101 Blue Flag beaches: this is our coast

One hundred and one beaches in Catalonia have been awarded the Blue Flag, an international award given by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) for water quality, environmental management, safety, and facilities. Of these 101 beaches, 27 are in the Girona region, 24 in Barcelona, ​​23 in the Penedès region, 18 in Tarragona, and 9 in Terres de l'Ebre.

Thus, from Portbou to Casas de Alcanar, "Catalonia is a European and global powerhouse of sun and sand, with more than 300 km of high-quality beaches of geographical and typological diversity, surrounded by service-oriented cities that guarantee their well-being," says the professor of economics and business studies at the UOC and a specialist in coastal tourism.

Stretching out on the beach to sunbathe is still one of our tourist preferences, despite the increase in inland tourism, and occupancy can reach up to 90%, he continues. It's a cultural issue: "A tan and body worship are still fashionable; it's associated with healthy living, a certain social status, and a space for socializing." Furthermore, the most important tourist cities are on the coast, and visitors combine nature, almost always free of charge, with urban environments. Because beach tourism is no longer thesweet niente lighthouse, but has evolved towards versatility and increasingly more sporting, gastronomic and leisure activities are being carried out.

For this economist, overcrowding doesn't have an environmental impact, but rather forces the administration to conserve them. What is problematic are the plastics and microplastics we find or the impact of boats on the marine ecosystem, but "these are not problems attributable to tourism," but rather "to the urbanization of the coast." We haven't gone there with picks and shovels. It's a historical and economic dynamic. The trend is to live on the coast, and this has its risks.

And how is this being done? According to González Reverté, action is already being taken, prioritizing proactive response in many tourist municipalities with some trends such as visitor flow management, for example, in Begur, and the diversification of nature tourism activities, such as cycling in Castelló d'Empúries. Work is also underway to remodel beaches and promenades to reduce the future impact of rising sea levels, for example, in L'Ametlla de Mar.

Regarding sustainability, he believes it's time to go further and reflect on decarbonization measures that limit movement and growth and advocate for local tourism, but he knows that not everyone is willing to accept this. "If we want to act against climate change, we will need to combine regeneration with containment," he says. If the question is "What do we do with the coastline?" the answer is becoming inevitable: "We will have to have a debate about how far we want to limit the activity that harms the carbonization of the planet."

As for tourism, he simply suggests keeping in mind that these are natural spaces and taking care of our beaches accordingly, among which we selected ten of the award-winning ones:

• Empuriabrava (Castellón de Empúries)

If you're looking for an urban option with plenty of tourist amenities, this is the beach for you. With a length of 1,450 meters and fine sand, Empuriabrava Beach is bordered by the promenade and located between the Muga River and the port, opposite the residential area of La Marina and its navigable canals.

• The Dark One (Palamós)

This beach owes its name to the large black rock that separates Cala de la Fosca from Playa de la Fosca and Playa Sant Esteve de la Fosca. This creates a unique landscape. The fine sand and shallow seabed make it a popular destination, especially for family tourism. Its promenade and coastal path, which allows you to walk from the Cap Gros massif to the ruins of the medieval castle of Sant Esteve de Mar, create a privileged setting.

• The Small Sea (Tossa de Mar)

This beach, about 150 meters long and with coarse sand, is located just a few meters from the center of the town. Its landscape is unique due to the rock formation at one end, which forms a small circular cove known as "the women's bath," which is useful for children to bathe more peacefully.

• Forum bathing area (Barcelona)

Unlike the others, this isn't a traditional sandy beach, but rather an urban concrete platform with direct access to the sea from the pavement via steps. Wear appropriate footwear to avoid the stings of a colony of sea urchins.

• Of the Three Monkeys (Caldas de Estrac)

This popular 600-meter-long beach, with dark sand and clear waters, apparently owes its name to a summer house where a figure with three monkeys once hung. With an urban setting, yet lush vegetation, visitors enjoy a peaceful atmosphere and can walk to the Promenade des Anglais, an avenue lined with Art Nouveau-style houses that reflect the summer and spa traditions of the early 20th century.

• The Shops (Sitges)

Located between Castelldefels and Sitges, this beach has caused disputes between the two municipalities. For now, it belongs to the latter and is, in fact, its largest beach, with a length of 1,415 meters. Surrounded by the Garraf Natural Park, it offers a natural setting, as well as fine sand and calm waters, despite its proximity to the highway and the railway. It owes its name to the shacks where fishermen used to store their gear right on the beach.

• Coma-ruga (El Vendrell)

This place offers more than fine sand and calm waters: it's home to the Estany and Riuet, a small natural hot spring that emerges from the limestone rocks of the Bonastre massif and bubbles to the surface in the middle of this beach. It's common to see vacationers soaking in its healing properties. Facing the beach is the Masía Blanca Marine Reserve, a protected area of great biodiversity with Posidonia meadows and a wealth of underwater life, ideal for snorkeling. With a bourgeois summer past and the musical legacy of Pau Casals, this is a destination that combines health, nature, and culture.

• The Muntanyans (Torredembarra)

Included in the Plan for Areas of Natural Interest (PEIN), Els Muntanyans beach is a large natural area of great scenic and ecological value, with semi-moving dunes and salt lagoons. With more than two kilometers of fine, golden sand, it is a popular destination for naturism, offering tranquility and a preserved natural environment. It is also home to endangered plant species such as the sea lily and wildlife such as the red-tailed lizard. The beach is also ideal for birdwatching, with brackish areas that host native species such as the samphire and the black-backed lizard.

• L'Almadrava (Vandellòs and Hospitalet de l'Infant)

Known for its tranquility and crystal-clear waters, this beach is ideal for swimming and activities such as snorkeling and diving, especially at the southern end, where you can see seagrass meadows. Flanked by the picturesque town of Almadrava, with its whitewashed houses and promenade, originally formed by fishing families, it is also a place with a fishing tradition.

• The Marsh (Alcanar)

This iconic pebble beach is located at the entrance to the fishing district of Alcanar and extends along its promenade. It has privileged views of Montsià, and if you walk along the seafront, you can reach the mouth of the Sénia River from the port.