Europe’s Best Beaches: 22 Stunning Spots You Need to See

The Most Beautiful Beaches in Spain

Spain is home to a huge share of Europe’s best beaches. Here’s our top selection for a beach vacation in Spain.

Playa de la Concha

La Concha is frequently called the most beautiful beach in Europe, and honestly, we can see why. It’s the main bay of the gorgeous city of San Sebastián in the Basque Country of northern Spain.

From the beach, you get a great view of the small rocky island of Santa Clara sitting in the middle of the shell-shaped bay, with San Sebastián’s beautiful old quarter as the backdrop.

San Sebastián is also seriously well known among surfers. The bay is perfect for all kinds of water sports — whether you’re a complete beginner or a seasoned pro, you’ll find your thing here.

After a day at the beach, stroll through the streets of the historic center, sip a sangria at one of the many tapas bars as the sun goes down, and soak up the lively vibe of the city.

Our hotel pick: Boutique Villa Favorita

Playa de Cofete

Playa de Cofete on the Canary Island of Fuerteventura looks like it’s simply not of this world: the finest golden sand stretches for 14 kilometers, with the mighty Jandía mountain range catching the clouds in the background. And the best part? You’ll barely run into another soul.

The downside is that Cofete is not safe for swimming due to strong currents. Take this seriously — people have drowned here.

That said, a trip to Cofete is one of the most popular activities on Fuerteventura. Not only is it one of Fuerteventura’s most stunning beaches, it’s also home to the legendary Villa Winter. Rumor has it there was an underground Nazi submarine base beneath it — though that’s never been confirmed.

Our hotel pick: Hotel La Colina

Playa Es Trenc

Mallorca is one of the most popular travel destinations in Europe, and contrary to what you might expect, the Balearic island has so much more to offer than party strips and sunburned tourists.

A real standout is the beach Es Trenc in the southwest of the island — the last large, completely unspoiled natural beach on Mallorca, stretching for about 2.5 kilometers. White sand and crystal-clear water: you could easily think you’d landed in the Caribbean!

In recent years, several conservation measures have been put in place at Es Trenc. There are no more chiringuitos (Spanish beach snack bars), and a parking fee of 5 euros per day is charged.

As a general rule: the further east you spread your towel, the more people there are — but also more nearby infrastructure like bars and cafés. The western end is quieter and more natural.

Our hotel pick: Ses Rotes Velles

The Most Beautiful Beaches in Italy

Italy is home to some of the most beautiful seaside spots on the continent. Here are some of the top beaches in Italy:

San Vito Lo Capo

One of the most popular beaches in Italy is the beach at San Vito Lo Capo on Sicily.

Tourists and locals alike love spending a beach day here with the family. The water is crystal clear and shallow — you can walk out quite a distance before it gets deep, which makes the bay especially great if you’re traveling with kids.

The scenery is fantastic too, with the towering rock formation of Monte Monaco rising up in the background. If you want to see San Vito Lo Capo from above, there are great hiking trails right in the area.

The town is pretty small, but it has everything you’d want from a vacation spot: restaurants, ice cream shops, plenty of small hotels, and loads of dolce vita.

Our hotel pick: Hotel Perla Gaia

Cala Violina

Cala Violina is one of the top natural beaches in Tuscany. Sitting right in the middle of the Bandite di Scarlino nature park, you’re completely surrounded by dense forest.

Here’s the trade-off: Cala Violina is only accessible on foot or by boat — there’s no road. Plan on about half an hour for the walk. On the flip side, the beach is never overcrowded and you can truly enjoy the peace and quiet.

The walk through the forest is really lovely, and you’ll be rewarded at the end with the finest golden sand and turquoise water.

Speaking of sand — it’s actually responsible for the bay’s name. The sand is made up of tiny quartz particles that, in the wind, produce a sound like a violin. Truly one of a kind!

Our hotel pick: Marina di Scarlino Resort

Beach of Positano

Whether on Instagram or in Hollywood blockbusters, the beach of Positano on the famous Amalfi Coast has appeared in quite a few pictures — and it’s easy to see why.

