If you would like to travel to one of the countries in the world with the best beaches, if you are concerned about preserving the environment and if you want your activities on the coast to be respectful of the environment, grab your swimsuit and come to Spain. You will be able to choose between more than 600 beaches, more than 100 marinas and 7 sustainable tourist vessels given the prestigious Blue Flag.What is the Blue Flag? An award managed by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) and used by around fifty countries as a world standard for tourism eco-quality. When you go to any of these beaches or marinas, you can trust that they meet criteria of accessibility, safety, environmental education and cleanliness. Spain has been a world leader in Blue Flags for years, so you will be able to choose between different holiday destinations.
All along the coast… and inland too
You'll find a Blue Flag in most of the coastal areas in Spain. If you opt for the north, you'll find spectacular green landscapes and dramatic cliffs. Put Galicia on your agenda, where you will enjoy destinations with several of these awards, such as Sanxenxo. You will also find them on the coast of The Basque Country and Asturias.Do you prefer the Mediterranean? Mild temperatures, warm waters, palm groves... Try Catalonia, on the beaches of Sitges. Alternatively, visit the Region of Valencia with towns such as Cullera (Valencia) or Orihuela (Alicante). And what about Murcia? There's nothing like a refreshing dip at flag-bearing beaches like Águilas.In Andalusia, in the south of Spain, you can gaze at film-worthy sunsets. It is home to stunning blue flag beaches like those in Roquetas de Mar (Almeria), Marbella (Malaga) and Rota (Cadiz). And just a stone's throw away, in Ceuta and Melilla, beaches have also been given this seal of approval.
If you are considering a visit to one of Spain's islands, you will find impressive beaches bathed in turquoise waters in the Balearic Islands and in Canary Islands, with its characteristic volcanic black sandy beaches.Do you prefer to go on holiday inland? Spain also boasts river beaches and large reservoirs with a Blue Flag, where the landscapes are incredible and you can do all kinds of activities. Most of these inland beaches can be found in Extremadura, although there is also one in San Martín de Valdeiglesias (Region of Madrid), in (Basque Country), in Almodóvar del Río (Córdoba) and in Ponte Caldelas (Pontevedra).
What is so special about these beaches?
The quality of their water is excellent, access is easy, there is always a lifeguard team, and you find all kinds of services and area signage for activities such as kitesurfing, parasailing, water skiing…There are two other projects linked to the Blue Flags that may also be of interest to you.The network of Blue Trails (on several of the Blue Flag beaches you will find information panels about these routes). There are almost 130 trails that form a network of around 850 kilometres where you can walk surrounded by nature. Most of them are coastal and will allow you to walk between lighthouses and watchtowers and gaze at unforgettable sunsets.
All of these trails have focused on regenerating dune environments, planting indigenous species and rewilding trails that are no longer used.Alternatively, you can plan a beach holiday with visits to interesting visitor centres and maritime museums. Here you will find information on approximately 90 Blue Centres across Spain. You can visit mills, attend nature workshops, learn more about a strict nature reserve of dunes, discover the secrets of the salt flats, delve into lighthouses or marine research centres...
Sustainable tourist vessels
Do you feel like going whale watching or recreational diving? Different marinas and tourist vessels in Spain have been awarded the Blue Flag for their commitment to respecting good tourism practices and defending life in the sea, and zero pollution.Specifically, you will find these vessels in Benalmadena Benalmádena (Malaga), where you can sail a catamaran in search of cetaceans, sunbathe on the boat's deck with a solarium or take a refreshing swim in the Alboran Sea.
And it is not the only one. You will also find blue-flag catamarans that set sail from other Mediterranean ports, including Denia or Valencia. These take visitors to explore the nearby coves and capes and take a dip in the sea... from the sea. Others are located inland, for example in the Gabriel y Galán reservoir (Cáceres) on the River Alagón, where you can set sail to discover the famous Melero meander.Do you also commit to caring for the environment and respecting the marine environment?
