The Praia Dona Ana beach in Lagos, on the Algarve: Maps should show where you can put up your own parasol (symbolic image).Imago
Where can I put up my own parasol in the Algarve? Maps should now provide clarity.
July 19, 2026, 3:08 amJuly 19, 2026, 3:08 am
Thomas Wanhoff / t-online
In Portugal, in the dispute over parasols, there are now supposed to be cards that are placed on beaches. Tourists are not allowed to put up their own umbrellas everywhere. In recent years there have been repeated disputes with concessionaires, reports the Portuguese “Diário de Notícias”, among others.
The proposal for maps that identify specific zones came from Environment Minister Maria da Graça Carvalho. She hopes this will provide more clarity, even if it is only a recommendation and not a binding regulation.
So far there are only signs on the beaches in the Algarve and the Alentejo coast that indicate a concession zone and a free parasol zone, but not the exact location. For years, this gave the impression that only those renting parasols or loungers were allowed to freely choose their place, while others had to set up their own parasols exclusively in designated areas. In fact, they are also allowed to do this in front of commercial areas.
Mayors can set boundaries
According to Euronews, things escalated when the president of the environmental agency APA, José Pimenta Machado, declared that it was “abuse” to ban bathers from setting up their parasols in front of concession areas. It was later said that the concession areas must not exceed 30 percent of the beach and must not occupy more than 50 percent of the beach front.
But this still leads to confusion locally as to exactly where bathers are now allowed to put up their umbrellas and where there is a commercially used area. Plans should now show where the respective areas are located at the entrances to beach sections. According to the minister, local mayors can set the boundaries themselves.
Da Graça Carvalho had previously met with representatives of the cities and municipalities of the beach regions, reports Euronews. “The mayors also have an interest in it,” said Carvalho. “They are the first to be confronted with the consequences of misunderstandings, and that is why they will put the cards in place as quickly as possible.”