Italy has a net increase of ten Blue Flag beaches in 2024 compared to 2023. Liguria tops the charts with the most flags.
The number of coastal locations boasting the 2024 Blue Flag recognition has risen to 236, marking a ten-point increase from last year. This year, the Blue Flag will fly over 485 beaches, recognised for their excellent sea quality for four consecutive years. This constitutes approximately 11.5% of globally awarded sites.
However, despite the increase in beaches receiving the Blue Flag, the number of tourist destinations earning international recognition from the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) has decreased from 84 to 81, based on 32 program criteria.
Blue Flag beaches and destinations
Liguria retains its position at the forefront with 34 recognised locations, although it experienced both 2 gains and 2 losses.
Puglia climbs to 24 locations with three new entries, while Campania and Calabria each gain one more recognition, bringing their total to 20. Marche receives 19 Blue Flags with a new entry, while Tuscany loses a municipality, dropping to 18.
Sardinia and Abruzzo both confirm 15 locations, and Sicily reaches 14 with three new entries, including Taormina. Trentino Alto Adige rises to 12 with two new municipalities, while Lazio remains at 10. Emilia Romagna and Veneto retain nine flags each, and Basilicata and Piedmont confirm five. Lombardy and Friuli Venezia Giulia maintain three and two municipalities, respectively, while Molise holds steady with one.
The new coastal municipalities awarded in 2024 are: Ortona (Abruzzo), Parghelia (Calabria), Cellole (Campania), Borgio Verezzi (Liguria), Recco (Liguria), Porto Sant’Elpidio (Marche), Lecce (Puglia), Manduria ( Puglia), Patù (Puglia), Letojanni (Sicily), Scicli (Sicily), Taormina (Sicily), Tenno (Trentino Alto Adige) and Vallelaghi (Trentino Alto Adige).
This year, 23 Blue Flags will stand proudly by Italian lakeshores, including two new additions. Four municipalities – Ameglia and Taggia in Liguria, Margherita di Savoia in Puglia, and Marciana Marina in Tuscany – have not been reconfirmed.
Blue Flag award ceremony
At the Blue Flag award ceremony at the CNR headquarters in Rome, attended by mayors and Minister for Civil Protection and Maritime Policies, Nello Musumeci, President of the Fee Italia Foundation, Claudio Mazza, emphasized the growing sensitivity and awareness of citizens, attributing the recognition to their efforts. Municipal administrations play a crucial role in promoting their territories on a tourist level, aiming to meet the Blue Flag’s stringent criteria for environmental sustainability.
“This year too we are seeing an increase in the number of municipalities that have obtained the Blue Flag recognition, 236 with 14 new entries,” declared Mazza.
“The number is increasing, but above all the sensitivity and awareness of citizens, who deserve the credit for this recognition, is growing. Every Blue Flag Administration knows well that virtuous management of the territory also necessarily involves the training and involvement of individuals, schools, associations, local activities and all operators”.
The evaluation process involves various institutional bodies and private organisations, culminating in the achievement of the final result by the international jury. The 81 awarded locations reflect the tourist ports’ commitment to sustainability and environmental protection, ensuring the quality and quantity of services provided are environmentally compatible.
Founded in 1981, the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) promotes environmental sustainability through education and training programs, operating in 81 countries worldwide.
List of Blue Flag Beaches by Region
Liguria
Bordighera Sanremo, Riva Ligure, Santo Stefano al Mare, San Lorenzo al Mare, Imperia, Diano Marina, Laigueglia, Ceriale, Borghetto Santo Spirito, Loano, Pietra Ligure, Borgio Verezzi, Finale Ligure, Noli, Spotorno, Bergeggi, Savona, Albissola Marina, Albisola Superiore, Celle Ligure, Varazze, Sori, Recco, Camogli, Santa Margherita Ligure, Chiavari, Lavagna, Sestri Levante , Moneglia, Framura, Bonassola, Levanto and Lerici.
