{"id":33918,"date":"2026-06-17T14:08:34","date_gmt":"2026-06-17T11:08:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/blue-flag-beaches-in-turkiye\/"},"modified":"2026-06-18T16:53:44","modified_gmt":"2026-06-18T13:53:44","slug":"blue-flag-beaches-in-turkiye","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/en\/blue-flag-beaches-in-turkiye\/","title":{"rendered":"Blue Flag beaches in T\u00fcrkiye"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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What\u2019s a Blue Flag beach?<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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The Blue Flag is an international environmental award granted to beaches and marinas that meet the required standards.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A Blue Flag beach is one that has received an internationally recognized environmental award granted to beaches and marinas that meet a comprehensive set of quality standards. The program is administered by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), headquartered in Denmark, and is implemented in 51 countries, with coordination in T\u00fcrkiye by the Turkish Environmental Education Foundation (T\u00dcR\u00c7EV). Blue Flag beaches are places where visitors can swim and spend time with confidence, thanks to their high standards for facility quality and hygiene. Since the program was introduced in T\u00fcrkiye in 1993, the number of Blue Flag beaches has grown to 577, nearly double the number recorded a decade ago. While the Mediterranean coast, led by Antalya, continues to have the largest share of Blue Flag beaches, the program\u2019s steady expansion reflects the growing reach of environmental management efforts across the country, from the Black Sea to the Marmara region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What are the criteria and features of a Blue Flag beach?<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Blue Flag beaches must meet a comprehensive set of standards. To qualify for the award, beaches must comply with 33 criteria, while marinas must meet 25 separate criteria. The evaluation process considers a wide range of factors, including ecosystem protection, bathing water quality, public accessibility, cleanliness, visitor facilities, and safety, helping ensure consistently high standards. Key requirements include bathing water analyses conducted every fifteen days throughout the season, lifeguard and first-aid services, accessible facilities for visitors with disabilities, and waste separation and recycling systems. These measures are essential to the Blue Flag certification process. Importantly, the Blue Flag is not a permanent designation. The award must be reapplied for and renewed each year, so beaches must continue to meet the required standards to retain their status. A significant number of Blue Flag beaches in T\u00fcrkiye are public beaches operated by municipalities, while others are owned by hotels and private tourism facilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Antalya: Home to the highest number of Blue Flag beaches in T\u00fcrkiye<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Kaputa\u015f Beach<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

With 233 Blue Flag beaches, Antalya remains the province with the most in T\u00fcrkiye. Antalya\u2019s total is more than double that of Mu\u011fla, the province ranked second. Several beaches around Manavgat, \u00c7olakl\u0131, Alanya, Kemer, and G\u00f6yn\u00fck have flown the Blue Flag continuously for nearly three decades. Since the program\u2019s introduction in T\u00fcrkiye in 1993, these beaches have met its standards and have become pillars of Mediterranean tourism. Among Antalya\u2019s most celebrated Blue Flag beaches are Kalkan, Kaputa\u015f, and Patara in Ka\u015f; Cleopatra Beach in Alanya, and Phaselis and Konyaalt\u0131 near Kemer. Together, they uphold Antalya\u2019s standing as one of the country\u2019s premier coastal destinations. Alanya alone has 60 Blue Flag beaches, making it the province\u2019s leading district and the second-ranked district in T\u00fcrkiye for Blue Flag-certified beaches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u0130zmir: The Aegean\u2019s Blue Flag favorite<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Il\u0131ca Public Beach, \u00c7e\u015fme<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

After Antalya and Mu\u011fla, \u0130zmir ranks third in T\u00fcrkiye\u2019s Blue Flag standings, with 64 Blue Flag beaches and five Blue Flag marinas in the latest count. Among the city\u2019s best-known Blue Flag beaches are Urla Kum Denizi Public Beach, the first in \u0130zmir to receive the award; Karaburun Aquarium Beach; Il\u0131ca and Alt\u0131nkum Public Beaches in \u00c7e\u015fme; and Dikili Municipal Beach. The districts of Seferihisar and Fo\u00e7a, both known for their relaxed atmosphere and strong ties to the Cittaslow movement, also regularly appear on the list. Together, these beaches are strung like pearls along \u0130zmir\u2019s coastline, reinforcing the city\u2019s reputation as one of the Aegean\u2019s premier seaside destinations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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