Greece ranked 2nd among 47 countries worldwide in 2019’s Blue Flag program with 515 beaches, 15 marinas and 4 sustainable tourism boats in this year’s international quality award roundup.
First, in all of Greece, the Regional Unit of Chalkidiki had a total of 92 Blue Flags. In all, the International Commission awarded its prestigious flags to 3,779 beaches, 695 marinas and 67 sustainable tourism boats worldwide. Other Blue Flag sites in Greece are Akti Vouliagmeni beach in Attica, Komotini’s Fanari Beach, Alimos Marina.
“In every outthrust headland, in every curving beach, in every grain of sand, there is the story of the earth.” — Rachel Carson
Here on Crete a few of the most famous are: Fodele Beach, at Fodele Beach Hotel; Kastri/Creta Maris in Hersonissos; Vai/Finikodasos in the far east; Kavros/Mythos Palace (below) at Georgioupolis; and Falasarna/Pachia Ammos 1 in the far west of the island, to name a very few.
The iconic Blue Flag is one of the world’s best recognized voluntary eco-labels awarded to beaches, marinas, and sustainable boating tourism operators. In order to qualify for the Blue Flag, a series of stringent environmental, educational, safety, and accessibility criteria must be met and maintained.