Top 35 Best Beach Destinations in Europe

Looking for the best beach destinations in Europe? This post is for you!

Whether you’re looking for a relaxing, romantic getaway or an adrenaline-packed holiday, there is something for everyone. From the rocky shores of Greece and Italy to the pristine beaches of Spain, Portugal, and Croatia, Europe has an abundance of stunning seaside locales just waiting to be discovered.

Picture yourself sipping a local rosé while watching the sun dip into the horizon from a remote island off the coast of Turkey; swim with sea turtles from one of Mallorca’s tranquil coves, or explore hidden coves on foot in Croatia’s dramatic coastal regions. The possibilities here are endless!

No matter your travel preferences, there truly is something for everyone regarding European beach destinations. Whether you’re seeking luxury amenities, back-to-basic experiences, historic sites, or cutting-edge nightlife, these shorelines offer many activities and sights.

Take panoramic views atop ancient Greek ruins; take part in one of Crete’s many water sports, or sit back and enjoy your own private piece of paradise from one of Montenegro‘s breathtaking beaches – it’s all up for grabs here! So don’t wait – start planning your exciting European beach getaway today!

Best Beach Destinations in Europe to Visit

Corsica, France

Although Corsica is locally famous, it is one of the off-beaten beach destinations in Europe. It lies off mainland France and is surrounded entirely by the historic Mediterranean Sea, above an Italian island known as Sardinia.

There are two beautiful cities here, Ajaccio and Bastia, which are beautiful attractions. But of course, the highlight of visiting here is the beach.

One of the must-see beaches here is the Palombaggia beach has white sands and turquoise waters. Adding to the beauty are groves of umbrella pine trees. It is the ideal spot for snorkeling.

Planning to visit France? Start here:

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Positano, Italy

Positano is a town in Italy that boasts four beaches: Laurito Beach, Spiaggia Grande, Arienzo Beach, and Fornillo Beach. The main beach is the Spiaggia Grande, also referred to as Marina Grande Beach Positano. As the name suggests, it is the largest beach in the area and has a stunning backdrop that can make up for lifelong memories.

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Ofir, Portugal

Located in the north of Portugal, Ofir is a small town that remains an underrated destination. It boasts a long strip of sandy beach facing the Atlantic Ocean. Locals and tourists love coming here to enjoy tanning, walking, holding beach sports, and feeling hungry. No worries.

There are several restaurants and cafes along the beach that offer not only good snacks and meals but also a stunning view of the beach. It is considered one of the best beach destinations in Europe.

Planning to visit Portugal? Start here:

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French Riviera, France

The French Riviera hosts some of the most iconic villages and beaches typical of France. Among these are St. Tropez, Cannes, and Nice, offering jaw-dropping beaches at par with globally acclaimed destinations. In St. Tropez, one can find Pampelonne beach, which has turquoise waters and sandy beaches. Then there’s Cassis beach which is known as a paradise on earth.

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San Sebastian, Spain

Considered one of the cheap beach destinations Europe offers, San Sebastian beach lies in Spain‘s mountainous Basque Country. Tourists and locals who enjoy beach and city life love coming here.

It is a lively destination with towns featuring historic structures such as cobblestoned streets. Take advantage of seeing La Concha beach, which is dubbed as one of Europe’s most beautiful urban beaches.

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Paros Island, Greece

Considered one of the iconic beach destinations in Europe, Paros island presents features similar to Santorini, which applies to its beaches, breathtaking sunsets, and whitewashed villages. It is also one of the best cheap beach holiday destinations Europe hosts.

Enjoy swimming in the crystal-clear waters, strolling on the thin golden sand, and relishing the pleasant weather while indulging in authentic Greek cuisines.

Planning to visit Greece? Start here:

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Madeira, Portugal

Madeira in Portugal has some of the most iconic beaches in the country and Europe. Depending on one’s choice, the beaches offer unique features typical of subtropical regions.

There are four islands in all, and one can find beaches of different sorts. There are pebbled beaches and sandy beaches.

