Murcia equals Balearics with record Blue Flag beach awards Photo Credit: Cartagena Department of Tourism
In 2026, the Region of Murcia reached an incredible milestone for its beaches. In its best year ever for Blue Flag awards, the region will receive a total of 41 Blue Flags in 33 beaches and eight marinas across six of its municipalities. With these honours, the Region of Murcia has now matched the Balearic Islands as the single-province region with the highest number of Blue Flag beaches in the whole of Spain.
What is the prestigious Blue Flag beach and marina award?
The Blue Flag award, which is awarded annually, is a prestigious international honour awarded by the Foundation for Environmental Education. It certifies that a beach, marina, or boat operator meets strict standards for high water quality, environmental safety and management, sustainability, and education. In other words, to receive a Blue Flag award is to certify that the area meets all the strict criteria for the distinction and maintains the highest quality.
The Region of Murcia leads the charge: World-class beaches and marinas
Unsurprisingly, the charming coastal municipality of Aguilas leads the charge in the region. The municipality boasts ten award-winning beaches and two award-winning marinas, and maintains its spot as the third most decorated town in Spain, just behind Vigo and Sanxenxo. Aguilas was also recently named the best European destination for taking a boat ride, and its beaches have been recognised in travel and nature magazine National Geographic for their beauty and high quality.
The Costa Calida city of Cartagena follows close behind, with nine beach awards and two marina awards. One of these beaches is shared with San Javier, the Banco del Tabal-Calnegre beach.
In the regional ranking, Mazarron comes in third. The coastal municipality boasts six beach awards and two marina awards. San Javier and San Pedro del Pinatar received three Blue Flag awards each for their beaches, though the latter received two more for its marinas. Last but not least, Lorca received an award for its Calnegre beach.
All coastal regional parks in Murcia are world-class
Amazingly, with this new round of awards, every coastal regional park in the Region of Murcia now boasts at least one Blue Flag beach.
The Balearic Islands benefit from having 15 award-winning municipalities, compared to the Region of Murcia’s six.
The recognition by this prestigious organisation is a nod to the Region of Murcia’s commitment to sustainability, maintaining the beauty of its natural areas, the quality of its waters, and a variety of other factors that make its beaches top-of-the-line.
Here is the total list of award-winning beaches in the Region of Murcia:
Aguilas
- El Hornillo
- La Carolina
- La Higuerica
- Levante
- La Colonia
- Poniente
- Casica Verde
- Matalentisco
- Calarreona
- Las Delicias
Cartagena
- La Azohia-El Cuartel
- Cala Cortina
- Levante (Cabo de Palos)
- San Gines
- Isla Plana
- La Chapineta
- El Portus
- Calblanque
- Cala del Barco
Mazarron
- Rihuete
- Bahia-La Reya
- Nares
- Playa Grande-Castellar
- El Alamillo
- El Mojon
San Pedro del Pinatar
- El Mojon
- Las Salinas
- La Torre Derribada
San Javier
- La Ensenada del Esparto
- El Pedrucho
- El Arenal
- Banco del Tabal-Calnegre (Cartagena & San Javier)
Lorca
