The data were collected for the National System for Environmental Protection (SNPA) during 2016-2019 bathing seasons. The Oriental Alps District, which identifies FVG coastal area, is one of the three best bathing sites in Italy, along with Sardinia and the Central Appennino zone (central Italy): the three of them have top quality, clean crystal waters to dive in! And, what's best, also inland bathing waters (rivers and lakes) in FVG are all ranking as “excellent”.
Overall European coasts boast a vast majority of “excellent” ratings as to water's quality, based on the constant monitorings and on the very strict standards imposed by EU environmental laws. Italy is doing pretty well, as nearly 5.000 out of its 5.539 bathing waters were classified as 90% excellent. A good result, considering it represents the 25% of the whole European bathing zones.
High peaks and deep, blue sea
Though often many think of Friuli as a mountain region, it actually has a 78 kilometres-long, almost nonstop string of beaches facing the northern part of the Adriatic Sea, overlooking the Gulf of Trieste. Some of FVG sea cities have been holiday destinations for, well, centuries and have long been beloved summer spots especially for foreign tourists, mainly coming from Northern Europe. Thus meaning they're fully equipped for tourist accomodation and leisure activities, so that you're not going to bore yourself there even during some random rainy day.
Lignano Sabbiadoro and Grado are among the most renowned seaside resorts, but Trieste and Duino-Aurisina also share likewise beautiful waters. And extremely clean, too: 60 of FVG bathing sites were rated as “excellent” by Arpa FVG, leaving out just a very few of them (only six got merely the “sufficient” or “good” status).
So if you haven't booked anything for the summer yet, this could be a huge hint for a deeply relaxing and playful holiday. Where else could one find fine beaches and also close, breathtaking mountains for a walk? And let's not forget about wines and dines... A good chance indeed to have a great time.
By clicking here you'll find a map of FVG coasts and bathing sites, while here you'll find a map of bathing waters in Europe. And just click for more info on Facebook on Lignano Sabbiadoro and Grado.