Blue Flag beach

The Culture and Tourism Ministry has announced that the number of free five-star public beaches will be increased to 35 across the country.

The number of Blue Flag beaches in Türkiye has risen to 551, the Culture Ministry has said.

The Blue Flag awards for 2023 have been announced, and 551 beaches, 23 marinas, 14 tourism boats and 10 private yachts have been awarded with a Blue Flag, according to a statement of the ministry.

The Blue Flag International Jury announced its 2021 awards, with Turkey holding on to its world ranking, housing the third highest number of Blue Flag beaches.

After Spain, which has 713 Blue Flag beaches, Turkey has 519 Blue Flag beaches, ranking third among 49 countries and coming after Greece.

With a delayed tourist season on the horizon, Turkey boasts the third-highest number of beaches worldwide with the eco-friendly Blue Flag certification, according to the group handing out the honor.

486 beaches in Greece have been awarded the Blue Flag this year!

Greece clinched second spot in the world in the number of blue flags with 486 of its beaches receiving the award, announced the Hellenic Society for the protection of Nature (HSPN), with 12 Greek marinas also picking up blue flags. Greece had 25% of the total of the 47 countries that took part in the international program, with the region of Chalkidiki getting 71.

Turkey, which hosts nearly 40 million tourists annually, has ranked second in the number of blue-flagged beach, an international label awarded to beaches which meet a high standard in multiple categories, including cleanliness. 

According to information by the Culture and Tourism Ministry, Turkey has increased the number of its blue flag beaches every year.   

Turkey now boasts the second-largest number of beaches with "Blue Flag" certificates following a large rise this year, according to the Turkey Foundation for Environmental Education (TÜRÇEV).

Greek beaches have been awarded 395 Blue Flags for top-quality waters this year, placing Greece in third place out of 50 countries, according to the Hellenic Society for the Protection of Nature.

Nine Greek marinas were also awarded the Blue Flag distinction awarded by the initiative?s founder, nonprofit organization the Foundation for Environmental Education.

Three hundred and ninety five Greek coasts and nine marinas won the international “Blue Flag” programme classification, placing Greece in third amongst 49 countries.

The Blue Flag is a voluntary eco-label awarded to more than 4000 beaches and marinas in 49 countries across Europe, South Africa, Morocco, Tunisia, New Zealand, Brazil, Canada and the Caribbean.