THE average Spanish resident will spend between €500 and €1,500 on their holidays this year, with three in 10 set to increase their budget from last year and 16% reducing it.
Which beaches hold blue flags this year? Find your nearest one in our list
15/05/2021
ANYONE who is still trying to decide where to go in Spain for their perfect beach holiday this summer is about to find their choice made even more difficult: The blue-flag unveiling means a whole 615 of them have been declared 'practically perfect in every way'.
This year, you don't even have to head for the coast to find them; in addition to the three inland beaches that won blue flags in 2020, another six have been added to the list for 2021.
But if you can't make up your mind, it probably doesn't matter. Blue-flagged beaches are all clean, accessible, environmentally-friendly and have all the amenities you need to enjoy your trip, so any one should fit the bill; just drop a pin on a map of Spain and see where chance leads you to for your sunshine getaway.
Here's the full list of which beaches are flying the flag for tourism excellence this year.
Best beaches and marinas of 2021 in the province of Girona are in Blanes (Blanes, Sabanell, Sant Francesc-Cala Bona), Castell-Platja d'Aro (Cala Rovira, Platja d'Aro-Platja Gran, Sa Conca), Palafrugell (Canadell, Llafranc, Tamariu), Palamós (La Fosca), Port de la Selva, Llançá (Del Port, Grifeu), Castelló d'Empúries (Empúriabrava), Calonge i Sant Antoni (Cala Cristus-Ses Torretes, d'Es Monestrí, Sant Antoni, Torre Valentina), Sant Feliu de Guíxols (Sant Feliu, Sant Pol), Torroelloa de Montgrí (Cala Montgó), Tossa de Mar (Gran de Tossa, La Mar Menuda), and Lloret de Mar (Cala Canyelles, Sa Boadella, Santa Cristina).
Barcelona province
Top beaches in towns that share a province with Spain's largest city are in Badalona (Cristall), Caldes d'Estrac (Dels Tres Micos), Calella (Garbí), Canet de Mar, Cubelles (Llarga), Gavá, Castelldefels (Del Baixador, Lluminetes), El Masnou (Masnou, Ocata), Malgrat de Mar (Malgrat-Centre, De l'Astillero), Pineda del Mar (Dels Pescadors, La Riera), Sant Pol de Mar (Les Barques-Sant Pol), Vilanova i la Geltrú (D'Adarró, Ibersol, Ribes-Roges, Sant Gervasi), Sitges (Aiguadolç, Balmils, Garraf, La Barra, La Ribera, Les Botigues, Sant Sebastiá, Terramar, and a new one for L'Estanyol), and in Barcelona city itself, Bogatell, Nova Mar Bella, and Sant Sebastià i Sant Miquel.
The 2021 blue-flagged beaches for the province of Tarragona are in Alcanar (Les Cases), Altafulla, Calafell (Calafell, L'Estany Mas Mel, Segur de Calafell), Cambrils (Cavet, La Llosa, Prat d'En Forés-Regueral, Vilafortuny), Cunit (Llevant and Ponent), L'Ametlla de Mar (Calafató, Cala Forn, L'Alguer, Pixavaques, Sant Jordi), L'Ampolla (Cap Roig, Les Avellanes) Mont Roig del Camp (Cala Vienesos-dels Espenyals, Casa dels Lladres, Cristall, Pixerota), Sant Carles de la Ràpita (Les Delícies, Parc de Garbí), Tarragona (De la Móra, L'Arrabassada, Savinosa, Tamarit), Torredembarra (Barri Marítim, Dels Muntanyans, La Paella), Vandellós and L'Hospitalet de l'Infant (L'Arenal, La Punta del Riu, Torn), Deltebre (Riumar), Salou (Capellans, Llevant), Roda de Bará (Costa Daurada, Roda de Bará Llarga), and Vila-Seca (La Pineda).
In the region's northernmost province of Castellón, a new blue flag has been granted this year for Benafeli beach in Almassora, and all the others from last year are still in place: Alcalá de Xivert (El Carregador, El Moro, La Romana, Manyetes), Almenara (Casablanca), Benicarló (La Caracola, Morrongo), Burriana (Grao-Malvarrosa, L'Arenal), Oropesa del Mar (La Conxa, Les Amplaries, Morro de Gos, Plagetes de Bellver), Peñíscola (Nord), Torreblanca (Nord), Vinaròs (Fora Forat, Fortí), Castellón city (Gurugú and Pinar), Moncofa (Grao, L'Estanyol, Masbó, Pedra Roja), Nules (Marines), Xilxes (El Cerezo, Les Cases), and Benicàssim (Dels Terrers, Heliópolis, L'Almadrava, Torre de Sant Vicent, Voramar).
