A comfortable beach with the necessary space between the umbrellas to allow free and undisturbed play. A calm, clean and welcoming sea, where the water does not immediately become too high, so you can swim safely. And then beach assistants, equipment and services, catering facilities. Without forgetting the fun, for adults and children. They are the qualities that make one seaside resort suitable for children: A total of 155 destinations with these characteristics in 2024, selected by 2,949 Italian and foreign paediatricians. How to recognize them? Green flags wave on miniature swimmer-friendly beaches. The updated list was revealed today. This year only one new entry: San Salvo Marina (Chieti).
The locations from north to south
And it is precisely in the House of Culture ‘La porta della Terra’ of the Municipality of San Salvo that the presentation meeting of the 2024 Green Flags was held. “In total in Italy, from North to South, 147 were hoisted, one every 55 km, with differences between the various regions – explains the pediatrician Italo Farnetani, creator of the green flags and coordinator of the research for the awarding of the awards – Another 5 are well planted in the rest of Europe, 3 in Abruzzo turns out to be the ‘greenest’ region in Italy because it has the highest density of green flags, one every 11.8 km, followed by Emilia-Romagna (one every 13.5 km) and Marche (one every 13.8 km ). But in absolute numerical values, Calabria occupies first place, with a total of 20 green flags. Second is Sicily with 18 and third is Sardinia with 16”. At the foot of the podium, fourth place ex aequo, Marche and Puglia with 13. While in fifth place, again ex aequo, are Abruzzo and Tuscany with 11.
The official flag delivery ceremony is set for July 6th in Fasano (Brindisi)“at Palazzo di Città, in collaboration with the municipal administration – explains Farnetani – The mayors and ambassadors of the awarded Municipalities and States are invited. For the paediatricians, who worked on a voluntary basis, without compensation, for profit or intervention of a sponsor, it was a professional indication and a medical opinion drawn up based on knowledge of the real needs of growth, health, physical and psycho-affective development of minors”.
How do you arrive at selecting the ideal seaside destinations for little ones?
“There are no self-nominations – explains Farnetani – because the choice depends only on the pediatricians’ assessments: at least 35 must indicate the same location” for it to be taken into consideration. The requirements range, as explained, from the possibility of playing on the beach next to parents, to the water not becoming deep suddenly at the shore, from the safety guaranteed by beach assistants to the equipment and services on the seashore, and then restaurants and places to eat, shops, bars, sports facilities. “For the quality of the water and the possibility of bathing we always refer only to Italian institutional and public structures: the ordinances of the mayor, who represents the health authority for his municipality, and the findings of the regional Arpa, public structures responsible for environmental controls”, Farnetani further points out.
The search for the award of green flags began in 2008. Initially they were awarded only to Italian locations. Since 2017, the boundaries of the analysis have also been extended to the European Union and from 2021 to Africa. “In Italy all the regions bordered by the sea have at least one locality awarded the Green Flag, but there are provinces in which no municipality has ever obtained it – recalls the pediatrician ‘father’ of the initiative – In the last two years only two new green flags (Montepaone Lido in 2023 and San Salvo Marina in 2024), despite there being numerous nominations, and it is a demonstration of the rigor applied by paediatricians in their choices. Also for this reason, in 17 years no recognition has been removed beach”.
“I remember that Italy is the only nation in the world to have pediatric mapping of marine locations, an instrument of help for families, of promoting the health of children and adolescents, and of prestige for the country, also demonstrated by the numerous patronages granted by national and international institutions – assures Farnetani – But there is more. Every locality that has obtained the green flag has always strengthened the services dedicated to children and families, furthermore the Sicily Region, first among other institutions, has for years included in its budget, as part of the regional transfers provided for by various regional laws , specific economic contributions to the Municipalities awarded the green flag to finance projects for tourist services for children and families”.
The complete list
Here is the list of all the 2024 Green Flags, divided by region or foreign country, in alphabetical order and with the year of award. Italian beaches: in Abruzzo Alba Adriatica (Teramo) 2019, Giulianova (Teramo) 2010; Montesilvano (Pescara) 2010; Ortona – Saraceni Beach (Chieti) 2019; Pescara 2016; Pineto – Torre Cerrano (Teramo) 2016; Roseto degli Abruzzi (Teramo) 2012; San Salvo -San Salvo Marina (Chieti) 2024; Silvi-Silvi Marina (Teramo) 2012; Tortoreto (Teramo) 2015; Vasto-Vasto Marina (Chieti) 2010.
