Europe's Top 50+ Beaches
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Spiaggia del Quercetano // Italy
finn@interstil.no Quercetano Bay is set in the little seaside town of Castiglioncello, not far down the Tuscan coast from Livorno. This pretty spot was put on the map by the cult classic 1960s film, Il Sorpasso (The Easy Life). With its diminutive castle, pine forest and laid-back charm it's not hard to see why Castiglioncello continues to draw a crowd.
The coastline here is… read more »
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Cala del Gesso // Italy
Gianfranco Vitolo Cala del Gesso, or Gesso's Cliff, is the name given to a 200 metre long pebble beach located on the Monte Argentario peninsula. A small cove-like beach with clear shallow waters filled with fish, Cala del Gesso is surrounded by a typical Tuscan scene of pale stone covered in a carpet of dark green foliage.
The beach can be reached by… read more »
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Lindos Beach // Greece
Shadowgate Lindos Beach is the largest of two beaches on the same bay separated by a short section of natural rock. It is also known as Lindos Main Beach or Megali Paralia, while the smaller beach is known as Pallas Beach.
A comparatively laid-back option roughly central along the east coast of Rhodes, Lindos Beach boasts a long extent of soft sand… read more »
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Tsambika Beach // Greece
Falco Ermert Tsambika Beach is a deep-set beach with a length of around 800 metres to boot. Combining easy to love golden sands with light blue waters, it's overlooked by the ancient Monastery of Tsambika, accessible by a steep path and stairway.
Facilities at Tsambika Beach are second to none, with a good choice of places to eat and drink, sun loungers and… read more »
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Prasonisi Beach // Greece
Prasonisi Beach forms a narrow strip of sand at the southernmost tip of Rhodes which connects to the Prasonisi Peninsula. Occasionally visited by loggerhead turtles, Prasonisi Beach extends to around three kilometres in total, with arms of the Mediterranean lapping it on both sides.
To the east side of this double-edged beach there are calm shallow waters ideal for a paddle… read more »
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Ladiko Beach // Greece
Michael Mayer Ladiko Beach is a south facing beach on Rhode's popular eastern coast. It's edged by natural rocks, which also bubble up beneath the beach's shallows while still allowing access to small boats. Approximately two kilometres from Faliraki, Ladiko Beach is made up of fine sand and shingle. During peak season, most of it is occupied by sun loungers and umbrellas,… read more »
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Pefki Beach // Greece
charcoal soul Stretching for approximately half a kilometre, Pefki (or Pefkos) Beach is a mix of sand a deep orange colour and pebbles. It's narrower than other beaches on the east coast of the island, but its length ensures there's still a good number of sun loungers and umbrellas on offer.
For swimming, head to the far end of the beach, where there… read more »
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Antisamos // Greece
© Lark Ascending The Blue Flag-rated Antisamos Beach sits roughly centrally on the eastern side of Kefalonia's folding coastline. Tucked into a small bay, its waters rarely see more than gentle waves reach shore here. The beach comprises a mix of small round pebbles interspersed with sand which gleams when the sun is shining. Antisamos Beach is therefore a popular destination with swimmers… read more »
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Avithos Beach // Greece
Gary Bembridge One of several attractive beaches on Kefalonia's southern coastline, Avithos Beach is within easy reach of many hotels. It's made up of a long if narrow stretch of truly golden sand, behind which bubble up low cliffs largely covered in coastal scrub.
Known to be occasionally visited by sea turtles (although visitors are highly unlikely to see them), Avithos Beach slips… read more »
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Kaminia Beach // Greece
© Lark Ascending Kaminia Beach (Paralia Kaminia) forms part of a stretch of sand extending for at least 2.5 kilometres from Kefalonia's southernmost point. One of the longest beaches on the island, visitors can be sure of finding a spot, whether close to the round hills which back it or the shallow crystalline waters it meets. Some areas can be cordoned off as… read more »
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Atheras // Greece
Atheras Beach (also known as Paralia Atheras and Porto Atheras Beach) is located at the base of a deep W-shaped inlet on the northwest coast of Kefalonia. It's a family-friendly beach known for its ideal swimming waters, which are rarely cold or rough thanks to the beach's protected position. Smaller boats sometimes moor here for the day but rarely interfere… read more »
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Kotor beach // Montenegro
Wheeler Cowperthwaite Kotor is said to be the most picturesque town in Montenegro. Set at the head of a deep fjord-like bay the old town is a jumble of red roofs and elegant towers. Behind are towering limestone hills whilst in front are the calm, green-blue waters of Kotor Bay.
The area in front of the old town is occupied by the marina… read more »
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S'Amarador // Spain
Falco Ermert Set among the pine trees of the Mondrago National Park S'Amarador is arguably the most beautiful beach on Mallorca. A combination of fine white sand and shallow azure water this really is an unspoilt gem.
S'Amarador beach lies within the shelter of a T-shaped bay not far from the southern tip of the island. The beach is about the same distance… read more »
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Cala Sa Calobra // Spain
Li-sung Sa Calobra is well known among the cycling community as it lies at the foot of one of the most epic climbs in Europe. This should give you some idea of the backdrop to this little cove on Mallorca's north coast. Think vertical limestone rock faces as the landscape rises around 700 metres from sea level in just a… read more »
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Cala Torta // Spain
Falco Ermert The wild, west coast beach of Cala Torta has quite a different feel to most of Mallorca's coves and beaches. Situated amongst the rolling hills of the Llevant Peninsula this remote sandy bay has a very natural, pristine air to it.
Cala Torta is around 200 metres wide and sits between low headlands with a backdrop of dunes. As you would… read more »