The region's central province, Valencia, has gained an additional blue flag this year for the Playa Norte, or north beach, in La Pobla de Farnals. Otherwise, all the others from 2020 remain: Bellreguard, Miramar, Piles, Puçol, Xeraco, Daimús, Canet d'En Berenguer (Racó de la Mar), Tavernes de la Valldigna (La Goleta, Tavernes), Gandia (Platja Nord), Oliva (Pau-Pi, or Mitja Galta, L'Aigua Morta, L'Aigua Blanca, Terranova-Burguera), Sagunto (Corint, L'Almardá, Sagunto Port), Cullera (Cap Blanc, El Dossel, El Far, Los Olivos, Racó, Sant Antoni) and Valencia city (Cabanyal, Malvarrosa, El Saler, L'Arbre del Gos, La Devesa, La Garrofera, Recatí-Perellonet).
The region's southernmost province, Alicante – the coast of which is known as the Costa Blanca – holds more blue flags than any other in Spain, and include the sole beach on the idyllic, car-free island of Tabarca, a short ferry trip from Alicante and Santa Pola. In fact, Santa Pola has an extra blue flag this year, for its La Ermita beach, joining those it has held onto from last year for the Calas del Este, Calas Santiago Bernabéu, Levante, Tamarit and Varador beaches.
Others are found in Alicante city itself (Postiguet, L'Albufereta, Saladar-Urbanova, and San Juan), Altea (Cap Blanc, La Roda, L'Espigó), Benidorm (Levante, Poniente and Mal Pas), Benissa (Fustera), Calpe (Cantal Roig, La Fossa, Arenal-Bol), Elche (Arenals del Sol-Sur, Carabassí, L'Altet, La Marina, Les Pesqueres-El Rebollo), Finestrat (La Cala), Guardamar del Segura (Centre, El Moncaio, La Roqueta), L'Alfàs del Pi (Racó de l'Albir), Pilar de la Horadada (Conde, Higuericas, Jesuitas, Mil Palmeras, Puerto, Rocamar), Teulada-Moraira (El Portet, L'Ampolla, Les Plagetes), Jávea (Arenal, Granadella, La Grava), Dénia (Les Bovetes, Les Deveses, Las Marinas, Marineta Cassiana, Els Molins, Punta del Raset), El Campello (Carrer de la Mar Mutxavista), Benitatxell (Cala del Moraig), Villajoyosa (Bol Nou, Ciutat-Centre, La Caleta, Paradís, Varadero), Torrevieja (Cabo Cervera, Cala de las Piteras, Los Locos, El Cura, Los Náufragos, Torrelamata-Sur), and Orihuela (Aguamarina, Barranco Rubio, Cabo Roig-La Caleta, Cala Capitán, Cala Cerrada, Cala Estaca, Cala Mosca, Campoamor, La Zenia-Cala Bosque, Mil Palmeras, Punta Prima).
This south-eastern region has kept all its blue-flagged beaches from last year: Lorca's Calnegre, San Javier's Ensenada del Esparto, San Pedro del Pinatar's El Mojón and the beaches in Mazarrón (Alamillo, Bahía, Mojón, Puerto, Grande-Castellar, Nares, Percheles, Rihuete), Águilas (Calarreona, La Carolina, Casica Verde, La Colonia, Higuerica, Las Delicias, Levante, Matalentisco, Poniente) and Cartagena (Cala Cortina, Isla Plana, La Azohía-El Cuertel, Levante-Cabo de Palos, San Ginés, La Chapineta).
This southern region has gained the most blue-flagged beaches this year – a net increase of 15.
Granada's performance contributed to that, with new flags for Cañón-La Pelá-Azucenas beach in Torrenueva Costa-Motril, La Guardia beach in Salobreña, Sotillo-Castell beach in Gualchos, and La Herradura and Marina del Este in Almuñécar.
Almuñécar's Puerta del Mar, San Cristóbal and Velilla, Motril's Playa Granada and Calahonda, and Torrenueva Costa's Torrenueva beach kept their blue flags from last year.
Cádiz province has blue-flagged beaches in Algeciras (Getares), Barbate (Zahara de los Atunes), Chiclana de la Frontera (La Barrosa, Sancti Petri), San Fernando (Camposoto-El Castillo), San Roque (Alcaidesa-El Faro, Cala Sardina), Vejer de la Frontera (El Palmar), Conil de la Frontera (El Roche, La Fontanilla, Los Bateles), Chipiona (Camarón-La Laguna, Cruz del Mar-Canteras, Micaela, Regla, Tres Piedra-La Ballena), Rota (Galeones, La Ballena, La Costilla, Punta Candor, Puntalillo, Rompidillo-Chorrillo), Cádiz city (La Caleta, La Cortadura-Poniente, La Victoria, Santa María del Mar), and El Puerto de Santa María (Fuentebravía, La Puntilla, Santa Catalina – but only the Vistahermosa-Las Redes stretch – and Valdelagrana).
Huelva province, in the far south-west, has earned blue flags for two new beaches in two new towns – Santa Pura in Lepe, and Las Dunas in Palos de la Frontera – and his kept its 2020 flags in another five towns: Ayamonte (Isla Canela, Punta del Moral), Moguer (Del Parador-Castilla), Punta Umbría (El Albergue), Isla Cristina-Lepe (Islantilla) and Cartaya (Caño de la Culata, San Miguel).
