Beaches
The best beaches in Europe, country by country
You do not need a long-haul flight for clear water and pale sand. These are Europe's beaches worth a trip of their own, from Greece and Croatia to Corsica and the Algarve, with where to stay.
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On the south coast of Corsica, the pines at Palombaggia grow almost to the waterline, and red granite boulders sit in the shallows like sleeping animals. In June you can find a stretch of sand to yourself by walking ten minutes from the car park. In August you will need to walk further.
Europe has beaches that stand comparison with the Caribbean and the Indian Ocean, a few hours' flight away. We have picked the ones worth planning a trip around, country by country, and linked to our own beach guides where we go into more detail. Some are famous, some less visited, and we say so when they are overcrowded.
Short answer: where are the best beaches in Europe?
Greece and Italy have more of Europe's finest beaches than anywhere else, with Balos on Crete and the coast of Sardinia among the highlights. Ses Illetes on Formentera has the clearest water, Praia da Marinha in the Algarve the most dramatic cliffs, and Zlatni Rat in Croatia the most unusual shape.
Best for clear water: Ses Illetes, Formentera
Best cliffs: Praia da Marinha, Algarve
Best for calm: Palombaggia, Corsica
Best lagoon: Balos, Crete
Best value: Ksamil, Albania
Greece: lagoons, cliffs and islands
Greece has thousands of beaches, and many of the best are on the islands. Balos on Crete is a shallow lagoon you reach by boat, and Myrtos on Kefalonia is a white crescent beneath steep cliffs.
The famous shipwreck beach, Navagio on Zakynthos, has been closed to visitors in recent seasons because of the risk of rockfalls. You can still see it from the viewpoint on the cliff above. Read more in our guides to the beaches of Greece, Crete and Corfu.
Cala di Volpe
The pool at Cala di Volpe in Sardinia.
Italy: Sardinia and swimming beneath the cliffs
Sardinia has water clear enough to remind you of the Caribbean, especially on the Costa Smeralda in the north-east and along the south coast. On the mainland, Tropea in Calabria sits on a cliff above a long sandy beach, with turquoise water right below the town.
On the Amalfi Coast, beaches are small and pebbly, but this is where you swim with pastel houses stacked above you. Read more about the beaches of Italy and Sicily.
Cala di Volpe: luxury on a Costa Smeralda bay
Hotel Cala di Volpe is built to look like a fishing village, with towers and arches around a quiet bay on the Costa Smeralda. Boats leave from the jetty for the La Maddalena islands, home to some of Sardinia's clearest beaches. For couples on a special trip, priced accordingly, especially in August.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Cala di Volpe
Casa Angelina
Casa Angelina on the Amalfi Coast.
Casa Angelina: white and quiet in Praiano
Casa Angelina sits on the cliff at Praiano, with an all-white interior, a pool and steps down to a private bathing area. Praiano is quieter than Positano, and from the hotel you look towards both Positano and Capri. For couples who want to swim beneath the cliffs and skip the crowds of the bigger towns.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Casa Angelina
Spain: the Balearics and Galicia
Ses Illetes on Formentera is a narrow spit of sand with shallow turquoise water on both sides, and Cala Macarella on Menorca sits in a pine-fringed cove. Further north, Playa de las Catedrales in Galicia, with its sea arches, shows a completely different Spain. More in our guide to the beaches of Spain.
Martinhal Sagres
Martinhal Sagres in the Algarve.
Portugal: the Algarve cliffs
Praia da Marinha in the Algarve lies below golden limestone cliffs, with arches and stacks standing in the sea. Nearby is the sea cave at Benagil, seen by boat or kayak. The western Algarve around Sagres is wilder and windier. More on the beaches of Portugal.
Martinhal Sagres: a family resort at the edge of Europe
Martinhal Sagres stands by a beach near Sagres, at the south-western tip of Europe, with villas, several pools and a lot for children to do. The beaches around it are among the least developed in the Algarve. It is often windy and the water is cold, so it suits families who want nature more than warm sea.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Martinhal Sagres
Croatia: Zlatni Rat and the coves of Vis
Zlatni Rat near Bol on Brač is one of the best-known beaches in the Mediterranean, a spit of fine pebbles with pine trees down the middle, its tip shifting with the wind and currents. On the island of Vis, Stiniva is a cove behind a narrow gap in the cliffs, reached by boat or a steep path. Both are busy in July and August.
Corsica: granite and pines
Near Porto-Vecchio in southern Corsica, Palombaggia has pines growing down to the sand and red granite rocks in the water. Rondinara, a little further south, is an almost enclosed bay with shallow, clear water. Corsica is French, but the landscape is closer to Sardinia, just to the south.
Albania and Montenegro: newer favourites
Ksamil in southern Albania faces Corfu across the strait, with small islets you can swim out to. It has become popular fast, so expect crowds in summer. Combine it with the ancient city of Butrint nearby.
In Montenegro, Sveti Stefan is a fortified island village with a beach of pinkish pebbles on either side of the causeway.
When to go
June and September are best in the Mediterranean: warm water and fewer people than in July and August.
Avoid mid-August in Italy: around Ferragosto on 15 August the beaches are packed.
The Atlantic is cooler: the Algarve and Galicia have colder water than the Mediterranean all year.
Check rules for protected beaches: some limit numbers or require a permit in summer.
Frequently asked questions about Europe's beaches
Which country in Europe has the best beaches?
Greece and Italy have the most, but Spain, Portugal and Croatia also have beaches of the very highest standard.
Where is the clearest water in Europe?
Formentera, Sardinia and the Greek islands have some of the clearest water in Europe.
Can you visit Navagio beach on Zakynthos?
The beach has been closed in recent seasons because of rockfall risk, but you can see it from the clifftop viewpoint.
Where can you find quieter beaches in Europe in summer?
Choose smaller islands, nature reserves or beaches that need a walk. Big resort beaches are busiest in July and August.
When can you swim in Europe?
In the Mediterranean, the sea is warm enough from June to October. Further south, in Cyprus and Malta, the season lasts longer.