As of 2022, Italy has a total of 427 Blue Flag beaches. But what does it mean to be a Blue Flag beach? And most importantly, where can I find them?
What draws you to Italy? Is it the wealth of history, the Colosseum, and the Leaning Tower of Pisa? The delicious cuisine, risotto, pizza, gelato? Do you like the sound of the Italian language? There’s so much to love about Italy. And the beach is an unmissable wonder of Italy. But where are Italy’s best beaches, and how do you measure that anyway?
What makes a beach the best?
Blue Flag
One way of determining where the best beaches are is by finding out which beaches have a Blue Flag. The Blue Flag programme is a world-renowned award that is given to beaches that meet a number of criteria related to the environment, education, safety, and access. To obtain a Blue Flag award, a beach has to submit the results of a bathing water analysis. The Federation for Environmental Education (FEE) look at this, and 32 other parameters, to determine who gets a Blue Flag. If a beach slips from this standard, they could lose their flag.
Italy boasts of 427 Blue Flag beaches, making it fifth on the list overall. England has only 80 Blue Flag beaches. It should be noted that some beautiful Italian beaches are not a recipient of a Blue Flag. This is because the certification demands accessibility and facilities for tourists, and some little coves do not have this.
Unfortunately, we don’t have time to go through all 427 of them – although, you could make that your own personal mission when you move to Italy – but let’s do the highlight reel.
Regions with a high number of Blue Flag Beaches:
- Campania – 51
- Puglia – 50
- Sardinia – 44
- Tuscany – 35
- Abruzzo & Marche – 27
New entries
In 2022, there have been 14 new Italian beaches gaining a Blue Flag award. They include “Spiaggia d’Argento”, Alba Adriatica Abruzzo, also known as the silver beach. Two new locations in Calabria. One is Caulonia, an ancient city on the Ionian Sea, as well as Isola di Capo Rizzuto. The lone lakeside entry is at Cannobio, on the north-western shore of Lake Maggoire in Piedmont.
The beautiful Italian coast.
Liguria Region
As of this year, Liguria has 63 blue flags flying in 32 municipalities, 14 of their tourist ports were also awarded. The coastline stretches 300km, it is known as the Italian Rivera. It is the crescent shaped part of northwest Italy. Visually, Liguria has much to offer with a rocky coastline, small hidden coves, beaches, and charming seaside villages. Mountains dominate the landscape, sheltering the costal areas. Much of Liguria has avoided modern development, retaining its Italian charm. For a property with a sea view, prices start at around €230,000, with prices dropping the more inland you go. Wherever you move though, you will have more than enough Blue Flag beaches to choose from.
Campania Region
Does the name “happy countryside” sound like the place to be? The Romans called Campania exactly that, “Campania felix”, and had holiday and retirement villas there. Today, it’s where you find the enchanting Amalfi coast, the tragic history of Pompeii, and the vibrant city of Naples. When it comes to Blue Flag beaches, eighteen municipalities across the provinces of Naples and Salerno have been awarded them. On the Amalfi coast, property prices are upwards of a million. South of Amalfi, the Cliento coast is much more affordable.
Looking to spend your hours on an Italian beach?
Puglia Region
Of all mainland regions, Apulia has the longest coastline of 860km of high standard beaches. When it comes to Blue Flag beaches, along the coast between Brindisi and Bari, there are very popular seaside resorts, such as Rosa Marina.
Evidently, when it comes to beaches in Italy, there is just a feast of choice. Accessibility, beauty, and cleanness are at the heart of what makes these beaches so superb. Purchasing a property nearby, your days are bound to be filled with joy.
