Tuesday, July 1, 2025

As the summer of 2025 approaches, many travelers are planning their vacations around destinations that offer not only beautiful scenery and rich culture but also the best places to swim. If you’re one of those travelers, it’s essential to consider water quality—particularly when it comes to finding clean, safe spots to dive in.

A new report from the European Environment Agency (EEA), in cooperation with the European Commission, has shed light on the countries with the cleanest swimming waters in Europe for 2025. With destinations like Cyprus, Bulgaria, Greece, Austria, Croatia, and Slovenia topping the list, beachgoers and swimmers can make informed choices based on water safety and cleanliness.

Each year, thousands of beaches, lakes, rivers, and swimming sites across Europe are rigorously tested for bacterial contamination. This testing is an essential part of the EU Bathing Water Directive, a policy aimed at improving water quality throughout the region. Contaminants such as Escherichia coli and intestinal enterococci are monitored to assess the water’s cleanliness. The sites are then rated on a scale of excellent, good, sufficient, or poor, with “excellent” being the highest rating for water quality.

In the 2025 report, an impressive 85% of European swimming waters have earned an excellent rating, showcasing a significant improvement in water quality over the years. Only a small percentage—1.5%—received a poor rating, while 96% met at least the minimum requirement of sufficient water quality for swimming.

For many travelers, choosing a destination for a beach holiday or a mountain lake getaway is influenced not just by the beauty of the location, but by the cleanliness of the water. So, where are the cleanest places to take a dip?

The latest report highlights the best European coastal destinations for swimmers, focusing on countries that offer pristine shores and crystal-clear waters. Among the top coastal destinations, Slovenia and Lithuania share the coveted first place, with both countries achieving 100% of their tested coastal sites receiving an excellent rating for water quality. While Slovenia tested just 21 sites and Lithuania 16, their flawless scores reflect their strong commitment to maintaining high environmental standards.

In addition to these two countries, several other destinations stand out for their high water quality. Cyprus, with its 123 bodies of water, ranks third overall, with 99.2% of sites rated excellent. Bulgaria follows closely behind, with 97.8% of its 92 tested coastal sites earning top marks, while Croatia and Greece also achieve excellent ratings for a significant portion of their coastal waters. Croatia, with nearly 900 tested locations, and Greece, with over 1,700, both scored an impressive 97.1% and 97.0% excellent ratings, respectively.

These countries not only provide warm Mediterranean waters but also ensure that tourists can swim safely, knowing that the local authorities are committed to maintaining high water quality standards.

Cleanest Coastal Waters in Europe for 2025

While coastal destinations often dominate the discussion on clean swimming waters, Europe’s inland lakes and rivers offer equally stunning opportunities for a refreshing swim, especially in countries that are landlocked or feature mountainous regions. In 2025, Bulgaria, Greece, and Romania lead the pack for clean inland waters, each achieving a perfect 100% excellent rating for all of their tested sites. However, these countries had a limited number of inland sites tested, ranging from just one to four locations.

For a more comprehensive evaluation, Austria and Finland shine with impressive results. Austria tested 260 inland sites, with 95.8% earning an excellent rating, while Finland, with 225 tested locations, reached 93.8%. These destinations are ideal for those who enjoy freshwater swimming in lakes or rivers, offering clean and safe environments for tourists.

Cleanest Inland Waters in Europe for 2025

When combining both coastal and inland sites, Cyprus takes the lead as the country with the cleanest swimming waters overall. With 99.2% of its 123 bodies of water earning an excellent rating, Cyprus stands out for its consistency in water quality across both its beaches and inland sites. Bulgaria, Greece, Croatia, and Austria follow closely behind, each offering a mix of both coastal and inland waters with top-tier cleanliness ratings.

This overall ranking not only highlights the top performers in water quality but also reflects the dedication of these countries to maintaining public health and environmental sustainability.

Cleanest Swimming Waters Overall in Europe for 2025

While many countries have made great strides in improving water quality, others continue to struggle. Albania, for the second consecutive year, ranks at the bottom of the list, with only 16% of its sites achieving excellent ratings. Poland, Estonia, and Hungary also fall near the bottom, with fewer than 60% of their swimming sites reaching excellent standards.

Nevertheless, many of these nations have made significant progress over the past decade, supported by increased monitoring, public awareness campaigns, and improvements in infrastructure funded by the EU. With pressure mounting to bring lower-performing regions up to standard, there is hope that these countries will continue to improve their water quality in the coming years.

Areas in Need of Improvement

With the 2025 report highlighting some of Europe’s cleanest swimming waters, destinations like Cyprus, Bulgaria, Greece, Austria, Croatia, and Slovenia stand out as top choices for those seeking both scenic beauty and pristine, safe swimming conditions. Whether you’re looking for coastal beaches or peaceful lakes, these countries offer the perfect combination of environmental stewardship and tourist appeal, ensuring a memorable and safe vacation experience.

By following these simple tips, you can enhance your European swimming experience while also contributing to the preservation of the clean waters that make these destinations so special.

Source: Forbes

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