With the steep hillside, the small colorful houses, and bobbing boats in the background, this beach is simply the ultimate postcard image. The entire Amalfi Coast is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The one downside: the beach isn’t exactly cheap. There’s only a small free section at the far end. A couple of lounge chairs with an umbrella can run you anywhere from 25 to 30 euros per day depending on the season — though you do get access to restrooms, showers, and changing cabins.

Positano itself has plenty of great restaurants and bars, as well as nice shops for browsing. And the hillside location means a built-in workout during your vacation.

Our hotel pick: Hotel Onda Verde

If you’re visiting Naples, definitely plan a day trip to the stunning Amalfi Coast. Positano is just under 1.5 hours by car from Naples.

The Most Beautiful Beaches in Greece

Greece is of course ideal for a beach vacation. Here are our favorite spots in Greece:

Elafonisi

We’ve all heard of white sand beaches, but have you ever seen pink sand? It sounds wild, but the sand at Elafonisi beach on the Greek island of Crete is actually tinted pink by crushed shells.

Elafonisi is a small island at the very western tip of Crete, which you can reach on foot via a sandbar at low tide. Otherwise, there’s also a road that leads to the beach.

The water is very shallow and the bay resembles more of a lagoon with small natural pools — great for families with kids. You can rent two lounge chairs with an umbrella for around 10 euros per day, or simply kick back on the sand with a towel.

We’d recommend arriving at Elafonisi either before 11 AM or after 3 PM, as it gets really crowded with tour buses in between. At sunset, the pink sand is even more impressive anyway!

Our hotel pick: Elafonisi Resort

Sarakiniko

Sarakiniko looks like it’s on the moon — or at least it feels that way. You don’t have to fly quite that far though, because Sarakiniko is on the Greek island of Milos.

The landscape is defined by snow-white rock formations and caves that stand out dramatically against the blue sea.

Sarakiniko isn’t a sandy beach — instead, you’ll be lounging on stone plateaus or fine pebbles.

It rarely gets truly crowded here. The beach is also great for strolling, snorkeling, and swimming. And of course, a photo in front of this extraordinary landscape is a must.

Our hotel pick: Cave Suites Milo

Navagio

Navagio, on the small island of Zakynthos, might well be the Greek beach that appears most often in Instagram photos.

Here’s why: white sand, blue sea, and towering white limestone cliffs rising 200 meters on either side. The vista is especially stunning from the lookout point high above, where you take in the breathtaking scene in its full scale.

Navagio is also known as Shipwreck Beach, because in 1980 a large ship ran aground and still lies in the bay to this day. According to rumors, it was loaded with illegal goods — which wouldn’t be surprising, since Navagio was once a notorious smuggler’s cove.

You can reach the lookout point on your own by car. The bay itself is only accessible by boat — but that’s no problem at all, as various tours head to the beach every day.

Our hotel pick: Olea All Suite Hotel

Book a glass-bottom boat tour to Navagio

The Most Beautiful Beaches in Croatia & Montenegro

Old favorites meet the exotic: while Croatia has long been known for some of Europe’s best beaches, Montenegro is still a genuine under-the-radar pick for a beach getaway in Eastern Europe.

Zlatni Rat

You won’t find another beach like Zlatni Rat on the Croatian island of Brac anywhere in the world: the spit of land juts almost 500 meters straight out into the sea, tapering to a point like a pencil tip. Depending on the water level, the tip actually shifts direction from time to time.

Behind Zlatni Rat rises Mount Vidova Gora at 778 meters above sea level. You can hike up to a lookout point and admire the Golden Horn from above.

That view is almost even more impressive, since the water stays very shallow for a long distance — seen from above, this creates a stunning turquoise hue.

Zlatni Rat has excellent amenities: you can rent lounge chairs and umbrellas, there are restrooms and showers, and at midday you can grab a bite at a nearby bar.

