10 best beaches in Europe. The best beaches in Europe: a choice for sophisticated travelers
In anticipation summer season TripAdvisor has named the best beaches in Europe according to travelers. Travelers Choice award-winning beaches were determined based on the quantity and quality of user reviews and ratings collected over the past 12 months. We talk about the most idyllic, secluded, inaccessible and romantic places on our continent.
The best beaches in Spain
Beach Playa de Ses Illetes, Formentera
The smallest and quietest of Balearic Islands now boasts the best beach in Europe. It was Playa de Ses Illetes that received the most votes in the Tripadvisor user rating. The main argument in favor was the snow-white sand, gentle entrance to the sea and crystal clear water. Getting to the beach is easy using a popular form of transport in these parts - a bicycle. The dimensions of the island are small - 23 × 7 kilometers. And the most convenient way to get around here is by bicycle. "The most magical and romantic place, where I visited. Fine white sand, a thin thread of ridges. Amazing! I don’t want to leave here,” one of the travelers left a review on TripAdvisor.
El Cotillo Beach - the best beach in Fuerteventura
The beaches of the deserted island of Fuerteventura have long been famous. There are few tourists here, but from that small number of vacationers there are a lot of nudists. These parts have fantastic sand dunes, water from dark blue to azure and good roads to travel from one end of the island to the other.
The beach next to the small fishing village of El Cotillo is a great option for young families and couples. There are many shallow bays in which it is convenient to snorkel, there are almost no storms and excellent fish restaurants. “White sand, black rocks and azure sea of all shades. A truly beautiful coastline. You can really relax until you want the thrill of going over the breakwater,” comments one TripAdvisor traveler.
Beach Playa de Bolonia, Tarifa
Dunes with fine sand, long beaches, clear water and pine trees... The local landscapes, without exaggeration, are breathtaking. Various travelers travel to Tarifa. Some want to catch the wind with a kite or sail, others want to be enchanted by the boundless expanse of the sea.
Travelers named Playa de Bolonia the best beach in the region. From here, by the way, you can easily get to the Roman ruins, which are located nearby. “Very beautiful coastline. White fine sand, clear azure ocean water, pine trees. The ruins of the destroyed city allow you to touch history,” writes one TripAdvisor user.
Playa de Cofete, Fuerteventura
Getting to this secluded beach takes time. But it's worth it. The landscapes here are amazing. In addition, these places are connected misterious story, which took place at Winter's villa, located nearby. It is known that its owner collaborated with the Nazis, and for many years this territory was closed to visitors. “Great path between the hills and spectacular views as you descend towards Cofeta. The beach seems endless, and when you are on it, you feel spaciousness and a sense of freedom,” says one traveler from the TripAdvisor community.
Cala Comte - the best beach in Ibiza
Cala Comte is a great place in Ibiza to spend the whole day at. After a swim or catamaran ride, you can enjoy dinner at a local restaurant while watching the sunset. One TripAdvisor traveler says: “This beach is a must see. The color of the sea is from azure to dark blue. Fine sand and gentle sun stop moments.”
The best beaches in Greece
Elafonissi Beach, Crete
The pride of this place is the white-pink hue of the sand, which is explained by the admixture of coral chips. It is perfect for families with children: the sea is always clean, shallow and therefore warm, and waves are very rare. From here you can wade through shallow water to the nearest island and watch the magnificent sea lilies. It is worth knowing that the beach is located in the southwest of Crete, and tourists do not come here en masse precisely because of the distance from the main resort areas.
On TripAdvisor they write about this place: “We stopped by once and couldn’t resist - the second time we came for the whole day! The purest water and, by the way, in September this was the only place in western Crete where there was a calm sea.”
Porto Limnionas Beach - the best beach on Zakynthos island
If you are a fan of rocky beaches, then you need to go to Zakynthos. In Porto Limnionas Beach, the rocks are such that they seem designed for jumping into the water. Delicious Greek food is always waiting for travelers at the local tavern. “Rent a car and drive here along the narrow access road. It's worth it! Amazing place, the best sun loungers on the island and exciting swimming!” - one TripAdvisor user commented.
Best beach in Portugal
Third in the ranking of the best beaches in Europe is the secluded beach of Praia da Marinha in the southern Portuguese province of Algarve. It is located near the small village of Praia do Carvoeiro and among travelers enjoys the reputation of being one of the most intimate in the country. It is surrounded by bizarre rocks that in some places go down to the water itself.
