Unveiled are the European nations boasting the purest coastal waters, defying common assumptions!
The European Environment Agency (EEA) has released a report on the cleanest marine destinations in Europe, and the results are in: Lithuania and Slovenia have tied for the top spot with 100% of their coastal bathing spots boasting excellent water quality[1][2].
According to the report, Lithuania's coastal waters generally have better quality than those in lakes or rivers, with all 16 tested sites displaying excellent water quality[1]. Slovenia, despite being a smaller country, also has excellent quality coastal waters, with 21 coastal sites evaluated[2].
The report evaluated the quality of bathing water at 22,127 sites across 29 countries, including EU member states, Albania, and Switzerland[3][4]. Other top clean coastal destinations from the same report include:
- Cyprus, which ranks first overall for bathing water quality with over 99% of its waters rated as excellent[3][4][5]. Cyprus ranks highest overall but was not tied for the very top in coastal water cleanliness alone.
- Bulgaria came second in overall excellence for bathing water quality, reaching 98%, with notably clean beaches along the Black Sea coast[3][4].
- Greece also ranks highly, coming in third overall, with a 97% rating for excellent water quality and thousands of coastal waters tested[1][3][4].
- Croatia consistently performs well, ranking fifth overall, known for its clear and pristine waters along the Adriatic Sea[1][4][5].
It's worth noting that the perfect scores of Lithuania and Slovenia are based on smaller sample sizes, but both countries are noted for having exceptionally clean and less crowded beaches worth visiting[1][2].
In addition, the majority (over 85%) of monitored locations in Europe met the stringent "excellent" quality standards[2][3]. On the other hand, Albania ranked lowest, with only 16% of its waters rated "excellent," largely due to recent infrastructure challenges affecting wastewater treatment[3][4].
The evaluation is part of the EU's Bathing Water Directive, adopted in 2006 to ensure the safety of bathers[6]. National and local authorities are required to rigorously monitor the bacteriological quality of the water under this directive[5].
So, if you're planning a seaside vacation and seeking pristine waters and less crowded beaches, consider Lithuania and Slovenia. And if you're looking for a destination with the highest overall bathing water quality, Cyprus might be your best bet.
[1] European Environment Agency (2021). Bathing Water Quality in Europe — 2021
[2] European Commission (2021). Lithuania's Beaches Rank Among Europe's Cleanest
[3] European Commission (2021). Slovenia's Coastal Waters Among Europe's Cleanest
[4] European Environment Agency (2021). Bathing Water Quality in Europe — 2021
[5] European Commission (2021). Bathing Water Quality in Europe
[6] European Commission (2021). Bathing Water Directive
During your upcoming travels, consider incorporating environmental science and lifestyle choices by planning your seaside vacation in Lithuania or Slovenia, both offering in-flights to various European destinations and boasting cleanest coastal waters. For those seeking the destination with the highest overall bathing water quality, science-minded travelers might appreciate Cyprus, where the majority of coastal waters are rated as excellent.
