Spain’s Record for Blue Flag Beaches 2025
Spain has once again cemented its reputation as a world leader in sustainable tourism, setting a new global record with 642 beaches awarded the prestigious Blue Flag certification in 2025.
This achievement is part of a nationwide total of 749 Blue Flags, which also includes 101 marinas and 6 eco-friendly tourist boats.
The Blue Flag is an internationally recognised symbol of quality, awarded to beaches and marinas that meet strict standards in water quality, safety, accessibility, environmental education, and sustainable management. Spain has proudly held the top spot in global Blue Flag rankings since 1994—and 2025 is no exception.
Valencian Community: The National Leader Once Again
At the regional level, the Valencian Community continues to lead the charge with an impressive 164 Blue Flags, including 143 beaches, 19 marinas, and 2 tourist boats. This marks an increase from 159 awards in 2024 and represents 22.3% of all Blue Flag beaches in Spain.
By province, the distribution is as follows:
Alicante: 89 beaches
Valencia: 40 beaches
Castellón: 35 beaches
Five beaches in the region have earned Blue Flag status for the first time this year:
Punta Negra (Dénia, Alicante)
Ortigues-Campo (Guardamar del Segura, Alicante)
Fuente de los Baños (Montanejos, Castellón)
Guardamar de la Safor (Valencia)
This continued recognition reflects the region’s commitment to environmental stewardship and its position as a top destination for clean, accessible, and safe beaches.
A Global Benchmark in Coastal Excellence
Spain plays a major role in the international Blue Flag program, which spans 52 countries and includes over 5,000 certified sites worldwide. With its 642 Blue Flag beaches, Spain alone accounts for 15% of all Blue Flag beaches globally.
Across the Iberian Peninsula, Spain and Portugal together boast 1,193 Blue Flags, representing almost a quarter of the world’s total. In Spain, 16 beaches received the Blue Flag for the first time in 2025, while 23 beaches reclaimed the certification after improving their standards.
Municipalities leading the pack this year include:
Sanxenxo (Pontevedra): 17 beaches, 2 marinas
Vigo (Pontevedra): 12 beaches, 1 marina
Orihuela (Alicante): 10 beaches, 1 marina
Cartagena (Murcia): 8 beaches, 2 marinas
Marbella (Málaga): 8 beaches, 2 marinas
Sitges (Barcelona): 9 beaches, 1 marina
What Does It Take to Earn a Blue Flag?
Beaches must meet stringent criteria across four main categories:
Water Quality
Environmental Education
Environmental Management
Safety & Accessibility
Only beaches with an “excellent” rating in seasonal water testing qualify. In 2025, 642 out of 697 submitted beaches met the required standards. The most common reasons for disqualification were poor water quality, overdevelopment, or unauthorized infrastructure.
Key insights from this year’s evaluation:
93% of beaches received excellent water quality ratings
64% are located in urban areas
82% are accessible for people with disabilities
70% provide amphibious bathing chairs
41% have trained staff to assist guests with disabilities
The Blue Flag also recognizes marinas and tourist boats that follow eco-friendly practices. This year, 101 marinas and 6 boats were awarded for their sustainable management and educational outreach.
Recognising Environmental and Safety Efforts
The Blue Flag program also promotes environmental awareness and lifeguard excellence. In 2025, several municipalities were honored for their outstanding contributions:
Environmental Education: Badalona, Gavà (Barcelona), and Torreblanca (Castellón)
Lifeguard Services: Fuengirola (Málaga), Palma, and Sant Llorenç des Cardassar (Balearic Islands)
Accessibility: Arnuero (Cantabria), Chipiona (Cádiz), and Málaga (Málaga)
In 2024, over 178,000 rescue and first aid interventions were carried out on candidate beaches, demonstrating the safety infrastructure required to maintain Blue Flag certification.
Planning a Beach Holiday in Spain?
If you’re looking for a destination that blends natural beauty with world-class standards in sustainability and safety, Spain’s Blue Flag beaches are hard to beat. From the urban coasts of Alicante to the hidden gems of Castellón, these beaches are a testament to the country’s environmental commitment and tourism excellence.
At SGM Abogados, we are proud to support and promote initiatives that enhance the quality of life for residents, second-home owners, and international visitors alike.
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