Swimmers who are passionate about their sport are highly probable to find ideal swimming locations in Europe, particularly concerning chemical safety.
The most recent assessment from the European Environment Agency (EEA), examining 22,127 coastal, lake, and river sites,rated 85% of swimming areas are considered outstanding.
Cyprus has been chosen as the top spot for swimmers, with more than 99% of its beaches achieving top ratings.
The nation has regularly been positioned among the best over time, boasting stunning locations such as Aya Napa, Nissi Beach, Fig Tree Bay, and Konnos Bay, along with other attractions.
Excellent news for travelers planning a trip to the Black Sea this summer: Bulgaria climbed three positions and secured second place with an outstanding score of 98%.
Travelers heading to Bulgaria can experience the tranquil Krapets Beach or Kara Dere, famous for its vibrant green environment, along with Varvara for a more private atmosphere.
On a journey to enhance water quality: Why is Albania at the bottom?
Nevertheless, the EEA report's conclusions are not as encouraging for Albania, which is one of the rising tourism spots in Europe. It has the lowest percentage of waters classified as excellent (16%) and the highest proportion of areas rated as poor (23%).
Tirana Agricultural Universitysays Numerous residential zones with populations exceeding 5,000 did not have wastewater treatment facilities until recently, leading to untreated sewage being released into the ocean or waterways.
Especially, "the wastewater system in the city of Durrës has been an issue for both citizens and the environment for many years",says The European Journal of Environmental and Earth Sciences.
Plastic and microplastic pollution present further challenges. Following Montenegro and North Macedonia, Albania ranked third in terms of plastic waste dumped into water per person, at three kilograms annually. This information comes from a 2020 study.report issued by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
With the support of the European Union and the World Bank, the nation is making substantial progress and allocating resources.millions of eurosto expand its water purification facilities and enhance management of river basins, especially in Divjakë, Durrës, Kavajë, Ksamil, Lezha, Orikum, Saranda, Spille, Velipoja, and Vlorë, among other locations.
Prohibiting bathing? Regions in France, Italy, and Spain under investigation
The EEA interactive mapfeatures many hazardous areas in the southern-central regions of France and inland Corsica, whereas in Italy, the highest concentrations are found in the south: north of Reggio Calabria as well as around Naples and Salerno.
The heavenly Spanish island of Palma de Mallorca is not entirely free from issues either: Water at Playa Tamarells, Playa de Albercuix, and Cala Egos was classified as poor.
From 2019 to 2023, 58 locations within the EU consistently fell into the category of low-performing areas.
Out of these, 30 are found in Italy, 20 in France, two each in Denmark, the Netherlands, and Sweden, and one each in Estonia and Spain.
"Among them, only five had succeeded in enhancing their water quality to a satisfactory level by 2024," states the EEA.
According to the EU's Bathing Water Directive, bathing areas rated as unsuitable for a minimum of five consecutive years must either be banned from swimming permanently or receive a permanent warning against bathing.
What to be cautious about when selecting your swimming location?
Swimmable water bodies should contain minimal levels of E. coli and intestinal enterococci, which are bacteria found in feces from sewage and animal waste.
If ingested, they may lead to diarrhea, abdominal discomfort, urinary tract infections, and other health issues.
Cyanobacterial blooms—commonly referred to as blue-green algae (even though they are not true algae)—are also a sign of bad water quality.
They occur naturally in both saltwater and freshwater, but when concentrations are excessive, their toxins may lead to vomiting, muscle weakness, irritation, and even death in animals due to inhalation or skin exposure. Furthermore, this can lead to bad odors and reduced water clarity (known as the "pea soup effect").
Cyanobacteria blooms flourish due to agricultural runoff and sewage, making effective wastewater management essential for controlling the nutrients that support their growth.
Certain indicators of poor water quality, however, are more difficult to identify by merely observing the water, such as in the case of chemical contaminants like mercury.
"Even if they surpass legal limits, these pollutants are not detected through bathing water monitoring," states the EEA.
Hence, it is always advisable to thoroughly investigate your chosen location rather than merely evaluating its quality through a visual inspection.
Oceans, streams, or ponds: Where do swimmers encounter the highest water purity?
Ocean waters are typically more pristine compared to rivers and lakes, on average.
In the last 15 years or so, the proportion of EU waters classified as excellent has fluctuated between 81% and 89%, with the current figure standing at 88.8%.
Lakes and rivers maintained levels ranging from 60% to 82%, with gradual and consistent decreases starting from 2022. The current level stands at 78.3%.