395 Greek beaches and nine marinas won the international quality Blue Flag award this year, putting Greece in third place worldwide among 50 countries, according to the Hellenic Society for the Protection of Nature (EEPF). The announcement was made during a EEPF press conference in Katerini. EEPF is the national operator of the International Blue Flags program in Greece, in cooperation with the Pieria Hoteliers Association. According to EEPF, the Blue Flag is the most recognizable and popular international symbol of quality in the world. Since 1987 the award has been given to beaches and marinas that meet the strict award criteria. The beaches not only need to have excellent quality bathing waters. They also need to meet 32 criteria, which refer to cleanliness, organization, information, swimmer and visitor safety, protection of the natural wealth of the beach and coastal area, as well as environmental awareness. The founder and international coordinator of the program is the Denmark-based Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), with 63 member-countries from all continents. In Greece, FEE is represented by EEPF, the oldest environmental organization in the country, founded in 1951, which organizes active environmental interventions, actions and nature conservation projects. Here is a list of Greece’s Blue Flag beaches: EVROS[2] Municip. Alexandroupolis Alexandroupolis Municipal Beach, Kyani Akti RODOPI [3] Municipality Komotinis Arogi, Fanari/Ioulia, Mesi XANTHI [4] Municipality Topirou Mangana, Municipality Avdiron, Avdira/Porto Molo, Myrodato, Mandra KAVALA [14] Municipality Thassou Makryammos, Chryssi Ammoudia 2, Pefkari 2 Prinos/Dasylio 2 Municipality Nestou Ammoglossa/Keramoti 1 Municipality Kavalas Batis, Toska, Kalamitsa, Perigialli Municipality Pangeou Ammolofoi, Nea Iraklitsa, Nea Peramos, Sarakina, Ofrynio/Touzla SERRES [1] Municipality Amfipolis Kyani Akti THESSALONIKI [12] Municipality Volvis Serraiki Akti, Asprovalta, Paralia Vrasnon, Nea Vrasna, Porto Fino, Stavros Kentriki, Stavros Anatoliki, Stavros Dytiki Municipality Thermaikou Agia Triada/PIKPA, Nei Epivates, Perea, Potamos CHALKIDIKI [39] Municipality Aristotelis Ierissos/Dimotiki 1, Ierissos/Dimotiki 2, Ierissos/Dimotiki 3, Kampoudi 1, Kampoudi 2, Kampoudi 3, Ouranoupoli 1, Ouranoupoli 2, Ouranoupoli 3, Agios Pavlos, Porto Agio, Nea Roda 2, Stratoni, Kampos Municipality Sithonias Sarti 1, Sykia, Toroni, Nikiti 2, Platanitsi, Porto Carras 1, Porto Carras 2, Elia 2, Makria Lagada, Lagomandra, Marmaras C, Livrochio 1, Marmaras B, Armenistis Municipality Kassandras Kryopigi 2, Kryopigi 4, Fourka, Polichrono 3, Chanioti 1, Chanioti 3, Sani 2, Sani 3 Municipality Polygyrou Metamorfosi Municip. Neas Propontidas Eleonas, Nea Potidea PIERIA [5] Municipality Katerinis Olympiaki Akti, Paralia, Kallithea, Kallithea/Mediterranean Vilage, Korinos LARISA [5] Municip. Tempon Nea Mesaggala 1, Nea Mesaggala 2, Nea Mesaggala 3 Municipality Agias Agiokampos/Chrissi Akti, Stomio MAGNISIA [16] Municip. Notiou Piliou Koropi/Boufa, Kala Nera, Kala Nera/Ther. Axiomatikon, Ambovos, Kalifteri Municipality Volou Agria/Barba Thomas, Anavros, Alykes, Amarylida, Amfanon, Chryssi Panagia, Platanidia, Nea Agchialos 2 Municipality