Are you looking for powdery white sands? They have! For the adventurous souls, the islands of Madeira also offer hiking packages that lead to lush forests and challenging hill terrains.

Etretat beach, France

Nestled in one of the historic regions in France, Etretat beach features fine sands and steep white cliffs. Another attraction is the house of LeBlanc, who authored the famous Arsene Lupin, and his old house has been turned into a museum.

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Menorca, Spain

Menorca boasts a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve that hosts endemic wild plants and flowers, including rustic landscapes. It has numerous white sandy beaches with luxurious pine trees and turquoise waters. Among these is Cala Mitjaneta which hosts a beach, lush forests, and hills to explore.

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Lagos, Portugal

For those looking for a golden sand beach with beautiful rock formations, head out to Lagos in Portugal. It is in southern Portugal, specifically in the idyllic Algarve region, which offers the best view from June to September due to good weather conditions.

Thus, it is a popular option for those who only have time during weekend breaks. Aside from the beautiful beach view, one can enjoy the breathtaking cliffs and rock walls. Then some numerous cafes and restaurants offer authentic Portuguese cuisine.

Favignana Island, Italy

Favignana Island is one of the most underrated islands in Italy, but it’s a destination that deserves mainstream recognition.

It lies off the coast of Sicily, so one must fly to Palermo before taking a shuttle boat to the island. It has some of Italy’s best islands, such as Calla Azur and Calla Rossa, which have turquoise waters and strips of white sands.

It’s best to come here during summer to enjoy the calm waters. It is considered one of the best beach vacations in Europe.

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Zlatni rat, Croatia

Dubbed the Golden Horn, Zlatni rat is one of the most picturesque beach destinations in Europe. Although it has strips of fine sand, it mainly consists of pebble landscapes with distinct shapes that change depending on the wind’s movement. It’s an ultimate getaway for kitesurfing, windsurfing, and other waterspouts.

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Isle of Harris, Scotland

Located off the coast of northern Scotland, the Isle of Harris faces the scenic Isle of Skye. It features Scarista and Luskentyre, which have sandy beaches. On the backdrop of the beach, one can enjoy a panoramic view of scenic mountains and relish the tranquility of the place. There are also miniature fjords along the eastern part of the island.

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Nice, France

For some tourists, a French city is not ideal for sandy spots. But Nice belies that! It is one of the few cities in the country that offers beautiful beaches.

All in all, its beaches cover four miles, stretching as far as the eyes can see. Since the beaches are just right on the doorstep of Nice, these are among the most accessible beach destinations in Europe.

Milos Island, Greece

Milos Island is different from the typical white sand beaches in tropical countries such as the Maldives. The most popular beaches are Papasfragas beach, Sarakiniko beach, and Firiplaka beach. Sarakiniko is known for the Moonscape, a wide white rock formation with a similar shape and features to the moon. Then there’s a nearby desert and a shipwreck, making the place one of the best beach destinations in Europe.

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Cala Mesquida Majorca, Spain

Cala Mesquida lies on a hill with beautiful beaches and a scenic view of the ocean. The village dates to medieval times; thus, it has witnessed the country’s rich history.

But beach bums can also enjoy the place since it offers powdery sands with turquoise waters and beautiful hillsides. It is one of the best beach holidays in Europe.

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Praia do Castello, Portugal

Praia do Castello is part of Albufeira in Portugal’s Algarve province and lies next to the famous village resort of Sesmarias. It is known for its golden sands and a dramatic backdrop of cliffs and lush landscapes, and it is an ideal beach vacation Europe has to offer.

Santorini Island, Greece

Santorini is one of the best beach destinations in Europe. It does not have one but multiple beaches, each with unique features. Tourists visiting the place would feel that they are living in paradise. Among its most popular beaches are White beach and Red beach, but there are many others to explore.

Some have fine sand, while others showcase pebbles and black sand. The waters here are crystal-clear, and there are ideal spots for diving and snorkeling.

Sardinia Island, Italy

Sardinia Island is the place to go for those chasing different natural wonders rolled into one. It has over 2000 kilometers of coastline, making it the Italian version of Corsica Island in France. With its long stretch of coastline, one can find numerous white sand beaches with pristine and turquoise waters, plus scenic villages. Tourists will discover idyllic hiking destinations when trekking to the island’s interior.

