sgm abogados Valencian Community Awarded 159 Blue Flag Beaches

Valencia Leads Spain in Blue Flag Beaches

638 Spanish beaches will display the blue flag this summer. This is 11 more than in 2023, setting a new historical record.

These distinctions will be hoisted in 247 municipalities (three fewer than last year). In addition to beaches, 102 marinas (five more) and seven tourist boats (two more) will also have this recognition. All this adds up to a total of 747 blue flags (18 more).

The blue flag is an internationally recognized quality label that rewards compliance with standards of environmental information and management, legality, accessibility, and safety. The Environmental and Consumer Education Association (Adeac) is responsible for awarding blue flags in Spain.

Spain once again leads the global blue flag ranking, a privilege it has held since 1994, ahead of Greece and Turkey. In addition, it accounts for 15% of the blue flag beaches worldwide and ranks third in marinas, behind only the Netherlands and France.

The Valencian Community continues to lead the number of blue flags in Spain, with 159 (six more than in 2023), followed by Andalusia, with 156 (+8) blue flags, Galicia, with 125 (the same as last year) distinctions, and Catalonia, with 118 (-2).

The rest of the regions 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 have maintained the Blue Flag status since the program began in 1987, without any interruptions, 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 the 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 an additional incentive.” “It is also a source of pride for all citizens who love, care for, and protect our coastline and who are proud that the place they live in enjoys such excellent recognition,” she added.

The Association for Environmental and Consumer Education (ADEAC) also awards ‘Special Mentions’ to three municipalities with blue flag status 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 Attention to People with Disabilities’ decided to award the mentions to Chiclana de la Frontera (Cádiz), Torrevieja (Alicante), and Xilxes (Castellón).

The Jury for the ‘Special Mention for Lifeguard Services’ considered awarding San Fernando (Cádiz), Málaga (Málaga), and Teulada (Alicante). Finally, the Jury for the ‘Special Mention for Environmental Education’ recognized Alcudia (Balearic Islands), Castro-Urdiales (Cantabria), and Roquetas de Mar (Almería).