Bulgarian Black Sea waters rank among Europe's cleanest

Bulgaria has emerged among the top performers in the European Union for bathing water quality, according to the latest report by the European Environment Agency (EEA), with 96.9% of monitored sites meeting the bloc's highest environmental standards. "The highest share for excellent quality bathing waters is found in Austria, Bulgaria, Cyprus and Greece — with a total of 95% or higher," concludes the report.

The assessment and interactive map, compiled by the EEA in cooperation with the European Commission, identify the safest bathing areas across Europe. The evaluation is based on bathing water quality and tests for bacteria that could potentially cause serious illnesses.

With this result, Bulgaria's Black Sea beaches rank ahead of a number of established European seaside destinations. The findings are expected to provide a boost to the country's summer tourism sector, highlighting the safety and environmental quality of its coastal waters for millions of visitors.

Editor: Darina Grigorova