Ayia Napa, Cyprus. Cyprus awarded Blue Flags to 56 beaches and two marinas for 2026 on Thursday, covering nearly half of the country’s 123 bathing water areas. Environment Minister Maria Panayiotou said the awards recognised the country’s environmental management efforts.
Awards announced in Ayia Napa
Speaking at the event in Ayia Napa, Panayiotou said Cyprus’ beaches are part of the island’s collective memory and are passed on to visitors. She said the quality of the country’s bathing waters has been maintained through the efforts of government departments, local authorities and environmental organisations.
Bathing water quality ranking
Panayiotou said Cyprus ranked first in Europe for bathing water quality in the European Commission’s last three evaluations. She said the distinction was the result of cooperation among various authorities and a continued commitment to protecting the environment and public health.
She also said she was confident Cyprus would continue to rank among Europe’s leading countries for bathing water quality.
Blue Flag criteria
Panayiotou said the Blue Flag is one of the most recognisable international quality symbols for beaches and marinas and is awarded only to sites meeting strict environmental and operational criteria.
She said the award goes beyond recognising clean and well-organised beaches, adding that it reflects a broader environmental culture covering management, safety, organisation and the responsible operation of coastal areas.
The programme also promotes environmental protection, beach safety, visitor information and public awareness.
The Blue Flag is awarded on the basis of excellent bathing water quality and compliance with 33 criteria for beaches and 38 for marinas, in line with European standards.