In Basilicata Maratea (Potenza) 2012; Pisticci – Marina di Pisticci (Matera) 2010. In Calabria White (Reggio Calabria) 2018; Bova Marina (Reggio Calabria) 2010; Bovalino (Reggio Calabria) 2010; Caulonia – Caulonia Marina (Reggio Calabria) 2022; Head of the Vatican (Vibo Valentia) 2016; Cariati (Cosenza) 2010; Cirò Marina – Punta Alice (Crotone) 2012; Island of Capo Rizzuto (Crotone) 2009; Locri (Reggio Calabria) 2016; Melissa – Torre Melissa (Crotone) 2015; Mirto Crosia – Pietrapaola (Cosenza) 2010; Montepaone (Reggio Calabria) 2023; Nicotera (Vibo Valentia) 2008; Palmi (Reggio Calabria) 2016; Praia a Mare (Cosenza) 2010; Roccella Jonica (Reggio Calabria) 2012; Santa Caterina dello Ionio Marina (Catanzaro) 2010; Siderno (Reggio Calabria) 2016; Soverato (Catanzaro) 2009; Squillace (Catanzaro) 2018.
In Campania Agropoli – Lungomare San Marco, Trentova (Salerno) 2016; Ascea (Salerno) 2016; Centola – Palinuro (Salerno) 2009; Ischia: Cartaroma Lido San Pietro (Naples) 2016; Marina di Camerota (Salerno) 2009; Pisciotta (Salerno) 2016; Pollica – Acciaroli, Pioppi (Salerno) 2016; Positano – Beaches: Arienzo, Fornillo, Spiaggia Grande (Salerno) 2015; Santa Maria di Castellabate (Salerno) 2012; Sapri (Salerno) 2012. In Emilia Romagna Bellaria – Igea Marina (Rimini) 2012; Cattolica (Rimini) 2012; Cervia – Milano Marittima-Pinarella (Ravenna) 2010; Cesenatico (Forlì Cesena) 2012; Gatteo – Gatteo Mare (Forlì – Cesena) 2015; Misano Adriatico (Rimini) 2015; Ravenna – Lidi Ravvenati (Ravenna) 2015; Riccione (Rimini) 2008; Rimini 2016; San Mauro Pascoli – San Mauro mare (Forlì – Cesena) 2016.
In Friuli Venezia Giulia Grado (Gorizia) 2010; Lignano Sabbiadoro (Udine) 2008. In Lazio Anzio (Rome) 2016; Formia (Latina) 2009; Gaeta (Latina) 2009; Lido di Latina (Latina) 2010; Montalto di Castro (Viterbo) 2009; Sabaudia (Latina) 2008; San Felice Circeo (Latina) 2012; Sperlonga (Latina) 2009; Terracina (Latina) 2019; Ventotene – Cala Nave (Latina) 2015. In Liguria Finale Ligure (Savona) 2015; Lavagna (Genoa) 2016; Lerici (La Spezia) 2012; Noli (Savona) 2016.
In Marche Civitanova Marche (Macerata) 2012; Cupra Marittima (Ascoli Piceno) 2020; Fano – North – Saxony – Torrette/Marotta (Pesaro – Urbino) 2016; Gabicce mare (Pesaro – Urbino) 2015; Grottammare (Ascoli Piceno) 2016; Mondolfo – Marotta (Pesaro – Urbino) 2016; Numana – High – Low Marcelli Nord (Ancona) 2015; Pesaro (Pesaro – Urbino) 2016; Porto Recanati (Macerata) 2012; Porto San Giorgio (Fermo) 2010; San Benedetto del Tronto (Ascoli Piceno) 2008; Senigallia (Ancona) 2012; Sirolo (Ancona) 2016. In Molise Termoli (Campobasso) 2012.
