Blue Flag Beaches in Emilia-Romagna 2026: The Riviera Shines as Rimini Returns After 15 Years
In Emilia-Romagna, 2026 sees 11 municipalities awarded the Blue Flag, the international recognition the FEE grants each year to destinations that meet strict criteria for bathing water quality, environmental management, services and safety. Emilia-Romagna's coastline runs for about 130 km, from the Po di Volano to the border with the Marche region, making it the most densely developed stretch of shoreline in Italy. In 2026, 11 towns have been awarded the Blue Flag — one for each of the region's four coastal provinces: Ferrara, Ravenna, Forlì-Cesena and Rimini.
Where Emilia-Romagna's Blue Flag beaches are
The 11 award-winning municipalities break down by province like this:
| Province | Blue Flag municipalities 2026 |
|---|---|
| Rimini | 5 |
| Forlì-Cesena | 3 |
| Ravenna | 2 |
| Ferrara | 1 |
Ferrara area: the Po Delta
In the north, Comacchio is the only Blue Flag town in the province of Ferrara. Its coastline sits within the Po Delta Park, Italy's largest coastal wetland, where more than 12,000 hectares of brackish lagoons (Valle Bertuzzi, Valle Campo) exist alongside the beach clubs of Comacchio's seven seaside resorts, from Lido di Volano to Lido di Spina.
Ravenna area: art city and historic salt pans
The Ravenna stretch lines up two winners: Ravenna, whose beach resorts stretch for more than 30 km from Casalborsetti to Lido di Classe, right by the UNESCO-listed Classe pine forest; and Cervia, whose shoreline borders salt pans that have been worked since Roman times and today form a nature reserve, still producing Cervia's prized "sweet salt."
Forlì-Cesena coast: land of the canal ports
Three towns share this compact stretch of coastline: Cesenatico, home to the canal port designed by Leonardo da Vinci in 1502 and the Museum of the Sea; Gatteo, whose Gatteo Mare beach sits amid pine woods and cycling paths; and San Mauro Pascoli, birthplace of the poet Giovanni Pascoli, whose San Mauro Mare beach lies between Cesenatico and Bellaria.
Rimini Riviera: Italy's most built-up coast
The most-awarded province, with five towns on the list: Bellaria Igea Marina; Rimini, with over 15 km of beach and the historic capital of Italian seaside tourism, back on the list after a 15-year absence; Riccione, known for its fine sand and long-established beach clubs; Misano Adriatico, home to the Marco Simoncelli racetrack; and Cattolica, at the southern tip of the Riviera, beneath the Monte San Bartolo headland near the border with the Marche region.
Full list and map
You can browse the full list of 11 Blue Flag beaches in Emilia-Romagna, with amenities, accessibility info, a map and sea temperature, on the dedicated Emilia-Romagna page. Each entry shows the municipality, the awarded localities and the services found nearby.
Frequently asked questions
How many Blue Flag beaches does Emilia-Romagna have in 2026?
The region has 11 award-winning coastal towns, spread across all four of its coastal provinces: Ferrara, Ravenna, Forlì-Cesena and Rimini. That makes it one of Italy's highest concentrations of Blue Flags along a single stretch of coast — roughly 130 km, almost entirely built up and equipped with beach facilities.
What are the main areas that make up Emilia-Romagna's Blue Flag coast?
Four stretches: the Ferrara area with {{Comacchio}} and the Po Delta Park; the Ravenna area with {{Ravenna}} and {{Cervia}}; the Forlì-Cesena coast with {{Cesenatico}}, {{Gatteo}} and {{San Mauro Pascoli}}; and the Rimini Riviera with {{Bellaria Igea Marina}}, {{Rimini}}, {{Riccione}}, {{Misano Adriatico}} and {{Cattolica}}.
Are the award-winning beaches linked to protected natural areas?
Yes. The beaches of {{Comacchio}} lie within the Po Delta Park, Italy's largest coastal wetland, while the shoreline at {{Cervia}} borders historic salt pans that have been in operation since Roman times and are now a nature reserve.
Sources: 2026 Blue Flag beach list (FEE) · Italian Ministry of Tourism · © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Data is provided for informational purposes — always check official sources before visiting.