Cabanyal Beach, one of the most popular beaches in the city of Valencia, has lost its Blue Flag in the 2026 edition of the program managed by the Association for Environmental and Consumer Education (Adeac). The reason: its water tests received a “good” rating, which is insufficient to meet the “excellent” threshold required for the award.
The same situation has affected Cala Fustera, in Benissa (Alicante).
Two beaches left off the list due to “good” water quality
The award does not solely recognize the visible cleanliness of the sand or the available services. One of its key criteria is the microbiological and physico-chemical quality of the water.
In the case of Cabanyal and Cala Fustera, the results were above the legal minimum but below the standard of excellence that Adeac requires to maintain the award.
Losing the award does not mean these beaches are unsanitary, but rather that they have not reached the highest level of the environmental indicators evaluated.
The region with the most Blue Flags
The removal of these two flags contrasts with the overall results for the Valencian Community: 174 awards in 2026, ten more than the previous year, representing 22% of the national total and cementing the region as the most awarded in Spain.
Of the total, 152 are beaches, 20 are marinas, and 2 are tourist boats. By province, Alicante leads with 95 awards, followed by Valencia with 40 and Castellón with 39.
Seven new beaches and four that have regained the award
In this edition, seven beaches have been added that are receiving the Blue Flag for the first time:
- Brosquil Beach and Mareny de Sant Llorens Beach, in Cullera (Valencia)
- L’Advocat Beach in Benissa; Puerto Blanco and El Racó in Calpe; and Cala Lanuza in El Campello (Alicante)
- Pla de la Torre Beach, in Almassora (Castellón)
Four other beaches have regained the distinction after losing it in 2025: l’Arenal (Xàbia), l’Espigó (Altea), Tamarit (Santa Pola), and Serradal (Castelló de la Plana).
Ports with full and new recognitions
All 20 candidate marinas have been awarded the Blue Flag, with the Les Fonts marina in Alcossebre as a new addition. Gandia received a special mention for lifeguard services, and Santa Pola for environmental education.
The complete list of Blue Flag beaches for 2026 can be viewed here.
