Europe's Top 50+ Beaches
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Barceloneta Beach // Spain
Nicholas Gemini The closest beach to the centre of Barcelona, Barceloneta Beach stands on the city's eastern coast in a former fishing district mentioned by Cervantes in the Spanish classic Don Quixote. Now, perhaps ironically, home of one of Europe's largest aquariums, Barceloneta is very well provided for when it comes to amenities and facilities.
In addition to showers, toilets, and changing rooms,… read more »
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Banys del Fòrum // Spain
Jordiferrer When is a beach not a beach? When it's Barcelona's Banys del Fòrum, a sand-free modernist pool of constantly refreshed seawater protected from the open waves of the Mediterranean by a series of screening posts made – elegantly – from concrete.
Constructed in 2004, Banys del Fòrum Beach is a great place to head for anyone most interested in the swimming… read more »
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Platja de Garraf // Spain
Damaqu Just along the coast from the ever-popular Castelldefels, you'll find this peaceful and pretty spot, which is ideal for avoiding the crowds.
This 350-metre long stretch of biscuit-coloured sand is a popular place with families, thanks to the clear, calm waters and chilled-out vibe.
Lots of the beachgoers here are day trippers from Barcelona, who are looking to escape the… read more »
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Platja de la Bassa Rodona // Spain
Jorge Franganillo Located in Sitges, roughly 20 minutes from Barcelona, Platja de la Bassa Rodona is best well known as the region's premier gay-friendly beach. As one of the most central, it's here that many gay couples choose to sunbathe, although increasingly relaxed attitudes towards the gay community mean many happily bathe on beaches closer to the Catalonian capital.
As a result… read more »
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Costa da Caparica // Portugal
© sam74100 Located just across the bridge from Lisbon is Costa da Caparica. This resort town is little known outside of Portugal, but incredibly popular with Lisbon locals during the summer months.
It is easy to see why; a seemingly endless expanse of fine golden sand facing into the deep blue of the Atlantic Ocean provide a string of beaches, each with their… read more »
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Playa de El Palmar // Spain
dronepicr Setting itself up as the surf capital of Andalusia, Playa de el Palmar sees a succession of surfers visiting its seven kilometres of near-straight golden sands right throughout the year. During the summer months, its kite surfers you're most likely to come across, while in the winter, it's board surfers. A surf school and rental centre on the beach means… read more »
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Playa de los Muertos // Spain
isol Situated between two coastal villages, Carboneras and Agua Amarga, and roughly 55 minutes by car from Almeria, Playa de los Muertos has appeared more than once in lists of not only the best beaches in Spain, but also the best beaches in all of Europe.
Despite its sinister name, the "Beach of the Dead", which stems from the time of pirates… read more »
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Playa de los Genoveses // Spain
Kevin Pacheco Found on the Costa de Almeria, around three kilometres from the town of Nijar, Playa de los Genoveses forms perhaps the most stunning vistas of Cabo de Gata Natural Park. With smooth yellow sand stretching the length of an entire bay, and surrounded on its inland side by virgin dunes, there are no facilities or amenities on Playa de los… read more »
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Playa de las Negras // Spain
© Jerzy Górecki This shingle and dark sand beach is right at the centre of life in the town of the same name, on Andalusia's eastern coastline. It takes its name from the black sea cliff, Cerro Negro, to the eastern side of this small inlet of the Mediterranean Sea.
Situated within the confines of Parque Natural Cabo de Gata, Playa de las Negras… read more »
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Playa de Cuesta Maneli // Spain
José Mari D. Barba Playa de Cuesta Maneli has fine, golden sand that runs for several kilometres. Situated within the confines of Doñana Natural Park, around 35 kilometres southeast of Huelva, the beach has very few facilities on offer, with a sole chiringuito (with toilets) open in the summer for refreshments.
The location of Playa de Cuesta Maneli within the protected area of Doñana means… read more »
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Playa Calahonda // Spain
© Rober Martinez The last beach on the Costa Tropical before it turns into the Costa Almeria, Playa Calahonda lies south of Granada around a small village of the same name that manages to maintain an authentic regional air and lacks the large hotel developments of elsewhere on the Andalusian coast.
Protected by a headland on its eastern side, and with cliffs to its… read more »
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Playa de Maro // Spain
Guerretto Also known by its English name, Maro Beach, Playa de Maro is a Blue Flag beach lying within Acantilados del Mar Nature Reserve. Known for its seclusion, this 500 metre long stretch of deep greyish sand mixed with occasional pebbles is a virgin beach, meaning it has been all but untouched by development.
Playa de Maro is therefore a fantastic area… read more »
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Playa del Cristo // Spain
Turista Inglesa Stretching around a small bay immediately to the west of Punta de la Doncella and the attractive marina of Puerto Pesquero de Estepona, Playa del Cristo is approximately 700 metres long. Combining stone-free dark sands with calm shallow waters, protected on one side by a sea wall, amenities include several play areas. As a result, it's a beach that has… read more »
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Playa La Rada // Spain
Turista Inglesa Situated on the eastern side of Estepona, Playa de la Rada runs for over two kilometres. Although not the calmest of beaches on the Costa del Sol, with moderate waves, its deep grey sands and long beachside promenade makes Playa de la Rada an excellent all-round option favoured by locals and visitors alike.
Accessible for those with disabilities, and in close… read more »
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Playa la Victoria // Spain
© joserpizarro/123RF Undoubtedly one of the most popular beaches in Cadiz, Playa la Victoria is a favourite with locals as well as visitors to the area. A beach sitting firmly within the city limits, its 2.8-kilometre length is matched by a promenade alongside it that hosts hotels, bars, restaurants and nightclubs.
The beach itself comprises a good width of near-white sands facing… read more »
