BLUE FLAG AWARDED BEACHES
Greece upgraded to 2nd place in the world for the year 2017 “Blue Flag Awards” with 486 awarded beaches and 12 awarded marinas, which were recognised for their excellent seawater quality, litter management, organisation of the swimming area, safety procedures for bathers and protection of the environment, among other factors.
In the year 2016 were honoured 430 beaches and 9 marinas and Greece ranked 3rd for 2 consequent years. Greece is stepping up with its 2nd place in the world in 2017 and shows it can match beauty with excellence and ecological awareness.
Blue Flag Awards
The “Blue Flag” is a programme of environmental awareness and protection which is implemented every year since 1987. In order to receive a “Blue Flag” eco-label, a beach must not only be found to have an excellent water quality for bathing, but it must also comply with a further 33 criteria concerning cleanliness, environmental management and organisation, environmental education and information, visitor safety and services, as well as protection of nature, the coast and the coastal area.
It is widely known that tourist agencies consider the “Blue Flags” as a key factor in choosing and organising holiday destinations, therefore Greece will attract even more tourist interest.
LEFKADA won a blue flag about 8 beaches. Below you will find the awarded beaches of Lefkada:
- Agios Ioannis or Ai Giannis (near the town of Lefkada)
Ai Giannis Beach from above! - Gyra beach (near the town of Lefkada)
Gira Beach - Agios Nikitas-Pefkoulia
Pefkoulis Beach and Agios Nikitas at the end - Kathisma
Kathisma Beach - Porto Katsiki
Porto Katsiki - Nydri
Pasas Beach - Mikros Gialos (beach of Poros)
MIkros Gialos Beach in Poros - Ponti (beach of Vasiliki)
Ponti Beach In Vasiliki
Gyra , Nydri, Mikros Gialos and Ponti beach are ideal for families and especially for kids due to its calm waters.
Nevertheless, the beaches of Agios Ioannis, Pefkoulia near Agios Nikitas and Porto Katsiki are also the ones you do not want to miss. These beaches are of exceptional beauty, unique in the world and 3 of the most famous in Lefkada.
Blue Flag Eco-Label
The “Blue Flag” is a voluntary eco-label awarded to beaches across the world and is run by the independent, non-profit organization Foundation for Environmental Education based in Copenhagen. The EEPF is the program’s coordinator for Greece.