Hundreds protest ‘privatisation’ of Arrábida beaches as row over public access intensifies – Portugal Resident

Hundreds of people marched through Setúbal today in defence of public access to the beaches of the Arrábida Natural Park, in the latest escalation of a dispute that has reignited debate over whether parts of Portugal’s coastline are gradually being closed off to the public.

The demonstration comes just weeks after Portugal’s Environment Agency (APA) sought to reassure beachgoers ahead of the summer season by insisting that “there is no such thing as a private beach in Portugal”.

Protesters in Setúbal argued that reality is increasingly at odds with those assurances.

Organised by the civic movement “Deslarrrguem a Arrábida!” (“Hands Off Arrábida!”), the march from Setúbal to the Comenda picnic park brought together environmental groups, residents and politicians from across the political spectrum in opposition to what organisers describe as attempts to privatise five beaches and surrounding natural areas.

The dispute centres on ongoing court proceedings in which the owners of the Herdade da Comenda estate are seeking recognition that land bordering the Sado Estuary — including the beaches of Rasca, Comenda, Rainha, Maria Esguelha and Albarquel — should be classified as private rather than public maritime domain.

Campaigners also oppose the installation of fences, the closure of traditional public access routes and an attempt to claim ownership of Municipal Road 1056, which they say has long served local residents.

“We are protesting against the closure of public access, the erection of fences and the intention of the owners of Herdade da Comenda to appropriate a municipal road,” organiser João Cruz said, while calling on Setúbal City Council to publicly defend the route.

Environmental campaigner Fernanda Rodrigues, from the Association of Citizens for Arrábida and the Sado Estuary, stressed that defending public access should not become a party-political issue.

Although the campaign was initially launched by the Left Bloc (BE), she noted that today’s protest drew supporters from across the board, including the Portuguese Communist Party (PCP), the Greens and even CHEGA.

Left Bloc national coordinator José Manuel Pureza described the legal challenge as both “immoral and illegal”, arguing that “the beaches belong to everyone, not to one wealthy family.”

“What is at stake here is the brazenness of a very rich family which, simply because it is very rich, believes it has the right to beaches for itself alone,” he said.

Pureza called on the courts and public authorities to prevent any private appropriation of beaches and/ or other public spaces.

José Luís Ferreira, representing the Ecologist Party “The Greens”, warned that allowing the beaches to become private property could establish a precedent with consequences for other stretches of Portugal’s coastline.

Participants also argued that the battle extends far beyond Setúbal.

Paula Guimarães, one of the demonstrators, said continued public mobilisation would be essential to defend beaches across Portugal – citing other areas she believes face similar pressures, including the coastline between Ericeira and Melides.

“If politicians don’t act, we have to,” she said, referring to a petition against the alleged privatisation that gathered around 15,000 signatures. “This will be a daily struggle.”

Academic and environmentalist Viriato Soromenho Marques, unable to attend, sent a message to participants describing the campaign as part of a broader fight for justice, freedom and the constitutional right to a healthy environment.

He warned that public authorities must not allow “the abuse of property rights” or remain silent while powerful private interests attempt to take control of spaces traditionally enjoyed by everyone.

The protest also reflects broader frustrations among Setúbal residents over increasingly difficult access to the Arrábida coastline. Ferry fares to nearby Tróia have risen sharply in recent years, while tighter traffic restrictions introduced to protect visitors and deal with storm damage and rockfall risks have made reaching the beaches by car more difficult this summer.

For campaigners, however, today’s message extended beyond transport or parking.

They insist the issue is about preserving the long-established principle that Portugal’s beaches remain open to everyone — regardless of who owns the surrounding land.

Which is the ‘rich family’ behind this controversy?

The dispute centres on Herdade da Comenda, which was purchased in 2019 by the real estate fund Seven Properties. According to a text that appeared in left-wing “Esquerda” online last month, Seven Properties is connected to the Mirpuri family, whose business interests span aviation, luxury real estate and investment. The company has since changed its name twice, first to Herdade da Comenda, S.A. and more recently to Palácio da Comenda, S.A.

Soon after acquiring the estate, the new owners began fencing off sections of the property with wire and barbed fencing, including routes that campaigners say had long provided public access to beaches and to the historic São Luís da Serra chapel. The ICNF (Institute for Nature Conservation and Forests) subsequently issued three unfavourable opinions on the fencing, while the Environment Ministry ordered it removed on more than one occasion, although those orders were reportedly never enforced.

Family’s business history is also controversial

Brothers Carlos, Luís and the late Paulo Mirpuri founded the airline Air Luxor in 1988. Following the airline’s collapse in 2006, insolvency proceedings involving 226 creditors claimed debts of around €86 million. Court-appointed investigators alleged widespread financial irregularities, including undocumented transfers, false invoices and the diversion of company assets. Insolvency administrator Fernando Bordeira Costa concluded that the company’s management had relied on “financial manipulation” and deception of shareholders, creditors, suppliers and the public. These allegations were reported at the time but do not amount to criminal convictions in themselves.

After Air Luxor’s demise, the family’s aviation interests continued through Hi Fly, an airline established before Air Luxor entered insolvency and which remains under Mirpuri control. The company has attracted criticism from campaign groups for operating deportation flights for several European governments, although these operations have been conducted under government contracts.

The file also notes that Paulo Mirpuri, who died earlier this year and was widely regarded as the family’s leading businessman, had been involved in a number of public controversies, including attending a CHEGA fundraising lunch in support of the party.

Campaigners argue that this background makes the legal battle over Arrábida’s beaches more than a local property dispute, portraying it instead as a test of whether private wealth can override long-established public rights to Portugal’s coastline.

Source material: Observador/ Diário de Notícias/ Lusa/ Esquerda.net