Every year, many Italian beaches are awarded the Blue Flag recognition. You’ve probably heard of it, but what exactly is this award? And which are the most beautiful Blue Flag beaches of Tuscany? Find out with us!
What Is the Blue Flag?
Established in 1987, the Blue Flag is an award given by the non-profit, non-governmental organization Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE for short) to beaches in 48 countries worldwide, including Europe. This title is awarded to coastal locations, beaches and tourist harborsthat meet a series of criteria such as water cleanliness and environmental sustainability.
Every year, after the Blue Flags are awarded, controversies arise. Complaints often stem from the fact that beaches considered true paradises on earth do not receive the recognition. The reason is simple: the Blue Flag is not an award for the beauty of the beaches, but rather for the commitment of the local municipality to preserve the beach, offer sustainable services, and promote environmental education.
To apply, each location must meet mandatory criteria and other optional ones defined by FEE itself. These include organizing at least five environmental education activities annually, the quality of bathing waters,cleanliness of the beaches, availability of bins and containers for separate waste collection, and the presence of sanitary facilities.
In 2022, Italy was awarded 427 Blue Flag beaches.
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The Most Beautiful Blue Flag Beaches in Tuscany
Tuscany is one of the Italian regions that has collected more and more Blue Flags over the years. In 2022, it did not disappoint and even boasts some new entries in the ranking. In total, there are 35 virtuous beaches in Tuscany , located in 18 different towns. Here we suggest some of the most beautiful, perfect for spending asustainable weekend discovering the natural and historical beauties of Tuscany. Castiglione della Pescaia
The romantic town in the province of Grosseto,
Castiglione della Pescaia has earned ten Blue Flags this year. The village, just a few minutes by car from Grosseto, is abeautiful medieval town characterized by narrow streets to stroll through and a large fortress that watches over the center from above.The awarded beaches are Punta Ala, Ponente, Riva del Sole, Capezzòlo, Rocchette, Tombolo, Roccamare, Casetta Civinini, and Pian d’Alma. Among these,
the Rocchette beach is a very popular spot for its coves and the opportunity to practice diving and snorkeling . The area around the beach is also characterized by lush vegetation where you can enjoyhiking or cycling. Forte dei Marmi
Forte dei Marmi, in the Versilia region, province of Lucca, is one of the
trendiest destinations in Italy to spend a beach holiday. Its fame dates back to the 1800s, but the first bathing establishment opened only in 1904. Since then, Forte dei Marmi has consistently been a top choice for beachgoers thanks to its excellent services.Its fame dates back to the 1800s, but the first bathing establishment was opened only in 1904. Since then, Forte dei Marmi has consistently proven to be a hard-to-beat guarantee when it comes to services offered to beachgoers.
preserved green and pristine areas over the years , preventing mass tourism from spoiling its beauty. The Forte dei Marmi coastline, five kilometers of golden sand and clear sea surrounded by pine forests, is therefore one of the best beaches to visit in Italy despite the large influx of tourists., preventing mass tourism from spoiling the beauty of the place. The Forte dei Marmi coastline, five kilometers of golden sand and clear sea surrounded by pine forests, is therefore one of the best beaches to visit in Italy, despite the large influx of tourists.
Castagneto Carducci
is a beautiful village in the province of Livorno, already awarded by Legambiente as one of the most livable tourist destinations in Italy .The village, named after the poet Giosuè Carducci who lived there for several years, is dominated by the Counts of Gherardesca Castle, an impressive fortress definitely worth visiting.
The beach of Marina di Castagneto Carducci offers both trendy areas with bars and restaurants along the seafront perfect for strolling and having an aperitif, as well as quieter spots like the Dune Beach, characterized by lush vegetation and soft sand hills.
Camaiore
In the province of Lucca, Camaiore is a town nestled between the Tyrrhenian Sea and the Apuan Alps, a place to enjoy a relaxing holiday close to nature. The town offers interesting monuments, such as the ancient Abbey of San Pietro, a stop for all pilgrims walking the Via Francigena.
. Lido di Camaiore was awarded the Blue Flag this year for the 17th time, thanks to its very clear waters and beach clubs offering every imaginable service. The beach is known for its shallow seabeds
that delight every child.
Viareggio Viareggio is the city of theCarnival , which every year attracts visitors from all over the world to admire its colorful and entertaining floats. But that’s not all. For 24 consecutive years its beaches have earned the Blue Flag, confirming their status as top tourist destinations. The awarded beaches are
Marina di Viareggio and Torre del Lago. Torre del Lago’s beach, despite the presence of beach clubs, hasremained largely wild
, boasting one of the most beautiful coastlines in Versilia. Moreover, Torre del Lago is a charming and romantic small village to visit, with many points of interest. These were just some of the beautiful Blue Flag beaches in Tuscany awarded in 2022. Truly magical places to visit embracingslow and green tourism If you’d like to join a group trip in Tuscany and Italy, discover all the events organized by Meeters.