At the top of the list of requirements for a perfect beach holiday is a sandy area surrounded by clean, clear water; it is something that should be given but is not given. The UK has received a lot of publicity for its polluted seas and rivers, but the rest of Europe has also received its fair share.
Many factors affect water quality, from sewage leaks to storm surges, marine debris, microplastics, agricultural runoff and industrial pollution. The good news is that, thanks to careful monitoring and improvements (many of which are the result of campaigns by environmental groups), the situation is slowly improving.
The European Environment Agency (EEA), which monitors bathing water quality at more than 21,000 sites, reports that the water has “improved significantly over the last four decades” and that “more than 95 percent of bathing sites meet the minimum standards set by EU legislation”. Unfortunately, even the cleanest beaches suffer from polluting events, according to Tim Nunn, who runs the marine conservation charity Surfers Against Sewage.
“Unfortunately the UK still experiences ‘dry spills’, which means sewage spills without rain, but going for a swim after really heavy rain is the biggest thing to watch out for,” Nunn said. “Any beach near a population center will also not be immune from occasional pollution.”
By looking at AEA data and local sources, we have identified some of the dirtiest beaches in Europe, and they are all located near busy resorts or city break destinations. Check if they’re on your must-swim list below. But the situation is not entirely bleak: councils in each of these areas are reportedly working hard to make improvements.
Plage de La Gravette, Antibes, France
While the vast majority of beaches on the Côte d’Azur have ‘excellent’ water quality according to the AEA, the area around Cap d’Antibes is considered only ‘satisfactory’ or ‘poor’; Particularly popular is the Plage de la Gravette, the old town of Antibes. This beach is popular for its sheltered location, but its water is surrounded by rock walls and does not circulate well.
In June 2023, authorities were forced to ban swimming here because the water contained high levels of enterococcus bacteria found in sewer discharge (the problem was thought to be caused by storm runoff and recreational boating).
Good news? The Municipality of Antibes is working hard to stop the contamination of bathing water and the quality of the water has improved for the 2024 season. But after a big storm, swimmers may want to head to Juan-Les-Pins on the other side of the Cap: the water there is consistently rated “excellent” by the AEA.
Saint-Michel-en-Grève, Brittany, France
Many of Brittany’s most beautiful beaches have been badly affected by green algae for decades. This invasive alga is actually a sea lettuce native to the region; But nitrates entering the water encourage it to grow out of control, and when it begins to rot, it emits hydrogen sulfide. This toxic gas can cause headaches, nausea, and eye irritation and has been linked to the deaths of both humans and animals in the area.
The French government and local authorities are trying to tackle the problem by spending around €1 million a year cleaning up the algae, but they have been criticized for not doing enough: While beach closures remain commonplace, the inviting 4km coastline is dotted with water. The sandy beach in Saint-Michel-en-Grève has been consistently classified as “poor” since 2021. However, there are places along the Brittany coast where you can escape the green stuff, including Saint-Malo, a two-hour drive east and considered “perfect.” ” Water quality by the EEA.
Pellaro Lume, Reggio Calabria, Italy
Reggio Calabria, a bustling port city in southern Italy, is the main point of arrival and departure from Sicily, surrounded on one side by the blue Ionian sea. But avoid diving into this inviting water; Swimming is banned every summer along the 12km coastline that runs past the town, where seven beaches, including the popular Pellaro Lume, are subject to a “poor” EEA classification.
In 2019, turmoil broke out when swimmers, mostly children, were hospitalized with infections caused by fecal pollution (the problem appeared to be worst around the next settlement, Bocale). Roberto Occhiuto, president of the Calabria region, has made treating wastewater a priority, but there is still a long way to go. However, Reggio Calabria has some excellent water areas in its north, along with many areas in its south.