On the Costa del Sol, as the coast of the province of Málaga is known, a long list of new beaches have acquired blue flags: El Morche, in Torrox, joining the existing flag for Ferrara beach; Adelfas-Alicate and Venús-Bajadilla in Marbella, where blue flags have been retained for the beaches of Casablanca, El Cable, El Faro, Puerto Banús-Levante, and San Pedro de Alcántara-Guadalmina; the inland beach in Ardales; and two complete towns who have earned flags after not gaining any last year – Nerja (Burriana and Torrecilla beaches) and Málaga city (Caleta, El Dedo, El Palo, Malagueta, Misericordia, Pedregalejo, and San Andrés).
Beaches on the Costa del Sol that have kept their blue flags from 2020 are in Algarrobo (Algarrobo Costa), Casares (Ancha), Torremolinos (Los Álamos), Benalmádena (Fuente de la Salud, Torrebermeja-Santa Ana), Fuengirola (Boliches-Gaviotas, Carvajal, Castillo, Fuengirola), Mijas (Calahonda I-Royal Beach-La Luna, El Bombo, La Cala), and Vélez-Málaga (Benajarafe, La Caleta-Paseo, Torre del Mar).
Blue-flagged beaches in the province of Almería are found in Adra (Censo, San Nicolás, Sirena Loca), Pulpí (Calípso, Los Nardos, Mar Rabiosa, Mar Serena), El Ejido (Balerma, Almerimar Levante, Almerimar Poniente, San Miguel), Balanegra, Carboneras (El Ancón, Las Marinicas, Los Barquicos-Cocones), Níjar (Aguamarga, San José), Almería city (Almería, San Miguel de Cabo de Gata), Mojácar (Lance Nuevo, El Cantal, El Descargador, Marina de la Torre, Piedra Villazar, Venta del Bancal-Ventanicas) and Roquetas de Mar (Aguadulce, La Bajadilla, Las Salinas, Romanillas, Urbanisation Playa Serena, Urbanisation Roquetas).
Islands and enclaves
Blue flags have been retained this year by beaches in Spain's northern Moroccan coastal outposts of Ceuta (Chorrillo, Ribera) and Melilla (Hipódromo-Los Cárabos, La Hípica, Los Galápagos, San Lorenzo).
For the Balearic Islands, beaches in Menorca with blue flags are in Alaior (Cala en Porter, Son Bou), and Ferreries (Cala Galdana); in Ibiza, in Sant Joan de Labritja (Benirrás, Cala Sant Vicent) and Santa Eulària des Riu (Cala Llenya, Cala Llonga, Es Canar, Es Figueral and Santa Eulària); and in Mallorca, Muro, Ses Salines (Es Dolç-Es Port), Son Servera (Cala Millor, Es Ribell), Sant Llorenç des Cardassar (Cala Millor-Cala Nau, Sa Coma), Santa Margalida (Can Picafort, Son Bauló, Son Serra), Felanitx (Cala Ferrera, Cala Marçal, Cala Sa Nau, Porto Colom-Platja S'Arenal), Santanyí (Cala Gran, Cala Llombards, Cala Mondragó-Sa Font de n'Alís, Cala Santanyí, S'Amarador) and Palma de Mallorca (Cala Estànica, Cala Major, Playa de Palma-El Arenal).
Canary Islands' blue-flagged beaches and marinas can be found in Gran Canaria in Telde (Hoya del Pozo, La Garita, Melenara, Salinetas), Ingenio (El Burrero), Gáldar (Sardina), the provincial capital of Las Palmas (Las Canteras), Agüimes (Arinaga), Arucas (El Puertillo, Los Charcones), San Bartolomé de Tirajana (El Inglés, Maspalomas, Meloneras, San Agustín), and in Agaete (Las Nieves). In Lanzarote, blue-flagged beaches are in Arrecife (El Reducto), Yaiza (Blanca), Teguise (Las Cucharas) and Tías (Grande-Blanca, Matagorda, Pila de la Barrilla, Pocillos); in Fuerteventura you'll find them in Pájara (Butihondo, Costa Calma, El Matorral, Morro Jable) and Puerto del Rosario (Blanca, Los Pozos, Puerto Lajas), plus three new ones for this year, all in La Oliva (Corralejo Viejo, Grandes Playas, La Concha).
Last year, El Hierro had just one blue flag, for La Restinga beach in Pinar del Hierro, but has gained another for 2021 for Timijaraque beach in Valverde.
Meanwhile, La Gomera has won back its three in Alajeró (Santiago) and San Sebastián de la Gomera (La Cueva, San Sebastián); La Palma's five from last year in Breña Alta (Bajamar), Breña Baja (Los Cancajos), Tazacorte (Tazacorte Port), and Los Llanos de Aridane (Charco Verde, Puerto Naos) have risen to six with a blue flag for Santa Cruz de la Palma beach; and Tenerife has also picked up some extra blue flags: Along with Adeje's El Duque and Torviscas from 2020, new awards have been given to Troya I and II and La Enramada, and also to the natural swimming pools of Arenisco in San Cristóbal de la Laguna, joining the Bajamar natural pools from last year.
