Out of a long list of 50 countries, Greece has ranked 3rd worldwide on this year’s “Blue Flag” quality awards, announced the Hellenic Society for the Protection of Nature (EEPF), during a press conference held recently in Katerini in cooperation with the Pieria Hoteliers Association. 395 Greek beaches and nine marinas have been honored with the Blue Flag international symbol of quality, 13 of which are found in Attika region. According to the EEPF, the national operator of the International Blue Flags program in Greece, in order to be awarded a Blue Flag, a beach must not only have excellent quality of seawater, but also comply with the 32 strict criteria of the program, concerning cleanliness, environmental management and organization, environmental education and information, visitor safety and services, protection of nature, the coast and the coastal area. The beaches that excelled in Attika region are:
Schinias/Karavi, Brexiza (Municipality of Marathona), Avlaki (Markopoulou Messogeas), Mavro Lithari/Eden Beach, Lagonissi 1 Grand Beach, Lagonissi 2 Mediterraneo, Lagonissi 3  Kochylia (Municipality of Saronikos), Varkiza, Asteras Vouliagmenis, Vouliagmeni, Voula A (Municipality Varis - Voulas - Vouliagmenis), Agia Marina (Municipality Aiginas), Kakia Lagada (Municipality Kythiron).