Greece ranks second globally for Blue Flag beach awards in 2026

In 2026, Greece secured second place globally in the Blue Flag program, with 624 awarded beaches, 17 marinas, and 17 tourist vessels. This achievement represents 14% of all awards distributed among the 51 participating countries. Within Greece, the Crete region led the national rankings with a total of 154 flags, distributed across Lasithi (52), Chania (41), Heraklion (37), and Rethymno (24). At the regional unit level, Halkidiki emerged as the top performer with 93 flags. Globally, the International Jury recognized 4,378 beaches, 747 marinas, and 158 tourist vessels. The Blue Flag certification is awarded based on strict criteria involving water quality, swimmer safety, cleanliness, and environmental protection. Greece has maintained a consistent upward trajectory in these environmental accolades.