Praia da Marinha, located in the Algarve (in the south of Portugal), can easily be called an intimate beach. At low temperatures there are often few tourists here, and travelers can relax on the sand or rent a boat to look into the stunning caves. As one TripAdvisor user noted: “Very a nice place- rocks, paths, bushes and, of course, the beach itself. It’s a great pleasure to first just walk and then swim in the cold waves of the Atlantic.”
Best beach in Turkey
Turkish beach Iztuzu is located in the delta of the Dalyan River - the same name national park, which is home to up to 200 species of birds and rare Caretta Caretta turtles. From here it is close to Marmaris and Fethiye. Travelers can sign up for a boat tour to watch the turtles. “Iztuzu Beach is perhaps the best beach I have ever seen (and I was in the Maldives!). Its soft fine sand, its picturesque views, miles of shallow water, untouched nature - this is paradise on Earth,” a TripAdvisor traveler shares his impressions.
Best beach in Cyprus
One of the best beaches in Europe was also found in Cyprus near Protaras. It’s worth coming here for the whole day: excellent restaurants and a lot of rental offices where you can rent equipment for different aquatic species sports One TripAdvisor user notes: “Huge, clean beach with something for everyone. Sunbathing, relaxation, swimming or more active species recreation: paragliding or banana rides. It's all there, so enjoy. You will not regret it".
AND sea air this year?
Location:
It is located in the southern part of Lampedusa, the southernmost of the Pelagian Islands located in the Mediterranean Sea. Communication with the island is carried out by ferry, there are also year-round air connections with Palermo and Catania (Sicily), and in the summer there are direct flights from Rome and Milan.
Peculiarities:
Despite the name, rabbits do not live on this beach. The name Rabbit most likely comes from the Arabic word "Rabit" ("link"), referring to the isthmus that connected this small island with a larger one (the isthmus has not survived to this day). Every spring, sea turtles lay their eggs in the fine white sand on the eastern part of the beach. In August, small reptiles hatch from them and immediately head to the sea.
On TripAdvisor, the average cost of booking a week's stay for two is $9 21 (Price reflects the average weekly rental price for two people between March and August 2015).
Location:
Located on the island of Formentera, located in the Mediterranean Sea six kilometers south of Ibiza. Throughout the year it can be reached by sea from Spain (Barcelona, Valencia and Denia). In summer there is also a direct ferry from Denia to Formentera.
Peculiarities:
Playa de ses Illetes is one of the busiest beaches in Formentera. There are excellent seafood restaurants nearby. The composition of vacationers here is incredibly diverse - from tourists who came for a day from Ibiza, to the rich local residents on luxury yachts. Nudists settled in the northern part of the beach
On TripAdvisor, the average cost to book a one-week stay for two is $1,102.
Location:
Elafonisi is located in the southwestern part of Crete. The elongated beach is often cut off from Crete at high tide, creating the feeling that it is a separate island. During low tide, it can be reached from Crete on foot - the journey from Chania by car or bus will take an hour and a half.
Peculiarities:
Tiny fragments of thousands of broken shells give the sand a pinkish tint. Near the place where the peninsula “breaks off” from Crete, the water depth does not exceed one meter, creating small lagoons ideal for children's recreation.
On TripAdvisor, the average cost to book a one-week stay for two is $1,037.
Location:
The beach is located between Morte Point and Baggy Point on the north coast of Devon in southwest England. The best way get to the beach by car.
Peculiarities:
The golden sands of the beach stretch for almost 5 km. Woolacombe Beach is very popular among water sports enthusiasts and has quickly become the epicenter of international surfing.
On TripAdvisor, the average cost to book a one-week stay for two is $1,076.
Location:
The beach is located 13 km from Dalyan on the Mediterranean coast of Turkey. The beach can be reached by river boat from Koycegiz town - it only takes 20 minutes. Dolmus (local bus service) will also take you to your destination in 25 minutes.
Peculiarities:
The beach stretches for an impressive 25 km, it is a narrow shoal of land that forms a natural boundary between the Dalyan River and Mediterranean Sea. The beach is one of the main habitats for sea turtles in the Mediterranean Sea. In this regard, it received the name “turtle beach”.
On TripAdvisor, the average cost to book a one-week stay for two is $589.
Location:
Located in the popular tourist resort of Protaras on east coast Cyprus. Resort town Ayia Napa is located just 10 km southwest of the Gulf.
Peculiarities:
Fig Tree Bay is named after the tree that provided shade for locals before it became popular with tourists. Today it is one of the most popular destinations among Europeans - there is a chain of luxury hotels and bars on the coast.
