Albarquel

{{short description|Public beach in Portugal}} {{Infobox landform | water = | name = Albarquel | type = Beach | other_name = | image = Praia de Albarquel - Portugal (273035688).jpg | image_size = | alt = | caption = Albarquel Beach coastline | pushpin_map = | map_width = | map_caption = | pushpin_map_alt = | pushpin_relief = | pushpin_label = | mark = | marker_size = | location = Setúbal, Portugal | grid_ref = | coordinates = {{Coord|38|30|39.3|N|8|54|56|W|display=Location of Albarquel Beach}} | coordinates_ref = | range = | part_of = | water_bodies = Sado River | elevation_ft =  | elevation_ref = | surface_elevation_ft =  | surface_elevation_ref = | highest_point = | highest_elevation = | highest_coords = | length = {{Convert|400|m|ft}} | width = {{Convert|50|m|ft}} | area =  | depth = | drop = | formed_by = | geology =  | age = | orogeny = | topo = | operator = | designation = | website =  | embedded = }}

'''Albarquel Beach''' (Praia de Albarquel) is a beach located in Setúbal, Portugal 30km southeast of Lisbon.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://newinsetubal.nit.pt/comida/baia-dos-golfinhos-o-novo-spot-da-praia-de-albarquel-que-tem-de-conhecer/|title=Baía dos Golfinhos: o novo spot da Praia de Albarquel que tem de conhecer|date=2021-06-28|publisher=New in Setúbal|last=Beak|first=Carolina|access-date=2021-12-13|language=pt}}</ref> The beach is on a bay overlooking the Tróia Peninsula and the city.<ref name=setubalbay/> The area is suitable for swimming, boating, windsurfing, and kitesurfing.<ref name=beachcam/>

In 2020, the Municipality of Setúbal started a program focused on making beaches accessible to everyone.<ref name=turismo>{{cite web|url=http://business.turismodeportugal.pt/pt/crescer/Historias_Sucesso/Paginas/praia-para-todos-albarquel.aspx|title="Praia para Todos" - Praia de Albarquel|date=2020-12-23|publisher=Turismo de Portugal|access-date=2021-12-13|language=pt}}</ref> Information on beach plaques is in Portuguese, English, French, and Braille.<ref name=turismo/> Solar-powered audio guides are available in Portuguese, English, French, and Spanish to help disabled guests safely move around the area.<ref name=turismo/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://newinsetubal.nit.pt/na-cidade/as-praias-de-albarquel-e-da-figueirinha-vao-ter-audioguias-este-verao/|title=As praias de Albarquel e da Figueirinha vão ter audioguias este verão|date=2021-03-02|publisher=New in Setúbal|access-date=2021-12-13|language=pt}}</ref>

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.<ref name=turismo/> 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.<ref name=municipality/><ref name=turismo/> 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.<ref name=turismo/><ref name=municipality>{{cite web|url=https://www.mun-setubal.pt/albarquel-e-a-melhor-praia-acessivel-do-pais/|title=Albarquel é a melhor praia acessível do país|date=2020-11-25|publisher=Municipality of Setúbal|access-date=2021-12-13|language=pt}}</ref> Turismo de Portugal's Valorizar Program, which promotes accessible tourism, is helping fund the €400,000 project.<ref name=municipality/>

In 2021, beach cameras were installed so visitors can see beach conditions ahead of time and to provide additional safety measures.<ref name=beachcam>{{cite web|url=https://beachcam.meo.pt/newsroom/2021/07/praia-de-albarquel-e-troia-ja-tem-live-cams/|title=PRAIA DE ALBARQUEL E TROIA JÁ TÊM LIVE CAMS|date=2021-07-30|publisher=MEO Beachcam|access-date=2021-12-13|language=pt}}</ref>

