Sparkling beaches: Cyprus has cleanest waters in EU

Cyprus got a shot in the arm amid the pandemic after Europe’s environmental watchdog ranked the country first among all European Union countries for having the cleanest swimming waters

NICOSIA, Cyprus -- Tourism in Cyprus got a shot in the arm Tuesday after Europe’s environmental watchdog ranked the country first among the European Union's 27 nations for having the cleanest swimming waters. According to the European Environment Agency’s rankings for the 2020 swim season, Cyprus received a perfect score of 100% for excellent water quality at 112 swimming spots around the island, which were tested between May 1 and Oct. 31 last year. Cyprus beat out Austria, Greece and Malta, which came in second, third and fourth. That’s a timely boost for the east Mediterranean island nation, which is trying to woo holidaymakers back after a dismal 2020 summer season that saw tourist arrivals plunge more than 84% from the previous, record-setting year.