“Blue Flag” in Cyprus: what the award means and which beaches received it in 2026
The Blue Flag program is considered one of the most well-known international quality standards for beaches and marinas. In 2026, the Republic of Cyprus once again received dozens of “Blue Flags,” but the number turned out to be lower than a year earlier. Let’s look at what this award means, how the selection process works, and which beaches made it into the current list.
- What the “Blue Flag” is
- History of the Blue Flag program
- Who is responsible for Blue Flag in Cyprus
- How a beach gets a “Blue Flag”
- When the award ceremony took place in 2026
- Cyprus beaches with the Blue Flag in 2026
- Marinas with the Blue Flag
- Why the number of flags decreased
- Frequently asked questions
What the “Blue Flag” is
The “Blue Flag” is an international environmental award for beaches, marinas, and tourist boats. It confirms that a place meets standards for water quality, safety, cleanliness, environmental management, and visitor information.
For tourists, Blue Flag serves as a convenient guide: beaches with this award have an organized swimming area, lifeguards in season, showers, toilets, bins, site cleaning, and information boards. At the same time, the award does not mean that the beach will automatically suit everyone: depth, waves, parking, and child-friendliness may differ.
History of the Blue Flag program
The Blue Flag program appeared in France in 1985 as an environmental initiative by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE). In 1987, it became an international program, and today the “Blue Flag” is awarded to thousands of beaches and marinas in more than 50 countries.
The Republic of Cyprus joined the program in 1994. The first “Blue Flags” on the island were awarded in 1995: that year, 8 Cypriot beaches received the award.
Who is responsible for Blue Flag in Cyprus
At the international level, the program is coordinated by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE). In the Republic of Cyprus, the national operator is CYMEPA — Cyprus Marine Environment Protection Association.
CYMEPA receives applications from municipalities and communities, organizes the national assessment, and forwards recommendations to the international Blue Flag committee, which makes the final decision.
CYMEPA website
How a beach gets a “Blue Flag”
The award is granted annually, so a beach must confirm compliance with the standards every season. The application is usually submitted by the municipality, community, or beach management organization.
| Stage | What happens |
|---|---|
| 1 | The municipality or community submits an application to participate |
| 2 | The national jury checks compliance with the criteria |
| 3 | The data are transferred to the international Blue Flag committee |
| 4 | FEE makes the final decision on awarding the distinction |
| 5 | During the season, the beach undergoes additional inspections |
The assessment is carried out across several areas: water quality, cleanliness of the area, presence of lifeguards, safety of water access, toilets and showers, information boards, environmental education, and environmental protection.
When the award ceremony took place in 2026
In 2026, the Republic of Cyprus received 56 “Blue Flags” for beaches and 2 flags for marinas. The official award ceremony was scheduled for June 11, 2026, in Ayia Napa.
Cyprus beaches with the Blue Flag in 2026
Below is the list of beaches included in the published data for 2026.
Paphos District
- Kaphizis — Peyia
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- Laourou — Peyia
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- Coral Bay — Peyia
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- Kotsias — Lemba
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- Palaiokastra / Venus Beach — Paphos
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- Faros — Paphos
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- Municipal Baths — Paphos
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- Alykes — Paphos
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- Vrysoudia B — Paphos
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- Vrysoudia A — Paphos
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- Pachyammos — Paphos
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- Pachyammos 2 — Geroskipou
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- Dimotiki Paralia — Geroskipou
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- Laiki Paralia Geroskipou — Geroskipou
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Limassol District
- Pissouri — Pissouri
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- Curium Beach — Episkopi
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- Parekklesia — Parekklisia
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- Governor’s Beach — Pentakomo
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Larnaca District
- Mackenzie — Larnaca
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- Castella Beach — Larnaca
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- Phinikoudes — Larnaca
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- Yanathes — Voroklini
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Famagusta District
- Ayia Thekla — Ayia Napa
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- Louma — Ayia Napa
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- Ziatzi — Ayia Napa
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- Macronissos — Ayia Napa
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- Landa — Ayia Napa
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- Nissi Bay — Ayia Napa
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- Nissi — Ayia Napa
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- Vathia Gonia — Ayia Napa
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- Pernera A — Ayia Napa
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- Katsarga — Ayia Napa
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- Loukos tou Mandi — Ayia Napa
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- Pantahou — Ayia Napa
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- Gliki Nero — Ayia Napa
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- Ammos tou Kampouri — Ayia Napa
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- Kermia-Limnara — Ayia Napa
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- Konnos — Ayia Napa
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- Nissia Gardens — Paralimni
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- Nissia — Paralimni
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- Vizakia / Nissia Loumbardi — Paralimni
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- Lombardi — Paralimni
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- Protaras — Paralimni
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- Vrisi A / Fig Tree Bay — Paralimni
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- Vrisi B — Paralimni
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- Vrisi C — Paralimni
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Marinas with the Blue Flag in 2026
- Limassol Marina
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- Ayia Napa Marina
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Useful materials on the topic
Why the number of flags decreased
Despite the strong result, in 2026 the Republic of Cyprus received 8 fewer beach awards than in the previous season. The main reduction was in the Limassol district, where a number of beaches were not submitted for certification after complaints about sea pollution.
From the 2026 list, the beaches of the Limassol and Amathus area that were included in the 2025 list but not listed among the awardees in the new season were removed. These include Vouppa, Aphrodite, Armonia, Dasoudi, Miami, Santa Barbara, Onisilos, and Castella in the Limassol area. This does not apply to Castella Beach in Larnaca, which is included in the 2026 list.
Blue Flag status is not permanent and must be confirmed annually. Therefore, the list of awarded beaches may change from season to season depending on inspection results and decisions by municipalities.
For a holiday in Cyprus, it is convenient to choose quality beaches and suitable accommodation near the coast in advance — you can view options on Trip.com.
If you are planning to explore the Cyprus coastline on your own, you can choose a car for trips around the island in advance on Localrent.
Frequently asked questions
Is the “Blue Flag” awarded forever?
No. The award is granted for only one season and must be renewed every year.
Does Blue Flag mean the beach is the best?
No. It is a sign of compliance with environmental and infrastructure criteria. But beaches with the “Blue Flag” may differ in depth, wind, parking, number of people, and child-friendliness.
Can a beach lose the “Blue Flag” during the season?
Yes. If issues are found with water quality, safety, or beach management, the flag can be temporarily withdrawn until the violations are corrected.
Why did Cyprus lose part of the flags in 2026?
According to the published information, some beaches in the Limassol district were not submitted for certification after complaints about sea pollution.
Do I need to check the list every year?
Yes. Blue Flag is awarded annually, so the current list of beaches may change each season.
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I am a person who is not afraid to change life when my heart tells me that something greater lies ahead. I am originally from Belarus. I have journeyed from pedagogical and economic education to the financial sector and many years of work in logistics — a world where everything moves, changes,…
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