Beaches: Often the best part of any vacation.
While Europe’s historic cities hold plenty of appeal, the continent also boasts some of the world’s most magnificent stretches of seaside magic. From the North Sea down to the Mediterranean, these are 8 European beaches to add to your bucket list.
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Navagio Beach, Zakynthos, Greece
This is just unfair, and these colours aren’t even real. Navagio beach on the coast of Zakynthos, in the Greek Ionian Islands, is the kind of place not even a postcard could do justice. Only head here if you can handle the burden of one day having to leave.
Rabbit Beach, Lampedusa, Italy
Part of a beach’s allure is that feeling you get that you’ve left the world behind for a slice of paradise. You’ll feel exactly that on the tiny Italian island of Lampedusa, which is over 200 kilometres off the mainland coast. You’ll be enthralled by the area’s impossibly pristine water.
Playa de ses Illetes, Ibiza, Spain
Take our word that you should visit Ibiza for the island’s charming beauty and not just the nightlife. A big part of that charm comes from the picture-perfect Playa de ses Illetes, which may the Europe’s most exquisite beach and certainly its most effective natural hangover cure.
St. Aiden Beach, Bamburgh, England
You’re not going to a beach in the U.K. for tropical vibes, so why not embrace a setting that’s typically English? Like a 1500-year-old castle towering above the beachside dunes. As the northernmost spot on our list, the key is getting lucky with the weather.
Zlatni Rat Beach, Bol, Croatia
Another island gem, Zlatni Rat Beach is certainly the most uniquely shaped bit of sandy heaven on our list. The dazzling white pebble beach stretches out into captivating shades of ocean blue like a dock – easily the best dock in the world.
Praia da Agrada, Portugal
This heavenly cliffside strip is a comfortable 40-minute journey from Lisbon and one of the most stunning sunset spots on the continent. The water is wavy and always freezing, but it’s well worth dealing with. The nearby town of Sintra, with its fairytale mountaintop palace, adds to the magic. Nearby Praia Grande is a great option for those looking for a more social vibe.
Sylt, Germany
Sylt’s pearly white shores are everything you’d never expect from a beach in Germany. Don’t be fooled by the North Sea’s temperamental reputation; summer in Sylt offers one of the best island escapes in Europe. Hiddensee, in the Baltic Sea further west, is a serene alternative without the high season crowds.
Patara Beach, Turkey
Patara boasts Turkey’s longest beach, a haven of shallow water and pillowy sand near a host of fascinating ancient Lycian sites. The southernmost location on our list, you’ll have no shortage of sunshine and heat.
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