All other beaches and ports in Tenerife have won back their blue flags for another year: Arona (El Camisón, Las Vistas), Guía de Isora (La Jaquita), Los Realejos (Socorro), Puerto de la Cruz (Jardín, San Telmo), Taraconte (La Arena-Mesa del Mar), and Garachico (El Muelle, or 'the pier', and the natural lagoons of El Caletón).
In the north
Beaches and ports in the Galicia province of Pontevedra with blue flags are in A Guarda (Área Grande, O Muíño), Illa de Arousa (Área da Secada, Bao-Camaxe), Baiona (Barbeira, Concheira, Frades, Ladeira, Ribeira, Santa Marta), Bueu (Área de Bon, Lagos, Lapamán, Portomaior), Cangas (Áreabrava, Áreamilla, Liméns, Melide, Menduiña, Nerga, Rodeira), Marín (Aguete, Loira, Mogor, Portocelo, Santo de Mar-A Coviña), Moaña (O Con), Poio (Cabeceira), Sanxenxo (A Lapa, Agra, Áreas, Áreas Gordas, Baltar, Bascuaqs, Canelas, Caneliñas, Espiñeiro, Foxos, Major, Montalvo, Nosa Señora da Lanzada, Panadeira, Paxariñas, Pragueira, Silgar) Vigo (A Punta, Argazada, Canido, Carril, Fontaiña, Fortiñón, O Vao, Rodas-Cíes Islands, Samil, Tombo do Gato) and Vilagarcía de Arousa (Campanário, Compostela).
The Galicia province of A Coruña is home to the spectacular pilgrims' cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, and also to blue-flagged beaches in Ribeira (Coroso), Ponteceso (A Ermida, Balarés, O Osmo), Oleiros (Bastiagueiro, Espiñeiro, Mera, Naval, Santa Cristina), Miño (Perbes-Andahío), Laxe (Praia de Laxe), Ferrol (A Fragata-Pareixal, Doñinos, Esmelle, San Xurxo), Dumbría (Ézaro), Carballo (Pedra do Sal, Razo, Saíñas), Camariñas (Arou), Bergondo (Gandarío), Arteixo (A Hucha, A Salsa-Repibelo, Barrañán, Combouzas, O Reiro, Sabón, Valcobo), A Laracha (Caión), A Coruña city (As Lapas, Orzán-Matadero, Oza, Riazor, San Amaro), and for the first time ever, the inland beach on As Pontes Lake in As Pontes de García Rodríguez.
Finally in Galicia, in the province of Lugo, blue-flagged beaches are based in Barreiros (Acantilado-Remior, Coto, A Pasada), Burela (A Marosa, O Portelo, Ril), Cervo (O Torno), Foz (A Rapadoira, Areoura, Llas, As Polas, Peizás), O Vicedo (Abrela, Xilloi), Ribadeo (As Catedrais, Os Castros-Illas), Viveiro (Área), and Xove (Esteiro).
Asturias, a single-province region on the far north coast next to Galicia, is world-famous for its beaches, but their attraction is often in their ruggedness and wild, natural appeal – which are not really blue-flag territory, as this coveted kitemark granted for beach-tourism excellence. Still, even though many of Asturias' best-loved coastal enclaves would not qualify, the region is still not short of a blue flag or several – these can be found in Castrillón (Arnao, Salinas, Santa María del Mar), Castropol (Arnao), Castropol-Tapia de Casariego (Peñarronda), Cudillero (Concha de Artedo, San Pedro Bocamar), Muros de Nalón (Aguilar), Navia (Frejulfe), Tapia de Casariego (Anguileiro), Valdés (Cadavedo, Otur), and Villaviciosa (La Ñora, Rodiles).
In Asturias' eastern neighbour, Cantabria, beaches with blue flags are found in Comillas, in Santoña (Berria), in San Vicente de la Barquera (Sable de Merón), Suances (El Sable de Tagle, Los Locos), Noja (Ris, Tregandín), Castro-Urdiales (Oriñón, Ostende), and Arnuero (El Sable de Quejo, La Arena).
The Basque Country has earned blue flags for beaches in two of its provinces, that of Vizcaya, of which the capital is Bilbao, and that of Álava, of which the capital is Vitoria. In the former, two beaches in Getxo are blue-flagged – Arrigunaga and Ereaga – and in the latter, one each in Arratzua-Ubarrundia (Landa), Barrundia (Moskurio-Garaio Norte) and Elburgo (Salurriaga-Garaio Sur).
Hundreds of kilometres from the coast
Joining another six inland beaches with blue flags for this year – all of which have earned theirs for the first time – three others in provinces a considerable drive from the nearest sea shore have retained their kitemarks for another year: San Martín de Valdeiglesias in the Greater Madrid region has kept its flag for the Virgen de la Nieve beach, one of 14 man-made ones along the banks of the San Juan swamp; Cheles, for La Dehesa beach, and Orellana la Vieja for the Orellana Freshwater Beach, both in the province of Badajoz in the far-western region of Extremadura, which borders Portugal.
