In second place globally with 581 Blue Flags on its shores, Greece stands out again this year. “Champions” Halkidiki, and Rhodes with 87 and 55 Blue Flags respectively.
The results were announced by the Hellenic Society for the Protection of Nature, which is responsible in Greece for the institution of the Blue Flag, and once again Greece is in a very high position, not only for the cleanliness of beaches and seas but also for the organization of the coasts. . More specifically, the Blue Flag awards this year 581 beaches (36 more than last year), 15 marinas (compared to 16 last year) and 6 tourist boats.
By regional unit, the “champion” with a big difference is Halkidiki with 87 Blue Flags, followed by the regional unit of Rhodes with 55 Blue Flags this year compared to 49 last year. At the same time, Crete has won the remaining places with the regional unit of Lassithi having 41 this year compared to 40 last year, Chania 36 against 33, Heraklion 31 against 29, and Rethymnon with 20 against 18 last year. The top ten is completed with Attica and 18 Blue Flags, the regional unit of Kefallinia with 17, and Lesvos with 7. Tails of the List with only one blue flag are the Regional Units of Andros, Evros, Ithaca, Mykonos, and Tinos.
The Blue Flag identifies the coasts that meet several 33 conditions (38 for marinas and 51 for tourist boats) and can be removed during the year if it is proven that they no longer meet these conditions. The Blue Flag Program was Founded by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), which is also the International Coordinator of the program and is based in Denmark, with 73 member countries from around the world. In Greece, you are represented by the Hellenic Society for the Protection of Nature (EEPF), which this year closes 70 years of uninterrupted action in environmental interventions and nature protection programs. The Ministry of Environment also supports the program.
