48 Stunning European Beaches to Add to Your Ultimate Summer Bucket List

By Neecey • Mar 29, 2015 MD

With coastlines on the North Sea, the Atlantic, and the Mediterranean, alongside a multitude of picturesque islands, Europe's beaches form an extraordinarily eclectic collection. If you are wondering which coastal escapes made it to the top of TripAdvisor's Travelers' Choice rankings, this ultimate guide breaks down 48 outstanding shores worth adding to your bucket list. For official travel guidelines and destination info, explore France Tourism before booking your getaway.

| Destination Region | Top Coastal Highlight | Ideal Visiting Window | | --- | --- | --- | | French Riviera & Corsica | Palombaggia Beach | May to September | | Greek Islands & Coast | Elafonissi Beach | June to October | | Italian Islands & Coast | Rabbit Beach | June to September |

Before packing your swimsuit, keep these quick European beach essentials in mind:

  • Sun Protection: High-SPF reef-safe sunscreen and UV sunglasses are essential for Mediterranean sun.
  • Footwear: Water shoes for pebbled or rocky coves like Cala Mariolu.
  • Hydration: Reusable water bottle for secluded island stretches.

Let's start our grand coastal tour in FRANCE!

1. Cote Des Basques, Biarritz

body of water,beach,coast,vacation,sea,

Renowned as the birthplace of European surfing, Cote Des Basques in Biarritz features dramatic cliffside backdrops and powerful Atlantic waves. It offers majestic views across the Basque coast toward Spain.

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2. Palombaggia Beach, Porte Vecchio, Corsica

landform,coast,tree,sea,body of water,

Lined with iconic stone pines and vibrant red rocks, Palombaggia Beach boasts turquoise waters and pristine golden sand. It consistently ranks among Southern Corsica's most breathtaking shorelines.

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3. Plage D'Hendaye, Hendaye

coast,shore,sea,rock,ocean,

Stretching near the Spanish border, Plage D'Hendaye is famous for its wide sandy shore and gentle waves, making it ideal for beginners learning to surf or families seeking a relaxing beach day.

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4. Le Touquet Beach, Le Touquet

sand,wind,vehicle,flight,sea,

Located on the Opal Coast of northern France, Le Touquet Beach offers vast expanses of fine sand, historic beach cabins, and popular wind-surfing activities under brisk sea breezes.

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5. Plage De Pampelonne, St. Tropez

aerial photography,coast,sea,geographical feature,landform,

Synonymous with French Riviera glamour, Plage De Pampelonne in Saint-Tropez features miles of white sand, luxury beach clubs, and sparkling blue Mediterranean waters.

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6. Santa Guilia Beach, Santa Guilia, Corsica

geographical feature,landform,archipelago,coast,body of water,

Nestled in a horseshoe bay with calm, shallow turquoise water, Santa Giulia resembles a tropical lagoon surrounded by lush Mediterranean vegetation.

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7. Plage De Petit Sperone, Bonifacio, Corsica

Cap de Pertusato,coast,geographical feature,landform,sea,

A hidden jewel near Bonifacio, Petit Sperone requires a short coastal walk to reach its secluded cove of powdery white sand and crystal-clear swimming spots.

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8. Plage D'Arone, Piana, Corsica

sea,shore,beach,coast,body of water,

Framed by the dramatic red granite cliffs of Piana, Plage D'Arone pairs dramatic mountain vistas with pristine Mediterranean waters and peaceful dining options nearby.

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9. Espiguette Beach, Le Grau-du-Roi

habitat,sky,shore,nature,sea,

Espiguette is a wild, protected coastal sanctuary in the Camargue region featuring massive rolling sand dunes and miles of undeveloped natural beach.

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10. Paloma Beach, St-Jean-Cap-Ferrat

body of water,river,coast,bay,sea,

Tucked away in a tranquil cove on Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, Paloma Beach offers pebble shores, crystal waters, and panoramic views of Beaulieu-sur-Mer and Eze.

Corsica clearly delivered a strong showing! Now, let's explore the sun-drenched coastlines of GREECE. Plan your itinerary using Visit Greece.

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1. Elafonissi Beach, Elafonnisi, Crete

beach,sky,shore,sea,body of water,

Famous for its unique pink-hued sand created by crushed seashells, Elafonissi in southwestern Crete features shallow lagoon waters perfect for wading and sunbathing.

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2. Egremni Beach, Lefkada

Egremni,sky,sea,ocean,blue,

Set against towering limestone cliffs on Lefkada Island, Egremni Beach mesmerizes visitors with its electric blue Ionian waters and vast pebble shoreline.

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3. Balos Beach and Lagoon, Kissamos, Crete

sky,beach,shore,sea,body of water,

Accessible by boat or coastal trail, Balos Lagoon showcases exotic turquoise waters, wild island scenery, and soft white sand overlooked by Gramvousa Castle.

