Europe's Top 50+ Beaches

• Plaka beach // Greece

  

  Generally regarded as the best beach on Naxos, Plaka is a huge stretch of fine white sand backed by low sand dunes. The waters of the bay at Plaka are calm and clear with a definite green tint. 

  Whilst there are areas of the beach with the familiar straw umbrellas and sun-beds, much of the beach still retains a relatively wild… read more »

• El Cofete Beach // Spain

  

  Cofete Beach is located just around the headland from the southern tip of Fuertaventura. The bright lights and resorts to the north of the island will do nothing to prepare you for the awe-inspiring scale and wildness of this beach. The beach is a wide expanse of golden sand that continues for as far as the eye can see. Directly… read more »

• Calanque d'En-vau // France

  

  Set on the 10 mile stretch of coastline between Marseille and Cassis in southeast France are various stunning beaches, inlets and hidden coves. The calanques are fjord-like inlets carved into the white limestone by ancient rivers that have long since disappeared underground. Of all these deep inlets none is more beautiful than Calanque d'En-vau.

  Set at the end of a… read more »

• Aguas Blancas Beach // Spain

  

  The often quiet, secluded Aguas Blancas beach is a far cry from the resort towns on the south of the island. This long beach of fine sand gets its name (meaning "white water") from the white horse's that frequently crest the waves on choppy days. However, these prevailing winds that blow throughout the year become a welcome breeze in the… read more »

• Pampelonne Beach // France

  

  In the playground for the rich and famous that is Saint Tropez, it is Pampelonne Beach that has been at the centre of this glamorous scene since the 1950s. This stretch of coast was made famous by Brigitte Bardot in when she appeared in a gingham bikini on Tahiti beach in the 1956 film "And God Created Woman".… read more »

• Benirras Beach // Spain

  

  The small secluded bay of Cala Benirrás is on the north coast of the party island of Ibiza. Set at the foot of a pine covered valley this sheltered cove is ideal for swimming and the crystal clear water makes for great snorkelling. Being sheltered it is also a popular spot for yachts and motor boats to drop anchor and… read more »

• Shell Bay, Studland // UK

  

  Shell Bay is at the very end of the beautiful, unspoilt stretch of golden sand that forms Studland beach. Despite being on the edge of the busy Poole harbour and opposite the super exclusive developments at Sanbanks, Shell Bay retains a feel of the wilderness. This is partly due to being owned by the National Trust with the extensive sand… read more »

• Balos Beach // Greece

  

  Located on the north-western tip of Crete, Balos beach is a strip of sand and lagoon stretching between the Gramvousa Peninsula and the headland of Cape Tigani. The landscape of Balos is stunning with white / pink sand interspersed with turquoise pools all dominated by the bulk of cape Tigani. Despite the beach here being immensely popular there is a… read more »

• Sotavento // Spain

  

  Situated on the "Calma Costa" which runs along the south east coast of Fuerteventura is Sotavento beach. A vast tract of golden, windswept beach this stretch of coast is about one of the most remote areas on the island.

  Sotavento is a collection of beaches which together create a virtually unbroken stretch of sand from Playa Barca right down… read more »

• Sveti Stefan // Montenegro

  

  The islet of Sveti Stefan (Saint Stephen) lies just a few kilometres along Montenegro's Adriatic coast from Budva. With such a stunning backdrop the beaches here wouldn't have to be up to that much to still get the thumbs up. However, with crystal clear turquoise waters, pink sand and backdrop of pine forest and mountains make Sveti Stefan a magical… read more »

• Mylos // Greece

  

  Mylos is a particularly lovely beach that is located just 14.5 kilometers southwest of Lefkada Town. It sits between Agios Nikitas and Kathisma, and is a wonderfully secluded beach that is perfect for a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of the world. As you relax on the beach, you can drift off to the sound of… read more »

• Lostmarc'h // France

  

  This sandy, Atlantic facing beach sits on the Crozon Peninsula barely a kilometer away from the Plage de L'ile Vierge on the opposite coast, yet the beaches could hardly be more different. You won't find any shelter from the ocean swells here and there are no trees to the back of the beach, just windswept dunes and heather strewn… read more »

• Plage Baluden // France

  

  The Plage Baluden is located on the south coast of Belle-Île-en-Mer in the same bay as the bigger Plage d'Herlin. The beach here is somewhat smaller than its neighbour but arguably even prettier. Fine golden sand and clear blue water with gently sloping gassy dunes to the rear.

  Sheltered by rocky outcrops to either side this little cove is sheltered from… read more »

• Tisvildeleje Strand // Denmark

  

  Tisvildeleje Beach is one of many beaches within striking distance of Copenhagen. Around 30 km north of the city the sandy shores here sit alongside the popular holiday village of Tisvilde. The area has long been a favorite of fishermen, and an active fishing scene remains a key part of the beach's culture today. Enjoy restaurants serving up the catch… read more »

• Kleopatra Beach // Turkey

  

  Alanya has evolved through the centuries, from a defensive bastion on Turkey's southern Mediterranean flank to a thriving holiday resort. This legacy can be clearly seen at the town's best sandy stretch, Kleopatra beach, which sits at the foot of an imposing headland topped with a medieval castle.

  The beach is best viewed from the viewpoint of the castle as it… read more »

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