Leisure on the water is 1 of the most popular forms of spending summertime days. However, we must remember safety. This applies not only to certain water-based behaviour that can be dangerous to wellness and life, but besides to the quality of bathing water. This time we will focus on this second element. This information can be peculiarly useful if we have not yet planned this year's trip.
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See video Where does the water on the Polish sea come from?
Where is the cleanest swimming water in Europe? These countries are worth considering
The European Environment Agency (EEA) reported on the results of an analysis of the quality of European bathing sites at the end of June 2025, which refers to data from 2024. More than 22 000 bathing sites in all 27 countries of the European Union, as well as Albania and Switzerland, have been included, as we learn from the Communication from the European Commission. Water quality was assessed on a four-stage scale due to the degree of bacterial contamination. It may have been considered perfect, good, sufficient, or weak. Importantly, as many as 96 percent of them met the minimum quality standards and 85 percent were classified as excellent. Only 1.5% of EU bathing waters were considered mediocre quality. At the same time, it should be noted that any differences have occurred taking into account the breakdown into coastal and inland bathing areas. In the first group, as much as 89 percent of bathing sites obtained the highest rating, but in the second group it was only 78 percent.
In terms of individual countries, Slovenia and Lithuania can boast the best coastal bathing sites. Water in both countries was assessed 100% as excellent. Forbes points out, however, that only 21 positions were assessed in Slovenia and 16 in Lithuania. Bulgaria (97.8% of bathing sites were assessed as excellent), Croatia (97.1%) and Greece (97 percent). In the case of inland bathing sites, 100 percent of the positions in Bulgaria, Greece and Romania were excellent. But what is the other end?
Where is the worst water in Europe? Polish swimming pools are low in ranking
Albania is definitely the worst in the latest EEA analysis. The country has taken its last place for the second consecutive year, and this year it besides saw a large percent decrease. Previously, 41.2% of Albanian bathing sites were considered excellent. This year these standards only met 16 percent. mediocre water quality was recorded in as many as 22.7 percent of the positions. Poland ranked second from the end. Although this is no reason to be proud, it is worth noting that the situation in our country is much better than in Albania. 58.1% of Polish bathing sites were excellent. On the another hand, 2.6% of jobs were considered as mediocre water.
See also: Turquoise wonder in the heart of Poland. Tourists call them "Polish Croatia"
If we want to check a circumstantial swimming pool in Poland and not only, we can usage an interactive water quality map in European bathing areas.
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