Who loves a beach holiday? Lounging by the seaside all day, shining hot sun, golden sunsets… It’s easy to think you have to travel outside Europe to find the most stunning beaches, but that’s not the case. There are many beautiful beaches in Europe where you can find sun, sandy beaches with crystal clear waters and blue sky, here are some of the best.
1. Porto Katsiki, Greece
Greece has a lot of beautiful beaches and amazing places to visit but this beach is probably one of the most stunning in Greece and even in Europe. Framed by cliffs and pines trees, the blue sky, clear water and white sands make it is perfect for enjoying your summer holiday in Greece. The beach is located on the Ionian island of Lefkada, a name meaning formerly only goats could reach this area.
2. Luskentyre, Scotland
Ok, so Scotland may not be the first location that comes to mind for a sunny summer holiday, but don’t underestimate the beauty of its beaches. Luskentyre, a sparse settlement on the west coast of Harris in the Outer Hebrides offers the beach of your dreams. Stunning white sands with amazing turquoise seas set against a wonderful mountain backdrop. If you’re lucky with the weather this place is is the ideal beach location, and even if its a bit too chilly for your liking, the area is so picturesque that a walk along the beach won’t disappoint. It’s not surprising Luskentyre Beach has been voted Britain’s best beach, perfect for a photoshoot don’t you think?
3. Kvalvika Beach, Norway
Kvalvika beach is located on the north side of Moskenesøya island and is one of Lofoten’s most famous beaches, with open seas surrounded by beautiful mountains. As well as visiting the beach itself, people come here to enjoy camping and hiking to Ryten – a 540m high mountain which rises on the right side of the beach and boasts an amazing view of the beach from the summit.
4. Zlatni Rat, Croatia
The Zlatni Rat, also known as the Golden Cape or Golden Horn, is a spit of land located about 2 kilometers west from the harbor town of Bol on the southern coast of the Croatian island of Brač, in the region of Dalmatia. The best views are from above but you need to climb up nearby Vidova Gora mountain to see them. Once there you can admire the views of white sand and clear water, and after that you can head back down the mountain to enjoy them. No wonder it has been regularly listed as one of the top beaches in Europe, with its distinctive shape appearing in many travel brochures, one of the symbols of Croatian tourism.
5. Cala Macarella, Spain
Cala Macarella is an amazing beach hidden between rocks and forests. Located on the bay of Macarella and Macarelleta on the south western side of the Spanish island of Menorca, it belongs to the Area of Special Natural Interest on Ciutadella’s southern coast. Just a medium walk from the carpark gets you to this paradise and you won’t want to leave!
6. Sveti Stefan Beach, Montenegro
Sveti Stefan is a small islet and a 5-star hotel resort on the Adriatic coast of Montenegro, approximately 6 kilometers southeast of Budva. The main point of coming to Sveti Stefan is to spend as much time horizontal as possible, with occasional breaks for a cooling dip but take care, the water gets deep quickly.
7. Playa de Ses Illetes, Formentera
Playa de Ses Illetes is a beautiful beach that has everything; clear, calm waters, smooth sand, blue sky and more. The beach is Located on the island of Formentera, not far from Ibiza in the Balearic Islands of Spain, it sits within a natural reserve, meaning you have to pay if you go by car, but there is a limit to the number of people allowed per day so you needn’t to worry about there being too many people.
8. Butterfly Valley Beach, Turkey
You can find the Butterfly Valley Fethiye district, Muğla Province, on the Mediterranean coast of Turkey. The valley is home to diverse butterfly species and due to its natural beauty it is an important eco-tourism attraction in Turkey. You can only visit the beach by boat, making it that bit more memorable and a great day out.
9. Spiaggia Grande, Italy
One of the most popular places in Italy, Spiaggia Grande is located on the island of Ìsola di Sant’Antìoco. The beach is always crowded with tourists, especially during the summer but the view of the buildings along the coast shining in the sun is a sight for sore eyes, making it really unique. Don’t forget to take some photos of this amazing place.
10. Praia Do Carvalho, Portugal
Praia Do Carvalho is is a small beach, and the soft sands, intriguing caves, rocky cliffs and clear waters make it particularly cosy and special. You can take a tour of the caves or wnjoy the nearby restaurants against the impressive backdrop.
