The European Environment Agency (EEA) has released its annual report on bathing water quality across Europe, revealing five countries where swimming in seas or lakes may be unsafe. The report found that 100% of bathing waters in Cyprus meet required standards, with Greece, Bulgaria, and Austria also ranking highly. However, Albania, Estonia, Poland, Hungary, and Belgium showed the poorest results.
Albania's Poor Water Quality
Albania, located on the Adriatic and Ionian Seas, has the worst bathing water quality in Europe. According to the EEA report, less than 16% of its bathing waters are rated excellent, while 23% are rated 'poor' due to significant levels of faecal bacteria, as highlighted by Which?. Despite this, Albania has become a popular holiday destination, attracting nearly 1 million UK tourists annually. Low-cost direct flights and favorable exchange rates have driven a surge in British visitors.
Other Countries with Low Ratings
Estonia, Poland, and Hungary also had less than 65% of their bathing waters rated excellent. Belgium managed only 67.9% meeting minimum standards. Hungary, though landlocked, is home to Lake Balaton, Europe's largest freshwater lake. Its water is officially rated excellent for bathing and regularly monitored, but it appears naturally cloudy due to shallow depth and high plankton and mineral content.
Interactive Map Available
The EEA provides an interactive map where travelers can check if a specific beach or lake meets EU standards before swimming.
