10 BEST Beaches in Europe

The Elafonisso is actually an island on the southwest side of Crete which is at a distance of 75 kilometres from Chania. The water to the island is quite shallow and one can wade across it to reach the island. This beach is unique in the sense that it has dazzling pink sand all around which is much softer than regular sea sand.

Owing to its shallow water, this beach is very popular with families having kids but at the same time, the adrenaline junkies could find a reason to visit this beach too with surfing and paddleboarding as a popular activity on this beach. The wind here blows at a rate making it a perfect site for windsurfing and the surfers enjoy their time away from toddlers who puddle around on the shallow side. This beach is very clean and the turquoise blue crystal clear water is a sight to behold. There are two beaches here joined together by a thin strip. Do take the longer coastal cliff-edge drive from southwest Crete for spectacular sceneries which end up in the magnificent beach.

This Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach is full of dramatic sights and unique rock formations which is one of the topmost reasons to visit the beach more than the sea itself. This was ranked as one of the 10 most beautiful non-tropical beaches in the world in 1991 owing to its out of the world black sand. Yes, you heard it right; this sea has black sand which is as rare as its basalt columns. It is a lava beach which has come out of ashes. Among many volcanic beaches, this beach near the small village of Vik in Iceland is by far the coolest and definitely one of the best beaches in Europe as you can witness some enormous basalt stacks along with high and mighty Atlantic waves and impressive rock formations. It is no wonder that many famous movies were filmed here like Games of Thorns. Though one must be careful while opting to swim here, as it is not one of the safest beaches for swimming. The rough waters would come crashing without notice and one can be caught being unaware. This beach is mainly to enjoy its panoramic view, take pictures of its unique sand and cliffs and the rugged coastline. The strangeness of this beach is accentuated by sharp sea stacks and clusters rendering an awe-inspiring view.

Durdle is derived from “thirl” which was old English and means to drill, pierce or bore. The significance of its name lays in the fact that the emblem of this iconic beach, which is the natural limestone arch, was formed when the powerful splashing waves eroded the rock and a hole was forged in the middle, and thus came about the magnificent arch which is the most attractive part of this beach. With its soft golden sand studded with spectacular fossils, amazing geological formations of Worbarrow bay and the haunting abandoned village of Tyneham, this beach makes for a perfect tourist spot. The water here is so clean that the Marine Conservation Society has deemed it suitable for swimming and fishing. The Lulworth outdoors offers many outdoor activities like mountain biking and coasteering. Do not miss out to take a walk along the southwest coast path at Durdle door to view the spectacular stretch filled with interesting geological formations, fossils, and the coastal hamlets.

This beach undoubtedly would feature high on the list of best beaches in Europe as well a high rank among the beast beaches in the world. Portugal is a breathtaking place and Praia da Marinha features as its emblematic place of interest and is used to advertise the country in many advertisements. This has also got the “Golden Beach” award by Portuguese ministry owing to its clean and clear water and other marvelous natural qualities. It is situated on the Atlantic coast In Algarve and is a small beach dotted by limestone cliffs all around. One needs to climb down a steep pathway to reach the beach so it is advisable to have strong and sturdy shoes while visiting here. The surrounding cliffs give a magical view which is bound to be one of your best memories forever. Its M rock or the cathedral is one of its unique features which is actually rocking in the shape of letter M and people can walk along the beach to have a look at this stupendous rock formation.

This could be rated as one of the best beaches in Europe and definitely among the best beaches in Italy. Located on the island Lampedusa, near Sicily, this white and crystal clear water beach is quite remote into the faraway Mediterranean sea. Tourists have a lot of reason to flock this beach as it has been awarded as the best beach by few sites due to its clean water and aquamarine colors. This beach is fit for a snorkelling experience so come with your gears if you want to make the most of this beach. As the beach is quite remote, it is less populated and if you do go there, its picturesque bay will be a perfect setting for an ethereal getaway. Contrary to its name, you will not find rabbits populating the place but you could definitely spot loggerheads turtles and other wildlife roaming the rocky area as this place is also a nesting site for many endangered species. Visiting this beach has added the charm of exploring the area around Lampedusa which is inundated with roman ruins, prehistoric huts, and underwater sculptures. While touring Europe, one must keep this beach in their to-do list as this would be their experience of one of the best beaches in Italy.