On TripAdvisor, the average cost to book a one-week stay for two is $698.
Location:
It is located approximately 7 km west of the coast of Sicily. Located on the east coast of Favignana, the largest of the Aegadian islands.
Peculiarities:
Cala Rossa received its name in honor of the battle between Rome and Carthage during the Punic War (241 BC). This beach is famous for its bright sea. The place is popular among snorkelers due to the abundance of marine life. The walk to the coast takes quite a long time for a long time, so it’s better not to go here with small children.
On TripAdvisor, the average cost to book a one-week stay for two is $964.
Location:
The beach stretches along 4.8 km of the Weymouth coastline. A ferry departs from the beach and takes you to the Channel Islands.
Peculiarities:
The beach is popular for summer family vacation thanks to the variety of entertainment: donkey rides, sand sculptures, trampolines and fairs. King George III named this beach his first resort - it was from this moment that the fashion for swimming arose in Britain.
On TripAdvisor, the average cost to book a one-week stay for two is $963.
Location:
The beach is located in the southwest of Lefkada, about 30 km from the capital of the island of the same name. Egremni is surrounded by cliffs - sheer cliffs, so to get to the beach you need to go down 347 steps down the cliff. The nearest village of Atani is a few kilometers to the north.
Peculiarities:
Eggremni is the longest beach in Lefkada, stretching for more than 2.5 km. According to tourists and local residents, this perfect place to watch sunsets.
On TripAdvisor, the average cost to book a one-week stay for two is $1,359.
Location:
The beach is located in the small village of Bolonia, 20 km north of Tarifa, it is located next to the Natural Del Estrecho park, and on a clear day you can see Morocco on the horizon.
Peculiarities:
The length of the beach is 3.8 km. The ruins of the Roman city of Baelo Claudia are located near the beach and are considered the best preserved Roman buildings discovered in Spain.
On TripAdvisor, the average cost to book a one-week stay for two is $727.
Typically people travel to Europe for sightseeing, festivals or cultural experiences. However, there is also a sea here, where you can relax no worse than in warm countries. We present to your attention a list of the 20 best beaches in Europe. The rating is mainly compiled based on beauty, since only beaches in cities, filled with people and not very well equipped, can often boast of developed infrastructure. clean water.
Italy
Torre Guaceto
Nature reserve near the city of Ostuni. Its territory is 1200 hectares, and there are several small bays on it. Is in the park and fresh waters- lakes. But the main thing here is the beach with golden sand and clean sea water with beautiful corals. There is almost no entertainment or infrastructure here, but it is very beautiful and there are great opportunities for diving and cycling.
Rabbit
The most popular beach on the island of Lampedusa in Sicily. It is distinguished by very clear water and an interesting underwater world, for which it is beloved by divers.
Greece
Egremni, Lefkada island
Is located southwest coast island and has become accessible since an asphalt road was built here in the 1990s. You will have to go down the steps from a height of 150 meters. The main attraction is very beautiful sunsets and an interesting coating of small white pebbles. The water is deep almost immediately, there are high waves, so it is not suitable for families with children. Due to its length and distance, it is usually not overcrowded.
Myrtos
Perfect place for a beach holiday in Europe, has a blue flag for a very clean sea. There are beautiful ones all around mountain views. Unfortunately, you can only get here by car. There is a small cafe, a lifeguard tower, and changing cabins. Some sand here and there, but mostly pebbles. There is an opportunity to go paragliding for 50 euros and it is really worth it.
Navagio
A beautiful place on Lake Zakynthos with bright azure waters and a picturesque wreck of a smugglers' ship. You can get there by excursion boat. It all looks especially beautiful at dawn.
Balos, Crete
Very inaccessible, but beautiful, tourists usually come here for the best beach holiday in Europe as part of organized excursions. Three seas meet here, thanks to which you can find dozens of shades of water. A plus is snow-white sand and an excellent bay for swimming kids. There are sun loungers and umbrellas, but no noisy entertainment - the holiday is calm and measured. There are no cafes or restaurants either, so take food and water with you.
Spain
Rodas Beach, Cies Islands
Looking for the best beach in Europe? In 2007, this one received the title of best in the world. It is a sand spit connecting the islands of Faro and Monte Agudo. At low tide you can see beautiful rocks here, and at high tide a gorgeous lagoon is filled with water. The sand is soft, snow-white, the water is clean. This is all complemented beautiful nature and eucalyptus groves. It's good to relax with children, although sometimes it can be very crowded.
