With 657 Blue Flag awards for beaches, marinas and sustainable touristic boats, Greece once again holds 2nd place again in 2025 worldwide among 52 countries. It is worth noting that there is a steady upward trend with an increase in the number of awarded sites every year, with the awards once again exceeding 600. In the total of 52 countries participating in the Program, Greece holds 15% of the internationally awarded beaches.
Greece has received 657 Blue Flag awards for 2025, including 623 beaches, 17 marinas and 17 sustainable tourism boats, organizers said.
The awards were announced Thursday at an event in south Athens , hosted by the Hellenic Society for the Protection of Nature (EEPF/HSPN), the national operator of the international program.
Greece now accounts for 15% of all Blue Flag beaches worldwide, maintaining its position as the second-highest ranked country among 52 participating nations.
The region of Halkidiki in northern Greece leads with 93 Blue Flag awards, while the island of Crete topped regional rankings with a total of 153.
Globally, the BF jury honored 4,302 beaches, 736 marinas and 158 tourism boats for 2025, recognizing high standards in water quality, safety, environmental management and services.
The Blue Flag program is run by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), based in Copenhagen. To qualify, sites must meet and maintain strict criteria on environmental protection, education, safety and accessibility.
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Full List Blue Flag Greece 2025 HERE.
In 2024, Greece was again in second place among the 52 countries worldwide participating in the Program, with 625 awarded coastlines, 18 marinas and 6 tourist boats.
It should be noted that organizers also can withdraw the BF awards during the holiday season if they find deficiencies in unannounced visits and inspections to the coasts
Criteria for Blue Flag awards are specifically related to:
- provision services to bathers and visitors (including the disabled)
- cleanliness
- proper information
- safety of bathers and visitors
- proper environmental management
- actions to protect the coastal environment and coastal space
- as well as covering free coastal space.