Crete leads all Greek regions in 2026 with 154 Blue Flag beach awards, the internationally recognised certification for water quality, environmental management, safety, and services. Greece as a whole ranked second in the world for Blue Flag beaches this year. The Blue Flag programme is run by the Foundation for Environmental Education and certifies beaches that meet strict standards for cleanliness, lifeguard coverage, and facilities. For visitors, the designation is a reliable indicator of safe swimming conditions and well-maintained shoreline infrastructure. Rethymno, on Crete's north-central coast, is among the areas contributing to this total. Tourists can look for the Blue Flag flying at the entrance of certified beaches across the island as a practical guide when choosing where to swim.
