Blue Flags 2026
2 minutes
The 2026 Blue Flags confirm Italy as one of the most popular seaside destinations in Europe. The award, presented by the FEE – Foundation for Environmental Education – each year recognises locations that stand out for water quality, environmental sustainability, tourist services and land management. This year, the number of award-winning municipalities has risen to 257, with 525 recognised beaches and 87 certified tourist marinas.
The 2026 Blue Flags are an important guide for those who want to choose seaside resorts with clean sea, efficient services and attention to the environment. Every year, thousands of Italian and foreign tourists consult the official list of award-winning beaches to plan their summer holidays and discover the best seaside destinations in Italy.
Liguria, Puglia and Calabria dominate the 2026 Blue Flags ranking
In 2026, Liguria is once again the Italian region with the greatest number of Blue Flags: 35 award-winning locations. Puglia and Calabria follow with 27 awards each. Among the regions with the most awards are also Campania, Marche and Tuscany, all with 20 certified locations.
Here is the updated ranking of the main Blue Flag regions for 2026:
- Liguria: 35
- Puglia: 27
- Calabria: 27
- Campania: 20
- Le Marche: 20
- Tuscany: 20
- Sardinia: 17
- Abruzzo: 16
- Sicily: 16
- Emilia-Romagna: 11
- Lazio: 10
- Trentino Alto Adige: 12
- Lombardy:
- Veneto: 9
Rimini, Lipari and Monte Argentario: the new Blue Flag locations for 2026
The 2026 edition sees 14 new entries and only 3 departures. Among the new award-winning locations are Rimini in Emilia Romagna, Lipari and Ispica in Sicily, Monte Argentario in Tuscany and Teulada in Sardinia. There is also great growth for Calabria, which wins four new Blue Flags thanks to the entries of Amendolara, Montegiordano, Falerna and Locri.
Among the most famous beaches awarded are Sanremo, Sestri Levante, Polignano a Mare, Vieste, Tropea, Palinuro, Senigallia, Forte dei Marmi, Cagliari and Taormina, iconic destinations for Italian seaside tourism.
In Liguria, Andora in Savona and Taggia in Imperia have been added. In Lombardy, Limone sul Garda in the province of Brescia, a new lakeside town, is awarded the prize. Puglia wins the flag for Morciano di Leuca and Tricase in Lecce.
The departures affect Lazio with San Felice Circeo; Puglia, which loses Patù and Castrignano del Capo; and Liguria with Marina del Fezzano (Portovenere, La Spezia) and Porto Carlo Riva (Rapallo, Genoa).
Lakes and marinas of excellence in Italy
In addition to seaside resorts, the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) also awards the prestigious recognition to lakes and marinas with the best water, environment and services.
The only new entry among the lakeside municipalities, which now number 23, is Limone sul Garda (Brescia) in Piedmont. A total of 87 tourist marinas have been awarded the Blue Flag. In first place is Friuli-Venezia Giulia with as many as 15.
If you want to discover Italy's hidden beauties, click here and follow itineraries that go from the coast into the hinterland, through historic villages, authentic landscapes and local traditions, without ever losing the link with the sea and its ports.