Beach of the Cathedrals in Galicia
It is interesting mainly not because of the water and sand, but because at low tide, huge stone columns, similar to Gothic pillars and arches, appear from under the water. People rarely swim here, but they take great photos. The main thing is not to miss the tide and climb the stairs higher in time.
Cala Turqueta, Menorca
Located near the city of Ciutadella. It is only about 100 meters long, but is well equipped - there are toilets, cabins, garbage cans, lifeguards and even water activities. The water is calm, swimming is comfortable - in general, one of the good beaches in Europe, quiet and calm.
France
Rondinara, Corsica
Recently ranked third in the ranking of the best beach holiday destinations in Europe by Lonely Plane. Sandy, with azure waters, well protected from wind and waves. In summer it can be very crowded, as locals and tourists love to come here, especially since there is even a restaurant and a camping spot.
Plumanak
A good place for swimming, but tourists come here rather to admire the bizarre boulders made of rare pink granite. It looks especially beautiful at dawn and sunset.
Salezia, Corsica
One of the “secret” beaches - can only be reached by yacht or on foot, through 10 kilometers of sultry “desert”. But the place is very secluded and beautiful, with warm azure water and snow-white sand. There are no amenities, but it is very beautiful.
Other countries
Dona Ana, Portugal
It has the Blue Flag for the purity of its waters; some magazines consider it the most beautiful in the world for its golden sand, rocks and emerald waters. You can get there from the center of Lagos on foot or by special bus. True, due to its accessibility, it is very crowded during the season. But the infrastructure is developed - there are many cafes, boat rentals and diving.
Rantum, island of Sylt, Germany
The entire coast of this island is quite nice beach more than 100 meters wide. Suitable for surfing and swimming - even in hot weather the water is slightly cool. The resort has nightclubs, cafes, restaurants and places for wellness; in general, the holiday is calm and even secluded.
Bantham Beach, UK
The best place in Britain for family holidays and surfing. The dunes and sands look especially gorgeous.
Golden Horn, Croatia
A gorgeous beach that resembles a horn stretching into the sea. Winds and currents constantly change its shape. Ideal for water sports, and you can relax from the heat in the shade of a nearby forest.
Jaz Beach, Montenegro
Another good beach in Europe, with sand, quite popular, although difficult to access. The color of the water is beautiful, there are umbrellas and sunbeds for rent, showers, restaurants, rental of water equipment and a place for nudists.
Golden Sands, Bulgaria
The beach stretches the entire length of the resort of the same name. The sea near the shore is shallow, the bottom is clean, but there are strong waves - a good place for water sports. Developed infrastructure, but due to large quantity guests a little dirty. On the outskirts of the coast it is cleaner and quieter, but there are nudists.
Falsterbo, Sweden
It’s a very beautiful place – it’s a bit cold to swim, but in the summer you can, it’s clean and free. Separated from the rest of the world by forests and high dunes, the coastline is lined with cute hotel houses. It is forbidden to ride motorboats in the water, so you can relax in peace.
Vik, Iceland
When it comes to beach holiday in Europe, hardly anyone thinks about Iceland. You really can’t swim here - the sea is very cold - but you can admire the unusually rare and beautiful beach covered with black sand. It’s very clean, and the unusual picture is complemented by interesting boulders and landscapes around.
If you look closely at the map of Europe, you will see that most of its coastal areas are dotted with beaches. They are all very diverse. There are large beaches with snow-white sands, pebbly and rocky, romantically secluded and party-friendly. The choice is very extensive.
The review contains a list of the best European beaches of past years. This includes places that appeal to risky surfers and family people, restless travelers and those who like to spend their holidays in solitude, romantics and couples in love. Everyone will find something suitable on this list.
1. Italy, Apulia, national park Gargano. Orange Bay (Baia delle Zagara)
A picturesque place located in the Gargano Park. The high cliffs surrounding the bay are so stunning and memorable that they are considered one of the natural attractions of Puglia.
The bay owes its name to the evergreen orange tree. Essential neroli oil is extracted from its fragrant flowers. The sea here has turquoise shades, the sand on the beach is snow-white.
Along the Gargano coastline there are many tourist places– Vieste, Mattinata, Peschici. In the north of the peninsula there are several salt lakes - Varano and Lesina.