The Municipality also participates in Arrábida Sem Carros, a program prohibiting car access to beaches during peak times to prevent traffic congestion.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cmjornal.pt/sociedade/detalhe/setubal-prolonga-restricoes-no-acesso-as-praias-nos-fins-de-semana-de-setembro?ref=Mais%20Sobre_BlocoMaisSobre|title=Setúbal prolonga restrições no acesso às praias nos fins de semana de setembro|date=2020-09-08|publisher=CM Jornal|access-date=2021-12-13|language=pt}}</ref> Public transportation is promoted during these restrictions.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.distritonline.pt/servico-de-mini-bus-para-a-praia-de-albarquel/|title=Serviço de Mini-bus para a praia de Albarquel|date=2017-07-27|publisher=Distrito|access-date=2021-12-13|language=pt}}</ref><ref name=ships>{{cite web|url=https://www.nit.pt/fora-de-casa/na-cidade/arrabida-sem-carros-esta-de-volta-vem-ai-os-condicionamentos-nos-acessos-as-praias|title=Arrábida sem carros está de volta: vêm aí os condicionamentos nos acessos às praias|date=2021-01-06|publisher=NIT|last=Ships|first=Patricia|access-date=2021-12-13|language=pt}}</ref> A pedestrian walkway between the Albarquel Urban Park and the beach was started in 2019 and finished in 2021, providing another access route.<ref name=setubalbay>{{cite web|url=https://setubalbay.org/itinerario/praia-de-albarquel/|title=ALBARQUEL BEACH|date=n.d.|publisher=Setúbal Bay, Portugal|access-date=2021-12-13|language=pt}}</ref><ref name=ships/> A shared electric bike system was introduced in Setúbal in 2021 as well.<ref name=ships/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.radioqc.com/2021/06/tudo-o-que-precisa-de-saber-para-ir.html|title=TUDO O QUE PRECISA DE SABER PARA IR À PRAIA NA ARRÁBIDA|date=n.d.|publisher=Radio QC|access-date=2021-12-13|language=pt}}</ref>

[[Image:Golfinho do Sado.jpg|thumb|left|alt=A dolphin jumps out of the water|A dolphin seen from the nearby Arrábida Natural Park]] Sea life along the beach and in surrounding areas includes bottlenose dolphins and occasionally sharks, including sandy dogfish, which eats molluscs and fish.<ref name=shark1/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cmjornal.pt/portugal/detalhe/dragagens-no-sado-serao-retomadas-em-novembro-na-perfeita-normalidade?ref=Mais%20Sobre_BlocoMaisSobre|title=Dragagens no Sado serão retomadas em novembro na "perfeita normalidade"|date=2020-05-19|publisher=CM Jornal|access-date=2021-12-13|language=pt}}</ref> Safety of the area is closely monitored by the maritime police.<ref name=shark1>{{cite web|url=https://www.cmjornal.pt/portugal/detalhe/policia-maritima-recolhe-tubarao-junto-a-praia-em-setubal?ref=Mais%20Sobre_BlocoMaisSobre|title=Polícia Marítima recolhe tubarão junto a praia em Setúbal|date=2017-08-15|publisher=CM Jornal|access-date=2021-12-13|language=pt}}</ref>

