Cyprus bathing waters ranked among the best in the European Union in 2025, with all monitored sites receiving the highest possible quality classification.
According to the latest annual EU Bathing Water Report, Cyprus joined Austria, Bulgaria and Greece among countries where more than 95% of bathing waters were rated as having excellent quality.
Cyprus achieved a perfect score, with all 123 monitored bathing areas across the free districts of the Republic receiving the top “excellent quality” classification during the 2025 bathing season.
EU figures show strong water quality standards
According to a European Commission announcement published on Tuesday, 85% of monitored bathing sites across Europe were classified as having “excellent quality”, while 96% met at least the minimum EU quality standards.
Only 1.5% of monitored bathing sites were classified as having poor water quality. The Commission said the overall picture remained largely stable compared with 2024.
The assessment analysed data from more than 22,200 bathing areas monitored during the 2025 season across EU member states, as well as Albania and Switzerland.
For Cyprus, a total of 1,198 water samples were collected and analysed from the 123 declared bathing areas.
Coastal waters outperform inland waters
The report noted that coastal bathing waters generally continue to perform better than inland waters.
In 2025, 88% of coastal bathing waters in the EU were classified as excellent quality, compared with 78% of inland waters such as rivers and lakes.
The Commission explained that the assessment focuses on bathing suitability, with particular attention on bacteria that may cause serious illnesses among swimmers.
Long-term improvements linked to EU measures
The European Commission also highlighted that long-term improvements in bathing water quality have resulted from the implementation of EU water legislation, including the Bathing Water Directive.
Progress has also been linked to improved monitoring and management practices, investments in urban wastewater treatment facilities, upgraded sewage collection networks and more effective assessments of environmental events such as cyanobacterial blooms.
According to the Commission, these measures have made it possible for people to swim safely even in urban waters and rivers that were heavily polluted in the past.
However, the Commission stressed that further progress remains necessary to address challenges, including chemical pollution and the impact of climate change on surface and groundwater resources.
Also read: 56 beaches and two marinas in Cyprus receive Blue Flags for 2026
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