Türkiye, Croatia share the crown for world’s cleanest beaches

Türkiye and Croatia have emerged as global leaders for their exceptionally clean coastal waters, earning prestigious awards and recognition. Türkiye has secured the third spot worldwide with 567 Blue Flag beaches, reflecting its dedication to environmental standards and beach cleanliness

On the other hand, Croatia leads Europe with 99.1 percent of its beaches rated ‘excellent’ by the European Commission and the European Environment Agency. These accolades demonstrate the rigorous efforts both countries have made to maintain and improve their coastal environments, attracting tourists from around the globe.

Blue Flag program, global environmental efforts

The Blue Flag program awards beaches that meet strict criteria for water quality, safety, environmental education, and management. Operating in 50 countries, the program is a voluntary eco-label trusted globally. Minister Mehmet Ozhaseki emphasized Türkiye’s commitment to increasing the number of Blue Flag beaches.

“Our goal is to lead the world in the number of Blue Flags,” he stated. This year, 567 beaches, 27 marinas, 18 tourism boats, and 9 individual yachts in Türkiye received the Blue Flag award.

Detailed information about Türkiye’s beaches, including swimming area profiles and safety measures, is available on the Ministry’s website. The site provides data on the physical and meteorological characteristics of over 1,400 beaches, offering valuable resources for visitors and environmental professionals.

Croatia shines in Europe with the cleanest coastal waters

In Europe, Croatia recently topped the list for the cleanest coastal waters, with 99.1 percent of its beaches rated ‘excellent’ by the European Commission and the European Environment Agency. Out of 894 sites tested, 886 Croatian beaches met the highest standards of water quality. Greece, Cyprus, and Austria followed Croatia in the rankings.

According to the Bathing Water Directive, waters are assessed using microbiological data and classified as poor, sufficient, good, or excellent. The findings highlighted that Europe’s coastal waters are generally cleaner than its inland waters, a trend reflected in Türkiye’s Blue Flag achievements.

Popular Blue Flag beaches in Türkiye

Türkiye’s renowned Blue Flag beaches include Kaputas Beach in Antalya, Kelebekler Vadisi (Butterfly Valley) in Mugla, and the historic Patara Beach, also in Antalya. These beaches attract tourists from all over the world with their crystal-clear waters, natural beauty, and strict adherence to environmental standards.