Like every year Tuscany is among the top three Italian regions with the best sea and seaside quality. This year it is the second region after the first position of last year. Sixteen are the seaside localities that were recognized with the prestigious blue flag of the FEE (Foundation for Environmental Education), the organization that takes care of analyzing sea water quality, but also the quality of the towns along the coast. The seaside is judged based on the amount and quality of services offered to tourists, the cleanness of the territory, the effort that municipalities take year round to maintain the natural environment intact and pleasant to live, and the infrastructure system, like transportation means and roads. Safety is also among the top criteria to award a locality a blue flag. 33 are in total the Tuscan localities that have gained this recognition during the last years few years.
Here are the main criteria listed, so you can realize what is the standard you will find should you decide to spend your holidays in Tuscany:
- Absolute cleanness of sea waters;
- No industrial or sewage water waste near beaches;
- A master plan to face environmental emergencies;
- A master plan for the coastal environment development;
- Water surface without any noticeable trace of pollution (oil, dirt, etc.).
- Beach fitted with an appropriate number of waste containers;
- Beaches permanently kept clean;
- Water analysis data at disposal of control authorities;
- Easy access to information on the Blue Flag Campaign in Europe;
- Environmental initiatives involving tourists and residents;
- Appropriate number of toilets near the beach;
- Placement of buoys and lifeboats;
- Absolute ban on car access to the beach;
- Absolute prohibition of unauthorized camping;
- Ban on bringing dogs on beaches that are not equipped;
- Easy access to the beach;
- Prohibition of activities that constitute danger to bathers;
- Balance between respect natural environment and beach activities;
- Efficient beach services;
- Wheelchairs accessibility;
- Drinking water fountains;
- Public telephones located near the beach
Of course there are many more rules that need to be followed in order to gain a blue flag recognition, and you will be able to find all the information on the official Blue Flag Europe Programme website.
Here is the full list of all the 33 Tuscan seaside localities awarded with the blue flag.
Forte dei Marmi, Pietrasanta – Marina di Pietrasanta, Camaiore – Lido, Viareggio – Marina di Ponente, Viareggio – Marina di Levante, Viareggio – Marina di Torre del Lago Puccini, Pisa – Marina di Pisa, Pisa – Tirrenia, Pisa – Calambrone, Livorno – Antignano, Livorno – Quercianella, Rosignano M.mo – Castiglioncello, Rosignano – Vada, Cecina – Le Gorette, Cecina – Marina di Cecina, Bibbona – Marina di Bibbona, Castagneto Carducci – Marina di Castagneto Carducci, San Vincenzo – Conchiglia, San Vincenzo – Centro Principessa, San Vincenzo – Rimigliano, Piombino – Parco Naturale della Sterpaia, Follonica, Castiglione della Pescaia – Punta Ala, Castiglione della Pescaia – Rocchette/Roccamare, Castiglione della Pescaia – Levante/Tombolo, Grosseto – Marina di Grosseto, Grosseto – Principina a Mare, Monte Argentario – Porto Santo Stefano, Monte Argentario – Santa Liberata, Monte Argentario – Feniglia, Monte Argentario – Cala Piccola, Monte Argentario – Porto Ercole, Monte Argentario – Acqua Dolce/ Spiaggia Lunga
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