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Zakynthos, Greece

Are you looking for cheap beach holidays Europe can offer? Check out Zakynthos Island, which is also one of the most exotic options on the continent.

One of its best spots is Navagio beach, otherwise called Shipwreck beach. Like Nusa Penida’s KelingKing beach, Navagio beach boasts calm turquoise waters, white sands, and tall white cliffs with lush vegetation.

It also has historical sites and different cafes and restaurants where locals and tourists can indulge in authentic Greek meals.

Porto Timoni Beach, Corfu, Greece

Porto Timoni is an exotic, well-hidden beach that is not that popular. It is located around Agios Georgios Pagi below Afionas village. It is split into two different beaches separated by a delicate strip of landscapes. The large beach is Porto Timoni, and the small one is Limni.

It is one of the most verdant and magnificent beaches in Europe. These two beaches have dense hills, i.e., one with deep blue waters and another with blue waters. You will find out different water temperatures in these two bays.

You need to go through the path, which starts with the small Afionas square, to get to Porto Timoni. It takes around twenty minutes to reach this beach. But you must be careful as the path is abrupt and rugged in many places. The closed bays, only a few bathers, and crystal clear waters are the best things of Porto Timoni. It is entirely an unorganized beach.

So, it would be best if you carried all the essentials to stay and bring water. You can follow the path to the edge of the peninsula to reach the Agios Stylianos chapel built in a cave.

Read also: Things to do in Santorini, Athens, and Rhodes

Praia Marinha, Algarve, Portugal

Located around the limestone cliffs in the Algarve region, Praia de Marinha is, according to a lot of travel magazines, one of the most beautiful beaches in Europe. It is one of the exotic sandy beaches in Europe known for crystal clear waters, jagged rock formations, and beach holidays in Europe. You need to climb down a narrow pathway to access the beach. Flip-flops will not be good. So, pack a pair of good shoes for European beach vacations.

It is one of the most peaceful sunny places in Europe, and it is best to get there during the offseason. Large crowds of vacationers gather on this beach. This beach is a magnificent destination for snorkeling on the waters of the Atlantic Ocean. It is undoubtedly worth visiting for natural grottos and caves for fun-filled European beach vacations.

Read also: Castles in Portugal and Things to do in Lisbon

Canal d’Amour, Sidari, Greece

Also known as the Channel of Love, Canal d’Amour is one of Europe’s unique and favorite sunny places. It is located between Peroulades and Sidari villages on the north of the island at around 32 km from Corfu city.

It is indeed a natural masterpiece, a unique one in the Mediterranean. It is an opening formed by the corrosive impact of air and water over the sandstone cliff. With the passage of each year, the permanent effects of natural elements change the environment in some parts with clear waters. It is virtually a small beach.

So, it is always better to get there in the early morning as thousands of tourists flock there every summer so you can find some space and be patient as it is very crowded. Be sure to explore the caves with a mask across the Chanel.

Virgin Island’s creek, Crozon, France

Virgin Island’s creek in Brittany is one of the best sunny places in Europe. This secret beach is not accessible, but it is beautiful. It looks like a typical Mediterranean beach with maritime pines. The natural cove of Virgin Island is one of the surprising destinations for beach holidays in Europe.

So come and explore the hidden treasures of this peaceful beach by kayak, boat, with mask/flippers/snorkel, or via GR34 trail. It is worth starting to check it out from the beach’s entrance.

Blue Lagoon, Malta

The Blue Lagoon of Malta has crystal clear waters ideal for swimming, with almost no waves as unique limestone formations secure the cove. You can swim out to many of them.

The Blue Lagoon has a small dock where you can boat to other beaches and coves across the island. It has a lot of facilities to enjoy, like snack vendors, sunbeds, and umbrellas for European beach vacations.

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Playa de Carnota, Galicia, Spain

In Galicia, Playa de Carnota is the best destination for European beach city breaks. Summer is usually flat for consistent surf. Offshore winds blow on the northeast of the beach. Carnota is stretched over 7 km on the western coast, making it the longest beach in Galicia.

