Türkiye has retained its third-place ranking for Blue Flag beaches this year, with 567 of its beaches listed in this category, Turkish Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Ersoy said.
According to the minister, Türkiye's consistent success in the Blue Flag awards is a source of pride and that they are determined to achieve the top ranking.
He noted the government has consistently worked to increase the number of Blue Flag beaches every year, with 16 more beaches in Türkiye receiving the designation this year.
"Blue Flags suit our beaches very well. This year, 567 beaches, 27 marinas, 18 tourism boats, and nine individual yachts in our country have been awarded the Blue Flag," Ersoy said.
Spain holds the top spot for the most Blue Flag beaches this year, followed by Greece in second place. Türkiye ranks third, with Italy in fourth and France in fifth.
This year, Türkiye has added three beaches each in Istanbul, Balikesir, and Aydın provinces; two each in Antalya and Mugla provinces; and one each in Izmir, Canakkale, Tekirdag, Bursa, Kirklareli, and Yalova provinces to its Blue Flag beaches list.
Antalya, with 233 Blue Flag beaches, is Türkiye's leading province, followed by Mugla with 112 beaches and Izmir with 64.
Blue Flag beaches are evaluated based on 33 criteria.
