- A new study by AllClear has uncovered the world’s best-tasting tap water, as voted by travellers on Reddit
- Scotland, Norway and Switzerland are home to the tastiest tap water in Europe, while Canada’s British Columbia and the USA’s New York City are most delicious in North America
- Austria, Australia, New Zealand, and Patagonia in Chile also receive honourable mentions
To help environmentally conscious travellers reduce plastic waste while staying hydrated, the Medical Travel Insurance specialists at AllClear have analysed hundreds of comments on Reddit to reveal where travellers believe they’ve tasted the best tap water of all.
With data from YouGov revealing that over two-thirds (71%) of Brits attempting to reduce their carbon footprint, and 63% are aiming to reuse disposable items where possible, this research highlights top travel destinations where tourists can enjoy the world’s best-tasting water, while saving money and cutting down on plastic waste by re-filling plastic or reusable bottles.
Which travel hotspots have the best tasting tap water?
Central and Northern Europe
Scotland emerges as the most frequently mentioned destination in Europe, and the second most mentioned location in the world with travellers regularly praising the water from the Highlands and lochs, particularly Loch Katrine, for its bottled-water taste.
Beyond the UK, Nordic countries also receive high praise, with Norway and Iceland garnering the most tap water love. In Iceland, tap water is so widely consumed that bottled water is labelled in English, as it’s largely tourists who purchase it.
Meanwhile, Alpine countries such as Switzerland, Austria, and Germany are also frequently recognised for their delicious tap water. Vienna is specifically highlighted for its high-quality hydration, while Swiss cities like Geneva, Lausanne, and Zurich consistently impress travellers with their exceptional tasting tap water too.
North America
The most mentioned location across all threads analysed is New York City, where locals feel very strongly that their water – sourced from the Catskills – is the best in the world. Many claim it contributes to the city’s iconic and delicious pizza and bagels, while travellers to the big apple often report being pleasantly surprised by how nice it tastes.
The states of Washington and Oregon also receive a lot of praise. Seattle’s tap water is particularly missed by those who have relocated away and adored by those who have moved into the state, with one user stating, “I never had ‘good’ tap water until I moved to Washington state.” In Oregon, Portland’s tap water is a clear fan favourite with some users saying the city’s tap water is so good that it’s one of the reasons they’ll never leave.
In California, reviews are mixed, but those living in San Francisco have a particular love for the Hetchy Hetchy reservoir’s water that is delivered from Yosemite to the San Francisco Bay Area.
Other notable mentions across the U.S. include:
- Colorado – Praised for its water sourced from the Rocky Mountains
- Michigan – Where Lake Michigan’s water supply is loved by locals
- Alaska – With Anchorage frequently pointed out as having delicious tap water
- Louisiana – Where Baton Rouge stands out as a surprising, but fantastic place for nice tasting tap water
Over in Canada, it’s British Columbia that seems to have the nicest tap water of all. While Calgary, Toronto and Quebec all get their own set of mentions, it’s Vancouver in B.C. that takes the crown – users saying it’s incredible, and “some of the best” they’ve ever tasted.
Oceania
While Oceania didn’t receive as many mentions as the likes of Scotland or New York City, certain parts of Australia and New Zealand did stand out. In Australia, although a few Redditors claimed Sydney’s tap water is delectable, it’s Melbourne that was mentioned most frequently – locals saying it’s “fantastic” and even claiming it to be the best in the world. Meanwhile, over in New Zealand, Christchurch was pinpointed as the best of the bunch when it comes to the tasty tap water.
Honourable mentions
A few other locations received praise, though less frequently than the top-ranking destinations. In the UK, Yorkshire’s tap water earned several mentions for its great taste and in Chile, Patagonia’s water was described by some as having “crispy goodness” to it.
Other notable mentions include Armenia, Aruba, Japan, Nepal, and the Netherlands. While Italy wasn’t widely discussed, Rome’s street fountains have left a lasting impression on travellers who enjoyed filling their bottles with fresh, free-flowing water from the popular European travel hotspot.
How to stay safe when drinking water abroad
While there are many tourist hotspots with perfectly safe tap water to drink, tourists should always be aware that drinking tap water is not recommended in many places around the world. The medical travel insurance experts have also revealed five important rules for travellers to follow to stay healthy while abroad:
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Consider your personal tolerance
While many countries, including those above, are listed by various governmental agencies as destinations where it’s safe to consume water from the tap, it’s important to remember that the quality and composition will always be different to what you’re used to. In some countries for example, the mineral content will be different, and it could be irritating to your stomach if you are already sensitive to gastrointestinal disruptions. In this case, it could be worth sticking to bottled water instead. - Think twice when travelling away from big cities, on islands, or in rural destinations Again, although the country might be listed as somewhere ‘safe’ to drink tap water, Spain for example, this can vary depending on where you are in the country. The water can be safe to drink in big, busy cities, but if you venture further out into more rural locations, or if you head to an island like Ibiza, the water quality can change dramatically. Think twice if you’re travelling more remotely.
- Don’t brush your teeth with tap water if you can’t drink it
If you know you shouldn’t drink the tap water in the country you’re visiting, then remember to close your mouth while showering, and brush your teeth with bottled water too. It’s very easy to forget this, but if the tap water isn’t drinking quality, then even a small amount when showering or brushing your teeth could cause you stomach upset. - Avoid ice and salad
Another easy one to forget, but if you can’t drink the tap water where you’re travelling – it’s best you avoid ice too. Ice should be made using filtered water, but you can’t guarantee this, so avoiding it altogether will help prevent you from getting sick. If you’re concerned, opt for beer or other chilled drinks where ice won’t be needed. Similarly, avoid salad and anything else that might be washed with tap water in locations where it isn’t a drinkable quality. - If you’re very worried, purchase a water-purifying bottle or tablets ahead of your trip
There are water bottles on the market with inbuilt filtration systems, or you can buy water filtration tablets that do the same thing. If you know you have a sensitive stomach, then these are a great choice to give you that peace of mind while you’re away from home.
For more information on travelling with medical conditions – read more.
