A panoramic view of Dubrovnik, Croatia, which has the cleanest coastal waters in Europe, according to a new report.
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Are you dreaming of a European summer holiday spent by clean sea? Whether you imagine yourself floating in the crystal clear Adriatic Sea off the coast of Croatia, sunbathing on the sunny beaches of Greece or enjoying the picturesque coastline of Italy, the cleanliness of the water is of utmost importance.
Clean swimming water is not just an aesthetic issue, it is also an important aspect of public health and environmental conservation.
So which are the cleanest swimming beaches in Europe? The European Environment Agency (EEA), in collaboration with the European Commission, has released a new report covering 22,081 locations across EU member states, plus Albania and Switzerland. The countries were ranked based on the cleanliness of their beaches, using data collected in rigorous annual assessments that monitor bacterial contaminants such as E. coli and Enterococcus faecalis.
The rating process classifies water quality into four categories: excellent, good, satisfactory and poor. An “excellent” rating indicates that the water meets the highest standards of cleanliness and safety, making it ideal for swimming and other recreational activities.
The strict standards set out in the EU Bathing Beaches Directive, adopted in 2006, have led to significant improvements in water quality across Europe. In the latest report, 85 percent of Europe's top bathing beaches received an excellent rating and 96 percent met minimum water quality standards. Only 1.5 percent received a poor rating, reflecting ongoing efforts to reduce pollution and improve water quality.
Stepping into the Adriatic Sea at Mrvica on the island of Brac in Croatia.
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The cleanest coastal waters in Europe
The tiny country known for its beautiful Adriatic coastline has the cleanest coastal waters in Europe, according to a new report: 99.1 percent of the 894 sites inspected in Croatia were rated excellent.
Following Croatia are Cyprus, Greece and Slovenia, all of which have earned a reputation for their pristine coastal waters. These countries consistently meet strict EU water quality standards, ensuring a safe and enjoyable swimming experience for tourists and locals alike.
Lake Plastiras in central Greece.
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The cleanest inland waters in Europe
For travellers who prefer the tranquility of lakes and rivers, several countries excel in the quality of their inland waters. In particular, Bulgaria, Greece, Ireland and Romania all received perfect scores despite having only a small number of bodies of water tested.
Austria also deserves special mention: 96.9% of the country's 260 inland locations tested were rated excellent. The country's numerous lakes and rivers provide pristine conditions for swimming, contributing to its reputation as a top destination for freshwater bathing.
Diving off the high cliffs of Cyprus which has the cleanest water overall.
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The cleanest water in all of Europe
Taking into account both coastal and inland waters, Cyprus comes out on top with 97.6% of its 123 water bodies rated as excellent. Next in the ranking are Austria, Croatia and Greece, all with excellent results, demonstrating their commitment to maintaining high standards of water quality across the board.
Whether you love the ocean waves of the coast or the tranquil serenity of an inland lake, these countries offer the best spots for your next swim. Read on to see the full rankings.
It floats in the turquoise waters of Croatia.
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Ranking: Europe's cleanest coastal waters
1. Croatia (894 bodies of water) – 99.1%
2. Cyprus (123 bodies of water) – 97.6%
3. Greece (1,728 bodies of water) – 95.8%
4. Slovenia (21 bodies of water) – 95.2%
5. Belgium (41 bodies of water) – 94.6% (tie)
5. Bulgaria (92 bodies of water) – 94.6% (tie)
7. Denmark (920 bodies of water) – 93.9%
8. Spain (1994 waters) – 92.2%
9. Malta (87 water bodies) – 92%
10. Portugal (509 bodies of water) – 91.9%
11. Italy (4,853 bodies of water) – 90.6%
12. Germany (362 bodies of water) – 87.6%
13. Lithuania (16 bodies of water) – 87.5%
14. Netherlands (91 bodies of water) – 80.2%
15. Latvia (33 bodies of water) – 78.8%
16. France (2,075 bodies of water) – 76.3% (tie)
16. Ireland (139 bodies of water) – 76.3% (tie)
18. Romania (49 bodies of water) – 69.4%
19. Sweden (263 bodies of water) – 68.4%
20. Finland (78 water bodies) – 65.4%
21. Poland (187 bodies of water) – 55.1%
22. Estonia (30 water bodies) – 46.7%
23. Albania (113 bodies of water) – 41.6%
Dramatic sunset over Loch Tay or Loch Guinness in County Wicklow, Ireland.
