The Bluest Bodies of Water in Europe, Ranked
With summer drawing to a close in the UK, many Brits are seizing the chance for a last-minute getaway, and with parts of Europe seeing temperatures above 30ºC well into next month, it’s easy to see why.
In fact, Google searches for ‘best beach in Europe’ have surged by 525% over the past month, as British holidaymakers look to swap grey skies for high temperatures and a refreshing dip, something not common in the UK.
Car rental experts at SIXT have colour-picked and analysed 100 of the most beautiful waters across the continent to identify the bluest waters in Europe, ranking them from most to least blue.
The top 10 bluest waters in Europe, revealed
| Rank | Body of Water | Country | Hex Code | Shade of blue |
| 1 | Bay of Kotor | Montenegro | #0086BF | |
| 2 | The Blue Grotto | Malta | #0067AC | |
| 3 | Lake Bled | Slovenia | #006BA6 | |
| 4 | Derwentwater | England | #407EC9 | |
| 5 | River Rhine | Germany | #5F8DDA | |
| 6 | Bay of Biscay | Spain | #008BC4 | |
| 7 | Bay of Vigo | Spain | #2774AE | |
| 8 | Kielder Water | England | #6680C3 | |
| 9 | Calanques de Cassis | France | #009CCF | |
| 10 | Galway Bay | Ireland | #517DB9 |
- Bay of Kotor in Montenegro ranked #1 bluest water in Europe
*Images for illustrative purposes only
Located in the Adriatic Sea in southwestern Montenegro is the Bay of Kotor, which is officially home to the bluest body of water in Europe. As well as the stunning mountainous backdrop and clear blue water, the town of Kotor itself is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, known for its medieval streets and striking cathedral.
UK searches for ‘Kotor Montenegro’ have jumped 100% in the past month, so now might be your best chance to take in the bay’s peaceful views before the crowds arrive.
- The Blue Grotto, Malta, named 2nd bluest waterway in Europe
The Blue Grotto, in the village of Wied iż-Żurrieq on mainland Malta, has the second bluest body of water in all of Europe. With its sea caves, natural rock formations, and serene turquoise waters, it’s an ideal spot for kayaking and exploring.
Malta’s tourism is booming, with 3.7 million inbound visitors expected this year. That surge has prompted new restrictions at popular spots like the Blue Lagoon, which now enforces a daily cap of 4,000 visitors to preserve its natural beauty. All the more reason to opt for the Blue Grotto, offering the same vivid blue scenery, but with fewer crowds.
- Lake Bled in Slovenia has the 3rd bluest water on the continent
Slovenia was a lesser-visited tourist spot just two years ago, but 2023 and 2024 saw record-breaking growth, and this year is expected to follow suit.
In the UK alone, searches for ‘Slovenia holiday’ have jumped 73% in the past month, as Brits are drawn to the lake that’s flooding their TikTok feeds.
Lake Bled, now gaining global traction for its crisp turquoise waters, is leading the surge and videos of Bled have already reached over 13.6k on TikTok, with many eager to visit. And it’s worth the hype, visitors can rent a traditional wooden pletna boat to reach Bled Island, enjoy a peaceful swim, or walk the scenic 6km lakeside path.
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