VALENCIA'S world-famous 'Gulliver Park' is undergoing a massive overhaul, meaning it will be shut until late next year – but the city council promises it will be worth the wait.
Is your local beach just perfect? Check out the 2022 list of blue flags
14/05/2022
MAYBE you won't settle for less than impeccable when searching for a beach to flop out and catch the rays on.
But if that's the case, you'll find it in this list – or perhaps your own local beach is already on it.
Here's the full catalogue of Spain's 621 blue-flagged beaches for 2022, where to find them, which ones are new, and which haven't made the cut this year – but which are probably still fabulous, worth a visit, and won't disappoint.
Best beaches and marinas of 2022 in the province of Girona include the Platja de Lloret, a newcomer for this year, whilst Castelló d'Empúries (Empúriabrava) has lost last year's blue flag.
The remainder are the same as in 2021, and are found 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), 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).
Top beaches in towns that share a province with Spain's largest city include a new one in Badalona – Pescadors – with Cristall having kept its flag from 2021, and for Barcelona, with Mar Bella; all the others in the capital (Bogatell, Nova Mar Bella, and Sant Sebastià i Sant Miquel) have retained their kitemarks. El Masnou has lost its blue flag for Ocata, but kept it for Platja Masnou.
The others remain the same as last year: Caldes d'Estrac (Dels Tres Micos), Calella (Garbí), Canet de Mar, Cubelles (Llarga), Gavá, Castelldefels (Del Baixador, Lluminetes), , 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, Balmins, Garraf, La Barra, La Ribera, Les Botigues, Sant Sebastiá, and Terramar.
The 2022 blue-flagged beaches for the province of Tarragona do not include last year's four in Mont Roig del Camp (Cala Vienesos-dels Espenyals, Casa dels Lladres, Cristall, Pixerota), nor Pixavaques beach in L'Ametlla de Mar, although the latter retains its 2021 flags for Calafató, Cala Forn, L'Alguer, and Sant Jordi.
A new blue flag has been awarded for L'Almadrava beach in Vandellós and L'Hospitalet de l'Infant, which also keeps last year's for L'Arenal, La Punta del Riu, and Tom.
All others have renewed their blue flags for 2021 and 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'Ampolla (Cap Roig, Les Avellanes) 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), Deltebre (Riumar), Salou (Capellans, Llevant), Roda de Berá (Costa Daurada, Roda de Berá Llarga), and Vila-Seca (La Pineda).
In the region's northernmost province of Castellón, Almenara has lost its flag for its Casablanca beach, but all the others from last year are still in place: Alcalá de Xivert (El Carregador, El Moro, La Romana, Manyetes), Benicarló (La Caracola, Morrongo), Burriana (Grao-Malvarrosa, L'Arenal), Almassora (Benafeli), 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 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. And Santa Pola itself has held onto all its blue flags from last year, for its La Ermita, Calas del Este, Calas Santiago Bernabéu, Levante, Tamarit and Varador.
One iconic beach has lost its blue flag for 2022 – Benidorm's Poniente – although the classical seaside holiday hotspot has kept its firmly-established kitemarks for the central Levante beach and for Mal Pas, and the council attributes Poniente's loss to water tests being carried out shortly after heavy rain last year, results of which would not affect the excellent summer sea quality.
Just south of Benidorm, Finestrat has failed to renew its blue flag for the cosy-but-lively coastal nook known as La Cala.
Both towns intend to work extra-hard to recover these awards in 2023.
Guardamar del Segura, about half an hour south of Alicante city, has acquired a new blue flag for 2022, for Platja dels Vivers, and retains all its others from 2021 for Centre, El Moncaio, and La Roqueta.
In the north of the province, Benissa is thrilled to announce its brand-new blue flag for the Cala Baladrar cove, the first time in the history of the awards it has ever received one – normally, Benissa only gets one per year for its main beach, La Fustera. This has been renewed for another year.
Others, which have all kept their blue flags from 2021, are found in Alicante city itself (Postiguet, L'Albufereta, Saladar-Urbanova, and San Juan), Altea (Cap Blanc, La Roda, L'Espigó), Calpe (Cantal Roig, La Fossa, Arenal-Bol), Elche (Arenals del Sol-Sur, Carabassí, L'Altet, La Marina, Les Pesqueres-El Rebollo), 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 Glea, La Zenia-Cala Bosque, Mil Palmeras, and Punta Prima).
