Blue Flags 2026: Calabria’s tally rises to 27 | News

Calabria is strengthening its position as one of the top seaside destinations in the Mediterranean, having received 27 Blue Flags for 2026. This places it second in Italy, behind only Liguria. This accolade cements the region’s reputation as a coastal destination that successfully combines scenic beauty, environmental quality, tourist facilities, and a commitment to sustainability.

The Blue Flag, awarded by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), is one of the most renowned international awards for beaches, marinas and boats dedicated to sustainable tourism. To qualify, locations must meet strict criteria relating to water quality, environmental education and information, land management, safety, accessibility, and services. In 2026, the programme will reaffirm its global reach, with over five thousand sites worldwide having been awarded the Blue Flag, making it an instantly recognisable symbol to the international public.

Calabria’s result is particularly significant, marking tangible growth. The number of Blue Flag resorts has risen from 23 last year to 27 this year, thanks to four new additions: Amendolara, Montegiordano, Falerna and Locri. This increase is testament to the work carried out in coastal areas, reinforcing the region’s reputation along its Ionian and Tyrrhenian coasts. The awards span the entire Calabrian coastline, from the Riviera dei Cedri and the Upper Ionian coast of Cosenza to the Crotone coast, the Ionian stretch of Catanzaro and the Costa degli Dei and Costa dei Gelsomini. The award-winning locations include well-known destinations such as Praia a Mare, San Nicola Arcella (including the Arcomagno area), Diamante, Cirò Marina, Isola Capo Rizzuto, Soverato, Parghelia, Tropea, Roccella Jonica and Siderno, as well as locations that are enhancing their tourist profile through environmental quality, services and local area promotion.

The Blue Flag thus serves as a symbol of the quality of the sea and a means of promoting the region as a tourist destination. For travellers, the Blue Flag provides an immediate guarantee of high-quality waters, well-maintained beaches, safety measures, services, environmental information, and responsible destination management. For Calabria, this means presenting the sea not just as natural heritage, but as an organised, sustainable and competitive tourist experience. The 2026 target is part of a wider strategy to promote Calabria as a year-round destination that can integrate its coastal attractions with inland offerings such as villages, parks, walking trails, cycle routes, food and wine, culture and nature. In this way, the quality of the coastline becomes a gateway to a wider regional system in which the sea interacts with the hinterland, protected areas, local communities and the region’s defining cultural experiences. 

“The 2026 Blue Flags confirm that Calabria is making progress in terms of quality, sustainability and hospitality. This achievement recognises the work carried out across the region and reinforces its image as a leading seaside destination in Southern Italy, capable of appealing to travellers seeking beauty, good services and a commitment to the environment.”
Giovanni Calabrese, Councillor for Tourism for the Calabria Region.

To find out more about the award-winning resorts and discover Calabria’s Blue Flag beaches, visit the dedicated section on certified seaside destinations on the official Calabria Straordinaria website: https://calabriastraordinaria.it/en/travel-tips/calabria-blue-flags