Europe's Top 50+ Beaches

• Red Beach // Greece

  

  Red beach, so named because of the pinkish hue of the sand, is located just south of the better known beach of Matala. Both were firm favourites on the 1960s and 70s hippy trail and whilst Matala may have gone mainstream, Red beach still retains some of its laid back credentials.
  It's a lovely little beach set at the base… read more »

• Oludeniz Beach // Turkey

  

  Ölüdeniz or Olu deniz is the Turkish for "Dead Sea" and this refers to the still waters of the lagoon that lies behind the beach. A more fitting and commonly used translation is the Blue Lagoon.

  The lagoon has crystal clear waters and provides an ideal safe place for children to play. It is separated from the sea by… read more »

• Cala Saona // Spain

  

  Small but perfectly formed Formentera is known for its superb beaches and being a relaxing getaway from its noisy neighbour Ibiza.

  The beach of Cala Saona sits within a small bay surrounded by red rocks where the soft white sands are gently lapped by the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean. It is very much a haven for peace and relaxation,… read more »

• Hoddevik // Norway

  

  Set at the foot of a green valley between towering cliffs on the far western coast of Norway is Hoddevik. This little fishing outpost with its weatherboard huts sits in front of one of the regions finest beaches. With almost a mile of fine white sand and clear blue waters this is an idyllic spot to (literally!) chill out and… read more »

• La Concha // Spain

  

  The beach of La Concha is a large crescent of fine golden sand with the city of San Sebastián as a backdrop. The beach is set in a spectacular semi-circular bay between the forested headlands of Monte Urgull and Igueldo. This vista is further enhanced by the tree covered Isla de Santa Clara rising out of the middle of bay.… read more »

• Playa Francesa // Spain

  

  Set on the little island of – La Graciosa, Playa Francesa, or Playa de la Francesa, has a fine expanse of sand offering excellent views towards the northern coastal cliffs of Lanzarote. Split into two parts by a rock breakwater, the beach's white sand runs for a total of around 450 metres alongside turquoise waters.

  Free of facilities and amenities, visitors… read more »

• Playa de Anfi del Mar // Spain

  

  This cosy little bay is nestled snugly along Gran Canaria's south coast.

  The beach is an ice white sandy strip that draws families in, partly due to the calm and clear water, which is ideal for young children taking a paddle, and partly due to the family-friendly atmosphere here.

  Sunbeds and parasols can be rented on the sands, and there's a watersports… read more »

• Playa de Puerto Rico // Spain

  

  This family-friendly beach on Gran Canaria's southwest coast is probably best known for being the island's sunniest spot, with more hours of sunshine than anywhere else. 

  Combine this with a sheltered sandy beach and it's no surprise to know that it's an extremely popular spot with tourists, but it can get busy quite quickly. 

  Adrenaline-filled watersports are big business here, with usual… read more »

• Playa Meloneras // Spain

  

  Tucked away in Gran Canaria's southwestern corner, just a short way up the coast from Maspalomas' sand dunes, you'll find the soft golden sands at Playa de Meloneras.

  This 500-metre stretch of family-friendly beach rarely gets too crowded, with most tourists opting for the larger, busier spots along the coast, so it's ideal if you like plenty of wriggle room… read more »

• Red Sand Beach // Greece

  

  This is one of just a handful of beaches on Rhodes accessible only by boat or kayak, since its backed by cliffs rising up to four metres high, making it one of the island's most exclusive. But that's not the only reason to make a beeline for Rhodes' Red Sand Beach.

  Also known as Kokkini Ammos, Red Sand Beach has fine… read more »

• Petani Beach // Greece

  

  Probably the Paliki Peninsula's number one beach, Petani lies on a broad bay on Kefalonia's west coast. Enclosed by an amphitheatre of scrub-covered hills, Petani Beach has a length of around 600 metres. Not only that, but most of it comprises soft sand, although pebbles can be found here and there, particularly around the waterline.

  Its waters are largely clear of… read more »

• Skala Beach // Greece

  

  Close to the village of the same name, Skala Beach sits on Kefalonia's southern coastline. A relatively broad beach by the island's standards, it primarily consists of light-yellow sands, but does also have its fair share of shells and pebbles, particularly at the waterline.

  Skala Beach is quite a busy beach with a great range of facilities and amenities. Its proximity… read more »

• Fteri Beach // Greece

  

  Fteri Beach can be found on Kefalonia's northern coastline, a bay away from the famous Blue Lagoon. Even so, Fteri Beach tends to be much more tranquil than it really should be, since it can only be reached by boat or on foot along a marked hiking trail lasting at least 45 minutes each way. Water taxis depart from Zola… read more »

• St Paul's Bay // Greece

  

  Despite its diminutive size, Saint Paul's Bay is one of the most popular beaches on the Greek island of Rhodes. Located on the edge of the historic village of Lindos, St Paul's Bay is almost entirely enclosed by rocks on all sides with just the smallest of gaps for boats to come in and out of. This spectacular setting is… read more »

• Las Teresitas // Spain

  

  Sitting at the foot of the Anaga mountains in the north west of Tenerife is Las Teresitas beach. Despite the mile long sweeping curve of golden sand Las Teresitas manages to just slip under the tourist radar - strange when it has probably featured on more postcards than any other beach on the island! 

  That isn't to say it doesn't get… read more »

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