Skiathou Koukounaries, Maratha Municipality Skopelou Andrina FTHIOTIDA [7] Municipality Stylidas Glyfa Municip. Molou – Agiou Konstantinou Kamena Vourla/Galini Municipality Lokron Skala Atalantis, Livanates 1/Kiani Akti, Livanates 2/Schinias, Souvala Arkitsas, Livrichio Arkitsas FOKIDA [8] Municip. Doridos Eratini, Chiliadou, Sergoula, Monastiraki Municip. Delfon Maiami, Trokandero / Agali, Agioi Pantes, Kalafatis VIOTIA [2] Municipality Distomou – Arachovas – Antikyras Agios Isidoros Municip. Tanagras Plaka Dilessiou EVIA [4] Municipality Chalkideon Alykes Drosias, Lefkandi, Asteria Chalkidas Municipality Eretrias Eretria 3 ATTIKI [13] Municipality Marathona Schinias/Karavi, Brexiza Municip. Markopoulou Mesogeas Avlaki Municipality Saronikou Mavro Lithari/Eden Beach, Lagonissi 1 / Grand Beach, Lagonissi 2 / Mediterraneo, Lagonissi 3 / Kochylia Municipality Varis – Voulas – Vouliagmenis Varkiza, Asteras Vouliagmenis, Vouliagmeni, Voula A Municipality Aiginas Agia Marina Municipality Kythiron Kakia Lagada KORINTHIA [11] Municip. Loutrakiou – Agion Theodoron Loutraki 1, Loutraki 2, Loutraki/Boutsi, Pefkakia Municipality Velou – Vochas Kokkoni, Vrahati Municipality Sikyonion Pefkias Municipality Xylokastrou – Evrostinis Xylokastro/Pefkias, Melissi, Sykia, Derveni ARGOLIDA [3] Municipality Ermionidas Porto Cheli/Chinitsa Municipality Nafplieon Karathona, Tolo LAKONIA [12] Municipality Monemvasias Neapoli, Archangelos, Plytra/Pachiammos, Tigania, Monemvasia, Pori, Megali Ammos Municip. Anatolikis Manis Skoutari, Mavrovouni 1, Mavrovouni 2, Vathi, Gytheio 2/Selinitsa MESSINIA [5] Municipality Kalamatas Mikri Mandinia, Anatol. Kalamata 1 /Anastasi Municipality Messinis Bouka Municipality Trifilias Ai Lagoudis, Kalo Nero ILIA [8] Municipality Pyrgou Skafidia Municipality Ilidas Kourouta Municip. Piniou Arkoudi, Vartholomio, Glyfa Municipality Andravidas – Kyllinis Kastro/Chryssi Akti 2, Loutra Kyllinis 1, Loutra Kyllinis 2 ACHAIA [5] Municip. Dytikis Achaias Kalogria, Lakkopetra Municip. Egialias Alyki, Digeliotika, Pounda ETOLOAKARNANIA [1] Municipality Nafpaktou Psani PREVEZA [5] Municipality Prevezas Kyani, Monolithi, Tsoukes Municipality Pargas Loutsa, Valtos THESPROTIA [2] Municip. Igoumenitsas Drepano, Mega Ammos CORFU/KERKYRA [7] Municipality Kerkyras Kommeno, Kontokali, Alykes Potamou, Dasia, Almyros, Canal d’Amour, Dafnila LEFKADA [7] Municipality Lefkadas Agios Giannis, Lefkada/Gyra, Agios Nikitas-Pefkoulia, Kathisma 1, Porto Katsiki, Nidri, Mikros Gialos / Poros KEFALONIA [12] Municipality Kefalonias Petani, Platys Gialos, Makrys Gialos, Avythos, Lourdas, Ammes, Skala, Aragia Porou, Myrtos, Xi, Agia Varvara / Katelios, Antisamos ZAKYNTHOS [7] Municipality Zakynthou Alykanas 1, Alykes 1, Amboula Psarou, Tsilivi, Bouka, Amboula Tragaki, Katragaki CHANIA [29] Municip. Kandanou Selinou Voulismeni, Grammeno, Pachia Ammos, Chalikia, Sougia Municipality Kissamou Falasarna / Pachia Ammos 1, Falasarna / Pachia Ammos 2, Kasteli / Mavros Molos-Plaka Municipality Platania Platanias, Platanias /Limanaki, Kolymvari, Rapaniana Municipality Chanion Stalos, Ag. Apostoli 1, Ag. Apostoli 2, Chrissi Akti, Agia Marina, Kalamaki, Nea Chora, Marathi, Stavros, Agios Onoufrios, Kalathas