Three other 'firsts' for 2022 have been celebrated by local councils in the region's central province, Valencia – two of which are in the much-loved high-rise holiday haven of Cullera, a favourite for 'staycation' sunseekers but as yet largely undiscovered by foreign tourists. Escollera and Marenyet-L'Illa beaches have each earned their début blue flags, whilst all the others (Cap Blanc, El Dossel, El Far, Los Olivos, Racó, and Sant Antoni) have kept their 2021 awards.
The other is the untouched rural Ahuir, or L'Auir beach in the southern-Valencia province town of Gandia – very close to urbanisations, holiday apartments and up-market hotels, but without a building of its own anywhere, huge campaigns by members of the public to save this 'green' haven at the delta of the salt marshes from development have now paid off: For the first time ever, L'Auir is flying a blue flag.
For those who prefer a little more life and soul, the Platja Nord, which borders onto neighbouring Xeraco to the north, has kept its long-established blue flag for 2022.
Otherwise, nowhere has lost their previous flags, so all the others from 2021 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), La Pobla de Farnals (Playa Norte) and Valencia city (Cabanyal, Malvarrosa, El Saler, L'Arbre del Gos, La Devesa, La Garrofera, and Recatí-Perellonet).
This south-eastern region has increased its number of blue-flagged beaches by one from last year, having lost one and gained two.
Mazarrón has failed to keep its flag for Percheles beach, but maintained all its others for Alamillo, Bahía, Mojón, Puerto, Grande-Castellar, Nares, and Rihuete.
San Javier, though, has gained a new flag for its Pedrucho beach - and keeps its 2021 award for its Ensenada del Esparto – and also for the beach it shares with Cartagena, Banco del Tabal-Calnegre.
The others are the same as in 2021: San Pedro del Pinatar's El Mojón, Lorca's Calnegre, and the beaches in 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, and La Chapineta).
This southern region has gained the most blue-flagged beaches this year – a net increase of seven.
Almería's performance contributed most to that – despite Carboneras' having lost its 2021 flag for Los Barquicos-Cocones, it earned a new one for 2022 for El Corral, and the province gained an additional four: In Adra (El Carboncillo), in Cuevas de Almanzora (Villaricos and Pozo del Esparto), and in Vera (El Playazo).
All other blue-flagged beaches from 2021 have kept their awards: 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), 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).
Granada keeps its flags for Cañón-La Pelá-Azucenas beach in Torrenueva Costa-Motril, La Guardia beach in Salobreña, Sotillo-Castell beach in Gualchos, Playa Granada and Calahonda in Motril, Torrenueva Costa's Torrenueva beach, and La Herradura, Puerta del Mar, San Cristóbal, Velilla, and Marina del Este in Almuñécar.
Cádiz province has lost one blue-flagged beach from 2021 – La Caleta in Cádiz city – and has not gained any new ones for 2022. All flags held this year were also in place last year, and are found 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 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 lost the blue flag it newly earned in 2021 for Las Dunas beach in Palos de la Frontera, but gained blue flags for two new beaches – Los Haraganes in Ayamonte, joining the existing awards for Isla Canela and Punta del Moral beaches; and La Casita Azul beach in Isla Cristina.
This latter town shares the Islantilla beach with Lepe, which keeps its 2021 blue flag, as does Lepe's own Santa Pura beach.
Three other towns which held blue flags in 2021 have kept theirs for 2022: Moguer (Del Parador-Castilla), Punta Umbría (El Albergue), and Cartaya (Caño de la Culata, San Miguel).
On the Costa del Sol, as the coast of the province of Málaga is known, two new beaches have acquired blue flags: Maro beach in Nerja, joining the existing flags for Burriana and Torrecilla beaches, plus Sabinillas beach in Manilva, a town which did not have any at all in 2021.
No beaches on the Costa del Sol have lost their flags this year, meaning the 2021 list remains the same: Torrox (El Morche, Ferrara); Marbella (Adelfas-Alicate, Casablanca, El Cable, El Faro, Puerto Banús-Levante, San Pedro de Alcántara-Guadalmina, and Venús-Bajadilla); the inland beach in Ardales; Málaga city (Caleta, El Dedo, El Palo, Malagueta, Misericordia, Pedregalejo, and San Andrés); 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).
