According to a recent report by the European Commission and the European Environment Agency, Croatia has the cleanest coastal bathing waters in Europe.
The report, which evaluates bathing water quality in 27 EU member states as well as Albania and Switzerland, places Croatia at the top with 99.1% of its coastal sites rated as excellent.
Data from the report, which encompasses findings from the previous year, shows that out of 894 coastal bathing sites in Croatia, 886 were classified as excellent in quality. This statistic not only highlights Croatia’s leading position but also underscores the superior quality of coastal waters compared to inland waters across Europe.

The Bathing Water Directive, which bases its assessment on microbiological data, classifies waters into four categories: poor, sufficient, good, and excellent. In total, 936 bathing sites in Croatia were tested in 2023, with 905 (96.7%) achieving an excellent rating, 22 good, and 5 sufficient, while none fell into the poor category.
This achievement reflects Croatia’s dedication to maintaining high environmental standards and preserving its beaches, making it a top destination for swimmers and beachgoers seeking pristine natural conditions.