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ANYONE who is still trying to decide where to go in Spain for their perfect beach holiday this summer is about to find their choice made even more difficult: The blue-flag unveiling means a whole 615 of them have been declared 'practically perfect in every way'.
This year, you don't even have to head for the coast to find them; in addition to the three inland beaches that won blue flags in 2020, another six have been added to the list for 2021.
But if you can't make up your mind, it probably doesn't matter. Blue-flagged beaches are all clean, accessible, environmentally-friendly and have all the amenities you need to enjoy your trip, so any one should fit the bill; just drop a pin on a map of Spain and see where chance leads you to for your sunshine getaway.
Here's the full list of which beaches are flying the flag for tourism excellence this year.
Best beaches and marinas of 2021 in the province of Girona are in Blanes (Blanes, Sabanell, Sant Francesc-Cala Bona), Castell-Platja d'Aro (Cala Rovira, Platja d'Aro-Platja Gran, Sa Conca), Palafrugell (Canadell, Llafranc, Tamariu), Palamós (La Fosca), Port de la Selva, Llançá (Del Port, Grifeu), Castelló d'Empúries (Empúriabrava), Calonge i Sant Antoni (Cala Cristus-Ses Torretes, d'Es Monestrí, Sant Antoni, Torre Valentina), Sant Feliu de Guíxols (Sant Feliu, Sant Pol), Torroelloa de Montgrí (Cala Montgó), Tossa de Mar (Gran de Tossa, La Mar Menuda), and Lloret de Mar (Cala Canyelles, Sa Boadella, Santa Cristina).
Barcelona province
Top beaches in towns that share a province with Spain's largest city are in Badalona (Cristall), Caldes d'Estrac (Dels Tres Micos), Calella (Garbí), Canet de Mar, Cubelles (Llarga), Gavá, Castelldefels (Del Baixador, Lluminetes), El Masnou (Masnou, Ocata), Malgrat de Mar (Malgrat-Centre, De l'Astillero), Pineda del Mar (Dels Pescadors, La Riera), Sant Pol de Mar (Les Barques-Sant Pol), Vilanova i la Geltrú (D'Adarró, Ibersol, Ribes-Roges, Sant Gervasi), Sitges (Aiguadolç, Balmils, Garraf, La Barra, La Ribera, Les Botigues, Sant Sebastiá, Terramar, and a new one for L'Estanyol), and in Barcelona city itself, Bogatell, Nova Mar Bella, and Sant Sebastià i Sant Miquel.
The 2021 blue-flagged beaches for the province of Tarragona are in Alcanar (Les Cases), Altafulla, Calafell (Calafell, L'Estany Mas Mel, Segur de Calafell), Cambrils (Cavet, La Llosa, Prat d'En Forés-Regueral, Vilafortuny), Cunit (Llevant and Ponent), L'Ametlla de Mar (Calafató, Cala Forn, L'Alguer, Pixavaques, Sant Jordi), L'Ampolla (Cap Roig, Les Avellanes) Mont Roig del Camp (Cala Vienesos-dels Espenyals, Casa dels Lladres, Cristall, Pixerota), Sant Carles de la Ràpita (Les Delícies, Parc de Garbí), Tarragona (De la Móra, L'Arrabassada, Savinosa, Tamarit), Torredembarra (Barri Marítim, Dels Muntanyans, La Paella), Vandellós and L'Hospitalet de l'Infant (L'Arenal, La Punta del Riu, Torn), Deltebre (Riumar), Salou (Capellans, Llevant), Roda de Bará (Costa Daurada, Roda de Bará Llarga), and Vila-Seca (La Pineda).
In the region's northernmost province of Castellón, a new blue flag has been granted this year for Benafeli beach in Almassora, and all the others from last year are still in place: Alcalá de Xivert (El Carregador, El Moro, La Romana, Manyetes), Almenara (Casablanca), Benicarló (La Caracola, Morrongo), Burriana (Grao-Malvarrosa, L'Arenal), Oropesa del Mar (La Conxa, Les Amplaries, Morro de Gos, Plagetes de Bellver), Peñíscola (Nord), Torreblanca (Nord), Vinaròs (Fora Forat, Fortí), Castellón city (Gurugú and Pinar), Moncofa (Grao, L'Estanyol, Masbó, Pedra Roja), Nules (Marines), Xilxes (El Cerezo, Les Cases), and Benicàssim (Dels Terrers, Heliópolis, L'Almadrava, Torre de Sant Vicent, Voramar).
The region's central province, Valencia, has gained an additional blue flag this year for the Playa Norte, or north beach, in La Pobla de Farnals. Otherwise, all the others from 2020 remain: Bellreguard, Miramar, Piles, Puçol, Xeraco, Daimús, Canet d'En Berenguer (Racó de la Mar), Tavernes de la Valldigna (La Goleta, Tavernes), Gandia (Platja Nord), Oliva (Pau-Pi, or Mitja Galta, L'Aigua Morta, L'Aigua Blanca, Terranova-Burguera), Sagunto (Corint, L'Almardá, Sagunto Port), Cullera (Cap Blanc, El Dossel, El Far, Los Olivos, Racó, Sant Antoni) and Valencia city (Cabanyal, Malvarrosa, El Saler, L'Arbre del Gos, La Devesa, La Garrofera, Recatí-Perellonet).