Puglia
Tremiti Islands, Rodi Garganico, Peschici, Vieste, Zapponeta, Bisceglie, Polignano a Mare, Monopoli, Fasano, Ostuni, 174. Carovigno, Lecce, Melendugno , Castro, Patù, Salve, Ugento, Gallipoli, Nardò, Manduria, Maruggio, Leporano, Castellaneta, Ginosa.
Campania
Cellole, Massa Lubrense, Sorrento, Piano di Sorrento, Vico Equense, Anacapri, Positano, Capaccio Paestum, Agropoli, Castellabate, Montecorice, San Mauro Cilento, Pollica, Casal Velino, Ascea, Pisciotta, Centola , Camerota, Ispani and Vibonati) and Calabria (Tortora, Praia a Mare, San Nicola Arcella, Santa Maria del Cedro, Diamante, Rocca Imperiale, Roseto Capo Spulico, Trebisacce, Villapiana, Cirò Marina, Melissa, Isola di Capo Rizzuto, Sellia Marina, Catanzaro, Soverato, Parghelia, Tropea, Caulonia, Roccella Jonica and Siderno.
Marche
Gabicce Mare, Pesaro, Fano, Mondolfo, Senigallia, Ancona, Sirolo, Numana, Porto Recanati, Potenza Picena, Civitanova Marche, Porto Sant’Elpidio, Fermo, Porto San Giorgio, Altidona, Pedaso, Cupra Marittima, Grottammare and San Benedetto del Tronto.
Tuscany
Carrara, Massa, Forte dei Marmi, Pietrasanta, Camaiore, Viareggio, Pisa, Livorno, Rosignano Marittimo, Cecina, Bibbona, Castagneto Carducci, San Vincenzo, Piombino, Follonica, Castiglione della Pescaia, Grosseto and Orbetello.
Sardinia
Castelsardo, Sorso, Sassari, Santa Teresa Gallura, Aglientu, Trinità d’Agultu and Vignola, Badesi, La Maddalena, Palau, Budoni, Oristano, Tortolì, Bari Sardo, Quartu Sant’Elena and Sant’Antioco ), Abruzzo also rises to 15 with a new entry (Martinsicuro, Alba Adriatica, Tortoreto, Giulianova, Roseto degli Abruzzi, Pineto, Silvi, Pescara, Francavilla al Mare, Ortona, Fossacesia, Vasto, San Salvo, Villalago and Scanno .
Sicily
Lipari, Tusa, Alì Terme, Roccalumera, Furci Siculo, Santa Teresa di Riva, Letojanni, Taormina, Modica, Ispica, Pozzallo, Scicli, Ragusa and Menfi.
Trentino Alto Adige
Vallelaghi, Sella Giudicarie, Tenno, Bondone, Bedollo, Baselga di Pinè, Pergine Valsugana, Tenna, Calceranica al Lago, Levico Terme, Caldonazzo and Lavarone.
Lazio
Trevignano Romano, Anzio, Latina, Sabaudia, San Felice Circeo, Terracina, Fondi, Sperlonga, Gaeta and Minturno.
Emilia Romagna
9 places awarded in Emila Romagna: Comacchio, Ravenna, Cervia, Cesenatico, Gatteo, San Mauro Pascoli, Bellaria Igea Marina, Riccione, Misano Adriatico)
Veneto
San Michele al Tagliamento, Caorle, Eraclea, Jesolo, Cavallino Treporti, Venice, Chioggia, Rosolina and Porto Tolle.
Basilicata & Piedmont
Maratea, Bernalda, Pisticci, Policoro and Nova Siri), and there are also 5 Municipalities in Piedmont that obtain the Flags – Cannobio, Cannero Riviera, Verbania, San Maurizio d’Opaglio, Gozzano.
Lombardy, Friuli, Molise
There are 3 municipalities awarded in Lombardy (all in the province of Brescia, on Lake Garda). Friuli Venezia Giulia has the 2 awards with Grado and Lignano Sabbiadoro as well as Molise, with Termoli and Campomarino.
