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MAP: Which regions of Italy have the most Blue Flag beaches in 2023?

The Local Italy
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MAP: Which regions of Italy have the most Blue Flag beaches in 2023?
Holidaymakers on a beach in Tropea, southern Italian. Photo by Michaela on Unsplash

The list of Italy's high quality beaches has grown once again this year. Here are the Italian regions where you can find the most beaches that meet the highest global standards.

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A total of 458 beaches across Italy have been awarded the internationally recognised and coveted bandiera blu (Blue Flag) status for 2023. That’s 31 more beaches than the 427 awarded last year, and up from 246 in 2020.

The beaches are spread across 226 municipalities across the country - up from 210 in 2022 - and include lakeside as well as ocean beaches.

The north-western coastal region of Liguria took the top spot for the number of best beaches again, this year claiming 34 stretches of coastline of Blue Flag quality.

READ ALSO: CALENDAR: When the beaches open in each Italian region this spring

It's followed by Puglia with 22 beaches, and Calabria, Campania and Tuscany, each with 19.

Beaches only get awarded this status if they meet excellent water quality and environmental standards, assigned by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE).

Here's a list of the municipalities with Blue Flag beaches, according to region:

Liguria - 34 beaches

Bordighera, Sanremo, Taggia, Riva Ligure, Santo Stefano al Mare, San Lorenzo al Mare, Imperia, Diano Marina, Laigueglia, Ceriale, Borghetto Santo Spirito, Loano, Pietra Ligure, Finale Ligure, Noli, Spotorno, Bergeggi, Savona, Albissola Marina, Albisola Superiore, Celle Ligure, Varazze, Sori, Camogli, Santa Margherita Ligure, Chiavari, Lavagna, Sestri Levante, Moneglia, Framura, Bonassola, Levanto, Lerici, Ameglia.

READ ALSO: REVEALED: The Italian beaches you might want to avoid this summer

Puglia - 22 beaches

Isole Tremiti, Rodi Garganico, Peschici, Vieste, Zapponeta, Margherita di Savoia, Bisceglie, Polignano a Mare, Monopoli, Fasano, Ostuni, Carovigno, Castellaneta, Leporano, Maruggio, Ginosa, Melendugno, Castro, Salve, Ugento, Gallipoli, Nardò.

Calabria - 19 beaches

Tortora, Praia a mare, San Nicola Arcella, Santa Maria del Cedro, Diamante, Rocca Imperiale, Roseto Capo Spulico, Trebisacce, Villapiana, Cirò Marina, Melissa, Isola Capo Rizzuto, Sellia Marina, Catanzaro, Soverato, Tropea, Caulonia, Roccella Jonica, Siderno.

Tourists on the Isola dei Conigli (Rabbit Island) beach in Lampedusa.

Tourists on the Isola dei Conigli (Rabbit Island) beach in Lampedusa. Photo by Alberto PIZZOLI / AFP.

Campania - 19 beaches

Vico Equense, Piano di Sorrento, Sorrento, Massa Lubrense, Anacapri, Positano, Capaccio Paestum, Agropoli, Castellabate, Montecorice, San Mauro Cilento, Pollica, Casal Velino, Ascea, Pisciotta, Centola, Camerota, Ispani, Vibonati.

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Tuscany - 19 beaches

Carrara, Massa, Forte dei Marmi, Pietrasanta, Camaiore, Viareggio, Pisa, Livorno, Rosignano Marittimo, Cecina, Bibbona, Castagneto Carducci, San Vincenzo, Piombino, Marciana Marina, Follonica, Castiglione della Pescaia, Grosseto, Orbetello.

Marche - 18 beaches

Gabicce Mare, Pesaro, Fano, Mondolfo, Senigallia, Ancona, Sirolo, Numana, Porto Recanati, Potenza Picena, Civitanova Marche, Fermo, Porto San Giorgio, Altidona, Pedaso, Cupra Marittima, Grottammare, San Benedetto del Tronto.

READ ALSO: Is Italy’s west or east coast the best place for a holiday?

Sardinia - 15 beaches

Badesi, Castelsardo, Sorso, Sassari, Santa Teresa Gallura, Aglientu, Trinità d’Agultu e Vignola, La Maddalena, Palau, Budoni, Oristano, Tortolì, Bari Sardo, Quartu Sant’Elena, Sant’Antioco.

Abruzzo - 14 beaches

Martinsicuro, Alba Adriatica, Tortoreto, Giulianova, Roseto degli Abruzzi, Pineto, Silvi, Pescara, Francavilla al Mare, Fossacesia, Vasto, San Salvo, Villalago, Scanno.

Valle dell'Erica beach in Santa Teresa Gallura, Sardinia. Photo by Massimo Virgilio on Unsplash.

Sicily - 11 beaches

Alì Terme, Roccalumera, Furci Siculo, Santa Teresa di Riva, Lipari, Tusa, Menfi, Modica, Ispica, Pozzallo, Ragusa.

Lazio - 10 beaches

Trevignano Romano, Anzio, Latina, Sabaudia, San Felice Circeo, Terracina, Fondi, Sperlonga, Gaeta, Minturno.

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Trentino-Alto Adige - 10 beaches

Bedollo, Baselga di Pinè, Pergine Valsugana, Tenna, Calceranica al Lago, Caldonazzo, Lavarone, Levico Terme, Sella Giudicarie, Bondone.

READ ALSO: OPINION: Why Sicily’s archipelagos are the best part of Italy for island-hopping

Emilia Romagna - 9 beaches

Comacchio, Ravenna, Cervia, Cesenatico, Gatteo, San Mauro Pascoli, Bellaria Igea Marina, Riccione, Misano Adriatico.

Veneto - 9 beaches

San Michele al Tagliamento, Caorle, Eraclea, Jesolo, Cavallino Treporti, Venezia, Chioggia, Rosolina, Porto Tolle.

Basilicata - 5 beaches

Maratea, Bernalda, Pisticci, Policoro, Nova Siri.

Piedmont - 5 beaches

Cannobio, Cannero Riviera, Verbania, San Maurizio D’Opaglio, Gozzano.

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Lombardy - 3 beaches

Toscolano Maderno, Gardone Riviera, Sirmione.

Friuli Venezia Giulia - 2 beaches

Grado, Lignano Sabbiadoro.

Molise - 2 beaches

Termoli, Campomarino.

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