Europe is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. From Cyprus to Iceland, and Russia to Portugal, there’s a beach for every taste in Europe. If you are planning for your next holiday or weekend getaway, keep reading as in this post, we’ll talk about 15 most beautiful beaches in Europe.
Bolata beach, Bulgaria
Located in the Northern part of the country, Bolata beach is Bulgaria’s well-kept secret. Once you get there to the beach, you feel the calmness around as only local citizens of the nearby seaside resort of Kavarna are aware of this perfect semi-circle shaped beach.
Even though Bulgaria’s beaches are becoming popular around the world, Bolata beach is still a hidden gem if you like to relax at the beach for real!
Best time to visit: July-September
Things to do: Swimming/bathing
Cala Pregonda, Spain
Cala Pregonda beach is located on Menorca’s northern coast. The golden sand on this beach is gorgeous and would occupy your children at least for a few hours. This beach is perfect for lazily swimming as its location protects it from heavy Mediterranean waves. There are no facilities near Cala Pregonda tho! The nearest car park is about 30 minutes away by walking which means this beach is nice and relatively quiet.
Best time to visit: June-September
Things to do: Diving, snorkeling, Swimming/bathing
La Cinta Beach, Italy
Sardinian beaches stand out among other Italian beaches because of their crystal clear water accompanied by white sand. La Cinta beach is not an exception. This beach is as stunning as it gets. It is actually about 5 km long. The end of the beach nearest San Teodoro is where you’ll find all the amenities and the crowd. But as you walk north, the environment changes fast, becoming wild and quiet.
Best time to visit: July-August
Things to do: Kite surfing, Swimming/bathing
Mamaia Beach, Romania
Mamaia is a beautiful Romanian beach resort strip on the Black sea. This beach is 8 km long and 300 m wide and is full of hotels and restaurants. Mamaia beach has almost no permanent resident as the weather is mostly hot during summertime.
Best time to visit: mid June – early September
Things to do: relaxing, restaurant surfing, sunbathing
Plage de Saleccia, France
The beach of Saleccia is a long strip of fine white sand that stretches for 1,200 m, near the Punta di Curza.
Tip: Walk the beaten path through the pines near the northern end of the beach (look for the pole rising out above the trees) and you’ll find a small rustic looking snack bar.
Best time to visit: September
Things to do: walking, swimming/bathing, relaxing
Plage de Saleccia on Google maps
Akra Drastis, Greece
Greece is an amazing country for a beach vacation in general with a lot of islands that would spoil you with a wide range of choices it gives you! Akra Drastis is the northwestern-most point of Corfu island. You can reach this untouched beach via boat. You want to visit this beach because of its weird-shaped cliffs that have fine sand around them.
If you like to skip the crowd, Akra Dratis is for you. This beach is not recommended for kids.
Best time to visit: April – May, and September – November
Things to do: Boat, walking, hiking
St Nicholas Island, Montenegro
St Nicholas Island in Montenegro is one of the smallest, yet most beautiful islands in Europe for a nice vacation. This island has three large beaches as well as a few small ones. It is right beside Budva, half an hour away from Montenegrin airport, Tivat airport and two hours from Dubrovnik airport in Croatia.
Best time to visit: June – September
Things to do: relax, sunbathing, explore Budva
St Nicholas Island on Google maps
Porthminster beach, England
Ever thought of going to England for a beach vacation? That’s fine, it’s not too late. Porthminster Beach in the South West of England Cornwall is a must-see beach to visit if you’re around. It has crystal blue water and nice white sands which makes it a great getaway for a weekend or even a full holiday.
Best time to visit: August – end of September
Things to do: Relax, Swimming/bathing
Porthminster beach on Google maps
Pasjaca beach, Croatia
Pasjaca beach is known as the most beautiful beach in Europe and one of the bests in the world. This fabulous beach was almost made miraculously. The remaining rocks that were abandoned on the seaside from a tunnel project in 1955. After a while, mother nature transformed these rocks into pebbles then into the sand. And humans repeated the process up until now to preserve this stunning beach.
Once you’re done with the beach, start shopping in the town of Popovici, and then get ready to explore the world-famous Dubrovnik.
Best time to visit: September – October
Things to do: Relax, reconnect with nature
Cape Greco, Cyprus
If you’re a fan of hiking and relaxing at the same time, Cape Greco in Cyprus is the place to go. Cyprus in general is an island country, in the middle of the Mediterranean with the sunniest days in Europe and an amazing warm climate year-round. Back to Cape Greco, after you’re done hiking those beautiful cliffs, use a boat to pass the natural-made rock bridge which makes you wonder how mother nature can do such wonders like that and blue lagoon water at the very same place?
Best time to visit: May – June
Things to do: hiking, swimming, relaxing
Praia da Marinha, Portugal
Being located in the famous Algarve region, Praia de Marinha is one of the most beautiful beaches in Portugal. With calm clean water, and those soft sands, who doesn’t want to travel there?!
Best time to visit: mid-September – late October
Things to do: snorkeling, swimming/bathing
Praia de Marinha on Google maps
Oludeniz Beach, Turkey
Oludeniz beach (aka Blue Lagoon) in Turkey is one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Its pebble shores and aquamarine waters make you want to stay there forever! Oludeniz is also one of the best places in the world for Paragliding, thanks to its calm weather year-round and the exceptional views it has to offer.
Best time to visit: April – May
Things to do: Paragliding, swimming/bathing, relaxing
Black Sand Beach (Reynisfjara), Iceland
Ever thought that a beach could be black too? Well, here you go! There’s no palm tree and coconut on this beach which is why it’s a very special and must-see beach to visit. This outstanding unique beach has been featured in Season 7 of the HBO Series Game of Thrones too.
Best time to visit: July – August
Things to do: get inspired
Black Sand Beach on Google maps
Beach Promenade, Russia
Located in Yantarnyy, beach Promenade almost feels like it’s popping out of a dream. Just when you think you’re in the middle of a national park, you find your way to this small paradise. You can also enjoy the ropeway ride which is at the end of the Promenade.
Best time to visit: July – August
Things to do: Fishing, ropeway ride
Beach Promenade on Google maps
Shekvetili, Georgia
The sand in Shekvetili beach in Georgia is darker than normal which is actually good for treating cardiovascular diseases, nervous system problems, paresis, rachitis, and musculature diseases. This beach is an amazing place for a family vacation, especially if you have children.
Best time to visit: March – May
Things to do: treatment, relaxing