Swimming in crystal clear water? These are Europe's cleanest spots

Sun, sea, sand and above all clean water. For many, that is the recipe for a perfect summer. But where should you head for the clearest swimming water? This new report reveals surprising places where you can dive in without worry. More than 22,000 bathing water locations in the EU, Albania and Switzerland were […]

Sun, sea, beach and above all clean water. For many, that is the recipe for a perfect summer. But where should you drag your bags to for the clearest swimming water? This new report reveals surprising places where you can dive in without a care in the world.

More than 22.000 bathing water locations in the EU, Albania and Switzerland were examined last year by the European Environment Agency (EEA) and the European Commission. And the results are impressive: more than 85 percent of the bathing water was rated 'excellent'. Coastal waters traditionally score higher than lakes and rivers. On the European coast, 89 percent of the water received the highest award, while inland this was 78 percent.

Cyprus tops the list as Europe's swimming paradise, with a whopping 99,2 percent of its waters in the 'excellent' category. Bulgaria (97,9%) and Greece (97%) also score high. Austria and Croatia complete the top five. But there are more countries where you can safely pack your snorkel set. Here are the top ten with the cleanest swimming water:

Top 10 cleanest bathing water in Europe:

1. Cyprus

2. Bulgaria

3. Greece

4. Austria

5. Croatia

6. Denmark

7 malt

8. Germany

9. Italy

10. Spain

The Netherlands has to settle for 23rd place on the list. Here, 72,5 percent of the natural water is excellent for swimming. Not a dramatic score, but it is a bit of a contrast to the Mediterranean coast. Still, there is good news: our coastal waters are doing relatively well, with almost 80 percent excellent swimming water. For those who prefer to splash in a lake or stream, there is still plenty to enjoy in the Netherlands, even if the water is sometimes a bit less clear…