Europe's Top 50+ Beaches
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Haukland Beach // Norway
Michele Agostini The stunning and dramatic natural scenery of the Lofoten Islands is well known. A landscape of jagged, rocky mountains that drop precipitously into the clear blue waters of the Arctic Sea. And a coastline dotted with white-sand beaches that are amongst the most gorgeous on earth. Amongst such beauty it is impossible to pick a favourite, but Haukland beach comes… read more »
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Kvalvika // Norway
Markus Trienke Situated in a remote bay on the north-west coast of Moskenesøy, the beach at Kvalvika is possibly the most dramatic in the Lofoten Islands, and that is saying something.
Here the mountains meet the sea, and the goldens sands of the beach are flanked by precipitous, sheer rock faces, the most iconic of which is Ryten. This peak rises 550… read more »
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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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Playa de los Alemanes // Spain
Benjamincebrian Located next to the village of Zahara isPlaya de los Alemanes, a largely unspoilt stretch of golden sand. Reaching about 1,500 metres (a mile) in width, the beach would never get crowded, even if it was on the beaten track.
Backed by a gently sloping hillside dotted with upmarket villas the wide bay still retains much of its natural appeal. There… read more »
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Cala en Turqueta // Spain
hugos007 Cala en Turqueta is arguably the most beautiful cala (cove) on Menorca. The beach is set in a deep, rocky inlet with pine forests to all sides. The sand here is fine and near white whilst the crystalline water is a beautiful mix of blues and turquoise. This is where the beach gets its name, and it certainly lives up… read more »
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Caló des Moro // Spain
© facundohimself Hidden away in a deep rocky inlet near Mallorca's southern tip is the picturesque little cove of Caló des Moro. For many years this was one of the island's true hidden gems, but over the years, as photos surfaced in the travel media this idyllic spot's cover has been well and truly blown. With images of bright white sand and… read more »
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Jaz Beach // Montenegro
Jaz beach is one of many fine beaches on Montenegro's Budva Riviera. Within easy walking distance of the historic town of Budva itself the beach at Jaz has a bit of something for everyone.
Whilst on the one hand you will find plenty of opportunity to relax on a sunlounger, get a massage and take in the views of the… read more »
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Reynisfjara beach // Iceland
© Felix Lipov Reynisfjara is one of Iceland's most iconic and spectacular beaches. Located around 2 hours from the capital Reykjavik, Reynisfjara is near the village Vik in Myrdalur on Iceland's South Coast. To the southern end of the beach is the 120 meter high promontory of Dyrhólaey, Iceland's most southerly point.
This black sand beach is a geologist's wet dream with hosts… read more »
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Kathisma Beach // Greece
© Alf van Beem On an island sometimes referred to as the Caribbean of Greece a beach needs to be pretty special to stand out. Kathisma, with its long stretch of white sand and turquoise waters is such a beach. Set on the "wilder" western coast of Lefkada the beach here is backed by rugged mountainous terrain and features some interesting rock formations to… read more »
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Butterfly Valley // Turkey
© Anastasia Tsarskaya Butterfly Valley (Kelebekler Vadisi) is within a stone's throw of the Blue Lagoon at Ölüdeniz and every bit as remarkable. In fact, the only practical way to reach the beach here is by taking a boat from Ölüdeniz. You may have guessed from the name that Butterfly Valley is set at the end of an impressive canyon and is home… read more »
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Brela Beach // Croatia
Brela is a charming little town on Croatia's Adriatic coast roughly midway between Split and Makarska. With the backdrop of the Biokovo mountains and lapped by the crystal clear azure waters of the Adriatic this largely unspoilt stretch of coast is quite stunning.
There are a number of separate coves that make up the 6km stretch of Brela Beach. All… read more »
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Pomorie Beach // Bulgaria
Boby Dimitrov One spot on the Southern half of the Bulgarian Black Sea Coast which is well worth a visit is Pomorie Beach with its 5 km of dazzling white sand. The area is well-known in the region for the mineral water produced by springs in the town. In addition, Pomorie Bay is a magnet for a wide range of yachts and… read more »
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Maspalomas Beach // Spain
© Tono Balaguer Set on the southern tip of the island of Gran Canaria is a little slice of the Sahara Desert. Over the centuries the fine golden sand here has been sculpted into an extensive network of dunes extending several hundred metres back from the beach. With a landscape like this you won't be surprised to know it hardly ever rains and… read more »
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Playa de Las Conchas // Spain
Gonzalo Serrano Espada Playa de las Conchas lies on the northwest coast of the little island of La Graciosa, five kilometres along a gravel road from the ferry departure point back to Lanzarote. Its almost white sand stretches for 600 metres beside shallows the colour of turquoise. Reaching a maximum width of around 100 metres, Playa de las Conchas is surrounded by the… read more »
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Playa del Reducto // Spain
© Alfred Derks Immediately to the west of downtown Arrecife, the beautiful white sands of Playa del Reducto circle around shallows sheltered by a natural reef. Suitable for children to play in the gentle waves as a result, it has a Blue Flag award for its cleanliness and range of facilities.
The recently-renovated promenade behind the beach is the home of most of these… read more »