Municipality Apokoronou Maistrali, Kalyves Xyda, Almyrida, Kyani, Kavros, Perastikos RETHYMNO [16] Municipality Rethymnis Rethymno 1, Rethymno 2, Rethymno 3, Rethymno 4 / Myssiria, Platanias Β/Rethymno 6, Adelianos Kampos A, Pigianos Kampos, Skaleta Municip. Mylopotamou Panormo/Limni, Lianos Kavos Lavris, Bali Varkotopos, Bali Livadi Municip. Agiou Vassiliou Damnoni, Plakias, Rodakino, Agia Galini/Ystero Varkotopi IRAKLIO [17] Municipality Maleviziou Ellinoperamata, Fodele, Ammoudara 1, Ammoudara 4, Ammoudara 5 Municipality Chersonissou Limenas Chersonissou 5, Agios Georgios 1, Agios Georgios 3, Anissaras, Agios Georgios 2/Panagia Rizi, Drapanos, Potamos, Potamos A, Kokkini Chani, Agia Pelagia / Menopetra, Kastri / Creta Maris Municipality Festou Matala LASITHI [44] Municip. Agiou Nikolaou Spiliada, Poros 1, Poros 2, Elounda, Pigaidakia Eloundas, Schisma, Elounda 1, Driros, Chiona, Plaka, Chavania 2, Agios Nikolaos 1, Agios Nikolaos 2, Agios Nikolaos 3, Ammoudi, Kitroplateia, Ammos/Marina, Almyros, Ammos/Dimotiki, Pilos, Ammoudara, Voulisma, Agios Panteleimonas, Karavostasi, Chavania 1, Mirabello Municipality Sitias Sitia 1/Galliko, Sitia 2/Petra, Vai/Finikodasos, Kouremenos, Chiona, Kato Zakros, Vourlia, Limanaki, Analipsi, Makrygialos Langoufa Municipality Ierapetras Ierapetra 1 / Dimotiki, Ierapetra 2 / Dimotiki, Agia Fotia, Myrtos, Koutsounari/Agios Ioannis, Koutsounari 2, Katharades 1, Achlia Schinokapsalon RODOS [23] Municipality Rodou Kiotari 3, Lardos 1, Lardos 3, Afantou 2, Kolymbia, Kolymbia A – Limanaki, Ammoudes/Faliraki, Kavourakia, Kallithea, Mandomata, Faliraki/Kastraki, Faliraki 1, Faliraki 2, Faliraki 3, Faliraki 4, Faliraki 5, Reni 1, Trianta B, Vagies / Ladiko, Faliraki /Kathara, Anatolika Enydriou, Galouni / Kokkinogia, Kremasti-Trianta KOS [6] Municipality Ko Gourniatis, Troulos, Akro Chelonas, Pefkokefali/Agios Fokas, Lambi, Marmari THIRA [3] Municipality Thiras Perissa, Kamari 1, Kamari 2 IOS [3] Municipality Iiton Ormos, Mylopotamos, Manganari MILOS [1] Municipality Milou Provatas SIFNOS [2] Municipality Sifnou Kamares, Platis Gialos PAROS [5] Municipality Parou Logaras, Tserdakia, Pounta, Marpissa / Chrysi Akti, Livadia NAXOS [3] Municipality Naxou Agia Anna, Agios Prokopios, Agios Georgios SYROS [1] Municip. Syrou-Ermoupolis Galissas MYKONOS [1] Municipality Mykonou Kalafatis TINOS [1] Municipality Tinou Agios Fokas ANDROS [1] Municipality Androu Delavogia KEA [1] Municipality Keas Koundouros SAMOS [2] Municipality Samou Potokaki 1, Glykoriza CHIOS [4] Municipality Chiou Agia Fotini, Karfas, Dimotiki Plaz Chiou, Agia Paraskevi LESVOS [8] Municipality Lesvos Tsamakia, Eftalou/Ag. Anargyri, Kagia, Anaxos, Agios Isidoros, Molyvos, Vatera, Kanoni Thermis LIMNOS [4] Municipality Limnou Evgatis / Zematas, Agios Ioannis, Thanos, Platy MARINAS CHALKIDIKI [2] Municipality Sithonias Marina Porto Carras, Municipality Kassandras, Marina Sani ATTIKI [2] Municipality Lavreotikis Οlympic Μarine, Municip. Paleou Falirou, Marina Flisvou LEFKADA [1] Municipality Lefkadas Marina Lefkadas CORFU/KERKYRA [1] Municipality Kerkyras Marina Gouvion LASITHI [1] Municipality Agiou Nikolaou Marina Agiou Nikolaou KOS [1] Municipality Ko Marina Ko LEROS [1] Municipality Lerou Marina Lerou