16 May, 2018

By VIVA Team

best_beaches_in_the_world_Spain

Spain officially has the best beaches of any nation worldwide, of which 30 blue-flag locations can be found on the Costa del Sol.

The Seychelles. Costa Rica. Thailand. Australia… Perhaps these countries come to mind when you think about your answer to the question, “where are the best beaches in the world?” But no, none of these come close to the number of blue-flag beaches awarded to Spain by the Association for Environmental Education and the Consumer (ADEAC) this year…


Spain now boasts a grand total of 590 blue-flag beaches, along with 101 marinas and 5 cruise ship ports that meet the awarding body’s strict criteria. Blue-flag beaches are those that conform to high standards of hygiene, sanitary conditions, safety, water quality, accessibility and the provision of lifeguards.

The 2018 awards saw Greece take second place, followed by Turkey, France and Italy, demonstrating Europe’s global dominance when it comes to consistently well-kept, high-quality beaches. Furthermore, it highlights Spain’s mighty attraction for holidaymakers and expats alike seeking sea, sun and the fine sands its gorgeous beaches have to offer.

But this is not just a one-off. Amazingly, Spain has held this crown every year since the award’s inception in 1987 and new beaches, marinas and cruise ship ports make the grade every year. This year, the ADEAC awarded 11 more blue flags in Spain than in 2017.

Here on the Costa del Sol, 25 beaches and 5 marinas made it on to the 2018 list. Marbella and Estepona lead the way, with both areas boasting 4 blue-flag beaches and 1 blue-flag marina, while Fuengirola, Mijas Costa and Benalmádena all have 3 top-rated locations to their name.

If you’re looking for your dream Costa del Sol property near one of these blue-flag beaches – or, indeed, inland – VIVA have the perfect solution for each client. Click here to see our excellent range of properties!