Cala Punta D'en Sureda, LLoret de Mar, Spain / Wikimedia commons
Cala Punta D'en Sureda, LLoret de Mar, Spain / Wikimedia commons

This year, the prestigious Blue Flag that rewards the best beaches of European and non-European countries updates its list. The Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), founded in 1981, is the organisation responsible for ensuring that coastal sites meet the requirements to display the Blue Flag.

The criteria they look at include environmental education and training, water quality, environmental management, services and safety.

If you’re still not sure where your next holiday destination will be, check out our selection of award-winning beach resorts in Spain, Portugal and Italy!

1. Calvià: a corner of heaven in Mallorca, Spain

Illetes beach in Mallorca / Wikimedia commons

Calvià is one of the most popular destinations in Mallorca. Located in the southwest of the island, Calvià is in the Tramuntana mountain range, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, a place of great interest for lovers of hiking and unspoilt nature. This municipality has 34 beautiful beaches and incredible coves, and this year there are 6 that have Blue Flag status:

Es Carregador: A beach of fine white sand, with easy access and all the services you can shake a stick at, that is always very popular during the summer holiday season.

Palmanova: Like the previous one, it is a beach very much appreciated by tourists for the variety of sports activities on offer and the presence of restaurants, bars and baths.

Son Maties: An urban beach that is easily accessible by public transport. Here we also find the characteristic fine white sand and services to meet all needs.

Illetes: Beloved for its tranquillity and its modern and elegant establishments. Here the sand alternates with rocks, the sea is clear blue, and the lush vegetation reaches all the way down to the beach, creating a typically Mediterranean landscape.

Cala Contesa: One of the most beautiful beaches in Palma de Mallorca, famous for its crystal clear waters, whose transparency will leave you speechless as you enjoy the spectacular views on the way down.

Peguera Torà: A spacious and well-kept beach with restaurants, bars and beach bars. Here you can practice several water sports, making it the ideal spot for a family vacation.

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2. Lloret de Mar: the queen of the Costa Brava, Spain

Spanish beach on the Tossa de Mar / Wikimedia commons

Lloret de Mar, in the Spanish province of Girona, is one of the best-known destinations on the Costa Brava, famous for its lively atmosphere and its gorgeous sandy beaches.

This year, 5 beaches in this city have been awarded the Blue Flag:

Cala Canyelles: A golden sandy beach framed by cliffs covered with lush vegetation. It is the furthest beach from the city centre, on the road leading to Tossa de Mar, another beautiful village on the Costa Brava. Here you will find the only sports club in Lloret de Mar.

Cala Lloret: A large city-based beach with modern facilities, bars and restaurants. It offers a wide variety of recreational and sporting activities, making it one of the most popular in the region.

Cala Fenals: This beach is located in a bay protected from the wind, thanks to a promontory that separates it from the town centre. Surrounded by crystalline waters, it offers various sports activities such as water skiing and kayaking.

Cala Sa Boadella: Traditionally known as a nudist beach, it is perfect for those looking for a bit of peace and quiet. A walk of about 200 metres leads to this natural paradise where you can enjoy a pristine landscape.

Cala Santa Cristina: Hidden between the cliffs of the Botanical Garden of La Pinya de Rosa and the pine groves that lead to the Hermitage of Santa Cristina is this beach of fine sand. Here the sea surprises you with its colours and invites you to immerse yourself in its wonderful sea beds.

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3. Lagos: wonder of the Algarve, Portugal

Praia do Camilo / flickr.com/photos/ibailemon/

In the Algarve region, in the city of Lagos, you will find some of the most beautiful beaches on the Portuguese coast. This place mixes the present and the past to offer all visitors modern facilities with all the charm of its old town. The location makes it an ideal starting point for excursions and exploring the interior of the western Algarve.

The Blue Flag beaches here are:

Praia Batata: Located just a few metres from the historic centre, it is a beach frequented by those seeking comfort, thanks to the services it provides, and by those who want to practice sports: during the summer there are regattas, beach volleyball and handball championships. Spectacular rock formations lead to small coves where you can enjoy the colours of the sea and a bit of peace away from it all.

Praia do Camilo: A small beach that has a great visual impact. To get there, you have to go down a staircase with more than 200 steps, from which you can enjoy an impressive view. Take a calm, slow walk down and use the opportunity to take some pictures.

Praia Dona Ana: Considered one of the most picturesque beaches in the Algarve, Dona Ana is a small bay of golden sand, surrounded by steep cliffs and bathed by transparent waters. It’s only a short distance away from the centre of Lagos and is ideal for a relaxing day out.

Praia Luz: A quiet beach, perfect for those who just want to relax in the sun. Close to the beach is the small and simple Luz complex, where you can find bars and restaurants and enjoy the local specialities.

Meia Praia: This is one of the most famous beaches in the area. It is the largest, well equipped and easily accessible. Here you can rent water sports equipment and there is also a windsurfing school.

Praia Porto de Mós: The second largest beach in the Lagos area has a golden sandy shore enclosed between two high cliffs, from the top of which you can admire the entire coast.

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4. Sorrento: the best of Naples, Italy

View of the gulf / Wikimedia commons

As for Italy, the big surprise this year is the region of Campania which, with up to 18 Blue Flag beaches, occupies third place in the ranking of the Italian regions that have received this coveted award. Among the new entrants is the beach of Sorrento, a charming town in the province of Naples.

This year, in addition to visiting this beautiful city, you can enjoy its beach, which has passed the strict controls necessary to become one of the best in Italy. Clean water, services, infrastructure, bicycle lanes and pedestrian areas are just some of the criteria that were used for the awarding of this flag.

Discover the beauties of the Sorrento Peninsula in summer 2018, with sea, sun, excellent Italian food, plentiful drinks and great artistic and cultural treasures.

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5. Finale Ligure: all the wonders of the Ligurian Sea, Italy

Beautiful and popular beach / Wikimedia commons

There are 27 Blue Flags flying on the beaches of Liguria, placing it at the head of the regions of Italy most awarded with Blue Flags this year.

In the Savona area, there are 13 places that have received this important award for the quality of their beaches. Among them, the beautiful city of Finale Ligure stands out, with 6 award-winning beaches:

Spiaggia de Malpasso-Baia dei Saraceni: A beach in the village of Varigotti free of the gravel and pebbles you find on some beaches, which stretches for a few hundred metres from the Bay of the Saracens. Tucked behind the mountains, it is bathed by a luscious sea that captivates with its variety of shades of blue.

Finalmarina: A beach of smooth pebbles, like most beaches in the area, this place is very popular during the high season for the rich and varied range of services that meet the needs of all visitors.

Finalpia: Located at the foot of the Castelletto di Finale, it takes its name from the spa there. The calm sea changes colour according to the refraction of light, from turquoise to cobalt blue. Recommended for a family vacation.

Spiaggia del Porto: A free beach near the tourist port of Finale Ligure. The shallow, sandy sea makes it perfect for families with children. When the wind is right, the place fills up with surfers looking to catch the waves.

Varigotti: Sandy beach mixed with fine gravel where there are well-equipped establishments and free areas. In addition to enjoying the clear and clean sea, behind the beach the landscape is very typically Italian, with the characteristic coloured houses of Ligure and the imposing mountains covered with olive trees.

Spiaggia del Castelletto di San Donato: The beach is of a modest size and is composed of sand and pebbles. It stretches along the coast, between the Torre Mausoleo del Generale Enrico Caviglia and the Castelletto di Finalpia. You can choose to rent sun loungers and parasols or take advantage of the free beach.

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