Cyprus and Greece lead Europe with pristine bathing waters as Ireland lags behind
Cyprus and Greece have been named Europe’s top destinations for pristine bathing water, according to the European Environment Agency’s latest annual assessment released today. The EEA’s report, which analysed bacterial levels across more than 22,200 coastal and inland bathing sites across the continent, confirms that both Mediterranean nations comfortably outperform the EU average for water quality.
All of Cyprus’s designated bathing waters were rated “excellent” in 2025, a distinction shared by no other EU member state . Greece, meanwhile, secured the second-highest proportion of top-rated sites in the bloc, reinforcing its reputation as a haven for swimmers and holidaymakers seeking crystal-clear seas. The findings underscore the two countries’ sustained investment in wastewater treatment and coastal management, despite growing pressures from tourism and climate change.
The EEA’s assessment, published today, reveals that the vast majority of Europe’s bathing waters remain safe for swimming, with 95% of coastal sites and 91% of inland sites meeting the EU’s stringent quality standards . However, the report also highlights persistent challenges in parts of Northern and Western Europe, where agricultural runoff and outdated wastewater infrastructure continue to degrade water quality. Ireland’s environmental watchdog, the EPA, reported this week that pollution from farms and wastewater treatment plants has left many of the country’s waters in an “unsatisfactory” state, with little improvement in 2025 .
Environmental campaigners welcomed the Mediterranean’s dominance in the rankings but warned against complacency. “Cyprus and Greece have set a benchmark, but we must ensure that rapid tourism growth does not come at the expense of water quality,” said a spokesperson for the European Environmental Bureau. The EEA’s data, collected from 2025 monitoring, provides a snapshot of conditions before the peak summer season, when coastal areas face their greatest stress.
For holidaymakers, the news offers reassurance—though experts caution that even the cleanest waters can harbour hidden risks. The long-standing myth that swimming immediately after eating causes cramps was debunked this week by Portuguese health authorities, who reiterated that there is no scientific basis for the warning . Meanwhile, ocean swimmers in Australia have spoken of the thrill—and occasional unease—of sharing the waves with marine life, as sightings of migratory whales and sharks become more frequent .
As Europe braces for another record-breaking summer, the EEA’s report serves as both a celebration of progress and a reminder of the work still needed to protect the continent’s most cherished natural assets.
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