Our hotel pick: Villa Giardino Heritage Boutique Hotel

Plaža Banje

Dubrovnik on the Croatian Adriatic coast is one of the most beautiful city-trip destinations in Europe, and the historic center with its many palaces and massive city walls is even a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

One of the best views of the city perched on the clifftop can be enjoyed from Plaža Banje, a city beach right next to the old town — and one of the few sandy beaches in Croatia.

The beach has plenty of beach clubs, bars, and cafés where you can stock up on snacks and cold drinks during the day. In the evening, the nightlife comes alive, and if you’re up for it, this is a great spot to go out.

Part of the beach is completely free, but arrive early — this section fills up quickly.

Alternatively, you can rent lounge chairs — for example, two for 200 Kuna (about 26 euros) per day. If you order food at the beach club, you can often use the lounge chairs for free.

Our hotel pick: The Byron Hotel

Plazha Jaz

Montenegro probably isn’t the first place that comes to mind when you think of Europe’s best beaches. But this small Balkan country actually has quite a lot to offer for a beach vacation.

A real highlight among Montenegro’s beaches is Jaz Beach near the picturesque town of Budva. There’s something for every kind of beach-goer here: a section with large rocks, a pebble beach, and a sandy beach.

It can sometimes get a bit crowded with lounge chairs from the adjacent hotels, but there’s always a quiet stretch to be found.

There’s also plenty of entertainment on offer. You can rent kayaks and jet skis, and in summer there’s a large music festival called Seadance held once a year, featuring lots of exciting up-and-coming bands.

Our hotel pick: Dukley Hotel and Resort

The Most Beautiful Beaches in Portugal

Portugal’s coastline stretches for more than 800 kilometers — that means plenty of room for some of the best beaches in Europe. Here are our favorite spots in Portugal.

Praia da Marinha

Praia da Marinha is the iconic image of the Algarve: turquoise water, golden sand, and dramatic sea cliffs — the quintessential southern Portugal!

The beach is especially well known for its unique limestone rock formations. Massive rocks jut out of the sea like little towers, including the famous double arch known as Arcos Naturais.

Surfers also love it here, as they do the entire Algarve — it’s a true wave paradise.

If it gets too crowded on the beach, we highly recommend taking a hike along the coast. From the clifftop path, you’ll get a stunning view of the bay and the rock formations that’s honestly even better than being on the sand.

Our hotel pick: Vila Alba Resort

Praia da Apúlia

One of the most beautiful beaches in northern Portugal is Praia da Apúlia. It’s just about a half hour by car from the lovely city of Porto, in the Esposende nature park — making it super easy to fit a day trip from Porto into your itinerary.

The sandy beach seems to stretch endlessly along the coast, with grasses swaying gently in the dunes behind it. Small windmills dot the landscape for the perfect photo — and they’ve actually been converted into vacation rentals.

Praia da Apúlia is also known for its particularly high iodine content and is recommended by doctors for short recuperative stays.

Our hotel pick: Hotel Suave Mar

Extraordinary Beaches in Europe

Not feeling a run-of-the-mill beach vacation? These are Europe’s most extraordinary beaches — anything but ordinary:

Durdle Door Beach

England is famous for its rainy weather, but for this one-of-a-kind beach, we’d put up with a little rain. Or just visit during July and August, when you’ve got a much better shot at sunny days.

In the county of Dorset on the English Channel, you’ll find one of England’s top attractions: Durdle Door, a gigantic arch of limestone.

Durdle Door is part of the Jurassic Coast, which with its steeply dropping, brilliantly white cliffs set against lush green meadows looks like something out of another world. The rock formation is even a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site.

At Durdle Door, there’s a sandy beach with views of the chalk cliffs. It’s easily accessible by car, and a staircase leads right down to it.

Our hotel pick: Lulworth Lodge

Kniepsand

For a beach vacation in Europe, you don’t have to go far at all — you can simply head to the North Sea, for example to the beautiful island of Amrum.

The huge sandbank sits just off Amrum and has truly remarkable dimensions: 15 kilometers long and up to 1.5 kilometers wide. That makes Kniepsand the longest beach in Europe.

The sand is also particularly soft and fine. Everyone can find a quiet spot here, and the shallow water is great for kids — the little ones can build entire sandcastle empires.