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4. St. Pauls Bay, Lindos, Rhodes

St Paul's Bay from the Acropolis,coast,sea,landform,geographical feature,

Located beneath the historic Acropolis of Lindos, St. Paul's Bay is an almost completely enclosed natural harbor offering calm swimming and picturesque scenery.

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6. Sarakiniko Beach, Milos

sky,nature,reflection,shore,coast,

Often described as lunar-like, Sarakiniko on Milos features sculpted white volcanic rock formations contrasting against deep azure Aegean waters.

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7. Myrtos Beach, Kefalonia

Myrtos Beach,Myrtos Beach,body of water,sea,coast,

Myrtos Beach on Kefalonia sits dramatically between two mountains, featuring smooth marble pebbles and brilliant electric blue waters framed by steep verdant slopes.

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8. Paleokastritsa Beach, Paleokastritsa, Corfu

coast,landform,geographical feature,body of water,sea,

Surrounded by olive groves and steep cliffs, Paleokastritsa features emerald coves, sea caves, and clear waters excellent for boat tours and snorkeling.

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9. Anthony Quinn Beach, Faliraki, Rhodes

Anthony Quinn Bay,shore,coast,sea,geographical feature,

Named after the actor who fell in love with the spot while filming, this pine-fringed cove boasts emerald green waters and dramatic underwater rock structures.

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10. Agios Prokopios, Naxos

beach,body of water,sea,shore,horizon,

With thick golden sand and sheltered crystal waters, Agios Prokopios is routinely ranked among Europe's finest beaches for classic Mediterranean relaxation.

Next up, let's travel to the magnificent shores of ITALY!

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1. Rabbit Beach, Lampedusa, Sicily

beach,landform,body of water,shore,coast,

Located on the island of Lampedusa, Rabbit Beach (Spiaggia dei Conigli) features Caribbean-quality turquoise water and soft white sands, serving as a nesting site for loggerhead sea turtles.

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2. Cala Rossa, Favignana, Sicily

sea,body of water,coast,beach,shore,

Set within an ancient limestone quarry on Favignana Island, Cala Rossa presents dramatic rocky terrain surrounding intense blue swimming waters.

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4. Cala Mariolu, Baunei, Sardinia

sea,shore,beach,coast,beach,ocean,

Accessible primarily by boat, Cala Mariolu on Sardinia's Gulf of Orosei features tiny white pebbles and limestone cliffs overlooking luminous clear waters.

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5. Tropea Beach, Tropea

Santa Maria Church on Isola Bella,coast,landform,shore,geographical feature,

Positioned below Calabria's clifftop town of Tropea, this beach features fine white sand, azure Tyrrhenian waters, and stunning views of the Santa Maria dell'Isola sanctuary.

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7. Spiaggia Porto Selvaggio, Lecce

shore,sea,ocean,body of water,wind wave,

Nestled inside a protected natural park in Apulia, Porto Selvaggio offers a pine forest walk leading to clear, freshwater-fed sea coves.

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9. La Cinta, San Teodoro, Sardinia

sea,shore,beach,body of water,coast,

Spanning over three kilometers of fine white sand, La Cinta features shallow, warm waters and panoramic views of Tavolara Island.

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10. Spiaggia Capriccioli, Arzachena, Sardinia

coast,shore,ecosystem,beach,bay,

Located along Sardinia's famous Costa Smeralda, Capriccioli is divided into small sandy coves surrounded by granite boulders and aromatic Mediterranean brush.

Now, let's head west to the golden coastlines of PORTUGAL! For destination details, check Visit Portugal.

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1. Praia Dona Ana, Lagos

landform,geographical feature,water,river,coast,

Framed by golden sandstone cliffs and grottos in the Algarve, Praia Dona Ana is one of Portugal's most photographed and picturesque beaches.

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3. Praia Da Marinha, Carvoeira

Praia da Marinha,coast,shore,sea,rock,

Famous for its iconic rock arches and sea stacks, Praia Da Marinha offers calm waters ideal for snorkeling along the Algarve coast.

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4. Praia De Guincho, Cascais

sky,ocean,sea,coast,wave,

Situated within the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park, Guincho is a wild Atlantic beach renowned world-wide for windsurfing and kite-boarding.

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5. Meia Praia, Lagos

sky,sea,shore,body of water,ocean,

Stretching for several kilometers along Lagos Bay, Meia Praia offers spacious sands, calm Atlantic waters, and vibrant beach bars.

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6. Praia Dos Olhos De Agua, Olhos De Agua

boat,vehicle,boating,kayak,sea,

Named after fresh water springs that bubble up through the sand at low tide, this traditional fishing village beach combines charm with red cliff backdrops.

