Greece ranks 2nd globally after winning 2023 Blue Flag award for coasts and marinas
A total of 617 beaches in Greece were awarded the prestigious Blue Flag award for 2023, putting the country in second place in the world, according to data released on Wednesday.
The number of “Blue Flags” now found in Greece surpasses, for the first time, 600, with Greece retaining 15 percent of the distinctions for best-rated beaches.
The Greek section of the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) says that the Halkidiki peninsula in northern Greece, renowned for its golden sand and turquoise waters, swept most of the awards with 94. Attica, Crete, and Rhodes follow, according to greekreporter.com.
A map with all the locations in Greece and elsewhere awarded this year is available at www.blueflag.global. Attica, the prefecture of greater Athens, boasts 18 Blue Flag beaches. They are:
Brexiza, Nea Makri
Schinias/Karavi
Diastavrosi
Limni
Avlaki
Lavreotiki
1st Limanaki Daskaleio Kerateas/Solo Pino
Lagonissi 1-Grand Beach/ Grand Resort Lagonissi
Lagonissi 2-Mediterraneo/Grand Resort Lagonissi
Lagonissi 3-Kohilia/ Grand Resort Lagonissi
Mavro Lithari/EverEden Beach
Astir Beach Vouliagmeni
Varkiza
Voula A
Vouliagmeni
Glyfada A
Glyfada B
Agia Marina, Aegina
The Greek beaches are famed across the world for their clear bathing waters and their great diversity.
The Greek shoreline of the Aegean Archipelago, and the Ionian and Cretan Seas can suit all tastes. You will find small beaches and long stretches of sand, pebble beaches and sea caves hewn into steep rocks, beaches with white or pink sand, as well as black sand ones created by volcanic soils.
Stringent criteria are needed to qualify for a Blue Flag
The emblematic 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.
Certificates, which the FEE refers to as awards, are issued on an annual basis to beaches and marinas of FEE member countries.
The Blue Flag was founded in France in 1985, as a pilot scheme from the Office of the Foundation for Environmental Education in Europe where French coastal municipalities were awarded the Blue Flag on the basis of criteria covering sewage treatment and bathing water quality.
1987 was the “European Year of the Environment,” and the European Commission was responsible for developing the European Community activities of that year.
FEEE presented the concept of the Blue Flag to the commission, and it was agreed that it would launch the Blue Flag program as one of several “European Year of the Environment” activities in the Community.
RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations, Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report
- 1) 'Nature Positive' peport highlights new collaborative era in travel & tourism
- 2) Greek Climate Change Minister signs memorandum for Attica fire protection zones
- 3) UN Tourism and Croatia to launch Research Centre for Sustainable Tourism
- 4) Greece's Meteora Pyli Geopark added to UNESCO Global Geoparks network
04/05 17:56
Minister launches dynamic plan to boost Greece's relations with other countries
04/05 17:44
Greece opens another five Aegean Islands to Turkish visitors fast-track visas
03/05 18:00
03/05 17:42
Aegean and Olympic Air to fly 'Holy Light' from Athens to the rest of Greece
03/05 17:39
Athens transportation schedules over 2024 Greek Easter holidays announced
01/05 11:45
Euro 2004 Legends play FootGolf at Porto Carras Pro-Am Aegean Mini Tour
30/04 22:36
Visa entry express now available on five more Greek islands for Turkish citizens
30/04 20:44
Hellenic Police launches 10201, a 24-hour hotline for protection of minors in Greece
30/04 19:42
Aegean Airlines to distribute dividend for the first time after four years
30/04 18:39
May Day strikes in Greece: Public transportation disruptions and Syntagma Metro station closure
30/04 18:31
Bank of Greece report: More than 30 million tourists visit the country during 2023
25/04 22:00
Greek FM talks with Kuwaiti counterpart on bilateral relations, regional cooperation
25/04 14:49
Prices of products in Easter Basket the same or lower in Greece than in 2023
25/04 13:57
25/04 12:44
Greece and China to ink cooperation protocols in the fisheries sector
