Marbella Retains its Leadership with the Most Blue Flags in Andalusia
The Casablanca beach in Marbella, one of the beaches that proudly flies the blue flag, has helped Marbella maintain its leadership as the municipality with the most blue flags in Andalusia. The city has once again secured eleven flags, the same number it achieved in 2023, including beaches and ports. The gap remains at four above the seven flags held by the towns of Rota (Cadiz) and Roquetas de Mar (Almeria).
Annual Distribution of Blue Flags in Spanish Coastal Areas
As is customary, the distribution of blue flags for beaches and ports along the Spanish coast is announced in early May. This distinction is awarded by the Association for Environmental and Consumer Education (ADEAC) and the European Federation for Environmental Education (FEE). Marbella will once again have eleven distinctions, the same number it had last year when it secured two new ones. In this way, it continues as the most awarded Andalusian municipality, maintaining the distance with Rota and Roquetas de Mar, which continue with seven.
Blue Flag Beaches in Marbella
The nine blue flags on beaches are those of Cabopino, Casablanca, El Faro, Guadalmina, El Cable, Puerto Banús-Levante, Venus-Bajadilla, La Fontanilla and Nagüeles. The new addition is Cabopino, while Adelfas-Alicante has been lost, both in the Las Chapas district.
Marbella Retains Two Insignias in Ports
In addition, the municipality retains the two insignias in the Virgen del Carmen Sports Port and the José Banús Port, which regained it in 2023. Despite the high number of blue flags, it is worth remembering that one of the most traditional flags, that of La Bajadilla Port, which was flown from 2001 to 2013, has not been recovered. The Río Verde beach also lost its flag in 2016, which has not been regained.
Marbella Leads in the Province of Malaga
Marbella is the leader in the province of Malaga, followed by the capital, which retains the seven flags it had, all on beaches. In Andalusia, behind Marbella are the towns of Rota (Cadiz) and Roquetas (Almeria), each with seven, six on beaches and one in port. The Malaga coast has obtained 50 blue flags, three more than last year, distributed among 41 beaches (+2), 6 sports ports and three sustainable vessels (+1).
Sanxenxo Continues to Hold the Most Flags in Spain
The Spanish municipality with the most flags continues to be Sanxenxo (Pontevedra) with 20, of which 17 are on beaches and three in ports. It is followed by Vigo (Pontevedra) with 12, all on beaches, Orihuela (Alicante) with 10 on beaches and Águilas (Murcia) with 11 flags (9+2).
About the Blue Flags
The blue flags are a distinction that has been awarded for 37 years (since 1987). It is granted, after annual inspections and audits by ADEAC, to those municipalities that request it (as it is voluntary). They must comply with a series of criteria grouped into four blocks: Environmental Information and Education, Water Quality, Environmental Management and Safety and Services.
