Europe Swimming Spots: Cleanest & Dirtiest Beaches 2024
- Swimmers across Europe can be confident in the cleanliness of most bathing sites, according to a new report.
- The EEA monitors over 22,000 bathing areas for bacteria like Escherichia coli (E.
- Cyprus led the way with 99.2% of its waters rated as "excellent," followed by Bulgaria (97.9%), Greece (97%), Austria (95.8%), and Croatia (95.2%).Other nations with high ratings for...
Discover which European countries boast the cleanest bathing water quality in 2024, and which have room for enhancement.A new report reveals that over 75% of monitored sites within the European Union, Switzerland, and Albania met “excellent” standards, offering good news for swimmers. Find out which nations, like cyprus, Bulgaria, and Greece, lead the pack, and which ones are lagging behind, with particular attention given to the decline in water quality in Albania. consider the impact of heavy rainfall and climate change on the status of these sites. This report, covered by News Directory 3, will help you make informed choices for yoru next vacation. Discover what’s next …
Europe’s Bathing Water Quality: Report highlights Cleanest Spots
Updated June 22, 2025
Swimmers across Europe can be confident in the cleanliness of most bathing sites, according to a new report. The European Surroundings Agency (EEA) found that over 75% of monitored bathing waters in the European Union, Albania, and Switzerland met “excellent” quality standards in 2024. The annual update assessed beaches, rivers, and lakes for fecal contamination.
The EEA monitors over 22,000 bathing areas for bacteria like Escherichia coli (E. coli) and intestinal enterococci, often stemming from livestock farm runoff and sewage. While the overall European bathing water quality remained consistent with the previous year, some countries stood out.
Cyprus led the way with 99.2% of its waters rated as “excellent,” followed by Bulgaria (97.9%), Greece (97%), Austria (95.8%), and Croatia (95.2%).Other nations with high ratings for bathing water quality include Denmark, Germany, Italy and Spain.
Though, Switzerland saw a decline, with 83.1% of its waters deemed “excellent,” a drop from 2023. France and Sweden also ranked lower, with 74.2% and 73.5%, respectively. the EU average was 85%.
Albania ranked last, with only 16% of its bathing waters achieving “excellent” quality, a notable decrease from the previous year. Beaches generally fared better than rivers and lakes due to seawater’s natural renewal capabilities.
The EEA noted that inland bathing areas are more vulnerable to short-term pollution from heavy rains. The agency also warned that climate change and extreme weather events could further impact bathing water quality through sewer overflows and surface runoff, perhaps increasing health risks for swimmers. The report on bathing water quality no longer includes data from the United Kingdom.
While EU members must monitor bathing sites from May to September, some countries struggled. in Estonia, Sweden, the Netherlands, and France, at least 3% of bathing waters were classified as “poor.” Though, one-fifth of sites previously rated as “poor” in 2023 showed improvement by last year.
When bathing waters are deemed “poor,” authorities must close the area and implement measures to reduce pollution before reopening.
What’s next
Authorities will continue monitoring bathing water quality and implementing measures to mitigate pollution, particularly in areas vulnerable to climate change impacts. Swimmers are encouraged to check local water quality reports before taking a dip.