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MAP: Where are Spain’s Blue Flag beaches?

Spain currently has the most Blue Flag beaches in the world, but where are they and which region has the most? The Local has listed and categorised all 621 of them, so you can find the closest pristine 'playas' in your area.

MAP: Where are Spain's Blue Flag beaches?
Cala del Moraig in Alicante is one of many beaches in the Costa Blanca that has a blue flag. Photo: Eduardo Kenji Amorim/Unsplash

This year, 2022, Spain has been awarded a total number of 621 Blue Flag beaches, the most in the world, beating the likes of Greece, Turkey, France and Italy. 

Blue Flags are awarded to those beaches that meet demands on issues such as hygiene, sanitary conditions, safety, accessibility and the provision of lifeguards. 

Spain is once again the top country worldwide for Blue Flags awarded for their excellent water quality and environmental standards by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE).

This year, six more Blue Flags have been awarded than in 2021. 

Click here to zoom into the Blue Flag interactive map and see where all the beaches are located and continue reading below to find out which region has the most and which ones they are. 

READ ALSO: Ten incredible natural swimming spots in Spain

Andalusia

It’s not surprising that the southern region of Andalusia is home to the second-highest number of Blue Flag beaches in Spain with 122 in total. The most are to be found in Almería, closely followed by Málaga and then Cádiz. 

Almería: Censo, El Carboncillo, San Nicolás, Sirena Loca, Almería, San Miguel de Cabo de Gata, Balanegra, El Ancón, El Corral, Las Marinicas, Playa de Villaricos, Pozo del Esparto, Balerma, Levante Almerimar, Poniente Almerimar, San Miguel, El Cantal, El Descargador, Lance Nuevo, Marina de la Torre, Piedra Villazar, Venta del Bancal Ventanicas, Aguamarga, San José, Calipso, Los Nardos, Mar Rabiosa Mar Serena, Aguadulce, La Bajadilla, Las Salinas, Romanillas Urbanización, Playa Serena Urbanización, Roquetas and El Playazo. 

Cádiz: Getares, Zahara de los Atunes, La Cortadura-Poniente, La Victoria, Santa María del Mar, La Barrosa, Sancti Petri, Camarón-La Laguna, Cruz del Mar-Canteras, Micaela, Regla, Tres Piedras-La Ballena, El Roche, La Fontanilla, Los Bateles, Fuentebravía, La Puntilla Santa Catalina, Valdelagrana, Galeones, La Ballena, La Costilla, Punta Candor, Puntalillo Rompidillo-Chorrillo, Camposoto-El Castillo, Alcaidesa- El Faro, Cala Sardina and El Palmar

Córdoba: La Breña

Granada: La Herradura, Marina del Este, Puerta del Mar, San Cristóbal Velilla, Sotillo-Castell, Calahonda, Playa Granada, La Guardia, Del Cañon-La Pelá (Azucenas), Torrenueva

Huelva: Isla Canela, Los Haraganes, Punta del Moral, Caño de la Culata, San Miguel, Santa Pura, La Casita Azul, Islantilla, Del Parador (Castilla), El Albergue

Málaga: Algarrobo Costa, Ardales, Fuente de la Salud, Torrebermeja-Santa Ana, Ancha, Boliches-Gaviotas Carvajal, Castillo, Fuengirola, Caleta, El Dedo, El Palo, Malagueta, Misericoria, Pedregalejo, San Andrés, Sabinillas, Adelfas-Alicate Casablanca, El Cable, El Faro, Puerto Banús-Levante, San Pedro de Alcántara (Guadalmina), Venus-Bajadilla, Calahonda I (Royal Beach – La Luna) El Bombo, La Cala, Burriana, Maro, Torrecilla, Los Álamos, El Morche, Ferrara, Benajarafe, La Caleta (Paseo) and Torre del Mar. 

Cabo de Gata beach

San Miguel de Cabo de Gata beach in Almería. Photo: José Antonio JG / Wikimedia Commons

Asturias

The region of Asturias has been awarded a modest 14 Blue Flag beaches, flanked by the Cantabrian Sea. 