For the first time ever, the land-locked province of Córdoba now has a blue-flagged beach. Making up for the lack of a sea coast within a 150-kilometre radius – and, as the part of Spain which holds the record for the hottest-ever temperature and habitually registers the highest figures in the country on any given summer day, Córdoba could certainly use a beach – the town of Almodóvar del Río has an 'inland' version, La Breña. Given that you don't have to be on or even near a coast to get a blue flag for your beach, La Breña is proudly flying its new colours for 2022.
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 the same as in 2021 and are in Alaior (Cala en Porter, Son Bou), and Ferreries (Cala Galdana).
Ibiza has lost three of last year's flags - in Sant Joan de Labritja (Benirrás) and Santa Eulària des Riu (Cala Llonga and Santa Eulària).
Sant Joan keeps its 2021 flag for Cala Sant Vicent, though, and Santa Eulària retains its own for Cala Llenya, Es Canar, and Es Figueral.
Mallorca keeps all of last year's: 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).
The largest of the Balearic Islands gains another two this year, adding another town to the list: Pollença's Cala Barques and Cala Molins have hoisted their début blue flags for 2022.
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), Agaete (Las Nieves) and San Bartolomé de Tirajana (El Inglés), although this latter town has lost three of last year's blue flags, for Maspalomas, Meloneras, and San Agustín beaches.
In Lanzarote, blue-flagged beaches for this year are the same as for last, and 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), Puerto del Rosario (Blanca, Los Pozos, Puerto Lajas), La Oliva (Corralejo Viejo, Grandes Playas, La Concha), plus two new ones for this year, one in Tuineje (Gran Tarajal) and a first-timer for Antigua (Castillo beach).
No changes have been seen from last year for El Hierro: Pinar del Hierro (La Restinga beach) and Valverde (Timijaraque beach); nor for La Gomera with one in Alajeró (Santiago) and two in San Sebastián de la Gomera (La Cueva, San Sebastián de la Gomera); nor for La Palma's six from last year in Breña Alta (Bajamar), Breña Baja (Los Cancajos), Tazacorte (Tazacorte Port), Los Llanos de Aridane (Charco Verde, Puerto Naos) and Santa Cruz de la Palma beach – quite a feat, given that this year's efforts were overshadowed by the Cumbre Vieja volcanic eruption that forced hundreds out of their homes and had local authorities working around the clock on more urgent matters than getting its beaches into shape.
Tenerife has lost four blue flags: Adeje's new ones for 2021 for Troya I and II and La Enramada have not been retained, but the town's El Duque and Torviscas keep theirs for another year; and Puerto de la Cruz has lost its only two, for Jardín and San Telmo.
No new awards have been given to Tenerife beaches this year, meaning the remainder of the list is the same as in 2021: The natural swimming pools of Arenisco and Bajamar in San Cristóbal de la Laguna; Arona (El Camisón, Las Vistas), Guía de Isora (La Jaquita), Los Realejos (Socorro), Taraconte (La Arena-Mesa del Mar), Icod de los Vinos (San Marcos) 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, with two new ones for Banda do Río and Lagos), Cangas (Áreabrava, Áreamilla, Liméns, Menduiña, and Nerga, but last year's for Rodeira and Melide have not been renewed); Marín (Aguete, Loira, Mogor, Portocelo, Santo de Mar-A Coviña), Moaña (O Con), Poio (Cabeceira), Sanxenxo (A Lapa, Agra, Áreas, Áreas Gordas, Baltar, Bascuas, Canelas, Caneliñas, Espiñeiro-Lanzada, 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 a first-time flag for Santa Baia) and Vilagarcía de Arousa (Campanário, Compostela), plus an inland river beach, A Calzada in Ponte Caldelas, gets a blue flag for 2022.
