The best beaches in Europe: rating of 15 most beautiful

Popular and idyllic secluded, wild and equipped with everything necessary for a quality vacation. Those that will appeal to a tireless traveler, a risky athlete, a responsible family man, an incorrigible romantic or a couple in love. What are the best beaches in Europe?

Plage de Palombaggia (Beach de Palombaggia)

The most famous and best beach of Corsica is located in France, in the city of Porto Vecchio, on the southeast coast. The two-kilometer coastline with fine golden sand is surrounded by mountains and a pine forest where you can hide from the hot sun. It is a paradise with clear turquoise water, boulders of pink porphyry, national color and a wide range of entertainment, including boat trips to the islands of Cerbicales and Lavezzi. People often come here with their children - parents like the cleanliness of the beach and smooth descents to the water.

Elafonisi (Elafonisi)

A fabulously beautiful pink sand beach is the decoration of the island of the same name and the whole of Crete. You will find it in the south-west of the beautiful city of Chania, visiting the snow-white stone monastery of Panagia Chrysoskalitissa on the way. Since Elafonisi is located in a conservation area, on the beach there is only the most necessary - sunbeds and umbrellas, showers and toilets, small cafes. But at the service of vacationers is the crystal clear warm water and the coast, which, due to tiny fragments of shells, sea shells and corals, becomes either pale peach or purple.

Spiaggia dei Conigli (Rabbit Beach)

The beach, spread on the Italian island of Lampedusa (south of Sicily, between Malta and Tunisia), has been repeatedly recognized as one of the most beautiful not only in Europe, but also on the entire planet. You can get to it exclusively by sea, but the remoteness from civilization, the impressive landscape, the abundance of coral reefs, gentle sand and amazingly beautiful water are worth it. Spiaggia dei Conigli attracts connoisseurs of natural beauty, scuba diving fans and those who are looking for the opportunity to relax and have fun.

Playa de ses Illetes (Playa de ses Iyetes)

The beach, which is located on the quietest of the Balearic Islands of Formentera, can be reached by ferry from Ibiza, crossing the road from the port by car or bicycle. As a reward, there will be a reserved place - a beautiful beach with silver sand and soft blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea. There are always a lot of people here, so regulars recommend spending time on a yacht. In terms of infrastructure development, Formentera is inferior to Mallorca, Menorca and Ibiza, but there are a lot of good hotels and fish restaurants near the Playa de ses Illetes.

Cala Mariolu (Cala Mariolu)

Mariolu Bay is located 50 km from Gennargentu National Park with mountain lakes and snow-capped peaks. The small Italian beach, surrounded by brutal cliffs, is reached by boat or private boat, which regularly leaves the port of Cala Gonone (a coastal city in Sardinia). This tropical idyll is remembered for its smooth white marble pebbles - on the shore it seems pink, and shimmers in water in millions of shades. It is quite shallow, so vacationers often take their children with them.

Falésia (Thalesia)

The rating of the best beaches in Europe is difficult to imagine without this stretch of the southern coast of Portugal. The main advantages of the beach are a small number of visitors, fine sand and picturesque coastal cliffs of all shades of ocher, steeply descending to the ocean. Its turquoise waters and clear skies are a luxurious setting for an infinite number of rock cut layers. Add to this the clear air, cleansed by spreading pine crowns, beautifully warmed up water, many bays for secluded relaxation, pedestrian accessibility of hotels and transport stops.

Iztuzu (Iztuzu - Turtle Beach)

The beach in the Turkish province of Mugla has been a nature reserve since 1988. A nearly 5 km long sand spit is the habitat of Caretta-Caretta turtles and blue crabs, so there are no hotels, shops or apartment buildings along it. You can get to the beach, equipped with everything necessary for relaxation, on a yacht from the Dalyan pier or a minibus from the city of the same name. After sunset and until morning, Iztuzu Beach closes, which is dictated by the desire of the authorities to maintain harmony between thousands of tourists and a delicate ecosystem.

On a note: A selection of the best beaches in Turkey, see this page.

