Italy gains 10 new Bandiera Blu beach and lake resorts in 2024.

A total of 485 beaches in 236 resorts across Italy have been awarded the 2024 Bandiera Blu (Blue Flag) status for excellent water quality and high environmental standards.

The prestigious recognition, up 27 from the 458 beaches last year and more than double the number from a decade ago, is awarded by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE).

The Italian region with the highest number of Bandiera Blu beach resorts is Liguria, once again in the top spot with 34 resorts, losing two from last year (Ameglia and Taggia) but gaining two new entries: Borgio Verezzi and Recco.

Puglia is in second place with 24 Bandiera Blu resorts, with three new locations: Lecce, Manduria and Patù, but losing the Blue Flag for Margherita di Savoia.

In joint third place with 20 Bandiera Blu recognitions each are Campania and Calabria, both up one from last year, with the addition of new blue flags for Cellole and Parghelia respectively.

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The number of Bandiera Blu resorts in Le Marche rises to 19 with the addition of Porto Sant'Elpidio, while Trentino-Alto Adige gains two new entries: Tenno and Vallelaghi (12).

Abruzzo gains a Blue Flag for Ortona (15) and Sicily claims an extra three flags - Letojanni, Scicli, Taormina - taking it up to 14 Bandiera Blu beach resorts.

There is no change for Basilicata (5), Emilia-Romagna (9), Friuli Venezia Giulia (2), Lazio (10), Lombardia (3), Molise (2), Piemonte (5), Sardinia (15) and Veneto (9).

For full details of where to find Italy's Blue Flag beaches in 2024, region by region, see FEE website.