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-O 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, and a brand-new blue for Porto de Suevos), A Laracha (Caión), A Coruña city (As Lapas, Orzán-Matadero, Oza, Riazor, San Amaro), and for only its second consecutive year, 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 (Coto, A Pasada, and a new one for Fontela Valea, although Acantilado-Remior has not received one for 2022), 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 is granted for beach-tourism excellence and the 'holidaymaker' essentials required for the award, such as toilets, foot-showers, lifeguards and sun-beds, do not belong on raw, romantic and rocky coastline. Still, even though many of Asturias' best-loved coastal enclaves, due to their rural, unspoilt nature, 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), all of which also held blue-flag status in 2021.
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) – another region whose kitemarks remain unchanged from last year.
The Basque Country has lost both the blue flags for beaches in its province of Vizcaya, of which the capital is Bilbao – in Getxo ( Arrigunaga and Ereaga) – but keeps those of its land-locked province of Álava, of which the capital is Vitoria. The latter are in Arratzua-Ubarrundia (Landa), Barrundia (Moskurio-Garaio Norte) and Elburgo (Salurriaga-Garaio Sur).
Inland regions
A growing trend, and a necessary one from residents' point of view in summer – especially those who do not have access to their own or a communal swimming pool at home – inland beaches have always been in existence, but are now starting to get recognised as local councils work hard to bring them up to 'tourism excellence' standards, and newly-created ones are popping up all the time.
Whilst overseas residents, especially from more northern, colder countries, seeking to move to Spain or buy a holiday home will typically seek somewhere on the coast, they may well find property is cheaper in land-locked provinces and, even if they do not have a pool, could well be near enough to a clean, paradisical river beach that they wouldn't notice they were hundreds of kilometres from the sea.
Madrid's San Juan swamp in San Martín de Valdeiglesias has 14 'artificial' beaches that work just as well as the real thing, and for yet another year, the overall favourite, the Virgen de la Nieve beach, has earned a blue flag.
In the far west of Spain, bordering Portugal, the region of Extremadura does not have a coast, but two inland beaches in its province of Badajoz win blue flags year after year: La Dehesa beach in Cheles, and the Orellana Freshwater Beach in Orellana la Vieja.
And this year, six others in Extremadura have earned their first blue flags, all in the province of Badajoz: The one in Alange; the one in Campanario; Los Calicantos beach in Casas de Don Pedro; Isla del Zújar beach in Castuera; El Espolón-Peloche beach in Herrera del Duque; and Talarrubias-Puerto Peña beach in Talarrubias.
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MAYBE you won't settle for less than impeccable when searching for a beach to flop out and catch the rays on.
But if that's the case, you'll find it in this list – or perhaps your own local beach is already on it.
Here's the full catalogue of Spain's 621 blue-flagged beaches for 2022, where to find them, which ones are new, and which haven't made the cut this year – but which are probably still fabulous, worth a visit, and won't disappoint.
Best beaches and marinas of 2022 in the province of Girona include the Platja de Lloret, a newcomer for this year, whilst Castelló d'Empúries (Empúriabrava) has lost last year's blue flag.
The remainder are the same as in 2021, and are found 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), 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).
Top beaches in towns that share a province with Spain's largest city include a new one in Badalona – Pescadors – with Cristall having kept its flag from 2021, and for Barcelona, with Mar Bella; all the others in the capital (Bogatell, Nova Mar Bella, and Sant Sebastià i Sant Miquel) have retained their kitemarks. El Masnou has lost its blue flag for Ocata, but kept it for Platja Masnou.
The others remain the same as last year: Caldes d'Estrac (Dels Tres Micos), Calella (Garbí), Canet de Mar, Cubelles (Llarga), Gavá, Castelldefels (Del Baixador, Lluminetes), , 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, Balmins, Garraf, La Barra, La Ribera, Les Botigues, Sant Sebastiá, and Terramar.
The 2022 blue-flagged beaches for the province of Tarragona do not include last year's four in Mont Roig del Camp (Cala Vienesos-dels Espenyals, Casa dels Lladres, Cristall, Pixerota), nor Pixavaques beach in L'Ametlla de Mar, although the latter retains its 2021 flags for Calafató, Cala Forn, L'Alguer, and Sant Jordi.
A new blue flag has been awarded for L'Almadrava beach in Vandellós and L'Hospitalet de l'Infant, which also keeps last year's for L'Arenal, La Punta del Riu, and Tom.
