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Date Published: 07/05/2025

Spain leads the world in Blue Flags once again, with 642 beaches flying the award this summer

The annual ranking sees four more beaches than in 2024 recognised for their water quality, facilities and environmental management

As every year in early May, the Association for Environmental and Consumer Education (Adeac) has published its list of Blue Flag beaches in Spain for summer 2025. This year, a total of 642 beaches will fly the Blue Flag, an international distinction recognising high standards in water quality, facilities and environmental management.

This figure represents four more Blue Flags for Spanish beaches than in 2024, with the country continuing its position as the global leader in the programme, which was launched in 1987.

Altogether, 749 Blue Flags have been awarded across Spain this year, two more than in 2024. Of these, 642 go to beaches (up by four), 101 to marinas (one more than last year), and six to tourist boats (one fewer than in 2024).

Among this year’s total, 16 beaches are receiving the award for the first time, including the inland beach of Montanejos in the popular Fuente de los Baños area in Castellón province (Valencia).

A further 23 beaches have regained their Blue Flags, such as La Carihuela-Montemar in Torremolinos (Málaga), which last had it in 1998, and Cala del Barco in Murcia’s Cartagena, which it lost in 2012.

By autonomous region, the Valencian Community once again has the highest number of Blue Flags, with 143 (five more than last year) spread across 48 municipalities. It is followed by Andalucía https://andaluciatoday.com/ with 138 (up by eight, the biggest increase this year), Galicia with 108 (a decrease of six) and Catalonia with 101 (up by six). The Canary Islands come next with 47 flags, nine fewer than in 2024, making it the region with the largest drop in awards.

At municipal level, the towns with the most Blue Flags are Sanxenxo (19), Vigo (13), Orihuela (11), and Cartagena, Marbella and Sitges, each with 10. Together, these six municipalities account for 10% of all Blue Flags awarded to beaches in Spain.

The Region of Murcia is the second uniprovincial region in Spain with the most Blue Flags, behind only the Balearic Islands.

Spain remains the world leader in the number of Blue Flags for beaches and ranks third globally for marinas. The country is home to 15% of all Blue Flag beaches worldwide. José Palacios, president of Adeac, stressed that “91% of beaches submitted for consideration receive the Blue Flag, which shows how thoroughly the applications are prepared”.

Speaking at a press conference this Wednesday May 7 in Madrid, he also noted that Spain and Portugal together hold 1,193 Blue Flags, 23% of the world total, highlighting a unique regional achievement.

Palacios underlined the importance of sustainability and education in tourism: “We must make it clear that our life and our health depend on respecting, caring for, conserving and recovering our natural environment.”

Spain’s Secretary of State for Tourism Rosario Sánchez added that many of the destinations receiving the Blue Flag this year are also benefiting from Ministry of Industry and Tourism investments to further improve water quality, infrastructure and accessibility.

Adeac also awarded special mentions this year. In the category of environmental education, recognition went to the municipalities of Badalona and Gavá (both in Barcelona), and Torreblanca (Castellón).

In lifeguard services, Fuengirola (Málaga), Palma and Sant Llorenç des Cardassar (both in the Balearic Islands) were highlighted. For accessibility, awards went to Arnuero (Cantabria), Chipiona (Cádiz) and Málaga city.

The 642 Blue Flag beaches are spread across 247 municipalities in 13 autonomous communities and the two autonomous cities.

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