This year’s announcement of the Blue Flags 2025 marks a significant achievement for Greek tourism, with Greece securing 2nd place globally among 52 countries. The country earned a total of 623 awards for its beaches, marinas, and tourist boats. The announcement was made by the Hellenic Society for the Protection of Nature (HSPN), which is the national coordinator of the international program in Greece.
Greece accounts for 15% of all Blue Flag awards worldwide, highlighting the country’s ongoing commitment to environmental awareness and the growing competitiveness of its tourism sector. Spain holds the top spot globally, followed by Greece, with Turkey, Italy, Portugal, and France rounding out the list.
Leading the rankings once again this year are:
- The region of Halkidiki, with 93 Blue Flags,
- and the Region of Crete, with 153 awards.
According to the program, the Blue Flag is awarded annually based on strict criteria. Water quality must be rated as “Excellent”, and each site is evaluated against 33 stringent standards that include cleanliness, organization, safety, environmental education, and natural resource management.
There is now also increased emphasis on sustainable maritime tourism, with 17 tourist boats earning the Blue Flag for 2025. This initiative began in 2017 and targets companies that follow environmental compliance and sustainable management practices.
While Attica does not yet match the numbers of Crete or Halkidiki, it continues to steadily strengthen its presence in the rankings.
Among the awarded beaches are:
- Astir Beach (Vouliagmeni)
- Glyfada
- Lagonisi (Grand Resort)
- Agia Marina (Aegina)
- and other coastal areas in Saronic Gulf, Marathon, and Markopoulo
The Blue Flag has been one of the world’s most recognized environmental quality symbols for decades. According to the Hellenic Society for the Protection of Nature (HSPN), it remains a key factor in destination selection for major international travel agencies.
The Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), which coordinates the program globally, is based in Denmark, and in Greece, it is represented by the HSPN—the country’s oldest environmental organization, with 70 years of continuous work.