Grândola officials welcome changes to Espichel-Odeceixe coastal program

The Grândola Municipality has welcomed a government decision to amend the Espichel-Odeceixe Coastal Program (POC-EO). The amendment, published in the Diário da República, follows an inspection by the Portuguese Environment Agency (APA) in July 2025 regarding beach accessibility along a 45-kilometer stretch of the Grândola coastline between Troia and Melides.

Grândola Mayor Luís Vital Alexandre stated that the change addresses existing misalignments in the previous program that hindered beach access, parking, and the expansion of bathing areas. The new measures aim to reclassify certain beaches to meet increased demand and better organize public parking and access. The decision seeks to balance the protection of ecological systems with the principle of free public access to beaches and water domains.

The municipality expressed hope that this reclassification will improve service levels for users and noted expectations regarding government commitments to open two new beach fronts in the region.