2. Montenegro. Jaz Beach
The beach is located 3 kilometers from the famous Budva. You can get here by bus from the city center, by car or by sea on a taxi boat. It is problematic to do this on foot - Yaz is hidden behind rugged sea cape
The place is considered the most beautiful beach on the Montenegrin coast. There are always a lot of people here. The beach consists of two zones - fine pebble and sand. There are few sandy beaches in Montenegro and this is the main advantage of this place. The infrastructure is well developed. Several restaurants are open during the season. Catamarans and jet skis are available for rent. Various musical events take place throughout the summer. It was here that in the old days Madonna and the Rolling Stones gathered crowds of thousands of fans.
3. France, Porquerolles island. Beach Our Lady
Porquerolles is famous for its almost pristine nature and is considered the most... large island Hyères Islands, located in the south of France.
Most Porquerolles - 80% of its territory - was acquired by the state in 1971 from a private owner in order to prevent development of the island and preserve nature. Now there is a national park here.
Conservation of the island's nature is placed above all else. You will have to pay a large fine for leaving garbage, and smoking is also prohibited. Pets can only walk on a leash.
There are three wineries on the island that produce the famous wines of Provence. This attracts wine lovers here. To get to Porquerolles, you need to take a boat departing from Toulon or Hyères.
4. Portugal. Peniches
Beach with ideal conditions for surfers. Located in a northwest direction from Lisbon, at a distance of 60 miles. This place deserves attention even if you are not into surfing. In addition to beach and marine entertainment, guests can go on excursions around historical center Peniche, explore the fort built in the 16th–17th centuries. and ancient churches. Inside the fortress there is now a museum, and until the 20th century. the fort served as a prison for political prisoners.
Baleal and Consolasan bays are suitable for beginner surfers as well as family travelers. Experienced surfers should head to west coast. Medan Grande Beach, called “Supertubos”, is famous for its tube-shaped waves. The World Surfing Championship, called the Rip Curl Pro Portugal, is held here and on the beach of Praia do Lagido.
Divers should go to the protected area of Berlengas Island - the underwater kingdom there is pristinely beautiful. You can get to this place by rented boat or speedboat.
We recommend booking hotels in Europe on the following websites:
Hotels
Ostrovok
Travelocity
5. Greece, Lefkada island. Porto Katsiki beach
The beach is included in the list of the most beautiful places in the country. Its location is the island of Lefkada (Ionian Sea). Transparent blue water, white rocks combined with the surrounding greenery. This place consistently receives top marks in the annual list of the best beaches in Europe.
The name Porto Katsiki means "Port of Goats". In the old days, only goats got here.
There are parking lots and places for snacks near the beach. But there is nowhere to live or stay overnight here. A staircase leading down from the parking lot leads to the beach.
6. Greece, Zakynthos island. Navajo Beach
The place owes its name to a ship that sank here and was carrying smuggled goods. The word "navayo" means "shipwreck" in Greek. The incident occurred in the 80s of the last century. The discovered violators sank the ship with smuggled cigarettes and escaped on boats. When a big storm began, the ship washed up on the shore of the bay. It is still there today.
The water in this place has an incredibly rich blue color, which is given by underground mineral springs. In the district of Aspros Vrachos, near Cape Skinari you can find the Blue Caves. They got their name because of the color of the sea.
7. Croatia. Golden Horn
One of the most beautiful places Croatia is considered the Golden Horn beach. It is located in the south of the island of Brac (Dalmatia).
The place owes its name to its shape resembling a horn. A 634 m long spit stretches from the shore into the sea with beaches on both sides. The length of the braid may vary. This feature is related to tides, wind directions and sea currents. The cape is protected by the state due to its geomorphological properties. It is located 2 km from the city of Bol, to the west of it. It is considered the hallmark of the island.
Tourists are offered water attractions– jet skis, skis, windsurfing. You can hide from the scorching sun in the pine forest located at the beginning of the cape.
We recommend booking chip flights on websitesAviasales Skyscanner
8. France, Corsica. Rondinara beach
The beach is located between the towns of Porto Vecchio and Bonifacio at the end of highway number 198. This place cannot be called secluded. In July and August it is especially crowded here - there are many people who want to sunbathe on the fine sand. Some of them sail on their own yachts.
The beach is shaped like a horseshoe and is located on the shore of an azure bay. There are no strong waves here. Not far from the beach you can find a convenient campsite (its website camping-rondinara.com ) , there are also parking spaces and working in high season restaurant.
9. Portugal. Marinha Beach
A narrow strip of sand under a steep cliff - this is what the Portuguese Marinha beach is, which is called one of the most beautiful beaches countries. It is located on Atlantic coast in the vicinity of the resort town of Albufeira.
