What are the best beaches in Europe? Now that it's really dark and cold in Sweden, we're cheering ourselves up by dreaming of the most beautiful sandy beaches we've seen in Europe. Three of them happen to be on the same island, and four of them are actually in the same country ...
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What are the best beaches in Europe?
Of course, it's hard to say which are the most beautiful beaches in Europe. Nobody has been everywhere, and what's beautiful is also subjective. Do you like long flat sandy beaches that you can barely see the end of? Or do you prefer small, cosy beaches divided by beautiful rock formations? We prefer the latter, preferably in combination with crystal clear green-blue waters.
There are some beautiful beaches in Croatia and there are also fine beaches in Albaniabut the sand itself is usually more coarse-grained, approaching gravel. This time we have chosen beaches that are both beautiful to the eye, but also consist of soft, fine-grained sand. Three of our chosen beaches are in Corsica, but we can't do much about it. It's simply where we've seen the best beaches in Europe!
1st Saleccia Beach, Corsica
Saleccia Beach is located off St Florent in northern Corsica. The beach is chalky white and soft, and the sea is an intense turquoise colour. Perhaps the best thing about this beach is that there's no need to crowd. It's tricky to get here by land, and most people come here either by boat or by taxi boat. Just don't forget your packed lunch when you visit Saleccia beach. There are no shops ...
2nd Plage de Cupabia, Corsica
Located on the west coast of Corsica, between Ajaccio and Propriano, Plage de Cupabia was one of our absolute favourites when we travelled around the island in 2015. The beach is fabulously beautiful with fine sand and exciting rock formations, all surrounded by beautiful green nature. Right next to the paradise beach Cupabia there is a small nature campsite, but there are no big hotels here. So you can enjoy the beach and nature in peace from the big crowds!
3rd Gala in Portugal
Located just outside Albufeira on the Algarve coast of Portugal, Galé is one of the finest beaches in Europe. In one direction is a large flat sandy beach seemingly without end, and in the other direction is a long line of small coves surrounded by beautiful rock formations.
It was this part of the beach in Galé that became our favourite! It is very possible that there are plenty of tourists here during the high season, but in January it was quiet and peaceful. And yes, it was possible to sunbathe in swimwear in the middle of the day, when the sun was at its highest.
4. Notre Dame, France
Notre Dame beach is located on the island of Porquerolles in the south of France. This is one of the three islands in France known as the 'golden islands' and it's not hard to see why. The nature on Porquerolles is magical, with intense green vegetation and long cycle paths. The beaches are stunningly beautiful, not least Notre Dame beach, which was once voted the best beach in Europe by European Best Destinations.
5. petit Sperone beach, Corsica
Located east of Bonifacio in southern Corsica, Sperone is home to a string of fantastic beaches. You can walk from beach to beach, kayak on the turquoise waters, wade between the islands in some places, or even play golf with great views. The water is crystal clear and the birdlife is abundant. Visiting the beaches of Sperone is simply a dream!
What do you think are the best beaches in Europe, with fine sand and clear water?
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Ama de casa says:
There are many beautiful sandy beaches in Europe, but I actually prefer beaches without sand. There were super nice rocky beaches in Menorca where you didn't get a lot of sand everywhere. Unfortunately, it has a tendency not to stay between your toes, the sand... 😉.
Can't remember the name of the beaches at all, though 🙂 .
29 November 2018 - 9:15
Helena says:
We haven't been to Menorca... would love to go there 🙂 Thanks for the tips!
29 November 2018 - 19:58
Across the board says:
I just say Portimão! It's beautiful there ?
29 November 2018 - 10:00
Across the board says:
I just say Portimão. We think it's nicer than Galé anyway.
29 November 2018 - 10:02
Helena says:
Thanks for the tips! We have missed Portimao ...
29 November 2018 - 19:59
Travelsis says:
Oh there are so many! But if we mean the finest beach with fine beautiful sand, Sardinia's beaches probably top the list. So many nice with light (sometimes white) fine soft sand and completely crystal clear water??.
29 November 2018 - 10:10
Helena says:
Sardinia's beaches are fantastic, I agree! (We considered bringing someone from Sardinia, but of the ones we visited, Corsica won a bit ... ;)).
29 November 2018 - 20:00
Eva on a rucksack says:
Can totally agree about Corsica and the beaches! We were heading to Saleccia Beach with our little plump Renaut. It did not go so well. We had to turn around, or rather we had to back up all the way on the cow path. Boat is probably preferable. It was a damn good thing that the car hire company did not look under the car when we returned it... 🙂.
