{"id":66396,"date":"2026-07-07T11:16:12","date_gmt":"2026-07-07T09:16:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ecobnb.com\/blog\/?p=66396"},"modified":"2026-07-07T11:16:15","modified_gmt":"2026-07-07T09:16:15","slug":"2026-blue-flags-italy-sustainable-beaches","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ecobnb.com\/blog\/2026\/07\/2026-blue-flags-italy-sustainable-beaches\/","title":{"rendered":"2026 Blue Flags in Italy: Sustainable Beaches to Discover This Summer"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Summer has finally arrived, and with it comes one of the most eagerly awaited announcements for beach lovers: the 2026 Blue Flag awards<\/strong>. The list is compiled by the Foundation for Environmental Education, which evaluates water quality, environmental management, services and safety based on precise and verifiable criteria. The Blue Flags therefore serve as a useful guide for anyone whishing to make a conscious choice for their summer getaway<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This year, the award goes to 257 Italian municipalities, 525 beaches and 87 certified tourist marinas<\/strong>. Compared to 2025, the numbers show growth, with 11 more municipalities and 38 more beaches. These are small steps, but in the right direction. It reveals an Italian seaside tourism industry that is learning gradually, yet with extraordinary determination, to respect its sea and coastlines<\/strong>, not just to attract tourists, but as a commitment to the environment and future generations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is the Blue Flag certification? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Picture
Photo via Canva Pro<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Blue Flags<\/strong> are an international award presented annually by the FEE (Foundation for Environmental Education<\/strong>) to coastal and lakeside municipalities. The programme is run in collaboration with two UN agencies: the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), and operates in 51 countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To obtain this recognition, a location must meet very strict criteria<\/strong>: the quality of bathing water is fundamental, with regular sampling required to certify the absence of pollution. However, environmental education (providing educational information for tourists), waste management, safety of bathers, accessibility and provision of facilities such as cycle paths and pedestrian areas are also assessed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In short, the assessment focuses on whether a community knows how to look after its local area<\/strong>, not just during the bathing season, but as a long-term political and cultural commitment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What\u2019s new in 2026<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In 2026, the list of the Blue Flags in Italy includes 14 new entries<\/strong> and just 3 withdrawals<\/strong>. Furthermore, from this year onwards, the Blue Flag will be awarded every two years<\/strong>: this is designed to provide greater stability in planning for local authorities and a longer-term outlook for tourists wishing to plan their holidays.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The FEE has also launched a partnership with the Green Key certification<\/strong> scheme, with the aim of strengthening sustainability policies. Indeed, this link enables the environmental certification to cover both the local area and the accommodation facilities themselves. This creates an integrated system involving public authorities, local communities and eco-friendly accommodation providers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Introduced last year, the “Piano di Azione per la Sostenibilit\u00e0<\/em>” (sustainability action plan<\/strong>) requires local authorities to propose, implement and monitor specific environmental measures on a three-year basis (2025\u20132027). It has five overarching objectives: sustainable mobility, sustainable cities and communities, life on land, life below water and combating climate change. The result is that whilst 81 per cent of local authorities had been working on all five objectives simultaneously in 2025, this figure reached a record high of 94 per cent in 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The top-awarded regions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Tropea,
Tropea, Calabria – Photo via Canva Pro<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

As for the most awarded regions, Liguria<\/a><\/strong> remains in the lead with 35 municipalities receiving awards. It is followed by Puglia and Calabria<\/strong>, both with 27 awards, whilst Campania, Marche and Tuscany each have 20. This ranking reflects a commitment that is being pursued consistently across both the north and south of Italy. It is worth noting the strong growth in the south. Calabria and Sicily have made clear progress, with new entries reflecting tangible investment in environmental quality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Furthermore, the Blue Flags for lakes<\/strong>, often overlooked in summer coverage, also deserve attention. The number of Blue Flags on lakes has risen to 23, with Limone sul Garda as the sole new entry for 2026. For those seeking an alternative to the crowded seaside, these certified lakeside destinations represent an attractive option.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new Blue Flags for 2026<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Lipari,
Lipari, Sicilia – Photo via Canva Pro<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re looking for inspiration for this year\u2019s destinations, the new entries for 2026<\/strong> range from the lakes of the north to the major islands. Among the 14 new entrants, you\u2019ll find:<\/p>\n\n\n\n