Europe's Top 50+ Beaches

• Phaselis Beach // Turkey

  

  Set on the aptly named Turquoise Coast and backed by pine covered mountain slopes are the three little sheltered bays which make up Phaselis beach. This area between Kemer and Olimpos is part of a protected national park and the scenery is everything you would expect. The beaches at Phaselis are a welcome relief from the somewhat overdeveloped package resorts… read more »

• Albena Beach // Bulgaria

  

  This beautiful expanse of fine golden sand stretches for 5 Km (3 miles) and is largely backed by the woodland of the Baltata National Reserve. Despite being on the Black Sea coast the water is anything but black here. Maybe the "crystal clear azure coast" would have been a more appropriate name as this beach is the proud owner of… read more »

• Ilha Deserta // Portugal

  

  Ilha Deserta means deserted island and this small sandy isle just off the coast of Faro lives up to its name. At 7km (5 miles) long the island has plenty of beach for all of its zero permanent inhabitants. Even in the height of summer you would be unfortunate if you had to share your stretch of beach with more… read more »

• Notre Dame Beach, Porquerolles // France

  

  Set on the sheltered north coast of the island of Porquerolles is the stunning Plage Notre Dame (beach of Our Lady). Fringed with eucalyptus and pine forest the beach here is reminiscent of a Caribbean bay with the yachts bobbing in the clear turquoise waters of the French Riviera.

  The Île de Porquerolles is just over a mile from the… read more »

• Sjøsanden Beach // Norway

  

  Lying on the very southern tip of Norway is the coastal town of Mandal. By Norwegian standards the climate here is fairly mild and in summer the weather is definitely warm enough to enjoy the town's best known asset - Sjøsanden beach, an 800m (half mile) long stretch of lovely, near white sand.

  Regularly cited as Norway's best beach it… read more »

• Grotta Beach // Iceland

  

  Grotta is located on the Seltjarnarnes peninsula and is probably best known as the site of Reykjavik's lighthouse which has stood here for the last hundred years. Set on a little island connected to the mainland by a narrow spit of black sand, Grotta is only around 10 minutes from downtown Iceland but a world apart.

  The beach and island… read more »

• Nauthólsvík Beach // Iceland

  

  Nauthólsvík is Reykjavik's go to beach. A far cry from the wild expansive landscapes of the other beaches on this list Nauthólsvík is in fact a man-made beach. This goes some way to explaining the unusually (for Iceland) golden sand and surprisingly warm water.

  Opened in 2001 Nauthólsvík is a geothermally heated beach constructed within the confines of protective breakwaters.… read more »

• Ahtopol // Bulgaria

  

  For the perfect mix of natural beauty and millennia-old history, look no further than Ahtopol Beach. Found within the greater confines of Strandzha Nature Park, this is the largest protected area in Bulgaria and home to a wonderful array of flora and fauna. Eighty percent of the reserve is covered in forests, making the beach areas stand out that much… read more »

• Silistar // Bulgaria

  

  Straddling the border between Bulgaria and Turkey, Silistar is a perfect beach for anyone looking to soak up some sun as they go country hopping between these Black Sea neighbours. The little beach is located about 5 km south of the Sinemorets area and is a great hidden gem for those savvy enough to go looking for it.

  Once… read more »

• Irakli Beach // Bulgaria

  

  Of all the distinctions between beaches in Bulgaria, whether it is a developed resort beach or a "wild" beach prubably has the biggest impact. Whilst the former are supposedly more appealing to famiies and revellers, the latter will attract more adventurous spirits. This is a generalization, of course, but one beach that stands out on the "wild" side of things… read more »

• Ada Bojana Beach // Montenegro

  

  Situated in the far south of Montenegro at the mouth of the River Bojana is the island beach of Ada Bojana. Legend says the island began life in the 14th century when a ship becam stranded here. Over the years the sandy sediment of the river gathered around the wreck eventuall creating the triangular island we see today. Sadly this… read more »

• Drobni Pijesak Beach // Montenegro

  

  Drobni Pijesak Beach is located just north of Petrovac between Sveti Stefan and Rezevici coves. It has a long pale-golden-sand beach about 250 meters long, and the clear blue water is clean and great for swimming. This beach is smaller and more secluded than its neighbours, although it is on the tourist radar in the high season. The… read more »

• Agios Ioannis // Greece

  

  Surrounded by some incredible natural beauty, Agios Ioannis is the most popular beach on the eastern coast of the Pelion peninsula. It is located 52 kilometers from the regional capital of Volos. This beautiful beach has a stretch of sand that curves around to a rocky formation in the sea. The waters are turquoise blue, and the beach is surrounded… read more »

• Agios Nikitas // Greece

  

  Agios Nikitas is a charming little beach that lies in a small fishing village just 13 kilometers southwest of Lefkada Town. The clean sand beach here melts into crystal clear turquoise waters, and it is surrounded by green cliffs. You can have a refreshing swim in the tranquil waters and then eat at a local fish tavern for an authentic… read more »

• Agiofili // Greece

  

  Not far from the village of Vasiliki, Agiofili is a charming little beach with crystal clear waters and soft white sand. Surrounded by steep, rugged cliffs covered in greenery, this sheltered cove is reputed to have some of the clearest waters on Lefkada. This makes it a great spot for snorkelling, or just taking a dip in the calm… read more »

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