29 November 2018 - 10:28
Helena says:
Oh, haha! Yes, as we have understood it, it is a boat or quad bike that applies, so I understand that it was tricky with your Renault 😉.
29 November 2018 - 20:01
Emma, sun like sun? says:
Once again I agree with Ama: Menorca! There you have lots of little hidden beaches between the rocks, the former pirates' hiding places behind rocks and small bays. Sandy beaches, rocks, cliffs, swimming from the boat... You can see the fish swimming in the turquoise water several metres below.
29 November 2018 - 12:19
Helena says:
It sounds really idyllic, we must visit Menorca!!! Thanks for the tips 🙂
29 November 2018 - 20:01
Mr Steve says:
It's been so long since my 'beach days' that I have forgotten the names of the beaches. However, I remember nice sandy beaches in Portugal, along the Algarve coast and around Setubal. I also remember really nice beaches in Menorca. But, as I said, that was a long time ago.
29 November 2018 - 13:11
Helena says:
Portugal has many beautiful beaches, and now so many people have mentioned Menorca, so I'm getting really curious! 😉
29 November 2018 - 20:02
Lennart says:
On Bornholm we experienced beautiful beaches!
29 November 2018 - 16:19
Helena says:
I can imagine that! We would also like to go there!
29 November 2018 - 20:02
Ann-Louise says:
What wonderful beaches! Immediately gets the urge to go to all of them. Corsica seems incredibly nice. My favourite beach in Europe is Marmari Beach on Kos. A fantastic long and wide sandy beach. The clearest water, however, must be the beaches in Malta.
29 November 2018 - 17:18
Helena says:
Ah, we haven't been to Kos! Thanks for the tips! I agree that the water is clear in Malta, but I also think it is extremely clear in Corsica, and also in Croatia and Albania.
29 November 2018 - 20:20
Maria / Magnolia Magis says:
Wow, wow, wow, what tempting pictures! It looks fantastic! We prefer beaches where you don't have to be crowded with lots of tourists... Because that's not us...;D But we haven't been to any nice waters like this! (We liked our beach in Falsterbo, long sandy beach with plenty of space and clear water most of the time).
29 November 2018 - 17:24
Helena says:
Surely it is nice to avoid crowding! The best recipe for it is probably to travel a little outside the high season 😉 Thanks for the tip about the beach in Falsterbo! 🙂
29 November 2018 - 20:22
Ditte says:
Completely agree about the beaches in Corsica, but Sardinia and Menorca have incredibly nice beaches in small bays where it does not get crowded even in high season. Mallorca also has incredibly nice beaches on the eastern side and at the far end of the Formentor peninsula.
29 November 2018 - 18:54
Helena says:
I have become curious about Menorca now after all the tips! I have also understood that Mallorca can be fantastically beautiful in some places!
29 November 2018 - 20:22
BP says:
Just like Ama, I am not a beach person, but the pictures brightened up the November darkness with their summery motifs. Mums:-)
By the way, I agree about the beaches in Menorca.
29 November 2018 - 21:29
Helena says:
Everyone seems to love Menorca 🙂
30 November 2018 - 14:11
Susjos says:
Corsica seems like a nice place, I've never been there.
Getting curious about Croatia, we are thinking of going there and celebrating the husband's birthday this spring, maybe you can give tips on where to go? Hope to rent a house and bring our children and daughters-in-law with us.
There are plenty of beautiful beaches, right now I'm thinking of a wonderful pebble beach on the Greek island of Kefalonia, where they apparently filmed parts of the film: "Captain Corelli's Mandolin" with Nicholas Cage and Penelope Cruz (unfortunately I haven't seen the film!).
29 November 2018 - 23:10
Helena says:
I usually say that you can rarely go wrong in Croatia, it's nice almost everywhere along the coast! I like Trogir, Omis, Brac, Hvar and also Istria. There are probably many nice villages along the Makarska Riviera as well.
30 November 2018 - 14:13
Lena - good for the soul says:
Oh yes, the last picture! Absolutely magical! Corsica has never existed before in my head for some reason. But now I see that I have to go there! 🙂
Hug Lena
04 December 2018 - 21:48
Maria's Memoirs says:
Think what paradise beaches you can find even in Europe 🙂 I have not visited so many really beautiful beaches in Europe myself, yet. But I am looking at Croatia, among other things 🙂.
16 December 2018 - 19:11