Arnao, Salinas, Santa María del Mar, Arnao, Peñarronda, Concha de Artedo, San Pedro Bocamar, Aguilar, Frejulfe, Anguileiro,Cadavedo, Otur and La Ñora Rodiles. 

beach in Asturias

Playa de Salinas in Asturias. Photo: Angelrtz / Wikimedia Commons

Balearic Islands

The ever-popular Balearic Islands boast a total of 30 Blue Flag beaches, with the island of Mallorca home to the most. Formentera, the smallest of the Balearic Islands, which is recognised for its pristine beaches, does not count any Blue Flags on them because it is so small and didn’t apply to be considered.

Ibiza: Cala Sant Vicent, Cala Llenya, Es Canar and Es Figueral

Mallorca: Cala Ferrera, Cala Marçal, Cala Sa Nau, Porto Colom (Platja S’ Arenal), Muro, Cala Estància, Cala Major, Playa de Palma (El Arenal), Cala Barques, Cala Molins, Cala Millor (Cala Nau), Sa Coma, Can Picafort, Son Bauló, Son Serra, Cala Gran, Cala Llombards, Cala Mondragó (Sa Font de n’Alís), Cala Santanyí S’Amarador, Es Dolç (Es Port), Cala Millor and Es Ribell. 

Menorca: Cala en Porter, Son Bou and Cala Galdana. 

beach in Menorca

Sand dunes at Son Bou beach in Menorca. Photo: S. Morlin-Yron / Wikimedia Commons

Canary Islands

It’s not surprising that Spain’s tropical-esque Canary Islands have been awarded a total of 54 Blue Flag beaches, spread across seven of its islands. Tenerife, Fuerteventura and Gran Canaria all have an equal 12 each.  

Fuerteventura: Castillo, Corralejo Viejo, Grandes Playas, La Concha, Butihondo, Costa Calma, El Matorral, Morro Jable, Blanca, Los Pozos, Puerto Lajas and Gran Tarajal. 

Gran Canaria: Las Nieves, Arinaga, El Puertillo, Los Charcones, Sardina, El Burrero, Las Canteras, El Inglés, Hoya del Pozo, La Garita, Melenara and Salinetas. 

Lanzarote: El Reducto, Las Cucharas, Grande (Blanca), Matagorda, Pila de la Barrilla, Pocillos and Blanca. 

La Gomera: Santiago, La Cueva and San Sebastián de la Gomera.

El Hierro: La Restinga and Timijiraque.

La Palma: Bajamar, Los Cancajos, Charco Verde, Puerto Naos, Santa Cruz de la Palma and El Puerto de Tazacorte. 

Tenerife: El Duque, Torviscas, El Camisón, Las Vistas, El Muelle, Piscinas Naturales de El Caletón, Playa de la Jaquita, San Marcos, Socorro, Piscinas Naturales de Bajamar, Piscina Natural del Arenisco and La Arena (Mesa del Mar). 

View of a beach in Corralejo Natural Park. Fuerteventura is known for having the best beaches of all the Canary Islands. Photo: Myke Simon/Unsplash

Cantabria

Spain’s northern area known as Green Spain, may not have as many Blue Flag beaches as the southern regions, but Cantabria has still been awarded 11.

El Sable de Quejo, La Arena, Oriñón, Ostende, Comillas, Ris, Trengandín, Sable de Merón, Berria, El Sable de Tagle and Los Locos. 

Playa de Berria

Playa de Berria in the region of Cantabria. Photo: Tony Rotondas / Wikimedia Commons

READ ALSO: 12 pictures that show the true beauty of northern Spain’s beaches

Catalonia 

With one whole edge bordering the Mediterranean and its picturesque Costa Brava and Costa Daurada coastlines, it’s fitting that Catalonia is home to 94 Blue Flag beaches. Tarragona and the Costa Daurada boast the most. 

Barcelona: Cristall, Pescadors, Bogatell, Mar Bella, Nova Mar Bella, Sant Sebastià, Dels Tres Micos, Garbí, Canet, Del Baixador, Lluminetes, Llarga, El Masnou, Gavà Mar, Malgrat Centre, L’Astillero, Pescadors, La Riera, Les Barques, Aiguadolç, Balmins, Garraf, L’Estanyol, La Barra, La Ribera, Les Botigues, Sant Sebastiá, Terramar, D´Adarró, Ibersol, Ribes Roges and Sant Gervasi. 

