More than five hundred beaches in Turkey have earned the “blue flag”. This is stated by the Turkish mass media, referring to the decision of the International Blue Flag Jury, which announced the 2023 awards. In total, 551 beaches and 23 marinas received the award in the country.
This rating is compiled by the International Foundation for Environmental Education – FEE with headquarters in Copenhagen (Denmark). Overall, Turkey has the third highest number of blue flag beaches in the world, ahead of Spain and Greece. They are followed by Italy and France in the top five.
Among the provinces popular with European tourists, Antalya received the most beaches with the “blue flag” – almost half of the total number of 231 beaches are located in this resort province, which is beloved by our tourists. Mugla province is in second place, with 110 award-winning beaches. On the third is Izmir with 63 beaches. By the way, there is one beach that deserved an award in the vicinity of Istanbul.
Experts also remind that Turkey has been participating in the Blue Flag program, which was established in 1987, since 1993. Among the mandatory evaluation criteria are the analysis of water for swimming at the beaches every 15 days during the season, the suitability of treatment facilities, the protection of vulnerable natural areas, the availability of lifeguards and first aid equipment, an emergency plan, facilities for the disabled, and a waste separation system and environmental education.