With yet another significant distinction for its beaches and infrastructure, the Municipality of Agios Nikolaos confirms its steady, leading presence in the field of quality and environmental management, ranking once again this year among the top municipalities in the country in the “Blue Flag” program.
According to the official announcements by the Hellenic Society for the Protection of Nature (HSPN), the National Operator of the “Blue Flag” International Program in our country, the Municipality of Agios Nikolaos was awarded 27 Blue Flags for its coasts for 2026. It secured the first place in Crete and the third place nationwide among the municipalities with the most awards.
The Municipality of Agios Nikolaos is among the first municipalities to participate in the program for over 35 years, through its municipal companies and DAEAN (Municipal Development Company of Agios Nikolaos), with the dynamic participation of the private sector as well.
The President of the Municipal Single-Member Société Anonyme of Agios Nikolaos (DAEAN), Mr. Giorgos Astroulakis, attended this year’s announcement on behalf of the Municipality. The event took place on Thursday, May 16, 2026, at the Ploes Floating Venue in Palaio Faliro, Attica, in the presence of state representatives, institutional bodies, and leading executives of the tourism industry.
A special moment of the event was the honorary distinction of Almyros beach for achieving the Blue Flag for 35 consecutive years, confirming the Municipality’s long-standing commitment to protecting the natural environment and providing high-level services to residents and visitors.
Out of a total of 624 awarded beaches in Greece—which maintains its 2nd place globally among 51 countries again this year—the Municipality of Agios Nikolaos increased its awarded beaches from 26 in 2025 to 27 in 2026. The new addition is Boufos beach in Sissi, allowing the municipality to maintain the first place in Crete and the third nationwide in the number of Blue Flags.
It is also of particular importance that Agios Nikolaos remains the only regional capital in Crete with Blue Flags on beaches within its urban fabric. Additionally, the Agios Nikolaos Marina is once again the only tourist marina in Crete awarded a Blue Flag, and one of only 17 marinas recognized overall across the entire country.
As stated by the President of DAEAN, Mr. Giorgos Astroulakis:
“Maintaining the first place in Crete and increasing the awarded beaches of the Municipality of Agios Nikolaos is the result of a long-standing and collective effort. This year’s addition of Boufos beach in Sissi to the Municipality’s awarded coasts confirms that we are steadily continuing the effort to upgrade and protect our coastal front. The award of Almyros beach for 35 consecutive years is of particular importance to us, as is the fact that the Agios Nikolaos Marina remains the only awarded marina in Crete.”
The List of Awarded Beaches
The 27 beaches of the Municipality of Agios Nikolaos awarded with a Blue Flag are detailed below (Elounda beaches in bold):
- Agios Nikolaos 1 / St. Nicolas Bay
- Agios Nikolaos 2 / Minos Palace
- Agios Nikolaos 3 / Minos Beach
- Agios Panteleimonas
- Almyros
- Ammos / Marina
- Ammos / Municipal
- Ammoudara
- Ammoudi / Niko Seaside Resort & InterContinental Crete
- Driros / Domes of Elounda
- Elounda / Porto Elounda
- Elounda 1 / Elounda Blu
- Elounda / Elounda Mare
- Karavostasi
- Kitroplateia
- Mirabello / Wyndham Grand Crete Mirabello Bay
- Boufos
- Pigaidakia of Elounda / Elounda Village
- Pilos / Istron Bay
- Plaka / Phaea Blue
- Poros 1 / Elounda Bay Palace
- Poros 2 / Elounda Beach
- Spiliada / Kalimera Kriti
- Schisma
- Chavania 1 / Candia Park Village
- Chavania 2
- Chiona
About The “Blue Flag” Program
The “Blue Flag” is the most recognizable and widespread international ecological quality symbol for beaches, marinas, and sustainable boating tourism operators in the world. It has been awarded since 1987, provided that the strict criteria of the Program are met.
A necessary condition for awarding a coast with the “Blue Flag” is “Excellent” water quality. No other quality grading, even “Good”, is acceptable by the Program. The award is valid for one year. Furthermore, the rest of the 33 criteria for beaches (38 for marinas and 51 for boats) must be met. These relate to cleanliness, organization, information, the safety of bathers and visitors, the protection of the natural wealth of the coast and coastal area, and environmental awareness. Major travel agencies worldwide pay special attention to the “Blue Flag” when selecting destinations they propose to their clients, as it guarantees the high-quality services offered at the coast, as well as the protection of the environment and public health.
Source: Nea Kriti