638 Spanish beaches will show off the blue flag this summer. There are 11 more than in 2023, which is a new historical record. These badges will be raised in 247 municipalities (three less than last year). In addition to beaches, 102 marinas (five more) and seven tourist boats (two more) will also have this consideration. All this adds up to a total of 747 blue flags (18 more). The data was announced this Tuesday at a press conference in Madrid.
The blue flag is an internationally agreed quality badge that rewards compliance with standards of environmental information and management, legality, accessibility and safety. The Environmental and Consumer Education Association (Adeac) is responsible for granting blue flags in Spain.
Once again, Spain leads the world ranking of blue flags, a privilege it has held since 1994, ahead of Greece and Turkey. In addition, it brings together 15% of the blue flag beaches in the world and is the third in marinas, only behind the Netherlands and France.
The Valencian Community continues to lead the number of ‘Blue Flags’ in Spain, with 159 (six more than 2023), followed by Andalusia, with 156 (8) ‘Blue Flags’, Galicia, with 125 (same as last year) distinctive, and Catalonia, with 118 (-2).
The rest of the communities according to the number of ‘Blue Flags’ awarded are: Canary Islands (60, the same), Balearic Islands (42 and 4), Murcia (34 and -1), Asturias (17 and 2), Cantabria (10 and – 1), Extremadura (11 and -1), Basque Country (4, the same), Melilla (4, the same), Ceuta (2, the same) and Madrid (1, the same).
In addition, seven municipalities and their corresponding beaches continue to have the Blue Flag since the beginning of the program in 1987, without any interruption, for 38 consecutive years: Alcalá de Xivert (El Carregador beach), Alicante (Sant Joan beach), Calpe (La Fossa beach) , Campello (Carrer la Mar beach), Cullera (Sant Antoni beach), Gandía (Nord beach) and Oleiros (Bastiagueiro beach).
In 2024, 88 interpretation centers have been recognized as Blue Centers in Andalusia (17), Asturias (6), the Balearic Islands (1), the Canary Islands (4), Cantabria (4), Catalonia (10), the Valencian Community (25), Extremadura (5), Galicia (15) and Region of Murcia (1).
In her first official act as Secretary of State for Tourism, Rosario Sánchez, highlighted that “the Blue Flags on our beaches and ports are another incentive.” “It is also a source of pride for all the citizens who love, care for and protect our coastline and who are proud that the place where they live enjoys such excellent recognition,” she added.
The Environmental and Consumer Education Association (ADEAC) also grants ‘Special Mentions’ to three Blue Flag municipalities that make greater efforts in relation to environmental education, lifeguard services and accessibility and care for people with disabilities.
The Jury of the ‘Special Mention for Accessibility and care for people with disabilities’ decided to award the mentions to Chiclana de la Frontera (Cádiz), Torrevieja (Alicante) and Xilxes (Castellón).
The Jury of the ‘Special Mention for Lifesaving Services’ considered awarding San Fernado (Cádiz), Málaga (Málaga) and Teulada (Alicante). Finally, the Jury of the ‘Special Mention for Environmental Education’ recognized Alcudia (Balearic Islands), Castro-Urdiales (Cantabria) and Roquetas de Mar (Almería).
