The Greek islands of Rhodes and Kos once again stood out in the Dodecanese this year, earning 28 and 11 Blue Flags respectively as part of Europe’s internationally recognised coastal quality awards program.

Among the award-winning beaches on Rhodes were some of the island’s most renowned tourist destinations, including Faliraki, Afandou, Vlycha, Lindos, Ialyssos and Gennadi. On Kos, beaches such as Akro Chelonas, Kefalos and Lambi–Psalidi were also recognised for meeting the program’s demanding standards.

Elsewhere in the Dodecanese, the marinas of Rhodes, Kos, Kalymnos and Leros were likewise awarded Blue Flags after fulfilling the criteria set out by the international evaluation scheme.

The distinctions are granted on the basis of strict assessments covering bathing water quality, the cleanliness of both sea and shoreline, beach organisation and visitor safety, as well as environmental protection and public environmental awareness.