25/04 09:53
Extended shop opening hours for Easter in Greece start on Thursday
25/04 02:19
Athens Airport voted as the best in marketing strategy at European awards in Denmark
25/04 02:10
President of Hellenic Republic visits La Chascona Museum in visit to Chile
24/04 21:31
Thirty-one Greek political parties to take part in European Parliament elections
24/04 21:25
Payment by bank cards now accepted on Athens Airport Express bus lines
24/04 14:12
Herculaneum papyri unveil more than location of Plato's tomb in Athens
23/04 23:52
Greece’s New Ambassador to the United States visits Queens in New York
23/04 21:49
Traffic regulations in Athens due to the Olympic Torch Relay on Thursday-Friday
23/04 20:59
President of Hellenic Republic wraps up visit to Uruguay at parliament
23/04 15:44
Greek government will pass legislation halving commission paid for POS transactions
23/04 15:03
Precise location of Plato's burial site unveiled by ancient papyrus
22/04 22:33
'Nature Positive' peport highlights new collaborative era in travel & tourism
22/04 21:25
22/04 20:37
Greek and Turkish delegations discuss Confidence Building Measures for 2024
22/04 18:29
Over 114,000 Greek Diaspora citizens register to vote by post in the European elections
22/04 13:40
19/04 01:29
Athens State Orchestra presents 'St. Matthew's Passion' by Bach on April 30th
18/04 21:49
Greek Climate Change Minister signs memorandum for Attica fire protection zones
18/04 20:32
'Easter Basket' and 'Godparents basket' to be put into effect next week in Greece
18/04 20:17
18/04 17:40
17/04 21:06
Thessaloniki Port: Performance growth for 2023 with record container throughput
17/04 20:57
Traffic regulations imposed in Athens for the 41st Peace Marathon on Sunday
17/04 20:52
17/04 18:15
Greek Foreign Minister addresses the 9th Our Ocean Conference in Athens
17/04 17:12
16/04 21:02
NHM hosts the Trial of Pericles at the Harris Theater in Chicago on April 17
16/04 20:17
Greece will invest $830 million to protect marine biodiversity
16/04 01:46
New York Greek Independence Parade honors 1821 and solemn Cyprus Anniversary
16/04 01:35
Olympic Games Paris 2024: Olympic Flame to be lit at Ancient Olympia in Greece
16/04 00:29
European Committee of Regions and UN release study on Rural Tourism
15/04 20:41
15/04 19:58
Minister: Greece is transforming into a hub for exporting quality agri-food products
15/04 18:51
Greek Environment Minister meets Chinese Deputy Minister of Natural Resources
13/04 00:13
UN Tourism and Croatia to launch Research Centre for Sustainable Tourism
12/04 00:03
2024 marks a critical year in the enduring strength of Greek-German relations
12/04 00:00
11/04 22:07
Ambassador: US committed to upgrade of Greek military and support NATO's SE flank
11/04 19:40
Hellenic Pride on display at rainy Chicago Greek Independence Day Parade
11/04 02:06
Delphi Economic Forum IX: Energy collaboration a 'key' in Greek-Bulgarian relations
11/04 01:58
UN Tourism launches investment guidelines for Albania sector
10/04 19:01
Greek FinMin: New package of economic measures in 2025 to lower taxes, raise pensions
10/04 18:25
Greek city of Nafplion hosts Mediterranean Yacht Show for ninth year running
09/04 23:57
Greek PM on Tilos: Innovative projects for a cyclical economy are of key significance
09/04 23:55
UN Tourism members promote agenda for Europe as region leads global recovery
09/04 23:46
HFS presents 1968, Rousing Docudrama about Greece’s First European Cup April 21
09/04 22:48
Stolen 7th-century BC oenochoe returned to Greece by Hanover museum, municipality
09/04 22:42
Greek civil servants confederation ADEDY to strike on May 21
09/04 21:55
Greek Migration Minister meets Senior US Coordinator for Lawful Migration
08/04 23:48
08/04 23:41
Elliniko-Argyroupoli Mayor marches in Greek Independence Philadelphia Parade
08/04 21:53
Project Voria casino complex in Maroussi moving ahead after environmental report
08/04 21:36
Minister: Up to 120 delegations to take part in 9th Our Ocean Conference in Athens
08/04 19:22
Direct flight from Shanghai to Athens offers access to key tourism market for Greece
08/04 18:31
AI conference to attract distinguished speakers to Thessaloniki on April 25-27