Girona: Blanes, S’Abanell, Sant Francesc (Cala Bona), Cala Cristus-Ses Torretes, Es Monestrí, Sant Antoni, Torre Valentina, Cala Rovira, Platja Gran, Sa Conca, Del Port, Grifeu, Cala Canyelles, Lloret, Sa Boadella, Santa Cristina, Canadell, Llafranc, Tamariu, La Fosca, Port de la Selva, Sant Feliu, Sant Pol, Cala Montgó, Gran de Tossa and La Mar Menuda. 

Tarragona: Altafulla, Calafell, L’Estany Mas Mel, Segur de Calafell, Cavet, La Llosa Prat d’en Forés- El Regueral, Vilafortuny, Cunit Llevant, Cunit Ponent, Costa Daurada, Llarga, Capellans, Llevant, L’Arrabassada, La Móra, Savinosa, Tamarit, Barri Marítim, Els Muntanyans, La Paella, L’Almadrava, L’Arenal, La Punta del riu, El Torn, La Pineda, Les Cases d’Alcanar-El Marjal, Riumar, Calafató, Cala Forn, L’Alguer, Sant Jordi d’Alfama, Cap Roig, Les Avellanes, Les Delícies and Parc de Garbí. 

Costa Brava

Platja de Tamariu in Catalonia’s stunning Costa Brava. Photo: Isidro Jabato / Wikimedia Commons

Valencia 

Spain’s eastern region of Valencia takes the top spot for Blue Flag beaches with a whopping 139. Over half of these are in the Alicante province. 

Alicante: L’Albufereta, Postiguet, Saladar-Urbanova, Sant Joan Tabarca, Cap Blanc, La Roda, L’Espigó, Llevant, Mal Pas, Cala Baladrar, Cala Fustera, Cantal Roig, La Fossa, L’Arenal-Bol, Les Bovetes, Les Deveses, Les Marines, Marineta Cassiana, Molins, Punta del Raset, Carrer de la Mar, Mutxavista, Cala del Moraig, Arenals del Sol-Sur, Carabassí, L’Altet, La Marina, Les Pesqueres-El Rebollo, Centre, El Moncaio, La Roqueta, Dels Vivers, Racó de L’Albir, Aguamarina, Barranco, Rubio, Cabo Roig -La Caleta, Cala Capitán, Cala Cerrada, Cala Estaca, Cala Mosca, Campoamor-La Glea, La Zenia- Cala Bosque, Mil Palmeras, Punta Prima, Conde Higuericas, Jesuitas, Mil Palmeras, Puerto Rocamar, Calas del Este, Calas Santiago Bernabéu, La Ermita, Llevant, Tamarit, Varador, El Portet, La Ampolla, Les Platgetes, Cabo Cervera, Cala de las Piteras, El Cura, Los Locos, Los Náufragos, Torrelamata-Sur, Bon Nou, Ciutat (Centro), La Caleta, Paradís, Varadero, L´Arenal, Granadella and La Grava. 

Castellón: El Carregador, El Moro, La Romana, Manyetes, Benafeli, La Caracola, Morrongo, Dels Terrers, Heliópolis, L´Almadrava, Torre de Sant Vicent, Voramar, El Grao-Malvarrosa, L´Arenal, Gurugú, Pinar, Grao, L’Estanyol, Masbó, Pedra Roja, Marines, La Conxa, Les Amplaries, Morro de Gos, Plagetes de Bellver, Peñíscola Nord, Torreblanca Nord, Fora Forat, Forti, El Cerezo and Les Cases. 

Valencia: Bellreguard, Racó de la Mar, Cap Blanc, El Dossel, El Far, Escollera, Los Olivos, Marenyet-L’illa, Racó, Sant Antoni, Daimús, Auir, Nord, Norte, Miramar, L’ Aigua Morta, L’Aigua Blanca, Pau-Pi ,Terranova-Burguera, Piles, Puçol, Corint, L’Almardá, Port de Sagunt, La Goleta, Tavernes de la Valldigna, Cabanyal, El Saler, L’ Arbre del Gos, La Devesa, La Garrofera, Malva-Rosa, Recatí-Perellonet and Xeraco. 

Beach in Alicante

Cala de la Granadella in Alicante province. Photo: Diego Delso / Wikimedia Commons

Extremadura 

Extremadura may not have a coastline, but that hasn’t stopped it from being awarded several Blue Flag river and lake beaches. It’s home to a total of 8. 

