Blue Flag beaches

What is a Blue Flag beach? We're glad you asked! A Blue Flag certification is awarded to a beach by the Foundation for Environmental Education when it meets certain environmental standards. These include water quality, safety, environmental education and the provision of services. Many of our favourite countries and resorts have a number of stunning Blue Flag beaches, and we're proud to show you some of our most popular destinations along with some of our favourite beachfront hotels...

Antalya, Turkey - 202 Blue Flag beaches

With a whopping 202 Blue Flag beaches, Antalya is way out in front when it comes to the number of Blue Flag beaches. White sands line the majority of these beaches which are spread across many resorts in the area including Lara, Kemer and Serik. Highlights include Maxx Royal Kemer, a beach that has held Blue Flag status since 1999 and Mermerli Beach, located in the heart Antalya. Booking your next hoiday to Antalya couldn't be easier with On the Beach. We have a huge range of amazing hotels, and our deposits start from as little as £20pp. Check out three of our favourites below or check out more great Turkey hotels here.

---

Click here to read more about Turkey, Antalya and Dalaman. Or, check out our top 10 things to do in Turkey.

---

Algarve, Portugal - 88 Blue Flag beaches

With 88 certified Blue Flag beaches, Portugal's Algarve is brimming with picture-perfect beaches. From lively beaches blanketed in golden sands to quiet sandy coves, there are beaches for everyone here. Santa Eulaila in Albufeira is surrounded by low cliffs and a pint forest while Quarteria Beach is more commercialised and offers a wide range of eateries and shops nearby - perfect for grabbing a drink along the promenade.

Costa Blanca, Spain - 84 Blue Flag beaches

The Spanish Costa with the highest number of Blue Flag beaches, 84 to be exact, is the super-sunny Costa Blanca. Home to resorts such as Benidorm and Alicante, beaches here are known for their golden sands and cstal-clear waters. Llevant Beach in Salou is one of the more popular beaches with a rating of 4.5/5 on Trip Advisor, while La Marina is located just a short walk away from the nearby dune area. No trip to Costa Blanca would be complete without a visit to the famous Poniente Beach in Benidorm. Lively and full of facilities, this beach is perfect for every holidaymaker.

Majorca - 44 Blue Flag beaches

With a huge 44 Blue Flag beaches to its name, you'll be spoilt for choice when it comes to choosing somewhere to top up your tan. With gorgeous sandy stretches, secluded white-sand coves and a super-short flight time of just 2.5 hours, Majorca is a firm favourite for hot summer holiday. You'll find Blue Flag beaches in many of the popular resorts such as Calvia, Pollensa and Palma, so you're never far away from a great beach day! Take a look at a few of our favourite Majorca hotels below.

---

*deposits from £20/£30pp apply when a holiday is purchased 45 days before departure.

---

More great deals