Cyprus beaches

If you’re thinking of moving to a gorgeous Mediterranean island, the chances are you’ll want to spend some time on the beach. So you’ll be pleased to hear that Cyprus has the cleanest beaches in Europe.

A clear winner

The European Environment Agency (EEA), as part of its mandate to evaluate and promote environmental sustainability in the European Union, regularly undertakes a survey of the water quality of its member states. And Cyprus won hands down as the European country with the best bathing water off its beaches for the 2020 northern summer season. The EEA tested 112 popular bathing spots around the island, all of which scored an impressive 100% in all water quality categories, putting it ahead of Austria, Greece and Malta. Clearly, this bodes well for Cyprus’s tourism industry, and also for aspiring immigrants. So, if you’re thinking of moving to Cyprus, make sure to pack your swimming costume and mask and fins.

Flying the Blue Flag

Cyprus’s victory in the ‘clean beach Olympics’ is hardly surprising. The island nation boasts an impressive 69 Blue Flag beaches on the 2021 list. The Blue Flag designation for beaches dates back to 1987 – the ‘European Year of the Environment’ – when the Foundation for Environmental Education in Europe awarded 244 beaches and 208 marinas in 10 European countries inaugural Blue Flags.

There are a number of criteria for obtaining the prestigious Blue Flag status, one of which – obviously – is water quality. The others are: safety and services; environmental management; and environmental education and information provision.

What this means is that – as well as clean water – you have lots to do, and you can find out all about the natural environment and the abundant sea life. Blue Flag beaches have to offer at least five environmental educational activities, which may be in the form of information boards about the various coastal ecosystems. The safety and services criterion requires that Blue Flag beaches have drinking water, toilets (including ones for people with disabilities), lifeguards, first-aid equipment, maps, a casevac plan, and patrols by security personnel.

So, whether you’re moving to Cyprus on a permanent or part-time basis, or just planning a holiday, you could explore a different Blue Flag beach every day of your stay, and probably not run out. And, if you do, or if you are looking for a more laid-back, quiet and undeveloped beach, there are a whole lot more with equally warm, calm, clean Mediterranean water but with not so many facilities. From isolated little coves or beaches attached to fishing villages to vibey holiday resorts, Cyprus has a beach for every reason. It all depends on what exactly you’re looking for.