Alange, Campanario, Los Calicantos, Isla del Zújar, La Dehesa, El Espolón-Peloche, Playa dulce de Orellana and Talarrubias-Puerto Peña. 

Galicia

Bordering the Atlantic Ocean, Galicia’s wild windswept coastline has been awarded a total of 112 Blue Flag beaches. The province of Pontevedra is home to the most, while A Coruña follows close behind. 

A Coruña: As Lapas, Orzán-Matadero, Oza, Riazor, San Amaro, Caión, A Hucha, A Salsa (Repibelo), Barrañán, Combouzas, O Reiro, Porto de Suevos, Sabón, Valcobo, Lago de As Pontes, Gandarío, Arou, Pedra do Sal, Razo, Saíñas, Ézaro, A Fragata-O Pereixal, Doniños, Esmelle, San Xurxo, Laxe, Perbes-Andahío, Bastiagueiro, Espiñeiro, Mera, Naval, Santa Cristina, A Ermida, Balarés, O Osmo and Coroso. 

Lugo: A Pasada, Coto, Fontela Valea, A Marosa, O Portelo, Ril, O Torno, A Rapadoira, Areoura, As Polas, Llas, Peizás, Abrela, Xilloi, As Catedrais, Os Castros-Illas, Area and Esteiro. 

Pontevedra: Area Grande, O Muíño, Area da Secada, Bao (Camaxe), Barbeira, Concheira, Frades, Ladeira, Ribeira, Santa Marta, Area de Bon, Banda do Rio, Lagos, Lapamán, Portomaior, Areabrava, Areamilla, Liméns, Menduiña, Nerga, Aguete, Loira, Mogor, Portocelo, Santo de Mar – A Coviña, O Con, Cabeceira, Playa fluvial A Calzada, A Lapa, Agra Areas, Areas Gordas, Baltar, Bascuas, Canelas, Caneliñas, Foxos, Major, Montalvo, Nosa Señora da Lanzada, O Espiñeiro-A Lanzada, Panadeira, Paxariñas, Pragueira, Silgar, A Punta, Argazada, Canido, Carril, Fontaiña, Fortiñón, O Vao, Rodas (Islas Cíes), Samil, Santa Baia, Tombo do Gato, Campanario and Compostela. 

Playa de los Catedrales

Galicia’s famous As Catedrais beach where rock formations look like cathedrals. Photo: Fernando Maseda Mejuto / Pixabay

Madrid 

Even landlocked Madrid is home to one Blue Flag beach, the sandy surrounds of the banks of the San Martín de Valdeiglesias reservoir. This is now the fifth year, Virgen de la Nueva has had Blue Flag status. 

Virgen de la Nueva

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Murcia 

The small region of Murcia may not have anywhere near the number of Blue Flag beaches as its neighbour Valencia, but still has a respectable 27. 

Calarreona, La Carolina, La Casica, Verde, La Colonia, La Higuerica, Las Delicias, Levante, Matalentisco, Poniente, Cala Cortina, Isla Plana, La Azohía-El Cuartel, La Chapineta, Levante-Cabo de Palos, San Ginés, Calnegre, Alamillo, Bahía Del Mojón, Del Puerto, Grande-Castellar, Nares, Rihuete, Banco del Tabal-Calnegre, Ensenada del Esparto, Pedrucho and El Mojón. 

Basque Country

Bordering the Bay of Biscay, the Basque Country’s beaches may be known more for surfing than for relaxing and swimming, but three of these have Blue Flag status. 

Landa, Moskurio (Garaio Norte) and Salurriaga (Garaio Sur). 

 

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TRAVEL NEWS

Which flights will be affected by Spain’s airport strikes over Easter?

If you've got a flight booked to or from Valencia or Madrid-Barajas airport over Easter, industrial action by staff could delay your journey or even lead to it being cancelled.

Which flights will be affected by Spain's airport strikes over Easter?

Airport staff in Valencia and Madrid are going on strike over key Easter dates, meaning that as many as a thousand flights could be delayed or cancelled during one of the busiest travel periods of the year.

