On the 2017 Blue Flag quality Award List, Greece has been ranked 2nd in the world for the number of Blue Flag beaches. In 2016 Greece had 430 beaches and 9 marinas honored in the yearly list.
This year they have 486 beaches and 12 marinas being honored. The Chalkidiki peninsula in North Greece was awarded the most flags in Greece with the beautiful beaches there picking up 71 Blue Flags.
The county of Lassithi on the island of Crete, and a number of islands in the Cyclades were also big winners.
The Blue Flag, celebrates its 30th anniversary this year, is an international award that takes place each year, with the flag being awarded to beaches that pass a number of criteria such as the quality and cleanliness of the water, environmental information, amenities and others.
The Hellenic Society for the Protection of Nature (EEPF) said that 25% of the newly honored winning beaches were actually located in Greece.