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Ranking: Europe's cleanest inland waters
1. Bulgaria (4 bodies of water) – 100% (tie)
1. Greece (3 bodies of water) – 100% (tie)
1. Ireland (4 bodies of water) – 100% (tie)
1. Romania (1 body of water) – 100% (tie)
5. Austria (260 bodies of water) – 96.9%
6. Finland (226 bodies of water) – 94.7%
7. Denmark (124 bodies of water) – 94.4%
8. Germany (1929 waters) – 90.8%
9. Lithuania (105 bodies of water) – 89.5%
10. Luxembourg (17 bodies of water) – 88.2%
11. Italy (680 bodies of water) – 87.8%
12. Estonia (35 bodies of water) – 82.9%
13. Czech Republic (153 bodies of water) – 79.1%
14. Sweden (205 bodies of water) – 78.5%
15. Switzerland (196 bodies of water) – 74.5%
16. France (1,286 bodies of water) – 72.6%
17. Slovakia (32 bodies of water) – 71.9%
18. Netherlands (655 bodies of water) – 71.1%
19. Latvia (26 bodies of water) – 69.2%
20. Belgium (89 water bodies) – 68.5%
21. Portugal (158 bodies of water) – 67.7%
22. Slovenia (26 bodies of water) – 65.4%
23. Hungary (283 bodies of water) – 62.5%
24. Poland (552 bodies of water) – 54.9%
25. Spain (281 bodies of water) – 54.8%
26. Croatia (42 water bodies) – 45.2%
27. Albania (6 bodies of water) – 33.3%
A beautiful natural rock arch near Ayia Napa, Cyprus, with the cleanest waters throughout.
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Ranking: The cleanest water in all of Europe
1. Cyprus (123 bodies of water) – 97.6%
2. Austria (260 bodies of water) – 96.9%
3. Croatia (936 bodies of water) – 96.7%
4. Greece (1,731 bodies of water) – 95.8%
5. Bulgaria (96 bodies of water) – 94.8% (tie)
5. Ireland (96 bodies of water) – 94.8% (tie)
7. Denmark (1,044 bodies of water) – 94%
8. Malta (87 water bodies) – 92%
9. Spain (2,275 bodies of water) – 87.6%
10. Portugal (667 bodies of water) – 86.2%
11. Germany (2,291 bodies of water) – 90.3% (tie)
11. Italy (5,533 bodies of water) – 90.3% (tie)
13. Lithuania (121 bodies of water) – 89.3%
14. Luxembourg (17 water bodies) – 88.2%
15. Finland (304 bodies of water) – 87.2%
16. Czech Republic (153 bodies of water) – 79.1%
17. Slovenia (47 water bodies) – 78.7%
18. France (3,361 bodies of water) – 74.9%
19. Latvia (59 bodies of water) – 74.6%
20. Switzerland (196 bodies of water) – 74.5%
21. Sweden (468 bodies of water) – 72.9%
22. Netherlands (746 bodies of water) – 72.3%
23. Slovakia (32 bodies of water) – 71.9%
24. Romania (50 Waters) – 70%
25. Belgium (130 water bodies) – 67.7%
26. Estonia (65 bodies of water) – 66.2%
27. Hungary (283 bodies of water) – 62.5%
28. Poland (739 bodies of water) – 54.9%
29. Albania (119 bodies of water) – 41.2%
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