This beach would make you marvel as it is truly one of mother nature's fabulous creations. The sea is surrounded by tiny pebbles all around and stretches out in the shape of the tongue or a hand, 500 meters into the sea. The most interesting fact about this beach is that its tip keeps changing its shape based on the direction of the wind, the sea current and ever-changing waves and tides making it appealing to the onlookers and definitely would appear as one of the best beaches in Europe. About 2 kilometers from the harbor town of Bol, Zlatni Rat beach lies on the southern coast of the island of Brac in Croatia. This beach is often referred to as Golden Cape or Golden Horn beach and is bordered by lush green forest and shallow turquoise water. This beach is a protected area and has lifeguards so a very safe beach for families with kids and people enjoy many activities here like kite-surfing, jet-skiing, windsurfing and stand up paddle-boarding. Even though the temperature rises during the day, there are pine trees all around and the forest just a few minutes’ walks, to take shelter from the scorching sun and come out when the weather gets better. As the sun sets, one can enjoy the sound of rippling waves splashing against the pebbles creating a melodious aura and sip on wine for that unforgettable evening.

This is a small and tranquil beach on the Greek island of Crete, 2 kilometers from the village of Chordaki and 22 kilometers from Chania. A pebble beach, which can be accessed either by car or a boat, is surrounded by huge marble rocks which are high enough to protect the beach from adverse weather. Fine pebbles, azure water, and white sand are characteristics of this fantastic beach. This pretty beach is between two canyons which lead out to the sea, giving a heart-stopping beautiful vista. As you might need to hike down mountains and steep regions, you must bring proper footwear for this and also pack all your necessities for the day with you while visiting this beach. It is indeed the best beach in Greece but also one of the best beaches in Europe so you might find it very crowded during peak seasons and if you want to steal a few quiet moments, do try to come in early. It was a relatively lesser-known beach until a few years back but now with the advent of media, it has gained attention. The other name for this beach is Seitan Limania, which means Satan’s Harbors.

Cape Greco is a peninsula far from the hustle-bustle of Ayia Napa in Cyprus. It is a gorgeous natural heaven, unspoiled and untouched with clear turquoise water and full of natural flora and fauna of more than 400 species. The sea is filled with sea caves with phenomenal passages into the cliffs which cut as deep as 80 meters into the rocks. This beach is also for the adventurous ones with cliff diving or jumping for the daring ones and also snorkeling and hiking is a popular activity here. Cape Greco has designated the status of national forest park in the year 1993 and apart from its spectacular natural beauty, this place also hosts many animals such as hedgehogs, foxes, and hares. There are many nature trails to enjoy here and its blue lagoon is definitely a sight not to be missed. The beach is surrounded by mountains and large open fields which provide the scenic backdrop for taking photos.

Calanque is found in the Mediterranean coast and it is a steep wallet inlet usually formed in limestone by corrosion and the rocky cliffs finally descend into teal waters where they form a breathtaking amalgam of blues, whites, and greens presenting a dramatic view. There are three Calanque in southern France, Port Miou, Port Pin and En Vau. En Vau is the most beautiful of them although you need to do a bit of hiking to get there yet the reward of the spectacular view is all worth the trouble. The beach has pebbles and rocky cliffs all around and a great place for picnicking and swimming. To get there, the closest airport is Marseille, a half an hour drive to Cassis but the best way is to take a boat from either Marseille or Cassis. This magnificent national park has natural rocky platforms where you can sit and watch the glimmering water beneath.

Sveti Stefan is the jewel in the historic town of Budva in Montenegro. This small islet dates back to the 15^th century when it was a fortified village and now a luxurious island. Renowned for its sandbank and majestic mountain terrains, this is certainly one of the holy grail one must visit if one wants to see the best beaches in Europe. Half of the islet is owned by the Aman resorts and reserved for its guests while the other half is free for all. Your time is best utilized here as you soak up the sun and take a dip in the sea. The closest airport is the Tivat airport from where it’s a 50 minutes drive to the islet. Many celebrities have visited this place and deem it like a fairy tale from childhood, with the pink sand, old stone buildings and rugged mountains creating an aura of a timeless beauty.

From lesser-known northern beaches to the popular Mediterranean ones, Europe is full of surprise in terms of its gorgeous beaches which are like hidden treasures waiting for you to be found and explored. So with this list of beaches in your hand, you must be inspired to plan your next vacation on the sandy beaches of Europe.