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Mirror debunks the myth of the "Maldives of Europe": Albania ranks last in Europe for water quality

Politiko 2026-07-20 10:16:00

Mirror debunks the myth of the "Maldives of Europe": Albania ranks

Albania has been ranked as the country with the most polluted bathing waters in Europe, according to an analysis published by the British magazine Which?, which is based on 22,289 reports from the European Environment Agency (EEA) on the quality of beach waters.

The study, as the "Mirror" writes , assessed the quality of bathing waters in European countries, analyzing the percentage of beaches classified as "excellent" or "poor" quality. Although 96% of beaches in the European Union meet minimum quality standards, Albania ranked last, with only 16% of bathing waters rated as "excellent".

According to the analysis, 23% of Albanian beaches were found to have poor water quality, which, according to "Which?", indicates the presence of high levels of fecal bacteria. By comparison, in the United Kingdom only 7% of beaches were classified in this category.

The magazine explains that marine pollution can be caused by sewage discharges or runoff from agricultural activities, which can lead to the presence of bacteria such as E. coli and intestinal enterococci. These pollutants can cause skin, eye and ear infections, as well as gastrointestinal problems, including diarrhea and vomiting, especially in children and the elderly.

Mirror debunks the myth of the "Maldives of Europe": Albania ranks

The article points out that, despite Albania being promoted in recent years as the "Maldives of Europe", many tourists have shared negative experiences from Albanian beaches on social networks.

A TikTok user described Durrës beach as "the worst beach in Europe," posting images of garbage on the sand, dilapidated buildings, and a lack of maintenance.

The article also mentions TripAdvisor reviews for Ksamil. A video comparing "expectations with reality" showed damaged hammocks, broken furniture, and trash bins overflowing with trash.

According to the Mirror, Ksamil beach has a rating of just 2.7 stars on TripAdvisor. A review published in September 2025 claims that the beach has been almost entirely privatized and that visitors have to pay to enter the sunbed areas, which are described as extremely overcrowded.

Other comments complain about the large number of sun loungers, the lack of free space on the sand, and the loud music, describing Ksamil as a destination that does not meet expectations for peace and relaxation.

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