Blue Flag beaches in Spain 2026
677 Spanish beaches fly the 2026-2027 Blue Flag, more than any other country. Here is where they are and what it means.
Key points
- 677 Spanish beaches fly the 2026-2027 Blue Flag, 35 more than the year before: a record for the programme.
- Spain has more awarded beaches than any other country in the world, according to ADEAC.
- The Valencian Community (152), Andalusia (143) and Galicia (118) top the list.
- The award requires good water quality, safety, facilities, accessibility and environmental education.
What the Blue Flag is
The Blue Flag is an international award granted every year by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) to beaches, marinas and tourist boats. In Spain it is run by ADEAC (the Association for Environmental and Consumer Education), which publishes the list of awarded beaches every May.
It is not a prize for the most beautiful beach but for how it is managed: beaches fly it while they meet a set of criteria throughout the bathing season, and it can be withdrawn if they stop doing so.
The 2026 figures
According to ADEAC, 713 beaches applied in 2026 and 677 received the Blue Flag. A further 111 marinas and six tourist boats were awarded. The programme is 40 years old: in 1987 there were 26 awarded beaches in Spain.
Blue Flag beaches 2026-2027 by region
By province, Alicante (77), Pontevedra (56), Málaga (45), A Coruña (44), Barcelona (39) and Valencia (39) have the most awarded beaches. Sanxenxo (Pontevedra) is the municipality with the most awards: 18 beaches and 3 marinas.
What the award requires
- Water qualityAn «excellent» rating in the official tests for the bathing season.
- SafetyLifeguards, first aid and signs showing bathing conditions.
- Facilities and accessToilets, bins, cleaning and access for people with reduced mobility.
- Environmental educationInformation about the natural surroundings and awareness activities.
How to find Blue Flag beaches
Our guide includes every beach on the official list we have been able to identify on the Blue Flag beach map, and each beach page says whether it has the award. Some beaches have different names in each source: if one is missing, check ADEAC's list.
The flag can be taken down
If a test gives a bad result or a service fails, the council must lower the flag temporarily. Always check what is flying on the pole and the information at the lifeguard post.
Frequently asked questions
How many Blue Flag beaches does Spain have in 2026?
According to ADEAC, 677 beaches received the 2026-2027 Blue Flag, 35 more than the previous year. There are also 111 awarded marinas.
Which region has the most Blue Flags?
The Valencian Community, with 152 beaches according to ADEAC's tables, followed by Andalusia (143) and Galicia (118).
Does a Blue Flag guarantee the water is clean on a given day?
It shows the beach meets water quality, safety, facilities and environmental education criteria during the season, but it can be withdrawn temporarily if there is a problem. Always check the beach information.