The 10 most beautiful beaches in Europe
Which of these dream beaches do you already know? We have an overview of the top beaches in Europe.
We Europeans don’t have to be jealous of the exotic beaches of the Caribbean or Southeast Asia. Lonely or crowded, white sand or black sand, palm trees or pine trees, these ten beaches will satisfy any discerning sun-worshipper.
1. Plage de Saleccia, Corsica, France
The Saleccia beach, with a length of one kilometer, is relatively quiet even in high season. However, you will not find any food stalls or vendors on this beach. It’s very difficult to get there. First you need to take a boat to the beach of Lotu in the north of the island, and then walk another 40 minutes. But your effort will be rewarded with a dream beach!
2. Zlatni Rat, Brač, Croatia
This two-part beach tongue is a little wider than 600 meters in total and surrounded by the intense blue Adriatic Sea. Zlatnis Rat is located near the fishing village of Bol on the island of Brač. Thanks to the strong sea winds in the area, it’s the perfect beach for surf lovers, although swimmers should be a little careful as the current at the tip is quite strong. By the way, swimwear is optional here.
3. Navagio, Zakynthos, Greece
This piece of earth is simply enchantingly beautiful. You’re just waiting for Captain Jack Sparrow and his pirate crew to show up. This may also be due to the fact that Navagio Beach is also called Shipwreck Beach or Smugglers’ Bay. In the 1980’s this area was used for wine and tobacco smuggling and a smuggler’s ship ended up wrecked here, giving the beach a mystical aspect. The small secluded beach belongs to one of the most visited islands in Greece: Zakynthos.
4. Praia de Rodas, Islas Cíes, Galicia, Spain
This beach will make you think you are in a Caribbean paradise. And it is actually the case that this beach is very similar to the Caribbean: fine, white sand and clear, turquoise blue water. But instead of palm trees there are pine trees. And instead of coral and predatory fish, there are mussels and barnacles. It is the largest beach in the Islas Cíes National Park and you can only access it by boat from the ports of Vigos or Cangas.
5. Algar de Benadil, Algarve, Portugal
The Algarve is the southernmost region of Portugal and because of the beauty of its beaches, it has become a place of pilgrimage for sun and sea lovers. Its wild, yellow cliffs contrast with the hidden, small stretches of sandy beach that lie between them. The one pictured above looks more like a grotto than a beach. So you don’t need a parasol either, because the cave protects you. Access to this beach is by sea, so you have to arrive by boat. It is best to rent a pedal boat and see the exciting coast from the sea.
6. Reynisfjara, Vik, Iceland
This is not your typical beach for sunbathing or hopping in the sea. The water is much too cold for that and the weather doesn’t invite you to walk around in a skimpy two-piece suit, even in midsummer. But once you step onto the black, crunchy sand, you’ll realize just how unique this place is. According to legend, the two monoliths that jut out of the sea just off the beach are trolls that turned to stone when the morning sun hit them. Puffins (small birds that look more like penguins than parrots, and are almost funnier) will greet you on this beach.
7. Spiaggia dei Conigli (Rabbit Beach), Lampedusa, Italy
We have a real jewel of the Mediterranean in our list. It’s not easy to get here either; narrow, winding paths lead you to this beach, which almost resembles a steppe. You can find it on the island of Lampedusa, which lies south of Sicily and the beach is one of the last places in Italy where turtles still bury their eggs. Rabbit Beach is a nature reserve and if you take the boat a little offshore you may encounter dolphins and stingrays.
8. Blue Lagoon, Comino, Malta
This beach is one of the best spots in Malta for swimming. And, like many on this list, you’ll need to take a boat to reach this stand. It rises between Comino, a small island north of the main island, and an even smaller island called Cominotto. If you are interested in sea creatures, you should definitely not forget your diving goggles. In the summer, crowds flock to this beach to soak up the sun in front of its crystal clear waters. We recommend getting up early so you don’t have to share the cramped space with multiple extended families.
9. Cala Maracalleta, Menorca, Spain
This is another beach to get up early for if you want to enjoy it without using your elbows. It is the smaller and almost identically named brother of the beach of Cala Macarella, which is also on Menorca. In effect, maracalleta follows directly after macarella. So you can leave your car in the parking lot and then follow a small path to get there, which takes no more than five minutes. Its water is almost jellyfish-free and it is a nudist beach.
10. Falsterbo Strandbad, Falsterbo, Sweden
This beach in Sweden has no dramatic cliffs to call its own. The sea here is not particularly wild or turquoise blue. There are no special animals to welcome you. Instead, this beach is like Swedish design: simple, clear, and no-frills. However, it has an exciting shape as it juts out into the sea like a hook. High dunes, a pine forest and some colorful wooden huts are the icing on the cake on this beach. When it gets warm, the little ones play on Skanor’s pier while their families relax on the sand. Take a bike and ride to the lighthouse to say goodbye to a perfect day at this beach in southern Sweden.
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