Europe's beaches, lakes, and rivers continue to meet high safety standards, with 96% of monitored sites across the EU and wider continent achieving at least minimum quality levels, according to the European Environment Agency's 2025 Bathing Water Report. Only 1.5% of sites were rated as 'poor,' underscoring the continent's strong track record in water management.
Coastal waters generally outperform inland ones: 88% of EU coastal bathing waters earned an 'excellent' classification, compared to 78% of inland sites such as lakes and rivers. The report attributes this gap to the vulnerability of many central European inland waters—small lakes, ponds, and low-flow rivers—which are more susceptible to short-term pollution spikes from heavy rainfall or drought, especially during summer months.
Top Performers and Regional Variations
Cyprus achieved a perfect score, with all its monitored bathing waters rated excellent. Greece followed closely at 97.1%, Bulgaria at 96.9%, and Austria at 96.5%. Among inland waters, Austria and Finland led with around 95% of lakes and rivers classified as excellent, while Denmark (94.3%), Luxembourg (94.1%), and Germany (91.5%) rounded out the top five for inland quality.
However, not all countries fared as well. In Estonia, the Netherlands, and France, 3% or more of bathing waters were rated poor. Albania had the lowest share of excellent waters among European countries, at just 16.8%. Other nations with less than 70% excellent included Estonia (56.9%), Poland (58.7%), Hungary (64.0%), and Belgium (67.9%).
Spain recorded the lowest quality for inland waters: over 11% of its rivers and lakes were poor, and only 53.1% were excellent. Slovenia, Portugal, and Croatia also showed weak inland water quality, highlighting a persistent challenge for freshwater sites across southern Europe.
River Quality Remains a Concern
River bathing waters are particularly problematic. Only 47% of roughly 1,200 designated river bathing sites across Europe achieved excellent quality in 2025. The report points to rapid urbanisation and historical pollution from the Industrial Revolution as root causes. Short-term pollution events—such as combined sewer overflows and stormwater runoff after heavy rain—alongside agricultural runoff and faecal inputs from wildlife and livestock with riverbank access, continue to degrade river water quality.
Despite these challenges, European water policies have helped many urban rivers recover. River bathing is now possible in several European cities, a sign of progress. The EEA warns that exposure to polluted water can cause gastrointestinal illnesses, ear and eye infections, and respiratory issues, underscoring the importance of continued monitoring and investment.
For travelers seeking the cleanest swims, the Mediterranean islands and Alpine lakes remain top choices. Meanwhile, efforts to improve inland waters—such as those in Sardinia, where local authorities have introduced strict beach access rules—reflect a broader push to balance tourism with environmental protection.
