Greece Secures Second Place Globally in 2025 Blue Flag Awards

Greece has once again claimed the second spot worldwide in the 2025 Blue Flag awards, with 657 flags awarded to its pristine beaches, marinas, and tourist boats.

Announced by the Hellenic Society for the Protection of Nature (HSPN), the national operator of the international Blue Flag program, Greece’s 623 awarded beaches account for 15% of the world’s Blue Flag-certified coasts among 52 participating countries.

Halkidiki led the nation with 93 flags, while Crete topped the regions with 153. The awards, presented on May 15 at Glyfada Golf Gardens in Attica, highlight Greece’s consistent rise in environmental and tourism excellence, with certified sites increasing annually.

Globally, the International Blue Flag Committee recognised 4,302 beaches, 736 marinas, and 158 tourist boats. Greece’s achievements were celebrated alongside educational initiatives, including environmental workshops for over 100 children and teachers in Glyfada on May 14, featuring lifeguard demonstrations by the Panhellenic Lifeguard School. A Nature Protection LAB on coastal habitat restoration also preceded the main ceremony, attended by government and tourism representatives.

The Blue Flag, a globally recognised eco-label since 1987, certifies exceptional water quality, cleanliness, safety, and environmental management. Beaches must meet 33 strict criteria, including “excellent” water quality, while marinas and boats face 38 and 51 criteria, respectively. In 2025, eight new tourist boats joined the program, raising Greece’s total to 17.

Managed internationally by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) in Denmark, the program is supported in Greece by the HSPN, the Ministry of Environment and Energy, and the Ministry of Tourism. The awards reinforce Greece’s appeal to international travelers, with major travel agencies prioritising Blue Flag destinations for their high-quality services and environmental commitment.

For a detailed map of Greece’s 2025 Blue Flag sites, visit www.eepf.gr.

Source: pagenews.gr