Semana Santa celebrations have already been disrupted by rain this year, causing the cancellation of processions across the country, but travel during the busy Easter period is also set to be affected by strike action at two of Spain’s major airports.

At Valencia Manises airport, one of the busiest airports in Spain which welcomed almost 10 million passengers in 2023, flights could be affected over the entire Easter weekend (Thursday March 28th-Monday April 1st inclusive) because workers will walk out between 11am-13am on each day.

At Madrid-Barajas airport, the UGT union has called a strike for Wednesday 27th and Friday 29th March between 7am-12pm.

READ ALSO: Spain’s Valencia set for airport strike over Easter holidays

The walkout at Valencia begins today, March 28th. According to the live departures board provided by Aena, Spain’s national airport operator, which you can follow here, as of 9.30am flights are leaving the airport with minor delays of up to 40 minutes, though this is before the strike officially begins at 11am.

Aena live departures for Madrid-Barajas show that some flights have left with delays of up to 45 minutes this morning, though it is worth noting that staff are not officially on strike there today (walkouts in Madrid are Wednesday 27th and Friday 29th March between 7am-12pm) which could suggest a knock-on effect from yesterday’s strike action.

The industrial action comes during not only during Easter celebrations but operación salida, an intensely busy travel period during which millions of Spaniards travel home or go on holiday for Semana Santa.

READ ALSO: Strike action at Spanish airports set to disrupt Easter travel

Staff at Madrid-Barajas are striking for better pay and a new collective bargaining agreement, arguing their salaries have declined in real terms due to inflation, and employees at Valencia Manises are protesting against long working hours and a lack of staff, plus a dispute with regards to overtime pay.

Spanish media reports suggest that up to 1000 flights could be cancelled as a result of the walkouts. On Wednesday 27th, there was also ‘chaos’ at Palma de Mallorca airport, according to Spanish media, with long queues at security controls meaning it took many passengers an hour to get to their departure gate.

Which flights will be affected by Spain’s airport strikes over Easter?

Knowing exactly which flights could be affected, however, isn’t entirely clear. There seems to be certain airlines and routes more likely to be affected than others.

Madrid-Barajas

It is still unclear exactly which flights could be affected at Madrid-Barajas, so it is advisable to check with your airline. You can check the airport schedule on the Aena website here.

On Wednesday 27th March, the day the strike began in Madrid, both short and long-haul flights were delayed or cancelled.

Departure records from Flight Stats show that long-haul flights to the United States were cancelled throughout the day, and short-haul flights around Europe and to other Spanish cities were running with delays of up to 2 hours. Many also arrived on schedule, however.

Valencia Manises

As the strike action begins in Valencia on Thursday morning, reports suggest that several dozen flights could be cancelled, delayed or rescheduled. If you are uncertain about your flight, check with your airline.

On Thursday 28th, flights that could be affected by the stoppage include:

  • Ryanair flights connecting Valencia with Rome, Milan Bologna, Breslavia and Sofia 
  • United and Lufthansa flights connecting Valencia with Frankfurt and Munich
  • Easyjet and British Airways flights between Valencia and London
  • Turkish Airlines flights between Valencia and Istanbul
  • Air Europa flights between Valencia and Palma de Mallorca
  • Swiss flights connecting Valencia to Zurich
  • Volotea flights between Valencia and A Coruña
  • Eurowings’ Valencia-Stuttgart flights

On Friday 29th, flights that could be cancelled are:

  • Ryanair to Milan, Treviso, Trieste, Dublin, Marrakech and Palma de Mallorca
  • SAP and Tap Portugal flights between Valencia and Lisbon
  • United to Frankfurt
  • Lufthansa to Frankfurt, Munich
  • Austrian to Vienna
  • Air Nostrum to Ibiza
  • Delta to París Charles de Gaulle
  • Air France to París Charles de Gaulle
  • Air Europa to Palma de Mallorca
  • Easyjet to London
  • British Airways to London
  • Brussels Airlines to Brussels
  • Iberia to Tenerife North
  • Tap Portugal to Lisbon
  • Turkish Airlines to Istanbul
  • Swiss to Zúrich
  • Volotea to A Coruña, San Sebastián
  • Vueling to Tenerife North
  • Eurowings to Stuttgart

There is no further information yet about which flights could be affected on Saturday 30th, Sunday 31st and Monday April 1st.

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