In the Netherlands, sipping tap water is second nature—safe, clean, and reliable. But when you're on holiday, is it the same story?
Can you drink tap water in popular spots like Spain, France, or Turkey? Why does it taste different from home, and should you always reach for bottled water instead?
Read also: The tastiest tap water in the Netherlands
Leading Dutch water company Vitens offers waterinhetbuitenland.nl, a dedicated site to check tap water safety worldwide based on expert assessments.
Top destinations like Spain, France, Italy, Turkey, and Greece feature prominently. Tap water in Spain is safe but often carries a chlorine taste—many locals prefer supermarket bottles. France, Italy, and Greece follow suit: potable yet chlorinated, so bottled may suit better. In Turkey, avoid tap water due to heavy chlorination; skip ice cubes in drinks too, as they're often made from it.
Planning a trip? Visit waterinhetbuitenland.nl to confirm tap water quality at your destination.
