This year, Spain is once again the world leader when it comes to the number of Blue Flag beaches. Find out which new beaches have been given this award in 2026.
In 2026, Spain has a total of 677 Blue Flag beaches, 35 more than last year and more than any other country in the world.
Blue Flags are awarded by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) and recognises beaches for their water quality, environmental management, safety, and the quality of facilities.
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By regions, Valencia leads the way this year with 151 blue flags, nine more than in 2025.
This is followed by Andalusia with 143, five more than last year.
Galicia is next with 118, ten more than in 2025, and then Catalonia with 101, the same number as the previous year.
Next are the Canary Islands with 52 flags (five more this year( and the Balearic Islands with 33 (one more than 2025).
Murcia also has 33 blue flag beaches with four more than 2025 and Asturias has 16 (two more). Cantabria still has 11, while Extremadura has eight.
Completing the list are Melilla with 3 blue flags (one less than last year) and the Basque Country with four (the same as in 2025).
Ceuta has two, while Madrid surprisingly has one.
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Even though there are 35 more beaches this year, some of them had been awarded blue flags in previous years and perhaps had their statuses taken away.
There are, however, 13 beaches which have earned this distinction for the first time this year.
In the Valencia region these include Cala del Advocat in Benissa, as well as nearby Puerto Blanco. Cala Lanuza in El Campello, Pla de la Torre beach in Almassora, and El Brosquil and Mareny de Sant Llorenç, both in Cullera were also given the blue flag for the first time.
Galicia has added three new blue flag beaches in 2026, including Niñons Beach in Ponteceso, Playa de O Laño in Pontevedra and Pampaído in Dorrón.
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Two more awards have also been given out to beaches in Asturias, including Porcía, located near El Franco and Playa Navia.
Catalonia has one new beach -–Platja del Racó in Girona and the Canary Islands also have one new one – Las Burras in San Bartolomé de Tirajana on Gran Canaria.
When it comes to Blue Flag marinas, there are a total of 111 standards, spread across 9 autonomous communities.
Catalonia leads the list with 24 awards. Andalusia follows with 22, then Valencia with 20.
The Balearic Islands achieved 14 Blue Flags for marinas, Galicia has 11 and the Canary Islands have 10. Murcia has eight, while Asturias completes the list with one.
Globally, this award is present to 51 countries, with Spain topping the list. In fact, 15 percent of the world’s Blue Flag beaches are located in Spain.
Since the awards first began back in 1987 only seven of Spain’s beaches and two marinas have maintained its flag consistently. These include El Carregador in Alcalá de Xivert, Sant Joan in Alicante, La Fossa in Calpe, Sant Antoni in Cullera, Carrer la Mar in El Campello, Playa Nord in Gandía, Bastiagueiro in Oleiros and Altea Nautical Club and Real Club Náutico in Calpe.
The full list of Blue Flag beaches for 2026 can be found here.
