Elisa Menendez
SPAIN has nabbed the top spot once again for boasting the best beaches in the world, after it was awarded 11 prestigious blue flags.
The country has broken global records by holding a whopping 590 blue flags for the quality of its sandy (and pebbled) shores.
Awarded by the Association for Environmental Education and the Consumer (ADEAC), blue flags are given to beaches that meet high standards of sanitary conditions, health and safety, lifeguard prevision and accessibility.
And Spain has come in first place for the last three decades, since the awards began in 1987.
While the region of Valencia holds the most blue flags (132), Andalucia boasts 97 quality beaches.
Greece came second in the world rankings, followed closely by Turkey, France and Italy.