Spiaggia della Pelosa (Pelosa)

A beautiful beach on the shore of the Gulf of Asinara in Sardinia is a landmark of Stintino, surrounded by cozy hotels and villas. This is one of the best sandy beaches in Europe with azure sea water, a shallow depth and advanced infrastructure - sun loungers, umbrellas and boats are available for rent, and local restaurants and cafes offer a delicious lunch. The surrounding islands protect against the strong winds of Spiaggia della Pelosa, so a pleasant vacation in the European Caribbean is guaranteed at any time of the year.

Praia Da Rocha (Praia Da Rocha)

The most famous Portuguese beach is located in the resort town of Portimão. It is famous for its long and wide sandy strip, surrounded by cliffs of incredible shapes. The entire beach infrastructure is located on convenient wooden walkways, and along the road that goes around the promenade, hotels, bars, cafes, restaurants, discos and casinos are open. The ocean is mostly calm and warm, on the shore there is everything you need for volleyball, football and basketball matches. Praia Da Rocha is a real holiday for those who are in love with the vibrant atmosphere of Portugal and nature, which has preserved its originality on the edge of Europe.

La Concha (La Concha)

This sandy beach got its name from the Spanish word "shell". It is its shape that exactly repeats the bay of the same name. La Concha belongs to the city of San Sebastian and is a good example of how perfect a vacation spot by the Atlantic Ocean can be - even in winter, when its waters are cool enough, you can meet lovers of swimming. You will find a beach with soft sand and peaceful views between the fishing port and the rocky ledge of Pico del Loro, beyond which is Ondaretta Beach.

Fig Tree Bay Beach

If you are in the southern part of Cyprus, be sure to visit the beach in the Bay of Fig Tree. It is located in the small resort village of Protaras, part of the Paralimni community of the Famagusta region. Fig Tree Bay Beach pleases with the cleanliness of the beaches and excellent conditions for children, soft sand of a strikingly light shade and thoughtful infrastructure - changing houses, sun loungers with umbrellas and polite service staff. Not far from the beach is an ancient fig grove that blooms in spring and fills the air with marvelous aromas.

Kleftiko (Kleftiko)

In Greece, the island of Milos has a very beautiful wild beach, which is almost impossible to get on your own - it is better to hire a boat that quickly passes high steep cliffs. It’s not for nothing that Kleftiko was included in the rating of the best - this is the dream of those who like to relax away from busy resorts, enjoying the chaste sand and aquamarine waters in peace and quiet. Not far from the coast, the famous cliffs of Meteora rise; on the beach there are several real pirate caves - the whole atmosphere breathes romance and adventure. The main thing is to take with you everything you need, because Kleftiko Beach does not have any equipment.

Playa de Muro (Playa de Muro)

On the Spanish island of Mallorca (north of the municipality of Alcudia) there is a quiet beach with a length of about 6 km and a width of about 25 meters. A smooth entrance in shallow water and microscopic sand made it ideal for parents with children. Playa de Muro Beach is divided into three parts: well-equipped at the expense of resort hotels, western and middle, as well as wild Es Comu with untouched territory, pine and juniper, sand dunes. Behind the beach is the Albufera Natural Park, where you can go boating, bird watching and try paella.

Fistral Beach

The name of this beach, located in the fashionable seaside resort of Newquay (Cornwall Peninsula, UK), causes awe among surfers. An excellent surfboard with hollow waves of 6 to 8 feet high is surrounded by high cliffs and sand dunes, familiar to all enthusiasts who gather on the beach to catch their luck. Fistral Beach is the venue for major competitions, and hotels, restaurants, cafes and shops are responsible for the convenience of athletes and tourists.
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Agios Pavlos (Agios Pavlos)

Listing the best beaches in Europe, one can not help but mention the Greek "St. Paul", which got its name from the old Byzantine church of the island of Crete. A hermitage with small pebbles and beautiful water of rare purity sets in for relaxation and yoga. Near the Agios Pavlos Beach there is a cool pine forest and a charming tavern, but the beach itself does not have infrastructure, so you will need to bring rugs and umbrellas with you. A selection of the best beach spots in Crete, see here.

The best beaches in Europe are marked on the map below.