The Costa del Sol towns were awarded 45 Blue Flag Beaches in 2026 equal to the previous year. This was from a record 52 applications. Puerto Banus Levante beach lost its blue flag in 2026 and Fuengirola Castilla beach regained its flag. Estepona continues its boycott of the Blue flag system.

In 2026 Costa Tropical made 14 applications for blue flag beaches and broke records with all 14 awarded. Playa de Poniente in Motril was awarded its blue Flag for the first time..

Take a look at which 30 Costa de a Luz Cadiz and 12 Huelva beaches were awarded a Blue Flag in 2024 and check progression of awards since 2014. Destinations are listed along the coast from West to East.

In 2026 the Costa Almeria's 38 beaches were awarded Blue flag status following 40 applications. This was three more blue flags than the 35 awarded in  2025 following 39 applications.  

In 2026 in Andalucia there are two inland beaches awarded with Blue Flags; La Breña Beach, located in Almodovar del Río in Córdoba province and El Encinarejo beach in Andujar in Jaen province.

The Blue flag awards have grown remarkably since their beginings in France in the mid 80's. The requirements for certification have also widened. Most coatal municipalities in Andalucia sumbit an application in the autumn of the previous year, receive an inspection visit and commit not just to clean bathing water but public showers, life-guards, signage and environmental awareness programmes. It has become necessary for town halls to carefully select their potential Blue Flag beaches for infrastructure investment ahead of the Blue Flag application. The successful applications are listed on the four 'costas' pages linked below. Unsuccesful aplication are not disclosed.