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Date Published: 05/05/2023
Alicante province awarded the most coveted 2023 Blue Flags in Spain
The Valencia Region continues to lead the way nationally with the highest number of accolades in recognition of its beaches, marinas and boating tourism
The Valencia Region has once again been awarded the most prestigious Blue Flags in Spain ahead of summer 2023, with 153 ecolabels, 14 more than in 2022.
And Alicante province continues to fly the most flags nationally with 69 beaches and 16 marinas awarded this year. However, it's not all plain sailing. While La Cala de Finestrat regained its Blue Flag, having lost it in 2022, there have been casualties along the Costa Blanca coastline.
In a risky move, Benidorm, the region's capital, this year decided not to put any of its beaches forward for the stringent accreditation process synonymous with quality and safety around the world.
Furious municipal officials withdrew their resort's hugely popular beaches from the coveted accolade, promoted by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), after Poniente beach lost its flag due to water problems last year.
In addition, the beaches Les Deveses in Denia, La Ermita and Tamarit in Santa Pola and l'Arenal in Javea fell off the list, reducing the number of Blue Flags in Alicante by six compared to last year.
Regardless, Alicante has become the most awarded province in Spain, with 85 Blue Flags in total, followed by Pontevedra (58) and Malaga (39). Meanwhile, Orihuela repeats its success for pristine shores with the most accolades with an enviable 11.
Alicante also holds the record for the number of kilometres of beaches awarded in 2023, with a total of 58km, and the number of municipalities flying the flag (18). And the Jury of the 'Special Mention for Accessibility and care for people with disabilities' gave an award to Alicante city beach, while Orihuela was recognised for 'environmental education'.
And the Valencian Community continues to lead the way in Spain this year, with 153, followed by Andalusia (148); Galicia (125); and Catalonia (120).
So, where exactly are these Blue Flags?
These are the Blue Flag beaches in Alicante province
Alicante
- L'Albufereta (pictured above)
- Postiguet
- Saladar-Urbanova
- San Juan
- Tabarca
Altea
- Cap Blanc
- La Roda
- L'Espigó
Benissa
- Baladrar Cove
- Fustera Cove
Calpe
- Cantal Roig
- La Fossa
- L'Arenal-Bol
Denia
- Les Bovetes
- Les Marines
- Marineta Cassiana
- Molins
- Punta del Raset
El Campello
- Carrer de la Mar
- Mutxavista (main photo)
El Poble Nou de Benitatxell
- Moraig Cove
Elche
- Arenales del Sol-South
- Carabassí
- L'Altet
- La Marina
- Les Pesqueres-El Rebollo
Finestrat
- La Cala (NEW)
Guardamar del Segura
- Centre
- El Moncaio
- La Roqueta
- Dels Vivers
Alfaz del Pi
- Racó de L'Albir
Orihuela
- Aguamarina
- Barranco Rubio
- Cabo Roig -La Caleta
- Capitán Cove (pictured above)
- Cala Cerrada
- Estaca Cove
- Mosca Cove
- Campoamor-La Glea
- La Zenia- Bosque Cove
- Mil Palmeras
- Punta Prima
Pilar de la Horadada
- Conde
- Higuericas
- Jesuitas
- Mil Palmeras
- Puerto
- Rocamar
Santa Pola
- Calas del Este
- Santiago Bernabéu Coves
- Llevant
- Varador
Teulada
- El Portet
- La Ampolla
- Les Platgetes
Torrevieja
- Cape Cervera
- Piteras Cove
- El Cura
- Los Locos
- Los Náufragos
- Torrelamata-South
Villajoyosa
- Bol Nou
- Ciutat (Centre)
- La Caleta
- Paradís
- Varadero
Javea
- Granadella
- La Grava
Alicante ports flying the flag in 2023
C.N. Altea
Benidorm N.C.
C.N. Dehesa de Campoamor (Orihuela)
El Campello N.C.
Jávea N.C.
C.N. Les Bassetes (Benissa)
C.N. Marina Internacional Torrevieja
Santa Pola Swimming Club
C.N. Vilajoiosa
Marina Denia
Marina Deportiva de Alicante, S.A.
Marina Greenwich (Altea)
R.C.N. Calpe
R.C.N. Denia
R.C.N. Torrevieja
C.N. Moraira (first time awarded)
Images 1 and 3: Comunitat Valenciana
Image 2: Archive
Image 4: Ayuntamiento de Orihuela
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