The region's southernmost province, Alicante – the coast of which is known as the Costa Blanca – holds more blue flags than any other in Spain, and include the sole beach on the idyllic, car-free island of Tabarca, a short ferry trip from Alicante and Santa Pola. In fact, Santa Pola has an extra blue flag this year, for its La Ermita beach, joining those it has held onto from last year for the Calas del Este, Calas Santiago Bernabéu, Levante, Tamarit and Varador beaches.
Others are found in Alicante city itself (Postiguet, L'Albufereta, Saladar-Urbanova, and San Juan), Altea (Cap Blanc, La Roda, L'Espigó), Benidorm (Levante, Poniente and Mal Pas), Benissa (Fustera), Calpe (Cantal Roig, La Fossa, Arenal-Bol), Elche (Arenals del Sol-Sur, Carabassí, L'Altet, La Marina, Les Pesqueres-El Rebollo), Finestrat (La Cala), Guardamar del Segura (Centre, El Moncaio, La Roqueta), L'Alfàs del Pi (Racó de l'Albir), Pilar de la Horadada (Conde, Higuericas, Jesuitas, Mil Palmeras, Puerto, Rocamar), Teulada-Moraira (El Portet, L'Ampolla, Les Plagetes), Jávea (Arenal, Granadella, La Grava), Dénia (Les Bovetes, Les Deveses, Las Marinas, Marineta Cassiana, Els Molins, Punta del Raset), El Campello (Carrer de la Mar Mutxavista), Benitatxell (Cala del Moraig), Villajoyosa (Bol Nou, Ciutat-Centre, La Caleta, Paradís, Varadero), Torrevieja (Cabo Cervera, Cala de las Piteras, Los Locos, El Cura, Los Náufragos, Torrelamata-Sur), and Orihuela (Aguamarina, Barranco Rubio, Cabo Roig-La Caleta, Cala Capitán, Cala Cerrada, Cala Estaca, Cala Mosca, Campoamor, La Zenia-Cala Bosque, Mil Palmeras, Punta Prima).
This south-eastern region has kept all its blue-flagged beaches from last year: Lorca's Calnegre, San Javier's Ensenada del Esparto, San Pedro del Pinatar's El Mojón and the beaches in Mazarrón (Alamillo, Bahía, Mojón, Puerto, Grande-Castellar, Nares, Percheles, Rihuete), Águilas (Calarreona, La Carolina, Casica Verde, La Colonia, Higuerica, Las Delicias, Levante, Matalentisco, Poniente) and Cartagena (Cala Cortina, Isla Plana, La Azohía-El Cuertel, Levante-Cabo de Palos, San Ginés, La Chapineta).
This southern region has gained the most blue-flagged beaches this year – a net increase of 15.
Granada's performance contributed to that, with new flags for Cañón-La Pelá-Azucenas beach in Torrenueva Costa-Motril, La Guardia beach in Salobreña, Sotillo-Castell beach in Gualchos, and La Herradura and Marina del Este in Almuñécar.
Almuñécar's Puerta del Mar, San Cristóbal and Velilla, Motril's Playa Granada and Calahonda, and Torrenueva Costa's Torrenueva beach kept their blue flags from last year.
Cádiz province has blue-flagged beaches in Algeciras (Getares), Barbate (Zahara de los Atunes), Chiclana de la Frontera (La Barrosa, Sancti Petri), San Fernando (Camposoto-El Castillo), San Roque (Alcaidesa-El Faro, Cala Sardina), Vejer de la Frontera (El Palmar), Conil de la Frontera (El Roche, La Fontanilla, Los Bateles), Chipiona (Camarón-La Laguna, Cruz del Mar-Canteras, Micaela, Regla, Tres Piedra-La Ballena), Rota (Galeones, La Ballena, La Costilla, Punta Candor, Puntalillo, Rompidillo-Chorrillo), Cádiz city (La Caleta, La Cortadura-Poniente, La Victoria, Santa María del Mar), and El Puerto de Santa María (Fuentebravía, La Puntilla, Santa Catalina – but only the Vistahermosa-Las Redes stretch – and Valdelagrana).
Huelva province, in the far south-west, has earned blue flags for two new beaches in two new towns – Santa Pura in Lepe, and Las Dunas in Palos de la Frontera – and his kept its 2020 flags in another five towns: Ayamonte (Isla Canela, Punta del Moral), Moguer (Del Parador-Castilla), Punta Umbría (El Albergue), Isla Cristina-Lepe (Islantilla) and Cartaya (Caño de la Culata, San Miguel).
