Greek Blue Flag Beaches Announced

The Blue Flag is awarded to beaches that follow 29 requirements that refer to the quality of seawater, cleanliness, organization of the swimming area, safety of bathers and protection of the environment, among other factors.

Greece this year was awarded blue flags for 425 beaches and eight marinas, according to a recent announcement by the Hellenic Society for the Protection of Nature. Last year 430 Greek beaches were awarded blue flags.

Despite the small drop Greece has once again been ranked in second place on a list of 29 countries.

This year many blue flags were awarded to Crete (97), Rodos (33) and Kerkyra (32).

As for Attica, bathers have 12 blue flag beaches to choose from that include Varkiza, Vouliagmenis and Voula.

Frequent inspections to the awarded beaches are carried out during the summer and those that fail to maintain the requirements lose the blue flag award.

According to the Hellenic Society for the Protection of Nature, international travel agencies abroad pay special attention to blue flag beaches when destinations are chosen for their clients.

On a worldwide scale the foundation awarded the international eco-label (blue flags) to 2,699 beaches and 639 marinas for 2009.

The “Blue Flag” is a voluntary eco-label awarded to beaches across the world and is run by the independent, non-profit organization Foundation for Environmental Education (based in Copenhagen).

The Hellenic Society for the Protection of Nature is the program’s coordinator for Greece.