Spain’s coastline is setting the standard in 2025, with 642 beaches now proudly flying the Blue Flag—four more than last year and more than any other country in the world. Sixteen beaches are receiving the award for the first time this year, and twenty-three are earning the Blue Flag back again.
It’s not just the beaches being recognised, either. 101 marinas were awarded a Blue Flag, with only France and the Netherlands being awarded more than Spain. Six tourist boats have earned Blue Flags too, showing there’s no shortage of quality whether you’re sunbathing, sailing or mooring up for lunch.
- Blue Flag beaches by region
- What is a Blue Flag beach and why does it matter in Spain?
- Special Blue Flag mentions
- New 2025 Blue Flag beaches
- Fuente de los Baños: Spain’s first Blue Flag thermal river beach
- Madrid's one Blue Flag Beach
- 7 beaches have held the Blue Flag for over 30 years
- Spain's most beautiful Blue Flag beaches
Blue Flag beaches by region
The Valencian region comes out on top this year with 143 Blue Flag beaches, so if you fancy a dip somewhere with a stamp of quality, you know where to start looking. Andalusia is not far behind with 138 Blue Flags - eight more than last year - and Galicia comes third with 108.
Cataluña comes after with 101 beaches across 40 municipalities. The Canary Islands have 47 Blue Flag beaches, while the Balearic Islands come in with 32. The Region of Murcia has 29. In the north, Asturias has 14 and Cantabria 11 Blue Flag beaches. Extremadura lists 7 Blue Flag beaches. Both Melilla and the Basque Country have 4 each, Ceuta has 2, and Madrid and Navarra each have just one Blue Flag beach.
What is a Blue Flag beach and why does it matter in Spain?
A Blue Flag beach meets international standards for quality, cleanliness, accessibility and environmental management. To earn the flag, a beach must pass strict criteria set by the Foundation for Environmental Education. Crystal-clear water, lifeguards, proper toilet facilities, accessibility features and careful stewardship of the natural surroundings are all factors.
For anyone heading to the coast in Spain, spotting a Blue Flag is a good sign you’ll get a clean, safe place to swim with decent amenities and a real effort made toward sustainability. It’s a quick way to spot which beaches are taking things seriously in terms of safety, disabled access and respect for the local environment. Spain's beach laws and hefty fines are another factor that contributes to these coastal spots keeping hold of their Blue Flags.
Special Blue Flag mentions
As well as handing out Blue Flags, Spain also gives a nod to those places going above and beyond in certain areas. For 2025, the “Special Mention” awards have gone to several stand-out municipalities. In the category of environmental education, Badalona and Gavà (both in Barcelona), along with Torreblanca (Castellón), were recognised for their efforts to raise awareness about nature and sustainability on the coast.
For top-notch lifeguard services, Fuengirola (Málaga), Palma and Sant Llorenç des Cardassar (both on the Balearic Islands) came out on top, thanks to their commitment to safety on the sand and in the sea.
And when it comes to accessibility and support for people with disabilities, Arnuero in Cantabria, Chipiona in Cádiz, and Málaga have set the standard this year, making sure the beaches are welcoming for everyone.
New 2025 Blue Flag beaches
Spain has quite a few beaches flying the Blue Flag for the very first time in 2025. These sandy newbies include:
- Puerto Sotogrande, San Roque: this smart spot in Cádiz now has a Blue Flag beach, where you’ll find a proper sailing crowd and a distinctly upmarket marina vibe.
- Cenicero-Las Dunas, Torrox: over on the Costa del Sol, Las Dunas serves up wide sandy stretches and a relaxed atmosphere, with easy access that makes it a great family-friendly beach.
- Helgueras, Noja: set along Cantabria’s lush coastline, Helgueras offers a wild, natural backdrop and reliable waves that keep surfers and nature fans coming back.
- Del Callao, Mataró: just outside Barcelona, Del Callao is a favourite for its clean water and lively, local beach scene.
- Varador, Mataró: also in Mataró, Varador stands out for its golden sand and cityside location.
- Ortigues-Campo, Segura: down in Alicante, Ortigues-Campo is a hit with families thanks to its gentle waters and tidy, well-looked-after facilities.
- El Bol, Altea: on the Costa Blanca, El Bol in Altea is a peaceful pebble beach with clear water and mountain views on the horizon.
- Guardamar de la Safor, Safor: this patch of Valencian coast has picked up a Blue Flag for its calm, easy-going water and classic Mediterranean feel.
- O Mende, Vigo: over in Vigo, O Mende beach gives you soft sand and fresh Atlantic air—a firm favourite with the local crowd.
Fuente de los Baños: Spain’s first Blue Flag thermal river beach
Fuente de los Baños has picked up a Blue Flag this year, marking a real milestone. It’s the first inland beach in Castellón to be awarded, only the second in the whole of the Valencian region, and uniquely, the only spot in Spain set along a thermal river to receive this recognition. It combines the fresh water of thermal springs with the high standards you’d expect from a Blue Flag location.
Madrid's one Blue Flag Beach
Madrid isn’t the first place that springs to mind for a day at the beach, but Virgen de la Nueva beach in San Martín de Valdeiglesias is breaking the mould. Tucked beside the San Juan reservoir, it’s the region’s only Blue Flag beach, offering clean water and a genuine slice of summer just over an hour from the city.
7 beaches have held the Blue Flag for over 30 years
A handful of beaches in Spain have never missed a beat, keeping their Blue Flag flying for an impressive 37 years straight. Since the very beginning in 1987, El Carregador in Alcalá de Xivert, Sant Joan in Alicante, La Fossa in Calpe, Carrer de la Mar in Campello, Sant Antoni in Cullera, Nord in Gandia and Bastiagueiro in Oleiros have all managed to hold onto this top coastal award without a single break.
Spain's most beautiful Blue Flag beaches
With such a large and varied coastline, it's hard to pinpoint which are the top Blue Flag beaches in Spain. It comes down to preference and whether you're looking for a great family-friendly beach to spend the day with the kids, a doggy beach where four-legged friends are welcome, or a wild, surfing spot to ride the waves.