On the Costa del Sol, as the coast of the province of Málaga is known, a long list of new beaches have acquired blue flags: El Morche, in Torrox, joining the existing flag for Ferrara beach; Adelfas-Alicate and Venús-Bajadilla in Marbella, where blue flags have been retained for the beaches of Casablanca, El Cable, El Faro, Puerto Banús-Levante, and San Pedro de Alcántara-Guadalmina; the inland beach in Ardales; and two complete towns who have earned flags after not gaining any last year – Nerja (Burriana and Torrecilla beaches) and Málaga city (Caleta, El Dedo, El Palo, Malagueta, Misericordia, Pedregalejo, and San Andrés).
Beaches on the Costa del Sol that have kept their blue flags from 2020 are in Algarrobo (Algarrobo Costa), Casares (Ancha), Torremolinos (Los Álamos), Benalmádena (Fuente de la Salud, Torrebermeja-Santa Ana), Fuengirola (Boliches-Gaviotas, Carvajal, Castillo, Fuengirola), Mijas (Calahonda I-Royal Beach-La Luna, El Bombo, La Cala), and Vélez-Málaga (Benajarafe, La Caleta-Paseo, Torre del Mar).
Blue-flagged beaches in the province of Almería are found in Adra (Censo, San Nicolás, Sirena Loca), Pulpí (Calípso, Los Nardos, Mar Rabiosa, Mar Serena), El Ejido (Balerma, Almerimar Levante, Almerimar Poniente, San Miguel), Balanegra, Carboneras (El Ancón, Las Marinicas, Los Barquicos-Cocones), Níjar (Aguamarga, San José), Almería city (Almería, San Miguel de Cabo de Gata), Mojácar (Lance Nuevo, El Cantal, El Descargador, Marina de la Torre, Piedra Villazar, Venta del Bancal-Ventanicas) and Roquetas de Mar (Aguadulce, La Bajadilla, Las Salinas, Romanillas, Urbanisation Playa Serena, Urbanisation Roquetas).
Islands and enclaves
Blue flags have been retained this year by beaches in Spain's northern Moroccan coastal outposts of Ceuta (Chorrillo, Ribera) and Melilla (Hipódromo-Los Cárabos, La Hípica, Los Galápagos, San Lorenzo).
For the Balearic Islands, beaches in Menorca with blue flags are in Alaior (Cala en Porter, Son Bou), and Ferreries (Cala Galdana); in Ibiza, in Sant Joan de Labritja (Benirrás, Cala Sant Vicent) and Santa Eulària des Riu (Cala Llenya, Cala Llonga, Es Canar, Es Figueral and Santa Eulària); and in Mallorca, Muro, Ses Salines (Es Dolç-Es Port), Son Servera (Cala Millor, Es Ribell), Sant Llorenç des Cardassar (Cala Millor-Cala Nau, Sa Coma), Santa Margalida (Can Picafort, Son Bauló, Son Serra), Felanitx (Cala Ferrera, Cala Marçal, Cala Sa Nau, Porto Colom-Platja S'Arenal), Santanyí (Cala Gran, Cala Llombards, Cala Mondragó-Sa Font de n'Alís, Cala Santanyí, S'Amarador) and Palma de Mallorca (Cala Estànica, Cala Major, Playa de Palma-El Arenal).
Canary Islands' blue-flagged beaches and marinas can be found in Gran Canaria in Telde (Hoya del Pozo, La Garita, Melenara, Salinetas), Ingenio (El Burrero), Gáldar (Sardina), the provincial capital of Las Palmas (Las Canteras), Agüimes (Arinaga), Arucas (El Puertillo, Los Charcones), San Bartolomé de Tirajana (El Inglés, Maspalomas, Meloneras, San Agustín), and in Agaete (Las Nieves). In Lanzarote, blue-flagged beaches are in Arrecife (El Reducto), Yaiza (Blanca), Teguise (Las Cucharas) and Tías (Grande-Blanca, Matagorda, Pila de la Barrilla, Pocillos); in Fuerteventura you'll find them in Pájara (Butihondo, Costa Calma, El Matorral, Morro Jable) and Puerto del Rosario (Blanca, Los Pozos, Puerto Lajas), plus three new ones for this year, all in La Oliva (Corralejo Viejo, Grandes Playas, La Concha).
Last year, El Hierro had just one blue flag, for La Restinga beach in Pinar del Hierro, but has gained another for 2021 for Timijaraque beach in Valverde.
Meanwhile, La Gomera has won back its three in Alajeró (Santiago) and San Sebastián de la Gomera (La Cueva, San Sebastián); La Palma's five from last year in Breña Alta (Bajamar), Breña Baja (Los Cancajos), Tazacorte (Tazacorte Port), and Los Llanos de Aridane (Charco Verde, Puerto Naos) have risen to six with a blue flag for Santa Cruz de la Palma beach; and Tenerife has also picked up some extra blue flags: Along with Adeje's El Duque and Torviscas from 2020, new awards have been given to Troya I and II and La Enramada, and also to the natural swimming pools of Arenisco in San Cristóbal de la Laguna, joining the Bajamar natural pools from last year.
