency, and Turismo de Portugal. Turismo de Portugal's Valorizar Program, which promotes accessible tourism, is helping fund the €400,000 project. In 2021, beach cameras were installed so visitors can see beach conditions ahead of time and to provide additional safety measures. The Municipality also participates in Arrábida Sem Carros, a program prohibiting car access to beaches during peak times to prevent traffic congestion. Public transportation is promoted during these restrictions. A pedestrian walkway between the Albarquel Urban Park and the beach was started in 2019 and finished in 2021, providing another access route. A shared electric bike system...