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Isn’t it great when you know that the beach you’re headed to isn’t just scenic, but also clean, easy to access, and a safe spot for swimming?
That’s precisely what the Foundation for Environmental Education’s international Blue Flag programme aims to recognise, and the latest winners of the prestigious accolade have been announced for 2026.
What is a Blue Flag beach?
Beaches awarded a Blue Flag are assessed on several factors: water cleanliness, waste management, accessibility, green mobility and the enhancement of natural areas, as well as safety. You can have a look at every single Blue Flag beach on this interactive map.
It’s not just beaches that are recognised: Blue Flags can also be awarded to marinas and what the body calls ‘tourism boats’. Here’s a breakdown of how each country did at this year’s Blue Flag awards ceremony, which for 2026 was held in Rome.
Countries with the most Blue Flag beaches
Spain
Retaining its title as the world’s top destination for Blue Flag beaches, Spain reached new heights by gaining 44 new Blue Flagged spots, bringing its total up to 794 (of which 677 are beaches). In particular, Valencia, Andalusia and Galicia stole the show.
🌞 Here’s a roundup of the loveliest beaches in Spain.
Greece
Coming a close second, Greece now boasts 657 Blue Flag spots (including 624 beaches), which is around 15 percent of the world’s total. Crete has 154 Blue Flags, and Halkidiki has 93.
🌞 Check out our picks for the best beaches in Greece.
Türkiye, Italy, and Portugal
These three countries round out the top five when it comes to Europe’s most Blue Flagged destinations, with Türkiye possessing 625, Italy bragging 525, and Portugal following with 438.
Italy gained 14 new Blue Flag beaches which included Taggia in Linguria and Limone sul Garda in Lombardy. Portugal actually lost several thanks to stricter regulations and tricky weather conditions, which subsequently affected water quality.
🏖️ This is Time Out’s collection of the very best beaches in Europe.
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