You will have to travel 20 km to the beach by car - public transport doesn't go there. Then you need to find a ladder along which you can go down from the high steep bank. There are paths, but they are very winding and steep, leading to no one knows where.
The second way to get to the beach is to book a boat excursion. Then there will be an additional opportunity to explore the local grottoes and coast. This will no longer be a simple floundering in the water, but a whole adventure. In any case, you will not find such landscapes anywhere else; everyone will be pleased with a visit to this beautiful place.
We recommend booking apartments in Europe on the websites Vrbo
10. Italy, Sardinia. Kala Goloritze
We can recommend this beach to those who adore hiking along rocky paths. All of Sardinia is a huge stone covered with forest. To get to Kala Goloritze beach you need to go down from the Golgo plateau, located at an altitude of 400 meters. Another way is to arrive by boat.
The beach is located on the coast of the Gulf of Orosei (Golfo di Orosei) and is covered with tiny white pebbles. Transparent water, white pebbles and a high rocky shore create a special serene atmosphere. A very beautiful and unusual place!
starting point walking route starts at the rural church of San Pietro, travel time is about 2 hours. There are quite a lot of people who want to see Kala Goloritze. The path to the beach is well trodden, so you won't get lost.
11. France, Brittany. Ole Vierge
A small cozy place with clean yellow sand. On one side there is the boundless Atlantic, on the other there is a high, steep coast, beautiful and protective. You can go down to the beach along a narrow path or by sea by boat. The second method is much easier. The place is reminiscent of Crimean beaches.
12. Iceland. Vik Beach
Black sand beach! Who doesn't want to lie on this?! If you want to do this, you need to go to Iceland, get to the village of Vik, which is 180 km from Reykjavik, and then go to the beach. This is the southernmost tip of Iceland.
The beach stretches for 5 kilometers. There are no pebbles or debris. The sand is very clean and has a true black color. Formed from volcanic lava. The sea is cold, the climate is damp and humid, and it rains often. Only winter swimming enthusiasts decide to swim here. But the local landscapes are so unusual and bewitching that the place constantly attracts people from the very different countries. Cinematographers who make science-fiction films especially like to visit it.
Local folklore is replete with legends about trolls and sea monsters. For those who don’t take their word for it, local residents will show you the fossilized remains of ancient trolls, rising in the form of basalt pillars in the sea not far from the beach. At low tide you can visit caves formed in ancient times from cooled lava. Previously, numerous mythological creatures took refuge in them, but now they have disappeared somewhere. In general, there are plenty of miracles on these black sands.
We recommend booking package tours to European countries on sites: from WarsawTravelplanet , from Moscow And , from Kyiv
13. Italy, Sicily. Beach of Isola Bella island
The islet of Isola Bella is located near eastern shore Sicily, opposite the town of Taormina. They get here along a narrow sand spit connecting the island with the city. Until the 90s of the last century, the island was private property. The owner built herself a house and brought in various exotic plants. The island is home to lizards and birds. Now it belongs to the city municipality. There is a nature reserve there that supervises World Fund wildlife.
On weekends, the rocky beach is filled with city dwellers. It is especially revered by snorkelers - the sea around Isola Bella is replete with myriads of marine organisms and algae.
14. Great Britain. Bantham Beach
The most beautiful places are usually where rivers flow into the sea. One such place is Bantham Beach on the southwest coast of England. It doesn’t matter that there aren’t many hot days here suitable for non-stop swimming. The surrounding landscape can calm any worried soul: the vast sea, sands, dunes, a wonderful view of the coast of Bigbury Bay... All residents of small coastal towns love to visit this beach. He is considered best place for families and also for surfers.
On the opposite shore of the bay is the elegant Burgh Island Hotel. At high tide it becomes cut off from the mainland, a fact that guests like. At various times, the hotel's guests included royalty and famous writers.
15. Scotland. Sandwood Bay
People come here not to sunbathe and swim, but to admire the views and take photographs. Despite the nearby Gulf Stream, the water in Sandwood Bay, located in the northwest of the country, is quite cold. The fascinating thing is that the depths of the sea extend all the way to the Arctic: water, water, water, ending eternal ice. The beach is large, surrounded by rocks. Behind it is a picturesque freshwater lake. The sand on the beach has a pinkish tint.
