Europe's Top 50+ Beaches
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Skrea Strand // Sweden
Marcus Tobjörk Skrea Strand is a particularly pleasant sandy stretch of beach just across the river from the large town of Falkenberg. It has grown in popularity since the early 1900s becoming something of an established resort by the 1930s.
The long (over 1km) beach is made up of fine, near white sand, that has been blown into low dunes at the back… read more »
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Pretty Bay // Malta
Frank Vincentz Located on the western side of the large natural harbour of Marsaxlokk Bay, Pretty Bay Beach is approximately 200 metres in length. Made up of soft, light sand the beach is surrounded by Birzebbuga town, meaning a plethora of amenities are only a short stroll away.
Just north of Pretty Bay, visitors will find the Borg in-Nadur historic landmark as well… read more »
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Bogatell Beach // Spain
Markus Tacker Stretching for 700 metres along Barcelona's coastline close to the Olympic Port, the sands of Bogatell Beach are generally considered to be less crowded on the busiest days than nearby beaches such as Barceloneta and San Sebastià, from which it is separated by a stone breakwater.
All the same, Bogatell Beach provides pretty much everything that anyone could want… read more »
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Mar Bella Beach // Spain
Markus Tacker This semi-urban beach on the coastal reaches of Barcelona is located between Bogatell and Nova Mar Bella beaches. Like its neighbouring areas of golden sand, Mar Bella Beach has a good number of public facilities, including toilets, showers, a children's play area and beach volleyball courts.
On Passeig Marítim, the promenade that runs behind Mar Bella, visitors will… read more »
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Sant Sebastià Beach // Spain
MARIA ROSA FERRE ✿ Noted for its modern tower and integrated cable car station (for trips up to Mount Monjuic), Sant Sebastià Beach lies in the Cuitat Vella district of Barcelona immediately along the coast from Sant Miquel Beach. One of the city's oldest and best loved beaches, Sant Sebastià comprises biscuit-coloured sands that continue for around a kilometre in length and average… read more »
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Nova Mar Bella // Spain
Sergei Gussev Backed by modern high-rise apartment buildings, Nova Mar Bella beach was part of a larger regeneration scheme that coincided with the 1992 Barcelona Olympics and aimed (successfully) to reunite city and coastline.
Though a man made construction, Nova Mar Bella still has a lot going for it. For one thing, it is a slightly more tranquil experience than other nearby beaches,… read more »
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Platja de Llevant // Spain
MartinThoma Barcelona's newest beach is also its most easterly, as its name suggests. Opened to the public for the first time in 2006, Platja de Llevant has already managed to garner a Blue Flag award for its cleanliness and the quality of its facilities.
Comprising light coloured sands that stretch for 400 metres along the coast and another 75 metres or so… read more »
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Nova Icària Beach // Spain
Ronnie Macdonald Located north of the Olympic Port and next to Bogatell Beach in the La Vila Olimpica del Poblenou area of Barcelona, Playa de la Nova Icària lies at the heart of the city's coastline.
Created for the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, Nova Icària Beach has a reputation for being one of Barcelona's more tranquil urban beaches. That said, amongst its… 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 Mónsul // Spain
Seryam Playa de Mónsul is one of the most popular beaches in Almería's Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park. Known for its golden sand, volcanic rock formations, and crystal-clear waters, it is often cited as one of the most beautiful beaches in the region.
The beach is bookmarked by volcanic cliffs and features a large, smooth rock formation in the middle of… read more »