Lido Olimpo, Sicily, Italy
As the city of Palermo transformed into a thriving destination, the quality of the water on its beaches also declined. Over the past five years, water quality on about half of the city’s coastline (a 17km stretch from Mondello to Ficarazzi) has fallen from an AEA rating of “excellent” to just “satisfactory”, and two beaches (Messina Marine and Lido Olimpo) have received “excellent” ” downgraded to an EEA rating. is now considered “weak”.
Palermo’s mayor imposes frequent bathing bans due to fecal bacteria in wastewater as well as potential contamination of groundwater from landfills. Sewage systems have been modified to eliminate leaks and beaches have been cleaned, but the environment is still recovering. The good news is that excellent water can be found on the beaches north and south of Palermo, including the wonderfully clear waters of Fondachello.
Praia do Camilo, Algarve, Portugal
In 2020, a red flag was raised in Camilo and Batata, near the city of Lagos on Portugal’s southern coast, and swimming was banned after the water was found to be contaminated by fecal coliforms. In the summer of 2023, ZERO, a Portuguese environmental NGO, warned that the quality of water in Portugal was deteriorating: 28 beaches along the country’s coastline are now subject to a “do not swim” warning (in 2022 this number increased to 21).
Praia do Camilo is often cited as one of Portugal’s best hidden beaches, but the quality of its water is compromised by its proximity to Lagos and the uncontrolled disposal of the city’s raw sewage and ineffective system for wastewater.
The good news is that water quality is improving significantly at the region’s largest beach, Meia Praia, a 4-kilometre stretch of golden sand east of Lagos. Rated “Excellent”.
Playa del Fòrum, Barcelona, Spain
Although it’s not exactly picturesque, with a thermal power plant, urban waste incinerator and sewage treatment plant in the background, Fòrum beach in Sant Adrià de Besòs, on the border with Barcelona, is frequented by both city folk and tourists seeking sea air. However, for the last four years the EEA has been calling for the closure of the beach due to poor water quality caused by sewage overflows and sediments in the Besòs river.
The Catalan Water Agency opposed the swimming ban, saying the Fòrum’s own 2023 water analysis was good except for a short period after some rains. However, if you want to stay on the safe side, you can choose from many Barcelona beaches, some rated “excellent”, including Playa de Sant Sebastià, Playa del Bogatell and Playa de la Mar Bella.
Six of the cleanest beaches in the UK
Oddicombe Beach, Torquay, Devon
Surrounded by red sandstone cliffs on the south coast of Devon, this shingle bay near Torquay has been awarded the Blue Flag for 36 years in a row. The water is consistently excellent and facilities include a café and toilets (which helps keep the sea clean).
East Strand, Portrush, Northern Ireland
Backed by dunes on the east side of the Portrush Peninsula, this three-kilometre golden beach is a popular spot. The East Strand is one of eight Blue Flag beaches in Northern Ireland and is monitored daily by RNLI lifeguards between late June and early September.
Whitesands Beach, St Davids, Wales
There are currently 25 Blue Flag beaches in Wales, most of them in Pembrokeshire. Whitesands is one of the most popular beaches: this west-facing beach, with a large expanse of sand, is one of the best for surfing in Wales. A toboggan provides easy access, and beach-friendly wheelchairs can also be rented.
Lunan Bay, Angus, Scotland
Scotland uses its own rating system; 53 beaches were given the Scottish Beach Award for cleanliness. Lunan Bay, facing east, is one of them; A secluded paradise between Arbroath and Montrose, with three kilometers of pristine sand backed by dunes and overlooked by the ruins of the Red Castle.
North Bay Beach, Scarborough, North Yorkshire
Set back from the road and backed by a promenade lined with brightly colored beach huts, long, sandy North Bay Beach regularly achieves Blue Flag status. The rocky outcroppings at the north end of the beach provide excellent hunting grounds for rock pools, while the gently sloping sand and clear water make it great for swimming.
Polzeath, Cornwall
One of nine Blue Flag beaches in Cornwall, Polzeath is a stretch of deep sand on the north coast and a haven for surfers, bodyboarders and families. The beach is easily accessible and locals and tourists clean the beach regularly.