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Italy has consolidated its leading role in beach tourism with 525 beaches across the country awards Blue Flags by the Foundation for Environmental Education (Fee).
The award ceremony, which took place in Rome on Thursday, saw 14 new entries and three failed reconfirmations.
Awards also went to 87 nautical tourist landings and 23 lakes.
The ranking of Italian regions by Blue Flags
Italy has 11.6% of the world’s Blue Flags this year. Liguria is in the lead at a regional level, with 35 locations including two new ones: Andora and Taggia.
Puglia and Calabria follow at 27. If Calabria is growing thanks to four new entries in the list of marine excellences, Puglia balances two new entries with as many exits (Patù and Castrignano del Capo).
Excellent performances are also recorded for Campania and Marche, stable at 20, joined by Tuscany thanks to this year’s recognition for Monte Argentario.
Sardinia (17 locations), Sicily and Abruzzo (16) follow, while the lakes keep Trentino Alto Adige (12) and Lombardy (4) on the list.
Beyond the sea, strategy and sustainability count
According to Claudio Mazza, president of Fee Italia, the result is not the result of chance but of rigorous planning.
The municipalities were assessed not only for water cleanliness (which must have been ‘excellent’ in the last four years with standards stricter than the legal norm), but also for waste management, accessibility, green mobility and the enhancement of natural areas.
A key role has also been played by the Sustainability Action Plans, tools that transform the Blue Flag from a simple award to a real method of territorial governance.
The new Blue Flags of 2026
2026 welcomes Amendolara, Montegiordano, Falerna and Locri in Calabria, Andora and Taggia in Liguria, Ispica and Lipari in Sicily, Morciano di Leuca and Tricase in Puglia among the new excellences.
Rimini in Emilia Romagna, Limone sul Garda in Lombardy, Teulada in Sardinia and Monte Argentario in Tuscany complete the picture.
The Lazio municipality of San Felice Circeo was not reconfirmed this year, as were Patù and Castrignano del Capo in Apulia.