All others have renewed their blue flags for 2021 and 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'Ampolla (Cap Roig, Les Avellanes) 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), Deltebre (Riumar), Salou (Capellans, Llevant), Roda de Berá (Costa Daurada, Roda de Berá Llarga), and Vila-Seca (La Pineda).
In the region's northernmost province of Castellón, Almenara has lost its flag for its Casablanca beach, but all the others from last year are still in place: Alcalá de Xivert (El Carregador, El Moro, La Romana, Manyetes), Benicarló (La Caracola, Morrongo), Burriana (Grao-Malvarrosa, L'Arenal), Almassora (Benafeli), 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 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. And Santa Pola itself has held onto all its blue flags from last year, for its La Ermita, Calas del Este, Calas Santiago Bernabéu, Levante, Tamarit and Varador.
One iconic beach has lost its blue flag for 2022 – Benidorm's Poniente – although the classical seaside holiday hotspot has kept its firmly-established kitemarks for the central Levante beach and for Mal Pas, and the council attributes Poniente's loss to water tests being carried out shortly after heavy rain last year, results of which would not affect the excellent summer sea quality.
Just south of Benidorm, Finestrat has failed to renew its blue flag for the cosy-but-lively coastal nook known as La Cala.
Both towns intend to work extra-hard to recover these awards in 2023.
Guardamar del Segura, about half an hour south of Alicante city, has acquired a new blue flag for 2022, for Platja dels Vivers, and retains all its others from 2021 for Centre, El Moncaio, and La Roqueta.
In the north of the province, Benissa is thrilled to announce its brand-new blue flag for the Cala Baladrar cove, the first time in the history of the awards it has ever received one – normally, Benissa only gets one per year for its main beach, La Fustera. This has been renewed for another year.
Others, which have all kept their blue flags from 2021, are found in Alicante city itself (Postiguet, L'Albufereta, Saladar-Urbanova, and San Juan), Altea (Cap Blanc, La Roda, L'Espigó), Calpe (Cantal Roig, La Fossa, Arenal-Bol), Elche (Arenals del Sol-Sur, Carabassí, L'Altet, La Marina, Les Pesqueres-El Rebollo), 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 Glea, La Zenia-Cala Bosque, Mil Palmeras, and Punta Prima).
Three other 'firsts' for 2022 have been celebrated by local councils in the region's central province, Valencia – two of which are in the much-loved high-rise holiday haven of Cullera, a favourite for 'staycation' sunseekers but as yet largely undiscovered by foreign tourists. Escollera and Marenyet-L'Illa beaches have each earned their début blue flags, whilst all the others (Cap Blanc, El Dossel, El Far, Los Olivos, Racó, and Sant Antoni) have kept their 2021 awards.
The other is the untouched rural Ahuir, or L'Auir beach in the southern-Valencia province town of Gandia – very close to urbanisations, holiday apartments and up-market hotels, but without a building of its own anywhere, huge campaigns by members of the public to save this 'green' haven at the delta of the salt marshes from development have now paid off: For the first time ever, L'Auir is flying a blue flag.
For those who prefer a little more life and soul, the Platja Nord, which borders onto neighbouring Xeraco to the north, has kept its long-established blue flag for 2022.
Otherwise, nowhere has lost their previous flags, so all the others from 2021 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), La Pobla de Farnals (Playa Norte) and Valencia city (Cabanyal, Malvarrosa, El Saler, L'Arbre del Gos, La Devesa, La Garrofera, and Recatí-Perellonet).
This south-eastern region has increased its number of blue-flagged beaches by one from last year, having lost one and gained two.
Mazarrón has failed to keep its flag for Percheles beach, but maintained all its others for Alamillo, Bahía, Mojón, Puerto, Grande-Castellar, Nares, and Rihuete.
San Javier, though, has gained a new flag for its Pedrucho beach - and keeps its 2021 award for its Ensenada del Esparto – and also for the beach it shares with Cartagena, Banco del Tabal-Calnegre.
The others are the same as in 2021: San Pedro del Pinatar's El Mojón, Lorca's Calnegre, and the beaches in 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, and La Chapineta).
This southern region has gained the most blue-flagged beaches this year – a net increase of seven.