A real postcard image and very typical of the North Sea: the grass-covered dunes with a lone lighthouse in the background.

Our hotel pick: Mein Inselhotel Amrum

Kvalvika Bay

This next beach isn’t for lazy sunbathers — it’s better suited for outdoor sports enthusiasts.

Kvalvika Bay is located in the Lofoten Islands. The Lofoten belong to Norway and rank among the most beautiful islands in Europe.

If you want to see this beach, be prepared for a hike. There are several hiking routes, with the shortest taking about an hour. The final stretch is a fairly steep downhill section, so you should be sure-footed and have a moderate level of fitness.

But the effort is absolutely worth it: once you arrive, a white sandy beach surrounded by green meadows, blue sea, and massive rugged mountains awaits you. We’ll say no more — a picture is worth a thousand words.

By the way: The Lofoten are a great place to see the Northern Lights, and if you’re into camping, Kvalvika Bay is perfect for it. We’ve also got just the right article on photographing the Northern Lights ready for you.

Our hotel pick: Lydersen Rorbuer

Reynisfjara

Reynisfjara in Iceland is a beach of superlatives — it has ranked among the top 10 most beautiful beaches in the world, and at the same time it’s known as one of the most dangerous. But let’s start with why Reynisfjara is so worth seeing.

White and yellow sandy beaches are everywhere, but pitch-black sand is truly rare. At Reynisfjara, as on Tenerife, the black color comes from the erosion of volcanic rock. The bay has something wild and untamed about it and is awe-inspiring in any weather.

In the middle of the sea, three distinctive basalt columns rise from the water. According to legend, they are trolls who were turned to stone by an enraged husband. Or they simply broke away from the rest of the mountain range over time. Take your pick.

But the beauty of the beach can be deceptive — the waves can suddenly grow very large and pull you into the sea! There’s also a great cave on the beach where you sometimes encounter sheep seeking shelter. Here too, keep an eye on the tide.

Our hotel pick: Black Beach Suites

Beach of Liepaja

Latvia probably isn’t on most people’s travel bucket list — and certainly not for a beach vacation in Europe. We’re here to change that! Latvia actually offers some great beaches, and one of the most beautiful is right outside the city of Liepaja.

This fine sandy beach stretches along the Baltic Sea for several kilometers and offers above all one thing: pure tranquility. If you’re not in the mood for noisy crowds, lounge chairs, and towering resort hotels, the beach of Liepaja is a great choice.

It also has a special feature: spaced several kilometers apart, you’ll find the ruins of old war bunkers, built by the Russian navy at the end of the 19th century. They were abandoned after just a few years and, too sturdy to be demolished by human hands, have been slowly eroded by the sea ever since.

Our hotel pick: Hotel Villa Roze

Blue Lagoon

The Blue Lagoon definitely didn’t get its name for nothing: you rarely see water this crystal clear and blue.

Located in the far west of Cyprus on the Akamas Peninsula, the bay isn’t the easiest to reach. You have two options.

If you prefer a bit of adventure, rent a 4×4 or a buggy and make your own way along the off-road track. You’ll still need to climb down a short stretch from the parking area to get to the lagoon.

Much more comfortable is a guided boat tour. You’ll be picked up by bus and driven to the small fishing village of Latchi. From there, you continue by boat to the Blue Lagoon, where you can swim in the shallow water and soak up the sun on the deck.

Our hotel pick: Atlantica Golden Beach

Book a day trip to the Blue Lagoon from Paphos

Coumeenoole Beach

When you think of Ireland, you probably first picture green pastures and happily grazing cows — and that’s fair, but tucked among all that green are also beautiful sandy beaches. Coumeenoole Beach is especially well known because scenes from the Star Wars trilogy were filmed nearby.

The beach is on the Dingle Peninsula and offers a fantastic view of Dunmore Head, the westernmost point of Ireland. Getting there is easy — just follow the Slea Head Drive along the coast. There’s a parking lot right at the beach.

