A new study from travel insurance specialist InsureandGo reveals which European cities offer travellers the easiest access to free public drinking water
· Barcelona leads with 18 fountains per km², well ahead of Zurich’s 11, while Paris completes the top three with 10
· Southern Europe dominates the rankings with five of the top ten cities either in Spain or France
Planning a summer getaway? A new study by travel insurance specialist InsureandGo reveals which of Europe’s most popular destinations offer the best access to free public drinking water so visitors can stay hydrated, plus the ones where a little planning goes a long way.
To find which cities have free water on (almost) every corner, InsureandGo looked at more than 50 European destinations, using OpenStreetMap data to calculate the number of listed public drinking water fountains per square kilometre.
Spain and France together account for five of the top ten cities keeping everyone hydrated through summer, with Barcelona, Valencia and Madrid representing Spain, and Paris and Lyon appearing for France. Switzerland, Portugal and Italy also feature across the top 15.
Europe’s Top 15 Cities for Free Drinking Water Access
|
Rank |
City |
Country |
Fountains per km² |
|
1 |
Barcelona |
Spain |
18 |
|
2 |
Zurich |
Switzerland |
11 |
|
3 |
Paris |
France |
10 |
|
4 |
Lyon |
France |
7 |
|
5 |
Valencia |
Spain |
6 |
|
6 |
Lisbon |
Portugal |
6 |
|
7 |
Turin |
Italy |
5 |
|
8 |
Milan |
Italy |
4 |
|
9 |
Vienna |
Austria |
4 |
|
10 |
Madrid |
Spain |
3 |
|
11 |
Budapest |
Hungary |
3 |
|
12 |
Amsterdam |
Netherlands |
3 |
|
13 |
Brussels |
Belgium |
3 |
|
14 |
Rome* |
Italy |
2 |
|
15 |
Nice |
France |
2 |
1. Barcelona, Spain (18 fountains per km²)
Barcelona claims the top spot as the European city where free drinking water is easiest to find. The city has one of the highest rates of heat-related incidents during the summer months, so fountains are spread across its parks and major tourist areas. Whether you’re heading to Las Ramblas, the Gothic Quarter, or taking a longer walk around Park Güell, free hydration should be easy to come by.
2. Zurich, Switzerland (11 fountains per km²)
Switzerland’s largest city is known for its high-quality tap water, and the public fountain infrastructure makes it easy for everyone to enjoy it. Many of Zurich’s fountains draw on natural spring or lake water and are safe to drink directly, making it easy for you to refill your bottle throughout the city centre and along the lakeside paths.
3. Paris, France (10 fountains per km²)
Paris rounds out the top three European cities with convenient access to water, thanks to a great network of free water points, including the green Wallace fountains, a hallmark of the city’s streets since the 19th century. In recent years, Paris has also expanded chilled and sparkling water refill stations, giving you even more options across the city’s outdoor spaces.
4. Lyon, France (7 fountains per km²)
As part of its sustainability commitments, France’s third-largest city has invested heavily in public water infrastructure in recent years. One of the country’s best foodie destinations, Lyon has reliable access to free water across the central districts throughout the summer season, to keep you hydrated while you sample delicious tarte aux pralines.
5. Valencia, Spain (6 fountains per km²)
One of the hottest cities during summer, with temperatures reaching 40°C during heatwaves, Valencia’s public water access makes a reusable, and preferably insulated, bottle essential. Whether you’re visiting its beaches or one of the many parks, you’ll find free drinking water points throughout to keep yourself topped up.
Letitia Smith, Head of Communications at InsureandGo, says, “Staying hydrated as temperatures rise this summer is important when travelling, especially if you’re living with pre-existing medical conditions where you can become dehydrated more easily. When you’re busy exploring, it’s easy to forget to drink enough water, but our research shows that many of Europe’s most popular cities are prepared for this.
“If you’re heading to Barcelona, Zurich, or Paris this summer, a reusable water bottle can be a great solution. For cities lower down the ranking, look up the nearest fountains on your phone’s map before heading out and consider carrying a topped-up bottle just in case. We want people to travel worry-free and safely enjoy a new environment, and knowing the practical details of your destination is a big part of that.”
For more information on travel insurance for people living with pre-existing medical conditions, please visit: https://www.insureandgo.com/travel-insurance/medical/