At the end of the 2026 program, Türkiye received 580 Blue Flags for beaches and retained third place in the world. The largest number of marked beaches is in Antalya.
Geography of the award
The Ministry of Culture and Tourism reports 232 Blue Flag beaches in Antalya, 113 in Muğla and 60 in Izmir. In addition to beaches, the country has 30 marinas, 18 tourist ships and 26 private yachts. The indicator helps compare the environmental management of resort areas, but is not a substitute for checking a specific location before traveling.
What does Blue Flag mean?
The program evaluates bathing water quality, environmental management, safety, availability of life-saving measures, waste management and accessibility. The status is assigned for a season and requires compliance with criteria. This is not a commercial hotel rating or a promise that the sea will be calm every day or that the beach will be free.
What to check for a tourist
Before traveling, check the exact beach name, current status, opening hours, accessibility for people with limited mobility, and local warnings. Following a storm, strong winds or localized pollution, conditions may temporarily change. At the site, you must follow the safety flags and the instructions of the rescuers.
Why is this indicator important for regions?
For resorts, environmental standards affect reputation, repeat travel and the quality of public infrastructure. The high concentration of marked beaches maintains the attractiveness of Antalya, Muğla and Izmir, but you should also choose a holiday area based on transport, type of coast, seasonal load and personal needs.