All other beaches and ports in Tenerife have won back their blue flags for another year: Arona (El Camisón, Las Vistas), Guía de Isora (La Jaquita), Los Realejos (Socorro), Puerto de la Cruz (Jardín, San Telmo), Taraconte (La Arena-Mesa del Mar), and Garachico (El Muelle, or 'the pier', and the natural lagoons of El Caletón).
In the north
Beaches and ports in the Galicia province of Pontevedra with blue flags are in A Guarda (Área Grande, O Muíño), Illa de Arousa (Área da Secada, Bao-Camaxe), Baiona (Barbeira, Concheira, Frades, Ladeira, Ribeira, Santa Marta), Bueu (Área de Bon, Lagos, Lapamán, Portomaior), Cangas (Áreabrava, Áreamilla, Liméns, Melide, Menduiña, Nerga, Rodeira), Marín (Aguete, Loira, Mogor, Portocelo, Santo de Mar-A Coviña), Moaña (O Con), Poio (Cabeceira), Sanxenxo (A Lapa, Agra, Áreas, Áreas Gordas, Baltar, Bascuaqs, Canelas, Caneliñas, Espiñeiro, Foxos, Major, Montalvo, Nosa Señora da Lanzada, Panadeira, Paxariñas, Pragueira, Silgar) Vigo (A Punta, Argazada, Canido, Carril, Fontaiña, Fortiñón, O Vao, Rodas-Cíes Islands, Samil, Tombo do Gato) and Vilagarcía de Arousa (Campanário, Compostela).
The Galicia province of A Coruña is home to the spectacular pilgrims' cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, and also to blue-flagged beaches in Ribeira (Coroso), Ponteceso (A Ermida, Balarés, O Osmo), Oleiros (Bastiagueiro, Espiñeiro, Mera, Naval, Santa Cristina), Miño (Perbes-Andahío), Laxe (Praia de Laxe), Ferrol (A Fragata-Pareixal, Doñinos, Esmelle, San Xurxo), Dumbría (Ézaro), Carballo (Pedra do Sal, Razo, Saíñas), Camariñas (Arou), Bergondo (Gandarío), Arteixo (A Hucha, A Salsa-Repibelo, Barrañán, Combouzas, O Reiro, Sabón, Valcobo), A Laracha (Caión), A Coruña city (As Lapas, Orzán-Matadero, Oza, Riazor, San Amaro), and for the first time ever, the inland beach on As Pontes Lake in As Pontes de García Rodríguez.
Finally in Galicia, in the province of Lugo, blue-flagged beaches are based in Barreiros (Acantilado-Remior, Coto, A Pasada), Burela (A Marosa, O Portelo, Ril), Cervo (O Torno), Foz (A Rapadoira, Areoura, Llas, As Polas, Peizás), O Vicedo (Abrela, Xilloi), Ribadeo (As Catedrais, Os Castros-Illas), Viveiro (Área), and Xove (Esteiro).
Asturias, a single-province region on the far north coast next to Galicia, is world-famous for its beaches, but their attraction is often in their ruggedness and wild, natural appeal – which are not really blue-flag territory, as this coveted kitemark granted for beach-tourism excellence. Still, even though many of Asturias' best-loved coastal enclaves would not qualify, the region is still not short of a blue flag or several – these can be found in Castrillón (Arnao, Salinas, Santa María del Mar), Castropol (Arnao), Castropol-Tapia de Casariego (Peñarronda), Cudillero (Concha de Artedo, San Pedro Bocamar), Muros de Nalón (Aguilar), Navia (Frejulfe), Tapia de Casariego (Anguileiro), Valdés (Cadavedo, Otur), and Villaviciosa (La Ñora, Rodiles).
In Asturias' eastern neighbour, Cantabria, beaches with blue flags are found in Comillas, in Santoña (Berria), in San Vicente de la Barquera (Sable de Merón), Suances (El Sable de Tagle, Los Locos), Noja (Ris, Tregandín), Castro-Urdiales (Oriñón, Ostende), and Arnuero (El Sable de Quejo, La Arena).
The Basque Country has earned blue flags for beaches in two of its provinces, that of Vizcaya, of which the capital is Bilbao, and that of Álava, of which the capital is Vitoria. In the former, two beaches in Getxo are blue-flagged – Arrigunaga and Ereaga – and in the latter, one each in Arratzua-Ubarrundia (Landa), Barrundia (Moskurio-Garaio Norte) and Elburgo (Salurriaga-Garaio Sur).
Hundreds of kilometres from the coast
Joining another six inland beaches with blue flags for this year – all of which have earned theirs for the first time – three others in provinces a considerable drive from the nearest sea shore have retained their kitemarks for another year: San Martín de Valdeiglesias in the Greater Madrid region has kept its flag for the Virgen de la Nieve beach, one of 14 man-made ones along the banks of the San Juan swamp; Cheles, for La Dehesa beach, and Orellana la Vieja for the Orellana Freshwater Beach, both in the province of Badajoz in the far-western region of Extremadura, which borders Portugal.
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