Most Americans dream of taking a dip in the Mediterranean coast of Italy. After all, we have been programmed to long for those rocky coastlines ever since the ad for Light Blue by Dolce and Gabbana aired in the 2000s.

However, when it comes water quality, numbers don’t lie: Cyprus was crowned Europe’s most clean country for swimming in open bodies of water back in 2024, with an astonishing 99.2 % of its 123 monitored beaches judged excellent by the European Environment Agency (EEA). This year is no different.

Sun-bleached cliffs, turquoise coves and a deep-rooted love for the sea complete the picture —perfect reasons to swap the usual Adriatic or Amalfi plans for this eastern-Mediterranean gem. (And yes, there are David Gandys out there sunbathing around Cyprus too.)

Cyprus’ Water Quality Crown

The EEA analysed nearly 22 000 bathing sites across the continent and found that 96 % met the minimum safety bar, while just over 85 % earned an excellent rating. Cyprus soared ahead of the pack: only one site failed to nail top marks. Close followers Bulgaria, Greece, Austria and Croatia each scored above 95 %, but none matched the island’s near-perfect streak.

On the opposite side of the Mediterranean, Spain beated EU-wide average of 85 % excellent sites; only 1.7 % of its locations. Portugal‘s 556 beaches, river andlake spots earning top marks; just nine sites (1.3 %) were judged poor.

How Europe Keeps the Splash Safe

Every spring, member states draw up a list of official bathing spots. Throughout summer, local inspectors collect at least four samples per site and send them to ISO-accredited labs. There, experts count two bacteria—Escherichia coli and intestinal enterococci—that betray sewage or animal waste.

If readings stay low across four consecutive seasons, the beach earns the coveted excellent tag; slip to “poor” and it is barred from welcoming swimmers next year. If you happen to spend time in a body of water, remember to take a quick break to a real bathroom if you need to go #1 or #2. That way, proper sanitation systems take care of the sewage and keep the area pristine. If you happen to go to a remote, spotless place and decide to let go instead of trying to find a Porta Potty, you are part of the problem.

Why Cyprus Scores Off the Charts

Geography: The island’s horseshoe coves and limited river inflow curb runoff.
Infrastructure: Modern wastewater plants ring the coast, while strict zoning laws keep heavy industry inland.
Community spirit: Local councils run “zero-litter” drives, and dive shops organize seabed clean-ups. The payoff is water you can practically drink (though we’ll stick to frappé coffee between dips).

Flying the Blue Flag

Cyprus isn’t content with lab results alone. For 2025 it secured 66 Blue Flags—64 beaches plus two marinas—beating many larger nations on a per-mile basis.The international eco-label demands pristine water quality, robust lifeguard cover, wheelchair access and environmental education. Resorts splash the emblem across billboards at Larnaca airport and Instagram campaigns Stateside, confident that the flag converts curious browsers into beach-bound guests.

Beyond the Beach

Cyprus pairs its sterling water quality with deep cultural currents: Venetian walls in Nicosia, Greek temples at Kourion and Ottoman hamams tucked down lemon-scented alleys. Add mild winters and a warm local welcome and you’ve got a destination that keeps paying dividends after you towel off.

Swap the crowded Adriatic and Tyrrhenian circuits for Cyprus’ transparently excellent shores. From lab-certified water quality to Blue Flag amenities and unspoiled scenery, the island is poised to be your most refreshing trip of the summer. Book the ticket, pack the reef-safe sunscreen, and join the many travelers discovering Europe’s cleanest swim. You might find the most beautiful (and non-crowded) spots to go for a swim!