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7. Odeceixe Beach, Aljezur

habitat,beach,body of water,horizon,natural environment,

Located on the border of Algarve and Alentejo, Odeceixe forms a unique tongue of sand surrounded by both the Atlantic Ocean and a river lagoon.

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8. Praia Da Rocha, Praia Da Rocha

beach,nature,shore,coast,sea,

Offering a vast sandy shoreline below vibrant red cliffs, Praia da Rocha combines lively resort amenities with stunning coastal geography.

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9. Praia do Barril, Tavira

sky,reflection,sunset,sunrise,dawn,

Located on Tavira Island in the Ria Formosa park, Praia do Barril is famous for its 'Anchor Cemetery' memorializing the historic tuna fishing fleet.

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10. Praia Da Nazare, Nazare

sea,ocean,coast,shore,wave,

World-famous for giant Atlantic waves generated by the underwater Nazare Canyon, this expansive urban beach retains rich Portuguese fishing traditions.

Let's cross into SPAIN! Learn more at Spain Tourism.

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1. Playa De Ses Illetes, Formentera

beach,sea,shore,body of water,ocean,

Located on a narrow peninsula on Formentera in the Balearic Islands, Ses Illetes is celebrated for its powder-soft white sand and shallow turquoise water.

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2. Playa De Bolonia, Tarifa

habitat,natural environment,landform,sand,geographical feature,

Situated near Tarifa in Andalusia, Bolonia features colossal moving sand dunes and the remarkably preserved ancient Roman ruins of Baelo Claudia.

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6. La Barrosa, Chiclana De La Frontera

Spanning over eight kilometers along the Costa de la Luz, La Barrosa offers fine golden sand, historic watchtowers, and pristine Atlantic sunsets.

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7. Playa De Muro Beach, Playa De Muro, Mallorca

sky,beach,sea,shore,body of water,

Located along Alcudia Bay in northern Mallorca, Playa de Muro features shallow warm waters, wooden piers, and pine forest dunes.

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9. Playa De Cofete, Morro Del Jable, Fuerteventura

habitat,shore,beach,body of water,atmospheric phenomenon,

Set against the dramatic Jandia mountains on Fuerteventura, Cofete is an awe-inspiring wild beach stretching for miles along Atlantic swells.

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10. Playa De Papagato, Lanzarote

Nestled inside a protected natural park at Lanzarote's southern tip, Papagayo consists of sheltered shell-shaped coves with calm emerald waters.

Finally, let's explore the stunning Turkish Riviera in TURKEY!

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1. Iztuzu Beach, Dalyan

Iztuzu Beach is a protected narrow spit of land separating the freshwater Dalyan river delta from the Mediterranean, serving as a vital nesting ground for loggerhead sea turtles.

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2. Kaputas Beach, Kas

Tucked into a dramatic gorge along the coastal road between Kas and Kalkan, Kaputas features striking turquoise waters accessed via a scenic staircase.

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3. Cleopatra Beach, Alanya

sky,sunset,sea,reflection,ocean,

Legend has it that Mark Antony gifted this clear golden shore to Cleopatra. Situated beneath Alanya's medieval castle, it offers superb swimming conditions.

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7. Patara Beach, Patara

cliff,landform,geographical feature,tree,body of water,

Extending for 18 kilometers, Patara is one of the Mediterranean's longest sand beaches, backed by ancient Lycian ruins and sweeping sand dunes.

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8. Ilica Beach, Cesme

geological phenomenon,wave,sea,sand,line,

Famous for thermal hot springs bubbling up directly into the sea bed, Ilica in Cesme offers warm, mineral-rich shallow waters.

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9. Calis Beach, Fethiye

beach,walkway,shore,body of water,sea,

Calis Beach near Fethiye is famous for its long seaside promenade, refreshing sea breezes, and spectacular sunset views over the Gulf of Fethiye.

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10. Lara Beach, Antalya

Kaputaş Beach,sea,beach,shore,coast,

Situated just east of Antalya, Lara Beach offers soft warm sands, clear blue Mediterranean waters, and close access to the lower Duden Waterfalls.

Some real stunners there, wasn't there? I might have to update my beach bucket list. Where are you itching to go?

Feedback Junction

Where Thoughts and Opinions Converge

  • heather

    2015-03-29T23:26:02.783Z

    I went to France when I was in high school for a spring break trip! and sadly only visited one of those gorgeous beaches :( i wish I would have gone to every single one haha I'm a sucker for beaches!
  • Orjola

    2015-03-29T19:30:27.309Z

    You should add albanian coast to your list.
  • Adea

    2015-03-29T19:37:53.223Z

    Greece and Italy!! But also Albania has some really nice beaches.
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