Blue Flag Beaches in Southern Italy

You may often hear about the “blue flag” regarding the cleanliness of beaches and the quality of the water to swim and bathe, but what is it? To figure out which Mezzogiorno beach to enjoy a holiday in complete tranquility, let’s find out the origins of this phrase “Bandiera Blu”.

The Blue Flag is an award given by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), an international non-governmental and non-profit organization based in Denmark, founded in 1981. In 1987, a national jury committee in Europe started carrying out annual checks of the international coastal resorts to validate the services offered, and to consider the cleanliness of the beaches and the quality of the water in the sea. There are 48 countries in the world to which this award is given, located in the following parts of the world: Europe, the Caribbean, Canada, New Zealand, and South Africa.

To achieve the coveted blue flag, the beach and sea must meet two requirements. The first concerns the beaches and certifying the quality of the water. The second relates to the docks, to ensure the cleanliness of the waters near the ports and the absence of sewage.

After my short story above about the international origins of the blue flag, let’s look specifically at Italy, especially, the Mezzogiono regions. Finding out if the beach has the “Blue Flag” might help you to decide on some beautiful beaches to spend your summer holidays. Which beaches can you relax, enjoy the sun, and dive into the waters of the many shades of blue in maximum safety?

In 2022, 210 blue flags were awarded to Italian municipalities and 82 tourist landings, with 14 new entries. The Blue Flag Association rewards municipalities that excel in the 32 areas of the assessment criteria; including an excellent sea, water purification, separate collection, large pedestrian areas, bike paths, green areas and services.

In short, before leaving for your adventures in southern Italy, especially in summer, you could look at the list of the nicest, cleanest, and most organized beaches. No blue flag doesn’t mean the beach is horrible. Often the municipalities due to economic and social problems fail to fulfill all the administrative work to ensure a Blue Flag, putting environmental awards off to the side.

We can only hope that in years to come there will be more and more awareness and respect for the sea, one of the most precious gifts of nature. Now, after 2 years of closure, the time has come to return to travel and open ourselves to the world, to return to the cities and the beaches of our wonderful Southern Italy. There are many things we can do to help protect the sea and give back to the nature that gives us such joy. 1) Practice responsible recreation, 2) Reduce plastic use, 3) Make sustainable food choices, 4) Get Involved in organizations making a difference in ocean conservation, and 5) Get educated about the ocean to understand the impact the population is having on the sea.

“With every drop of water you drink, every breath you take, you’re connected to the sea. No matter where on Earth you live.” –Sylvia Earle.

List of some blue flags beaches :

ABRUZZO

TERAMO

Martinsicuro – Villa Rosa, Martinsicuro
Alba Adriatica – Spiaggia d’Argento
Tortoreto – Spiaggia del Sole
Giulianova – Lungomare Zara
Roseto degli Abruzzi – Lungomare Sud, Lungomare Nord, Lungomare centrale
Pineto – Villa Fumosa, Corfù, Torre Cerrano, S. Maria a Valle Sud, S. Maria a Valle Nord, Pineto Centro
Silvi – Arenile Sud, Lungomare Centrale

PESCARA

Pescara – Riviera Nord, Riviera Sud

CHIETI

Francavilla al Mare – Piazza Adriatico
Fossacesia – Fossacesia Marina
Vasto – Vignola/San Nicola, Punta Penna, Vasto Marina
San Salvo – San Salvo Marina

L’AQUILA

Villalago – Villalago
Scanno – Spiaggetta di Scanno località Acquevive, Parco dei Salici

MOLISE

CAMPOBASSO

Campomarino – Lido

CAMPANIA

NAPOLI

Vico Equense – Bikini, Scrajo Mare, Marina di Vico, Marina di Seiano Ovest Porto, Capo La Gala
Piano di Sorrento – Marina di Cassano
Sorrento – San Francesco/Marina grande, Riviera di Massa
Massa Lubrense – Recommone/Marina del Cantone, Marina di Puolo, Baia delle Sirene
Anacapri – Faro/Punta Carena, Gradola/ Grotta Azzurra