Almería's performance contributed most to that – despite Carboneras' having lost its 2021 flag for Los Barquicos-Cocones, it earned a new one for 2022 for El Corral, and the province gained an additional four: In Adra (El Carboncillo), in Cuevas de Almanzora (Villaricos and Pozo del Esparto), and in Vera (El Playazo).
All other blue-flagged beaches from 2021 have kept their awards: 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), 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).
Granada keeps its flags for Cañón-La Pelá-Azucenas beach in Torrenueva Costa-Motril, La Guardia beach in Salobreña, Sotillo-Castell beach in Gualchos, Playa Granada and Calahonda in Motril, Torrenueva Costa's Torrenueva beach, and La Herradura, Puerta del Mar, San Cristóbal, Velilla, and Marina del Este in Almuñécar.
Cádiz province has lost one blue-flagged beach from 2021 – La Caleta in Cádiz city – and has not gained any new ones for 2022. All flags held this year were also in place last year, and are found 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 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 lost the blue flag it newly earned in 2021 for Las Dunas beach in Palos de la Frontera, but gained blue flags for two new beaches – Los Haraganes in Ayamonte, joining the existing awards for Isla Canela and Punta del Moral beaches; and La Casita Azul beach in Isla Cristina.
This latter town shares the Islantilla beach with Lepe, which keeps its 2021 blue flag, as does Lepe's own Santa Pura beach.
Three other towns which held blue flags in 2021 have kept theirs for 2022: Moguer (Del Parador-Castilla), Punta Umbría (El Albergue), and Cartaya (Caño de la Culata, San Miguel).
On the Costa del Sol, as the coast of the province of Málaga is known, two new beaches have acquired blue flags: Maro beach in Nerja, joining the existing flags for Burriana and Torrecilla beaches, plus Sabinillas beach in Manilva, a town which did not have any at all in 2021.
No beaches on the Costa del Sol have lost their flags this year, meaning the 2021 list remains the same: Torrox (El Morche, Ferrara); Marbella (Adelfas-Alicate, Casablanca, El Cable, El Faro, Puerto Banús-Levante, San Pedro de Alcántara-Guadalmina, and Venús-Bajadilla); the inland beach in Ardales; Málaga city (Caleta, El Dedo, El Palo, Malagueta, Misericordia, Pedregalejo, and San Andrés); 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).
For the first time ever, the land-locked province of Córdoba now has a blue-flagged beach. Making up for the lack of a sea coast within a 150-kilometre radius – and, as the part of Spain which holds the record for the hottest-ever temperature and habitually registers the highest figures in the country on any given summer day, Córdoba could certainly use a beach – the town of Almodóvar del Río has an 'inland' version, La Breña. Given that you don't have to be on or even near a coast to get a blue flag for your beach, La Breña is proudly flying its new colours for 2022.
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 the same as in 2021 and are in Alaior (Cala en Porter, Son Bou), and Ferreries (Cala Galdana).
Ibiza has lost three of last year's flags - in Sant Joan de Labritja (Benirrás) and Santa Eulària des Riu (Cala Llonga and Santa Eulària).
Sant Joan keeps its 2021 flag for Cala Sant Vicent, though, and Santa Eulària retains its own for Cala Llenya, Es Canar, and Es Figueral.
Mallorca keeps all of last year's: 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).
The largest of the Balearic Islands gains another two this year, adding another town to the list: Pollença's Cala Barques and Cala Molins have hoisted their début blue flags for 2022.
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), Agaete (Las Nieves) and San Bartolomé de Tirajana (El Inglés), although this latter town has lost three of last year's blue flags, for Maspalomas, Meloneras, and San Agustín beaches.
In Lanzarote, blue-flagged beaches for this year are the same as for last, and 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), Puerto del Rosario (Blanca, Los Pozos, Puerto Lajas), La Oliva (Corralejo Viejo, Grandes Playas, La Concha), plus two new ones for this year, one in Tuineje (Gran Tarajal) and a first-timer for Antigua (Castillo beach).
No changes have been seen from last year for El Hierro: Pinar del Hierro (La Restinga beach) and Valverde (Timijaraque beach); nor for La Gomera with one in Alajeró (Santiago) and two in San Sebastián de la Gomera (La Cueva, San Sebastián de la Gomera); nor for La Palma's six from last year in Breña Alta (Bajamar), Breña Baja (Los Cancajos), Tazacorte (Tazacorte Port), Los Llanos de Aridane (Charco Verde, Puerto Naos) and Santa Cruz de la Palma beach – quite a feat, given that this year's efforts were overshadowed by the Cumbre Vieja volcanic eruption that forced hundreds out of their homes and had local authorities working around the clock on more urgent matters than getting its beaches into shape.