The scenery has a sense of solitude that you rarely experience anywhere anymore. You feel a little like you’re at the edge of the world.

Whether you want to simply lie in the sand, hike across the surrounding meadows, or surf the waves, there are plenty of activities at Coumeenoole Beach.

Our hotel pick: Dunlavin House

Plage de Rondinara

Pure Caribbean vibes await you at Plage de Rondinara on the French island of Corsica. Even though you’re on the Mediterranean, the long white sandy beach, the turquoise water, and the bobbing sailboats give you the feeling of lying on a beach in Barbados.

What you won’t experience in Barbados, though: cows on the beach! The animals stroll around and warm their big bellies on the sand. Not only humans need a beach vacation, after all.

The beach has a large parking lot and a restaurant where you can grab snacks and cold drinks. The clear water invites visitors of all ages for a swim.

Our hotel pick: Résidence Casarina

General Tips for a Beach Vacation in Europe

Before we wrap up, here are a few practical pointers for your beach vacation.

What to Pack for a Beach Vacation in Europe?

You’re already mentally stretched out on the sand, but first there’s one important question to answer: what exactly belongs in your suitcase? Here are our top five things you’ll need for the beach.

1. Swimwear: Obviously, a bikini and swim trunks are the absolute essentials for a beach vacation. Pack a few sets if you can, so you’re not stuck sitting in wet clothes after a swim.
2. Sunscreen: Sunburn is absolutely annoying and painful. Protect yourself with a sunscreen that has adequate SPF — a hat and sunglasses are also a smart idea.
3. Water bottle: Especially when you’re sweating more in warm climates, it’s important to drink enough water.
4. Beach towel: Lying wet in sticky sand? No thanks! Don’t forget your beach towel — it also makes scorching hot sand a lot more bearable.
5. Headphones: Music at the beach is simply the recipe for relaxation. Whatever you do, don’t leave your headphones at home.

Wondering what else needs to go in your suitcase? Check out our full beach vacation packing list — you’ll never forget anything again.

Beach Vacation Packing List: What to Pack for a Trip to the Beach?

Useful Gadgets for Your Beach Vacation

Besides swimwear and sunscreen, there are a few other handy items that not everyone thinks of right away, but that can really come in useful at the beach:

• Portable beach safe: A small, sturdy safe for valuables like your phone and wallet. You can secure it to your beach umbrella or lounge chair with a steel cable and leave it unattended while you swim.
• Waterproof fanny pack: As an alternative to a safe, you can simply take your valuables into the water with you. A fanny pack can easily hold a phone and some cash.
• Microfiber beach towel: Thin, absorbent, and dries super fast. Microfiber beach towels are seriously worth it for any beach vacation because they take up hardly any space in your suitcase.
• Foldable beach umbrella: A compact umbrella that fits in your suitcase. Perfect for beaches where there’s no umbrella rental available.

What Does the Blue Flag at a Beach Mean?

The Blue Flag is a quality seal for beaches in Europe.

When a beach is awarded the Blue Flag, it means the water is particularly clean and that certain environmental protection standards around the beach are being met.

The Blue Flag is awarded annually, and the municipality that the beach belongs to must apply for it — a process that also comes with costs.

If a beach doesn’t have a Blue Flag, that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s dirty. But if it does have one, you can count on sanitary facilities, daily cleaning, and protections for local wildlife and plant life.

Paid Beaches in Europe: Where Do You Pay for Sunbathing?

At some beaches, you actually have to pay a fee to use the beach. Having to pay admission to enjoy nature might seem a little strange at first, but it does come with some real advantages.

Paid beaches are not only very clean — the operators clean them daily — they also tend to have solid amenities including restrooms, showers, and lifeguards, and usually beach bars and restaurants.

In addition, the fee typically includes beach umbrellas and lounge chairs.

These kinds of beaches are especially well suited for families, as they tend to be very safe and convenient.

You’ll find many of Europe’s paid beaches in Italy or Croatia.

How much the beach fee costs depends on both the region and the season. In northern Italy during peak season, you can easily pay up to 30 euros per day for an umbrella and lounge chairs.