It is located around 70 km from Santiago de Compostela city. You can always find a stretch of sand, which is the best for swimming, as lifeguards are always available in many parts of this beach.

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Reynisfjara, Iceland

Is it enough for you to visit white beaches in Europe? Of course, they are cool. What if Iceland has a lava beach that has been formed of ashes? Out of various volcanic beaches, Reynisfjara is the black sand beach which is the coolest one with incredible basalt columns, black sand, towering cliffs, caves, and lava formations.

Don’t confuse it with tanning sand on most beaches. It is pure black, formed by hot lava flowing on the ocean, which cooled down quickly as it got into the water.

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Moscenicka Draga Beach, Croatia

Moscenicka Draga is a coastal town of Opatija known for its serene environment and pebble beach.

Situated under Ucka Mountain and facing the magnificent Kvarner Bay, the community proudly has a sense of peace and isolation.

It has excellent features essential for intimate and relaxing European holidays. It has a friendly environment that provides ample comfort during your stay.

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Durdle Door Beach, Dorset, England

The best part of this iconic beach is the natural limestone arch leading you to the ocean’s aquamarine and crystal-clear waters.

Pounding waves sweeping for thousands of years off the headland formed the arch between Man’o’War Bay and Doodle Door. The sandy shingle beach of Durdle Door curves from the archway and faces the massive limestone mountains of the Jurassic Coast.

The ammonites, fossils, and belemnites are found well with this stretch. But keep in mind that the rocks fall in the area sometimes.

So, you must be careful under the cliffs. But the crystal clear waters greet the tourists during summer as they look gorgeous and the area is well known among snorkelers and swimmers on sunny days.

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Cala Agulla Beach, Mallorca, Spain

Cala Agulla beach is known for its bright and shallow sea waters. Cala Agulla beach is around 500m long and has a depth of 50 meters on average, the largest beach on the eastern part of the island. You can rent parasols and sunbeds. It has toilet facilities available, and lifeguards are assigned for their duties.

During the summer months, thousands of locals and tourists flock to it. When it comes to water sports, active tourists can enjoy beach volleyball. It has ample parking space in a restaurant and a beach bar.

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Mitjaneta beach, Menorca, Spain

Cala Mitjaneta is one of the most exotic and famous European beaches for couples. It is a beautiful cove in Menorca on the south, tipped with high cliffs and bright, shallow, blue, and serene waters on one side. On a short walk away, there is a small parking space. But it is packed quickly in peak season. So, it is better to access this beach by boat.

Like many beaches in this place, it is charming, but you should come prepared because it is a remote shore and lacks facilities. It remains very crowded in peak months. Be sure to carry enough supplies early to last a full day. Hike over the cliff or swim across the headland, and you can explore the pristine beauty of a small island.

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Podrace Beach, Croatia

Located in the small yet beautiful cove, Podrace Beach in Croatia has a range of bays in Brela, one of the exotic summer resorts in this country.

It is one of the best European beaches and has been selected No.1 by Forbes Magazine. It was one of the 15 hottest holiday destinations in 2015 by the European Best Destinations.

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Seychelles Beach, Ikaria, Greece

It appeared due to a landslide around 30 years ago, and Seychelles Beach is one of the best-kept secrets in Ikaria. The locals have marked the way to the beach and parking space.

This beach is located on the south coast of Ikaria in the least populated region of the island where the Rocky Mountains slope down.

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Calo des Moro, Mallorca, Spain

Thanks to its popularity and small size, it is yet another lesser-known beach in Mallorca. There is nothing much to do here, but you can swim and snorkel.

However, it is not that friendly for relaxing and bathing in peak season.

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Ballota Beach, Asturias, Spain

This spectacular beach is naturally covered by a solid, small barrier that protrudes on the water. It is indeed a beautiful beach with pristine surroundings and amazing views of the entire island.

It has crystal clear water and a sandy seabed. You can reach there by car following the marked track leading around the beach.

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