Europe has wonderful idyllic beaches. On European beaches you can find everything from clear sand to impressive cliffs. Depending on the area there are beaches with turquoise waters, volcanic beaches, surrounded by vegetation, rocky, even pink. Europe is known for its big cities full of monuments and tourist buildings, but it keeps many more secrets. On the continent there are not only capitals full of important historical places, there are also authentic natural treasures that are most pleasing to the eye. In Europe you can visit kilometers of sandbanks, coves and islands.
If you are thinking of traveling around Europe and you love the beach, there are some options that you should know before choosing your destination. The National Geographic travel section has compiled a list of the best beaches found in Europe. In this article, 10 beaches have been chosen, among those chosen by National Geographic as the best in Europe, as idyllic destinations for your next vacation.
The 10 best beaches in Europe
1. Shipwreck Cove, in Greece
Shipwreck Cove is located on the island of Zakynthos, in Greece. It is known that when the Venetians arrived on the island of Zante (Zakynthos), they called it the “flower of the East” for its beautiful landscapes. This wonderful Greek island has Navaghio Beach, or Shipwreck, as it has been known since a ship ran aground in 1980 and is still stranded, one of the best beaches that can be visited in Europe.
2. Ses Illetes, in Formentera
This white sand beach could be an ideal destination for your next vacation. Ses Illetes is known for its incredible turquoise waters. It is located in the natural park of ses Salines, on the island of Formentera. Undoubtedly, it is one of the best beaches on the continent due to the good quality of its waters and the beauty of the landscapes in the area.
3. The Two Sisters, in Italy
Due Sorelle beach is located in La Puglia (Italy) and is recognized as one of the most beautiful spots in the area. Located in southern Italy, this marvel is one of the country’s hidden treasures. In Torre dell’Orso, there is one of the best beaches in Europe known as ‘due Sorelle’, the two sisters, due to the two large rock formations found on its shore. The beauty and a curious legend magnify the beauty of this singular place. It is a small bay of fine sand and surrounded by pine trees and dunes, close to Otranto.
4. Palombaggia, France
At the southern end of the island of Corsica is this mountain in the middle of the sea, another way of defining this place. Palombaggia beach concentrates the most characteristic beauty of the Mediterranean. This cove is located within Porto Vecchio, an old fishing village. It is very close to the natural reserve of the Cerbicale islands, something that can increase your plans if you want to visit it.
5. Playa de Benagil, in Portugal
Benagil beach is one of the quintessential spots in southern Portugal. The cliffs of Benagil, on the Algarve coast, hide a spot in the shape of a circular cave with a short beach that can only be reached by swimming or rowing. It is located next to Benagil, the fishing village that gives it its name.
6. Stiniva Beach, in Croatia
Stiniva beach is located on the island of Vis, connected by two hours by boat with Split). In this place you can find one of the most beautiful beaches on the Dalmatian Coast of Croatia. It is surrounded by calcareous rock formations and it is said that it is almost invisible from the sea, but once you arrive, a very beautiful white stone beach appears. It is a protected Natural Monument and, as it could not be otherwise, it is one of the most beautiful beaches in Europe that National Geographic has compiled.
7. Macarella and Macarelleta, in Menorca
To the south of the island of Menorca you can visit the Macarella and Macarelleta beaches, considered two of the most beautiful beaches in the Balearic Islands. La Macarella and La Macarelleta are neighbors, since they are linked by a small path. Without a doubt, they deserve to be in this ranking for their crystalline turquoise waters and the vegetation that surrounds them.
8. Cala di Volpe, in Italy
To the north of Sardinia is the Emerald Coast, which holds some of the most beautiful beaches in the western Mediterranean. The Cala di Volpe, located in the Gulf of Arzachena, is an environmental treasure due to its aquatic fauna, its pure waters and its reddish rocks.
9. The Cathedrals, in Galicia
This arenal is recognized as one of the most beautiful beaches in Spain. As Catedrais beach is located in the Mariña de Lugo and is famous for its characteristic arches, domes and stone needles that the sea, the wind and the passage of time have shaped as if they were sculptures. It is known as Galicia’s ‘cathedral of the sea’ and is worth a visit. During the summer months, and also at Easter, you must request free authorization on their website to protect it and avoid overcrowding.
10. Sarakiniko, in Greece
In the north of the island of Milo, in the Cyclades archipelago, you can find one of the most beautiful settings in Europe. Sarakiniko beach is famous for its special volcanic rocks eroded over centuries by wind and water. It is one of the paradises of the more than 200 Cyclades islands, in the middle of the Aegean Sea.
