When you’re looking to go on a beach holiday the sight of a Blue Flag beach is a sign that you have arrived at one of the best beach spots in the world. Greece is one of the top ranked countries in Europe when it comes to beach cleanliness and safety, with 430 beaches and 9 marinas deemed worthy to fly the coveted Blue Flag.

The Blue Flag Programme is an international system for awarding beaches and marinas that meet some strict criteria. More than 3500 beaches throughout the world have been awarded with the Blue Flag, with Greek beaches being one of the most awarded. In Greece, the Blue Flag Programme is supported by the Greek Society for the Protection of Nature, which determines which beaches meet the relevant criteria.

The award of a blue flag beach is based on compliance with 32 strict criteria covering the aspects of environmental education and information, water quality, environmental management, safety and services.

The Blue Flag Programme, a world-renowned eco-label trusted by millions around the globe, is operated under the auspices of the Foundation for Environmental Education, which has its headquarters in Copenhagen, Denmark. In order to qualify for this prestigious award, a series of stringent environmental, educational, safety-related and access-related criteria must be met and maintained. Through close collaboration with its members on any or all problems they may have, the Foundation for Environmental Education works tirelessly to ensure the expansion of the Programme, and the maintenance internationally of the unrivalled standards of the Blue Flag.

In 2018, 519 Greek beaches, 15 marinas and 1 sustainable tourism boat were awarded with the Blue Flag.

One of them is the Beach in Mola Kaliva.

A full list of Greece’s Blue Flag award winning destinations, along with a brief description of individual beaches and marinas, can be found on the official Blue Flag website: https://www.blueflag.global/