The “Blue Flag” award is the most established eco-label and standard in tourism with a 38-year history, which has been awarded to excellent world beaches, yacht ports and tourist vessels, including those of prominent Bulgarian resorts. Thanks to the Bulgarian ”Blue Flag” Movement, blue flags have been flying on Bulgarian beaches since 1995.
In 2025, the Movement celebrates 30 years since the awarding of the first Blue Flag for Bulgaria on the beach of Sunny Beach. The pilot flag was raised with a ritual on the beach in front of the ”Europe” hotel on July 4, 1995. at 11:59:25.
The Bulgarian "Blue Flag" Movement is the representative for Bulgaria of the Foundation for Environmental Education - the world's largest environmental organization with members from over 80 countries and its "Blue Flag", "Green Key", "Eco Schools" and "Learning about Ecosystems and Forests" Programs.
The "Blue Flag" Program has been attended by the best Bulgarian beaches and marinas for many years, serving as an example not only to their domestic competitors, but also to foreign concessionaires. Some of them have won international competitions for best practices or are highlighted as a benchmark by the world's auditors who inspect them.
In this 30th anniversary, the Movement approved 30 applications for the most coveted global award in tourism - "Blue Flag", which distinguishes the best beaches, marinas and tourist vessels around the world for their environmentally friendly management and safety.
The beaches of the White Lagoon, Albena, Kranevo North, Golden Sands, Sunny Day, "Chernomorets" Hut, Byala South, Obzor-Central, Kozluka, Robinson, Sveti Vlas-East, Sveti Vlas-New, Sveti Vlas-Central, Sunny Beach-North, Sunny Beach-Central, Sunny Beach-South, Nessebar-South, Pomorie-East, Camping are competing for the prestigious award in 2025. “Chernomorets“, Sozopol-Central, Sozopol-Harmanite, Duni, Duni-South, Arkutino, Butamyata, as well as the ports – Marina „Dinevi“, Pomorie, Sarafovo, Kraimorie, Chengene Skele.
In addition to the traditional participants in the „Blue Flag“ Program, which for many years have been praising the Bulgarian tourist product and our beautiful Black Sea coast, the new candidate beaches for the prestigious Blue Flag are Butamyata in Sinemorets, Kozluka and Robinson in the municipality of Nessebar.
The ambition of the Municipality of Pomorie and the Municipality of Burgas to be certified for the environmentally friendly management of the ports of Pomorie, Sarafovo, Kraimorie, Chengene Skele is commendable.
The applications proposed by the Movement are to be considered in April 2025 by the International Jury of the „Blue Flag“ Program, consisting of representatives of the United Nations Environmental Program /UNEP/, the World Tourism Organization /UNWTO/, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization /UNESCO/, European Environment Agency /EEA/, International Lifesaving Federation /ILS/, International Council of Maritime Industry Associations /ICOMIA/, European Network for Accessible Tourism /ENAT/ and Foundation for Environmental Education /FEE/.
The Blue Flag award is based on the fulfillment of criteria that concern the following aspects:
1. Environmental education and information
2. Water quality
3. Environmentally friendly management
4. Safety and services
These criteria are aimed at achieving high standards of environmental management and security of beaches and marinas.
The "Blue Flag" is essential for the ecological sustainability of the Bulgarian Black Sea coast, for enhancing the reputation of the awarded destinations and the undeniable economic effect it brings to them.
The Bulgarian Blue Flag Movement wishes all candidates for the most recognized global award in tourism to achieve the desired success in order to glorify the advantages of Bulgarian tourism.