by InTrieste
Italy has added ten new Bandiera Blu (Blue Flag) beach and lake resorts to its prestigious list for 2024, bringing the total number to an impressive 485 beaches across 236 resorts. The coveted Bandiera Blu status, which signifies excellent water quality and high environmental standards, is awarded annually by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE).
This year’s list marks a notable increase from the 458 beaches recognized in 2023, and more than doubles the number from a decade ago. Liguria, known for its stunning coastline, remains the leading region with 34 Blue Flag resorts. While it lost two of its previous entries, Ameglia and Taggia, it welcomed Borgio Verezzi and Recco to the fold.
Puglia, boasting picturesque beaches and clear waters, secured second place with 24 Blue Flag resorts. The region celebrated three new additions: Lecce, Manduria, and Patù, though it saw Margherita di Savoia lose its Blue Flag status.
Tied for third place are Campania and Calabria, each with 20 Blue Flag recognitions. Both regions added one new entry this year, with Cellole joining the list in Campania and Parghelia in Calabria.
Le Marche saw its total rise to 19 with the inclusion of Porto Sant’Elpidio, while Trentino-Alto Adige enhanced its offerings with Tenno and Vallelaghi, bringing its total to 12. Abruzzo and Sicily also made gains; Abruzzo’s Ortona joined the list, making a total of 15, and Sicily added Letojanni, Scicli, and Taormina, increasing its count to 14.
Other regions remained steady in their number of Blue Flag beaches, including Basilicata (5), Emilia-Romagna (9), Friuli Venezia Giulia (2), Lazio (10), Lombardia (3), Molise (2), Piemonte (5), Sardinia (15), and Veneto (9).
For a comprehensive list of Italy’s Blue Flag beaches in 2024, categorized by region, visit the FEE website.
For the list of Friuli Venezia Giulia beaches, see here.