Nearby points of interest include the Albarquel viewpoint (Pau da Consolação), Arrábida Natural Park, and Figueirinha Beach (Praia da Figueirinha).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://setubalrevista.com/2020/05/13/melhoramento-das-praias-de-albarquel-e-figueirinha/|title=Melhoramento das Praias de Albarquel e Figueirinha|date=n.d.|publisher=Setúbal Revista|access-date=2021-12-13|language=pt}}</ref><ref name=beachcam2>{{cite web|url=https://www.publituris.pt/2021/07/30/municipio-de-setubal-coloca-beachcam-na-praia-de-albarquel|title=Município de Setúbal coloca beachcam na praia de Albarquel|date=2021-07-30|publisher=Publituruis|access-date=2021-12-13|language=pt}}</ref> The 17th-century Albarquel Fort is located in the Natural Park just off the beach; €1.6 million renovations of the long-abandoned building began in 2018 and were completed in 2021.<ref name=lopes>{{cite web|url=https://echoboomer.pt/renovado-forte-de-albarquel-foi-inaugurado/|title=Renovado Forte de Albarquel, em Setúbal, já foi inaugurado|last=Lopes|first=Alexandre|date=2021-07-12|publisher=Echo Boomer|access-date=2021-12-13|language=pt}}</ref> The building sits at the mouth of the Sado River and overlooks the beach.<ref name=fort/> A bunker was built during World War II behind the fort and is connected by tunnels to the complex in the Natural Park.<ref name=fort>{{cite web|url=https://www.nit.pt/fora-de-casa/na-cidade/os-canhoes-da-arrabida-que-protegiam-a-costa-portuguesa-estao-abandonados-e-vandalizados|title=Os canhões da Arrábida que protegiam a costa portuguesa estão abandonados — e vandalizados|date=2018-10-21|publisher=NIT|access-date=2021-12-14|language=pt}}</ref>

Also nearby is the Herdade da Comenda and its 17th-century Palácio da Comenda, which overlooks the beach and previously housed people such as Vasco da Gama, Queen Dona Maria II, and Count Ernest Armand.<ref name=palacio>{{cite web|url=https://www.atlaslisboa.com/palacio-da-comenda/|title=Uncover Arrábida's Royal Secret at Palácio da Comenda|date=2018-03-22|last=D'Silva|first=Emily|publisher=Atlas Lisboa|access-date=2021-12-13|language=en}}</ref><ref name=parking/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.idealista.pt/news/financas/investimentos/2020/03/25/42838-os-escuteiros-recusam-se-a-abandonar-o-refugio-de-jackie-kennedy-na-arrabida|title=Os escuteiros recusam-se a abandonar o refúgio de Jackie Kennedy na Arrábida|date=2020-03-25|publisher=Idealista|access-date=2021-12-14|language=pt}}</ref> In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Raul Lino renovated and redesigned the mansion in the Casa Portugesa style.<ref name=palacio/> In the early 1960s, Jackie Kennedy lived there with her children following her husband's assassination.<ref name=palacio/><ref name=parking>{{cite web|url=https://www.nit.pt/fora-de-casa/novo-dono-da-herdade-da-comenda-vedou-o-estacionamento-na-praia-de-albarquel|title=Novo dono da Herdade da Comenda vedou o estacionamento na Praia de Albarquel|date=2020-01-16|last=Bico|first=Carolina|publisher=NIT|access-date=2021-12-14|language=pt}}</ref> The estate sold in 2019 for €16 million after sitting empty for 10 years after the death of its last owner, businessman António Xavier de Lima.<ref name=parking/> As the new owners began renovating the dilapidated buildings and land, the parking lot, picnic area, and cycling and walking paths were closed off to beachgoers.<ref name=parking/><ref name=nit>{{cite web|url=https://www.nit.pt/fora-de-casa/na-cidade/acabaram-os-piqueniques-donos-da-herdade-da-comenda-vedaram-o-parque-de-merendas|title=Acabaram os piqueniques: donos da Herdade da Comenda vedaram o parque de merendas|date=2021-09-30|publisher=NIT|access-date=2021-12-14|language=pt}}</ref> These areas are on private land but had been used publicly for more than a decade.<ref name=parking/> The city council is currently fighting to reclaim the pseudo-public spaces. The development company plans to build an archaeological center on the 600 hectares of land.<ref name=nit/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nit.pt/fora-de-casa/na-cidade/camara-municipal-de-setubal-vai-expropriar-o-parque-de-merendas-da-comenda|title=Câmara Municipal de Setúbal vai expropriar o Parque de Merendas da Comenda|date=2020-07-08|publisher=NIT|last=Bico|first=Carolina|access-date=2021-12-14|language=pt}}</ref>

== References == {{reflist}}

Category:Beaches of Setúbal District