Each year, millions of British tourists flock to sunny Spain to enjoy the weather, sand and sea. Whether you love Benidorm, Barcelona or Majorca it’s a great option for relaxing by the water.
However, UK holidaymakers should be careful when heading to their favourite coast this year as a travel warning has been issued by experts. Almost 50 beaches in Spain have been issued a “black flag” for pollution, reports ChronicleLive.
The flags are assigned based on pollution such as chemical spills, dog poo and any invasive developments. Ecologists in Action have slammed local authorities for not taking good care of their coastal areas – and issued the warning outlining the affected beaches.
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Lots of those that have been reported to have black flags are popular with foreign tourists. These include A Calzoa in Vigo, which has been described as “the worst dog beach in Spain”.
Local media claims the sandy stretch has been ruined by high levels of dog waste. Other beaches affected are located across Malaga, the Canary Islands, Catalonia, Balearic Islands and the Basque.
12 beaches were issued the damning black flags due to chemical spills, faulty sanitation or purification issues. Another six were listed due to chemical, light or nouse pollution.
Reports state that lots of the problem have been caused by over-development and poor management by authorities, the report alleges. The full list of beaches affected is on the Ecologists in Action website here.
Thankfully, there are plenty of beaches in Spain that are still pristine. The top ones are issued "blue flag" designations.
The symbol is one of the world's most recognised awards, demonstrating that a beach meets stringent environmental, safety and accessibility criteria.
Researchers at AVIS have dug into the list and scoured three million Google searches to pinpoint the most secluded Blue Flag beaches in Spain, reports the Mirror. It has found and shared information about the top 10 in the nation.
These include:
- Os Frades Beach
- Ezaro Beach
- Cala Forn Beach
- Ladeira Beach
- Areagorda Beach
- L'Aigua Blanca Beach
- La Casica Verde Beach
- Sant Gervasi Beach
- Platgetes de Bellver Beach
- San Miguel de Cabo de Gata Beach
The top spot was bagged by Os Frades on the Baiona coast. Oj Frades is a relatively small beach but is known for its crystal-clear waters and picturesque views.
It is accessed by a winding path that offers breath-taking views of the coastline by Monterreal Fortress, a towering castle built in the 12th century.
Hotels and accommodation in Baiona can be pretty cheap too! The Estela do Mar hostel is just 250yards from the centre and you can bag four nights for two people from £116.
Those who prefer more privacy – aka their own room – can try the beachfront Hotel Rompeolas from £273 for two over four nights. That’s around £34pp per night.
Ezaro Beach is another unspoiled spot located on the west coast of Spain. It is surrounded by impressive cliffs and is accessible only by foot, which adds to its peaceful atmosphere.
In addition to its natural beauty and surfing opportunities, Ezaro Beach is steeped in cultural and historical significance. The beach is located near the famous Camino de Santiago, a pilgrimage route that dates back to the Middle Ages and still sees thousands of pilgrims walk across the north of the country each year.
- Spain holidays
- Spain
- Majorca
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