Puglia Fasano (Brindisi) 2016; Gallipoli (Lecce) 2009; Ginosa – Marina di Ginosa (Taranto) 2015; Lizzano – Marina di Lizzano (Taranto) 2010; Margherita di Savoia (Barletta-Andria-Trani) 2019; Melendugno (Lecce) 2016; Ostuni (Brindisi) 2008; Otranto (Lecce) 2012; Polignano a Mare – Cala Fetente – Cala Ripagnola – Cala San Giovanni (Bari) 2016; Porto Cesareo (Lecce) 2016; Rodi Garganico (Foggia) 2012; Hello – Marina di Pescoluse (Lecce) 2010; Vieste (Foggia) 2009.
In Sardinia Alghero (Sassari) 2009; Bari Sardo (Ogliastra) 2010; Cala Domestica (Carbonia-Iglesias) 2010; Capo Coda Cavallo (Olbia-Tempio) 2010; Carloforte – San Pietro Island: La Caletta – Punta Nera – Girin – Guidi (Carbonia-Iglesias) 2010; Castelsardo-Ampurias (Sassari) 2012; Is Aruttas – Mari Ermi (Oristano) 2010; La Maddalena: Punta Tegge-Spalmatore (Olbia-Tempio) 2012; Marina di Orosei-Berchida-Bidderosa (Nuoro) 2010; Oristano – Torre Grande (Oristano) 2015; Poetto (Cagliari) 2012; Quartu Sant’Elena (Cagliari) 2012; Santa Giusta (Oristano) 2016; San Teodoro (Nuoro) 2008; Santa Teresa di Gallura (Olbia-Tempio) 2012; Tortolì – Lido di Orrì, Lido di Cea (Ogliastra) 2016.
In Sicily Balestrate (Palermo) 2016; Campobello di Mazara – Tre Fontane – Torretta Granitola (Trapani) 2010; Catania – Playa 2016; Cefalù (Palermo) 2008; Giardini Naxos (Messina) 2016; Ispica — Santa Maria del Focallo (Ragusa) 2012; Lipari – Marina di Lipari-Acquacalda-Canneto (Messina) 2012; Marsala – Signorino (Trapani) 2015; Mazara del Vallo – Tonnarella (Trapani) 2021; Menfi – Porto Palo di Menfi (Agrigento) 2010; Noto – Vendicari (Syracuse) 2010; Palermo – Mondello 2016; Pozzallo – Black Stones – Raganzino (Ragusa) 2015; Ragusa – Marina di Ragusa 2009; Santa Croce Camerina – Casuzze – Punta Secca – Caucana (Ragusa) 2010; San Vito Lo Capo (Trapani) 2009; Scicli – Sampieri (Ragusa) 2021; Victory – Scoglitti (Ragusa) 2010.
In Tuscany Bibbona (Livorno) 2016; Camaiore – Lido Arlecchino-Matteotti (Lucca) 2015; Castiglione della Pescaia (Grosseto) 2012; Follonica (Grosseto) 2012; Forte dei Marmi (Lucca) 2012; Grosseto – Marina di Grosseto, Principina a Mare 2010; Monte Argentario – Cala Piccola – Porto Ercole (Le Viste) – Porto Santo Stefano (Cantoniera – Moletto – Caletta) – Santa Liberata (Bagni Domiziano – Soda -Pozzarello) (Grosseto) 2015; Pietrasanta – Marina di Pietrasanta – Tonfano – Focette (Lucca) 2015; Pisa – Marina di Pisa – Calambrone – Tirrenia (Pisa) 2016; San Vincenzo (Livorno) 2012; Viareggio (Lucca) 2008.
In Veneto Caorle (Venice) 2015; Cavallino Treporti (Venice) 2010; Chioggia – Sottomarina (Venice) 2016; Iesolo–Jesolo Pineta (Venice) 2008; Lido di Venezia (Venice) 2010; San Michele al Tagliamento – Bibione (Venice) 2016.
Abroad the European beaches with the green flag are: in Spain Estepona (2022), Malaga (2018), Marbella (2019), Fuengirola (2021); in Romania Constanta (2020). African beaches: Dar es Salaam in Tanzania – Coco beach (2020); Kendwa (2021); in Tunisia La Marsa (2022).
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