Cyprus, Bulgaria, Austria, Croatia, Albania, Switzerland, Poland, Belgium And Other European Countries Rated For Bathing Water Quality In Landmark 2024 EEA Report With Ninety-Seven Percent Excellence Score For Greece

Cyprus, Bulgaria, Austria, Croatia, Albania, Switzerland, Poland, Belgium, and several other European nations have emerged as top performers in the 2024 European Environment Agency (EEA) bathing water report, showcasing outstanding environmental health and water cleanliness. Among these leaders, Greece secured a remarkable ninety-seven percent “excellent” rating for its coastal waters, reaffirming its status as a premier beach destination. With multiple countries achieving top marks, the report reflects a strong continent-wide dedication to clean, safe, and high-quality swimming sites that benefit both locals and international tourists.

Greece Surges Back to Third Spot in Europe’s Cleanest Waters List as Nearly All Coastal Sites Earn ‘Excellent’ Ratings

Cyprus Leads 2024 EEA Assessment, Greece Shines With Blue Flag Beaches and Improved Environmental Performance

Greece has reestablished itself among Europe’s most pristine seaside havens, securing the third-highest ranking in the European Environment Agency’s Bathing Water Report for the year 2024. The report, released under the EU’s Zero Pollution Action Plan, confirms that an impressive 97 percent of Greece’s monitored bathing water sites — both coastal and inland — were classified as “excellent” in quality.

The findings underscore Greece’s ongoing dedication to environmental protection, public health, and sustainable tourism, positioning it once again as a top destination for beach lovers and eco-conscious travelers alike.

What the Report Covers

The EEA’s annual bathing water quality report is based on data provided by EU Member States and associated countries, covering water quality trends over the 2021 to 2024 seasons. Required by the EU Bathing Water Directive, the report assesses nearly all designated swimming sites across Europe — rivers, lakes, and beaches alike — and publishes its results in a user-friendly interactive map to help the public make informed travel decisions.

This year, the EEA analyzed 21,848 bathing locations, a slight increase from the previous year. These included sites in EU countries as well as candidate and neighboring nations such as Albania and Switzerland.

Greece’s Climb Back to the Top

In 2023, Greece had fallen to fourth place but has now bounced back to its 2022 third-place position, reaffirming its strong environmental track record. This improvement is not only a statistical achievement but also a reflection of significant efforts made in wastewater management, environmental awareness campaigns, and improved coastal monitoring.

Complementing this success is Greece’s strong performance in the international Blue Flag Program for 2025, where it secured second place globally. The country was awarded Blue Flags for 623 beaches, 17 marinas, and 17 tourism boats, marking one of the largest totals in the world. These awards recognize high standards in water quality, environmental education, safety services, and sustainable beach management — further validating Greece’s efforts on a global scale.

Cyprus and Bulgaria in the Lead

Cyprus claimed the top spot in the 2024 European Environment Agency rankings, with nearly all of its bathing locations—just over ninety-nine percent—recognized for outstanding water quality. This achievement highlights the country’s dedicated efforts toward enhancing its environmental standards and bolstering its tourism sector through sustained investments in water cleanliness and coastal maintenance. In second place, Bulgaria achieved 97.9 percent, a significant rise for a country that has implemented broad improvements in environmental monitoring and compliance over recent years.

Following Greece in the rankings were Austria with 95.8 percent, and Croatia with 95.2 percent, completing the list of the top five nations with the highest-rated bathing waters in Europe.

Albania Ranks Lowest

While many countries celebrated improvements, Albania recorded the lowest performance in the survey. Only 16 percent of its sites were rated “excellent,” and 23 percent were categorized as “poor.” According to the EEA, this concerning result is largely due to inadequate wastewater treatment systems that continue to release pollutants into rivers, lakes, and coastal waters.

Despite its growing popularity as a Mediterranean travel destination, Albania’s infrastructure challenges highlight the need for substantial upgrades if it is to meet EU environmental standards.

Moderate Performers and the Middle Tier

Outside the top five, several countries posted solid but less outstanding results. Belgium, Hungary, Estonia, and Poland were among those whose bathing waters met minimum EU quality standards, though they did not score highly enough to be classified among the leading nations.

These countries are continuing to invest in infrastructure and pollution control, and while they currently occupy the middle tier of the rankings, ongoing improvements may enhance their standings in future reports.

Real-Time Monitoring and Pollution Warnings Urged

While the overall quality of Europe’s bathing waters has steadily improved over the years, the EEA warns that short-term pollution events can still occur — even in countries with excellent rankings. Heavy rainfall, sewage overflow, or local industrial discharge can temporarily degrade water quality, especially during the busy summer travel season.

To protect public health, the agency is urging all EU and participating countries to enhance real-time water monitoring systems, adopt faster pollution alert mechanisms, and provide timely public notices when water quality drops below safe levels. These may include temporary bathing bans, pollution warnings, or notices when monitoring is suspended due to environmental or operational factors.

The EEA emphasizes that accurate, transparent communication — both online and on-site — is essential to maintain public trust and support a safe summer season for swimmers and tourists.

Cyprus led the rankings with nearly all swimming spots rated excellent, followed by strong performances from Bulgaria, Austria, Croatia, Albania, and others, while Greece stood out with ninety-seven percent of its bathing sites deemed excellent—affirming Europe’s top-tier coastal water quality.

Greece’s resurgence in the 2024 EEA bathing water quality rankings reaffirms its leadership in environmental excellence and sustainable tourism. With 97 percent of its waters rated excellent, combined with its global success in the Blue Flag awards, Greece continues to offer safe, clean, and environmentally responsible destinations for both locals and international visitors.

As other nations work toward similar achievements, the EEA’s report serves as both a benchmark and a reminder that protecting water resources requires consistent investment, collaboration, and community engagement.

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