Italy remains Europe's dream destination for sustainable beach vacations: 525 beaches, numerous harbors and lakes were awarded the "Blue Flag" in 2026. Liguria, Calabria and Apulia in particular shine with top scores.
Sun, crystal-clear water and sustainable vacations; Italy is once again setting new standards in European beach tourism in 2026. No fewer than 525 beaches were awarded the prestigious "Blue Flag" this year - more than almost anywhere else in the world. In addition, there are 87 marinas and 23 lakes that also bear the coveted environmental seal.
This means that around 11.6 percent of all "Blue Flags" awarded worldwide now go to Italy. A strong signal for all those who expect not only beautiful scenery on vacation, but also clean beaches, good infrastructure and sustainable concepts, such as Euro News reports.
Liguria once again shines in particular; the coastal region in the northwest remains the undisputed leader with 35 award-winning places. Andora and Taggia were even added as two new seaside resorts. Calabria is also catching up with Apulia - both regions now have 27 excellent coastal resorts.
Campania and the Marche region also remain popular with 20 award-winning destinations each. Tuscany adds to its list thanks to Monte Argentario, Sardinia continues to score points with its dreamy coasts, and Sicily and Abruzzo are once again among the big winners.
The best-known award-winning beaches include Sanremo, Sestri Levante, Polignano a Mare, Vieste, Tropea, Palinuro, Senigallia, Forte dei Marmi, Cagliari and Taormina - all iconic destinations for Italian seaside and beach tourism.
In addition to coastal resorts, the "Foundation for Environmental Education" (FEE) also awards the "Blue Flag" to lakes and marinas that impress with particularly high standards of water quality, environmental management and service.
There is a new addition to the list of lakes this year: Limone sul Garda (province of Brescia), bringing the total number of award-winning bathing lakes to 23. The list also continues to grow in the area of tourist ports - a total of 87 marinas now carry the eco-label. Friuli-Venezia Giulia is particularly successful in this respect, leading the field with 15 excellent moorings.
The Blue Flag no longer just stands for turquoise waters and well-tended sandy beaches. Today, sustainable mobility, environmental management, accessibility and the protection of natural habitats are also assessed. Anyone who wants to receive an award has to meet high standards for years - often much stricter than required by law.
This is precisely what makes the award more than just a tourist seal of quality; it shows which places are seriously investing in quality of life, the environment and modern tourism.