SALERNO

Positano – Spiaggia Fornillo, Spiaggia Arienzo, Spiaggia Grande, Spiaggia Laurito
Capaccio – Licinella, Varolato/La Laura/ Casina D’Amato, Foce Acqua dei Ranci
Agropoli – Torre San Marco, Trentova, Spiaggia Libera Porto, Lungomare San Marco, Licina
Castellabate – Lago Tresino, Marina Piccola, Pozzillo/San Marco, Punta Inferno, Baia Ogliastro
Montecorice – San Nicola, Baia Arena, Spiaggia Agnone, Spiaggia Capitello
Pollica – Acciaroli, Pioppi
Casal Velino – Lungomare/Isola, Dominella/Torre
Ascea – Piana di Velia, Torre del Telegrafo, Marina di Ascea
Pisciotta – Ficaiola/Torraca/Gabella, Pietracciaio/Fosso della Marina/ Marina Acquabianca
Centola – Palinuro (Porto/Dune e Saline), Marinella/Baia del Buon Dormire
Camerota – Cala finocchiara, San Domenico-Lentiscelle
Ispani – Capitello
Vibonati – Torre Villammare, Santa Maria Le Piane, Oliveto

BASILICATA

Potenza

Maratea – Santa Teresa/Calaficarra, Macarro/Illicini/Nera, Castrocucco/Secca di Castrocucco, Acquafredda

Matera

Bernalda – Lido di Metaponto
Pisticci – Marina di Pisticci
Policoro – Lido Nord e Sud
Nova Siri – Lido

PUGLIA

FOGGIA

Rodi Garganico – Riviera di Ponente, Riviera di Levante
Peschici – Sfinale, Gusmay, Baia di Calalunga, Baia di Monaccora, Baia San Nicola, Procinisco, Baia di Peschici
Zapponeta – Lido

BARLETTA – ANDRIA – TRANI

Margherita di Savoia – Centro Urbano/ Cannafesca
Bisceglie – La Salata, Salsello

BARI

Polignano a Mare – Cala Paura, San Vito, Cala San Giovanni, Ripagnola / Coco Village, Cala Fetente
Monopoli – Castello Santo Stefano, Capitolo, Lido Porto Rosso, Cala Paradiso

BRINDISI

Fasano – Egnazia Case Bianche, Savelletri, Torre Canne
Ostuni – Lido Morelli, Pilone (Lido StellaViar Beach), Lido Fontanelle, Creta Rossa,Rosamarina (Rodos-Capanno-Lambertiana)
Carovigno – Mezzaluna, Pantanagianni, Punta Penna Grossa

TARANTO

Castellaneta – Riva dei Tessali/Pineta Giovinazzi/Castellaneta Marina/Bosco della Marina
Maruggio – Commenda, Campomarino, Acqua Dolce
Ginosa – Marina di Ginosa

LECCE

Melendugno – Roca, San Foca Nord/Centro/Torre Specchia, Torre Sant’Andrea, Torre dell’Orso
Castro – Zinzulusa, La Sorgente
Salve – Marina di Pescoluse/Posto Vecchio/ Torre Pali
Ugento – Torre San Giovanni/ Torre Mozza/ Lido Marini
Nardò – Porto Selvaggio, Sant’Isidoro, Santa Caterina, Santa Maria al Bagno, Torre Squillace

CALABRIA

COSENZA

Tortora – La Pineta/Fiume Noce
Praia a mare – Camping Internazionale/ Punta Fiuzzi
San Nicola Arcella – Arcomagno/Canale Grande Marinella
Santa Maria del Cedro – Chiatta in Ferro – Abatemarco
Diamante – Diamante Nord (Cirella, Scogliera Cirella, Pietrarossa)
Roseto Capo Spulico – Lungomare
Trebisacce – Lungomare Sud (Riviera dei Saraceni – Viale Magna Grecia – Riviera delle Palme)
Villapiana – Villapiana Scalo, Villapiana Lido

CROTONE

Cirò Marina – Punta Alice, Cervara/ Madonna di Mare
Melissa – Litorale Torre Melissa
Isola Capo Rizzuto – Marinella, Santa Domenica, La Cannella, Fratta I

CATANZARO

Sellia Marina – Località Ruggero/San Vincenzo – Sena/Jonio – Rivachiara
Soverato – Baia Dell’Ippocampo

VIBO VALENTIA

Tropea – Marina del Convento, Marina dell’Isola, Rocca Nettuno

REGGIO CALABRIA

Caulonia – Lido
Roccella Jonica – Lido
Siderno – Spiaggia di Siderno

SICILIA

MESSINA

Alì Terme – Lungomare di Alì Terme
Roccalumera – Roccalumera
Furci Siculo – Litorale
Santa Teresa di Riva – Lungomare di Santa Teresa di Riva
Lipari – Stromboli Ficogrande, Vulcano Gelso, Vulcano Acque Termali, Acquacalda, Canneto
Tusa – Spiaggia Lungomare