You can only get here on foot. From the nearest highway The beach is separated by 4 miles, which must be overcome along a narrow path winding among grassy dunes and swamps. A walk can turn into a little adventure, especially if you have read Conan Doyle or listened to local legends beforehand.
16. Spain, Menorca. Kala Macareya
Cala Macareia is a horseshoe-shaped bay on the island of Menorca. There are many beaches on the island, but this one is the most popular. The sea here is always calm, the sand is clean and fine, and pine trees grow along the shores of the bay.
It is good to swim here with a mask and fins (so-called snorkeling), because the water is teeming with marine life. The bay is located in the southwest of the island, making it convenient to watch the sunset.
It’s also nice to wander along the picturesque shores. There are many roads and paths in the area, one of which leads directly to a nudist refuge - the tiny beach of Cala Macarelleta.
17. Greece, Antipaxi. Voutumi
A beach on a small, or rather, the smallest of the Ionian islands. Its size is only 3 x 4 km, the local population is very small - less than two dozen. Nevertheless, the land is well-groomed, there are vineyards, orchards and small fields everywhere.
If you get tired of sunbathing, you can walk around this island up and down, admiring the local nature. The island is located south of Corfu. It is easily accessible by ferry or boat. The beaches are very beautiful, the water shimmers with emerald hues and, most importantly, it is always deserted here. This place is visited only by those who want to enjoy the sea and sun in silence, value their own privacy and do not disturb someone else’s.
To satisfy your hunger, you can enjoy fresh island food at local taverns. It is believed that the most delicious squid is served here.
18. France. Dune du Pilat
You have to climb stairs to get to this beach because it is a huge sand dune: 2900 m long, 660 m wide, 100 m high. This remarkable place on the Arcachon Bay is one of the main attractions of France. On one side there is the ocean, on the other there is the same vast forest, and in the middle there is sand, sand, and nothing but sand.
Dune is located 60 km from the city of Bordeaux, where you can fly by plane and then get to the beach by train or car. To get to the dune itself you will have to climb over loose sand or take a long walk along the stairs. But the views from the top are worth it.
Of course, you can swim and sunbathe here - there is enough space for everyone. But people come here to admire nature and breathe clean sea air. Young children are especially at ease here: a sandbox with an area of 2 million square meters! And also this favorite place paragliders and hang gliders, because here ideal conditions for flights.
19. Lithuania. Curonian Spit
The Curonian Spit is a narrow strip of land about 2.5 km wide and 96 km long, stretching in the Baltic Sea from south to north. The southern part of the spit is connected to the Baltic coast of the Kaliningrad region of Russia. Northern part ends in the sea. The last 50 km of the spit belong to Lithuania. The western part of the spit, which borders Baltic Sea represents a long sand beach, consisting of dunes. East End, overlooking the Curonian Lagoon, is overgrown with forest. On this side there are houses of local residents and holiday homes.
Back in the days Soviet Union The Curonian Spit was a famous and elite vacation spot. Everyone tried to get to the famous Nida - a large village, near which the highest dunes are located and the “dancing” forest begins. In this forest, the trunks of the pine trees are bent in the most bizarre way, and no one knows why this happens. The “dancing” forest leaves an eerie impression, but has a strange attractive force - all tourists consider it their duty to visit it.
The moving dunes are no less attractive. They are formed from white sand. When you are among them, an absolutely surreal state arises. One forgets that on one side there is the sea, and on the other there is a forest. Because of the dunes, neither one nor the other is visible. It seems that you are left alone in the middle of a white desert, and there is only the sun and the sound of the wind. And this is forever.
Having visited once Curonian Spit, I want to come here again and again. You can get there by ferry from Klaipeda, which runs every half hour.
You can purchase insurance online for a trip to Europe on the following websites:
20. Cyprus. Nissi Beach
This beach is located near the popular resort town of Ayia Napa, sharing a coastal bay with another Nissi Bay beach. Noisy Nissi Bay is more suitable for young people with their irrepressible energy. Nissi Beach is a calm, beautiful place for comfortable swimming and sunbathing.
The sand on the beach is white and clean. The bottom is flat with a slight slope. Simply an ideal place for kids and adults who love sea water and don’t like the depths. Most of the time the sea in the bay is calm - it is protected by an island.
Here you can ride on catamarans and banana boats. The beach has volleyball courts and places where you can play beach soccer. There are a sufficient number of umbrellas and sun loungers. The beach is literally surrounded by hotels. You can stop in them and run out to the sea straight from bed. Tourists who have visited Cyprus consider this beach to be the best.