Tenerife has lost four blue flags: Adeje's new ones for 2021 for Troya I and II and La Enramada have not been retained, but the town's El Duque and Torviscas keep theirs for another year; and Puerto de la Cruz has lost its only two, for Jardín and San Telmo.
No new awards have been given to Tenerife beaches this year, meaning the remainder of the list is the same as in 2021: The natural swimming pools of Arenisco and Bajamar in San Cristóbal de la Laguna; Arona (El Camisón, Las Vistas), Guía de Isora (La Jaquita), Los Realejos (Socorro), Taraconte (La Arena-Mesa del Mar), Icod de los Vinos (San Marcos) 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, with two new ones for Banda do Río and Lagos), Cangas (Áreabrava, Áreamilla, Liméns, Menduiña, and Nerga, but last year's for Rodeira and Melide have not been renewed); Marín (Aguete, Loira, Mogor, Portocelo, Santo de Mar-A Coviña), Moaña (O Con), Poio (Cabeceira), Sanxenxo (A Lapa, Agra, Áreas, Áreas Gordas, Baltar, Bascuas, Canelas, Caneliñas, Espiñeiro-Lanzada, 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 a first-time flag for Santa Baia) and Vilagarcía de Arousa (Campanário, Compostela), plus an inland river beach, A Calzada in Ponte Caldelas, gets a blue flag for 2022.
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-O 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, and a brand-new blue for Porto de Suevos), A Laracha (Caión), A Coruña city (As Lapas, Orzán-Matadero, Oza, Riazor, San Amaro), and for only its second consecutive year, 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 (Coto, A Pasada, and a new one for Fontela Valea, although Acantilado-Remior has not received one for 2022), 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 is granted for beach-tourism excellence and the 'holidaymaker' essentials required for the award, such as toilets, foot-showers, lifeguards and sun-beds, do not belong on raw, romantic and rocky coastline. Still, even though many of Asturias' best-loved coastal enclaves, due to their rural, unspoilt nature, 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), all of which also held blue-flag status in 2021.
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) – another region whose kitemarks remain unchanged from last year.
The Basque Country has lost both the blue flags for beaches in its province of Vizcaya, of which the capital is Bilbao – in Getxo ( Arrigunaga and Ereaga) – but keeps those of its land-locked province of Álava, of which the capital is Vitoria. The latter are in Arratzua-Ubarrundia (Landa), Barrundia (Moskurio-Garaio Norte) and Elburgo (Salurriaga-Garaio Sur).
Inland regions
A growing trend, and a necessary one from residents' point of view in summer – especially those who do not have access to their own or a communal swimming pool at home – inland beaches have always been in existence, but are now starting to get recognised as local councils work hard to bring them up to 'tourism excellence' standards, and newly-created ones are popping up all the time.
Whilst overseas residents, especially from more northern, colder countries, seeking to move to Spain or buy a holiday home will typically seek somewhere on the coast, they may well find property is cheaper in land-locked provinces and, even if they do not have a pool, could well be near enough to a clean, paradisical river beach that they wouldn't notice they were hundreds of kilometres from the sea.
Madrid's San Juan swamp in San Martín de Valdeiglesias has 14 'artificial' beaches that work just as well as the real thing, and for yet another year, the overall favourite, the Virgen de la Nieve beach, has earned a blue flag.
In the far west of Spain, bordering Portugal, the region of Extremadura does not have a coast, but two inland beaches in its province of Badajoz win blue flags year after year: La Dehesa beach in Cheles, and the Orellana Freshwater Beach in Orellana la Vieja.
And this year, six others in Extremadura have earned their first blue flags, all in the province of Badajoz: The one in Alange; the one in Campanario; Los Calicantos beach in Casas de Don Pedro; Isla del Zújar beach in Castuera; El Espolón-Peloche beach in Herrera del Duque; and Talarrubias-Puerto Peña beach in Talarrubias.
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