Most Blue Flag beaches (country)
Who
Spain
What
621 total number
Where
Spain ()
When
2022

According to the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) – an international voluntary programme that requires beaches to adhere to strict criteria regarding water quality, environmental management, accessibility and education – the country with the most Blue Flag beaches is Spain, with 621 as of 2022. In second place was Greece with 581, and third was Turkey with 529.

As of 2022, Spain also boasts 103 Blue Flag marinas and fiveBlue Flag boat operators, giving a record total of 729 Blue Flag sites, ahead of Greece (602) and Turkey (570).


The Blue Flag programme originated in France in 1985, spreading to the rest of Europe two years later, and going global in 2001. As well as beaches, it also monitors marinas and boating operators.

According to Blue Flag: "The iconic Blue Flag is one of the world’s most recognized voluntary eco-labels awarded to beaches, marinas, and sustainable boating tourism operators. In order to qualify for the Blue Flag, a series of stringent environmental, educational, safety, and accessibility criteria must be met and maintained."