Over the course of several years, we have visited many countries and cities in Europe and are not going to stop there!
✔ May 2014 - Montenegro (Kotor, Perast, Budva, Herceg Novi)
✔ 2014 July - Türkiye Kemer)
✔ 2015 January - Helsinki
✔ January 2015 - Prague
✔ 2015 July - Helsinki
✔ 2015 July - Rome
✔ 2015 July - Croatia (Dubrovnik)
✔ 2015 September-October - Montenegro (Kotor, Budva, Petrovac, Bar, Ulcinj)
✔ 2015 September-October - Croatia (Split, Trogir, Bol, Dubrovnik)
✔ 2016 February - Budapest
✔ 2016 February - Venice
✔ 2016 February - Rome
✔ 2016 July - Prague
✔ 2016 July - Munich
✔ 2016 July - Schwangau
✔ 2016 July - Barcelona
✔ 2016 July - Calella
✔ September 2016 - Montenegro
✔ 2017 January - Budapest
✔ 2017 January - Porto
✔ June 2017 - Amsterdam
✔ 2017 July - Paris
✔ 2017 July - Montenegro (Budva)
✔ 2017 July - Croatia (Dubrovnik)
✔ March 2018 - Prague
✔ March 2018 - Czech krumlov
✔ March 2018 - Karlovy Vary
✔ March 2018 - Riga
✔ 2018 July - Madrid
✔ 2018 July - Lisbon, Sintra, Cascais
✔ 2018 July - Porto
✔ 2018 July - Barcelona
✔ January 2019 - Tallinn
✔ 2019 July - Türkiye (Alanya)
1. Prague, Czech Republic)
We visited here for the first time on New Year's holidays in 2015. We visited again in the summer of 2016 and spring of 2018.
The main advantages of Prague are, firstly, accessibility (there are daily flights from Moscow and St. Petersburg for 6-7 thousand rubles) and budget (prices correspond to Russian ones, and for some cost categories they are even lower). Secondly, in addition to the huge number of attractions of Prague itself, there is also a lot of interesting things in its surroundings and neighboring cities.
- Prices in Prague
2. Montenegro
We discovered this country in May 2014, when it was just gaining popularity among our compatriots. Since then we have visited it several times, both at the height of summer and at the Velvet season. Last visit - July 2017. We traveled the entire coast of the country, from Herceg Novi to Ulcinj, in different companies (with friends or with children) and without undue modesty we can assure you that we have penetrated into almost all aspects of the holiday here :)
- Cities and resorts of Montenegro
- Beaches of Montenegro
- All about Montenegro for tourists
3. Budapest
In February 2016 we decided to visit Budapest and were very pleased. We went to the capital of Hungary again in January 2017.
- 10 things to do in Budapest
- Budapest route for 1 day + map
4. Rome
We’ve been to Rome twice and only briefly, so we don’t have a lot of material on this topic, but we can still tell you about the main nuances of the trip. In addition to Rome, we also spent several days in Venice.
5. Croatia
We have been to Croatia, as well as Montenegro, more than once. We stopped three times at the main resort of the country - Dubrovnik, spent several days in Split and took a short trip along the coast. Are you ready to answer the burning question: Where is it better to relax - Montenegro or Croatia?
6. Barcelona, Catalonia
In the summer of 2016 we went to Spain and spent several days in the wonderful city of Barcelona. After that we went to the Catalan coast, the small town of Calella, where we arranged a week-long resort holiday :)
We visited Barcelona again in the summer of 2018.
- Walking routes in Barcelona
- Barcelona on your own: step-by-step trip organization
7. Munich
- Where to go from Munich
- Top 10 attractions in Munich
8. Amsterdam (Netherlands)
In the summer of 2017 we went to Amsterdam. This city left us an unforgettable impression and became one of our favorites among those we visited. As an experiment, we decided to make a separate guide site for Amsterdam.
9. Paris (France)
After Amsterdam, Paris awaited us, which left us with rather contradictory impressions. IN currently Work is underway on a guide to the capital of France, information will be updated gradually.
10. Portugal
In February 2017, I visited Porto for the first time. The city became a real discovery for us. In the summer of 2018 we revisited Porto, as well as Lisbon and its surroundings. Currently, work is underway on a separate travel guide website for Portugal.
11. Helsinki (Finland)
As advocates of smart consumption, we often try to budget wisely for our travels, which is why we have repeatedly used Helsinki Airport as a starting point. During all this time, we have managed to get to know this city quite closely and we are ready to give some useful advice.