04/04 23:28
City of San Jose marks March 25 with 16th Annual Greek Flag Raising Event
04/04 22:16
Urban plans published for seven townships in Thessaloniki and Attica of Greece
04/04 17:24
FinMin: The new EU economic and fiscal framework is good for Greece
04/04 15:30
Greek PM meets with the chiefs of the international pharmaceutical manufacturers
04/04 00:15
Deputy Minister for Macedonia-Thrace meets US Embassy Deputy Mission Chief
03/04 20:12
Syracuse AHEPA Chapter 37 marks March 25th Greek Independence Day
03/04 18:10
Greece's Delphi Economic Forum on April 10-13 to focus on 'The Great Transition'
03/04 16:42
Minister: Industrial production has returned to the pre-crisis levels in Greece
02/04 18:06
30/03 23:21
Eleni Gatzoyiannis scholarship offered to Greek students at Boston University
29/03 16:44
3rd edition of 'This is Athens - City Festival' with 250+ events from May 1 until June 2
29/03 15:53
Athens Metro station Aghia Varvara to stay closed on Saturday and Sunday
29/03 13:55
Greek Foreign Minister for Economic Diplomacy concludes visit to Montenegro
29/03 12:00
29/03 11:51
28/03 18:41
Attica Region to channel 640 bln euros to services of vulnerable and disadvantaged groups
28/03 17:32
Greece to auction three-month T-bills on April 3, 2024 in a book entry form
28/03 15:46
Greece's Meteora Pyli Geopark added to UNESCO Global Geoparks network
28/03 14:44
IPTO announces framework agreement tender for undersea power cables in Greece
28/03 11:49
IOBE: Construction sector in Greece records robust growth and good prospects
26/03 23:51
St. Thomas Hellenic School honors 1821 and the Feast of the Annunciation in NJ
26/03 21:59
PM at Economic Club of Canada: Greece is an attractive investment destination
26/03 17:56
Greek State budget primary balance reaches a surplus of 3,378 million euros
26/03 11:45
Ancient Messene to get upgraded visitors' facilities after approval by Council
23/03 17:43
New requirements for 'Golden Visa' program to kick in on March 31
23/03 16:49
Athenians continue to head out of the Greek Capital for March 25 long weekend
23/03 16:47
Greek Parliament lights to be turned off for Earth Hour 8:30-9:30 pm
22/03 21:54
US President on Greek Independence Day: Alliance with Greece stronger than ever
22/03 19:51
High diplomacy and geopolitics at Delphi Economic Forum IX in Greece
22/03 19:32
Tax authorities enable payments with foreign bank cards in Greece
Athens transportation schedules over 2024 Greek Easter holidays announced
Minister launches dynamic plan to boost Greece's relations with other countries
Greece opens another five Aegean Islands to Turkish visitors fast-track visas
May Day strikes in Greece: Public transportation disruptions and Syntagma Metro station closure
Aegean and Olympic Air to fly 'Holy Light' from Athens to the rest of Greece
Visa entry express now available on five more Greek islands for Turkish citizens
Hellenic Police launches 10201, a 24-hour hotline for protection of minors in Greece
Euro 2004 Legends play FootGolf at Porto Carras Pro-Am Aegean Mini Tour
Aegean Airlines to distribute dividend for the first time after four years
Extended shop opening hours for Easter in Greece start on Thursday
President of Hellenic Republic visits La Chascona Museum in visit to Chile
Retail stores opening hours in Greece over Orthodox Easter holiday
Greek Deputy Transport Minister flies in first test seaplane flight from Lavrio port
2024 marks a critical year in the enduring strength of Greek-German relations
3-year stay and work permits approved for 30,000 undocumented migrants in Greece
Greek FM talks with Kuwaiti counterpart on bilateral relations, regional cooperation
Bank of Greece report: More than 30 million tourists visit the country during 2023
Greek Migration and Asylum Minister meets Ukrainian Minister of the Cabinet
Ministers: Central Greece Road (E65) section to Kalabaka nearly complete
Yale University students visit The Εllinikon Experience Center in Greece
Eleni Gatzoyiannis scholarship offered to Greek students at Boston University
Greek PM meets with the chiefs of the international pharmaceutical manufacturers
Greek authorities simplify storage process for vehicles with foreign license plates