Tourists slam 'European Maldives' for beaches' 'faecal bacteria' and 'rubbish everywhere'

Tourists have criticized Albania, often referred to as the "European Maldives," for its beaches contaminated with high levels of faecal bacteria and littered with waste. The country, which has gained popularity in recent years for its white-sand shores, has been identified as having the dirtiest seas in Europe according to a recent study. The research conducted by Which? analyzed 22,289 reports from the European Environment Agency (EEA) on bathing water quality and the number of beaches in each country categorized as either 'excellent' or 'poor.' While the findings indicated that 96% of beaches across the European Union met the minimum quality standards, Albania stood out as the worst performer. Only 16.8% of its bathing waters were rated as 'excellent,' while 23% were classified as 'poor.' Albania's poor ranking contrasts sharply with its reputation as a tourist destination comparable to the Maldives. The country's beaches, known for their pristine sands and clear waters, have attracted increasing numbers of visitors in recent years. However, the study revealed that significant levels of faecal bacteria were present in many of these waters, potentially leading to health issues such as skin, ear, and eye infections, as well as gastrointestinal problems. Social media users have shared their negative experiences of visiting Albanian beaches. On TikTok, user @paveltrips described Durres as the "worst beach in Europe," posting images of trash scattered along the shore, peeling paint on buildings, and dilapidated homes. A TripAdvisor review of the area highlighted the lack of cleanliness, noting that "rubbish was strewn everywhere" and that there was no visible effort to maintain the area. The review also pointed out broken pavements, numerous potholes, and open manholes on Rruga Paravesia, the main road in the region. Visitors have also expressed disappointment with Ksamil, a beach renowned for its picturesque setting featuring overwater hammocks and swings, which has become a favorite among influencers. A video posted in 2024 showed the site in disrepair, with torn hammocks, broken furniture, and overflowing bins. Ksamil Beach holds a low rating of 2.7 stars on TripAdvisor, with one reviewer from September 2025 stating that the beach had been completely privatized, leaving little room for visitors who did not wish to pay for access to crowded beach bars. Other reviews echoed similar sentiments, describing the beach as overcrowded and lacking the tranquility and charm expected from a vacation spot. One reviewer noted that the beach was dominated by loud music and densely packed sun loungers, making it difficult to find a peaceful place to relax. The EEA provides an interactive map that allows swimmers to check the water quality at different beaches across Europe. In the UK, the Safer Seas & Rivers Service app covers over 450 locations, enabling users to verify if any water quality alerts are active before they visit. Despite the challenges faced by some beaches, certain areas in Albania still offer excellent water quality. Dhërmi, a village with two beaches, and Vlorë, the country's third-largest city and a popular beach destination, have been rated highly in terms of water quality. According to the study, Cyprus topped the list with all of its beaches receiving an 'excellent' rating, followed by Greece at 97.1%. Estonia and Poland also performed relatively well, with 56.9% and 58.7% of their bathing waters rated as excellent, respectively. The Albanian National Tourism Agency has yet to respond to requests for comment regarding the findings of the study and the impact on the country's tourism sector.