Pollica, in the province of Salerno, has been crowned the queen of summer beaches in 2026. It leads the list of 30 locations—20 seaside and 10 lakeside—that have received the Legambiente and Touring Club's Cinque Vele award, which is the centerpiece of the new guide "The Most Beautiful Sea", presented in Venice on World Environment Day. Pollica rose to the top rank thanks to outstanding environmental practices and a forward-thinking strategy for hospitality. The Baunei shore is second on the podium, followed by Otranto in Puglia, according to the entire rating. The recognition acknowledges areas that prioritize sustainable tourism, environmental quality, and landscape preservation, in addition to strategies for adapting to the climate crisis. Sardinia leads the regional rankings with six awarded seaside places, followed by Puglia with five and Tuscany with four, all of which are in the province of Grosseto. This accreditation highlights not only the beauty of the waterways, but also the region's commitment to environmental protection, which is becoming an increasingly important factor in Italian and foreign visitor preferences.