Top 10 Beaches in Europe That Put Postcards to Shame (+ 2 Bonus Gems)

May 16, 2025 by Akylina Printziou

Photo by Stefanos, our co-founder

Salt-stung skin after a swim, flip-flops slapping sun-hot boardwalks, and a sorbet dripping down your wrist before you even sit down are some familiar markers of summer days. But a handful of beaches in Europe take those simple pleasures and dial them all the way up: water so clear sunscreen bottles show through, sand shades the Pantone chart forgot, cliffs that toss their own shadows across half the bay and still leave room for sunset hues. They’re the spots where even glossy souvenir cards feel like rough drafts.

It’s from those next-level shores that our list begins. Grab the SPF, pull up a deck-chair in your mind’s eye and follow along as we hopscotch across ten scene-stealing strips of coast (plus two surprise extras). By the time the last grain of sand slips past, you’ll have a fresh map of European beaches that do summer better than any printed postcard ever could.

#10 Praia da Falésia — Algarve, Portugal

Photo by Vera on pexels

Stretching for six uninterrupted kilometres, Praia da Falésia is like a deep breath of space and colour. Rust-red cliffs rise behind honey-gold sand that stays remarkably crowd-free, even in peak summer. Up on the cliffs, eucalyptus and pine line a scenic walking trail, while down below, the wide, Blue-Flag shore invites long, lazy days by the Atlantic.

Need to know

Getting there: 15 minutes by car from Albufeira or Vilamoura; ample clifftop parking plus wooden stairways down to the sand.
High tide tip: Arrive early or start at the eastern end near Barranco das Belharucas where the beach stays widest.
Activities: Body-surf friendly rollers, a flagged surf-school zone, and a coast-hugging footpath perfect for sunrise runs or drone shots.

Suggested Stay: EPIC SANA Algarve Hotel

This sleek, low-rise resort tucked into a pine forest perched above the cliffs blends nature and modern design with quiet confidence. Guests move between five shimmering pools, a top-tier spa, and rooms designed for deep exhale. A private wooden walkway winds through the trees, leading from breakfast buffet to beach in under five minutes.

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#9 West Sands Beach — St Andrews, Scotland

Photo by Matt Buck on flickr

A two-mile run of honey-coloured sand back-dropped by the medieval skyline of St Andrews and the world-famous Old Course. Low tide reveals a film-set-wide expanse (yep, Chariots of Fire, the 1981 film, was shot here), while steady North Sea breezes lure kite-buggies and sand-yachts skimming along the firm, flat strand.

Need to know

Getting there: Ten-minute stroll from St Andrews town centre; ample parking along West Sands Road or hop the Stagecoach bus to the aquarium stop.
Tide & safety: Beach widens dramatically at low tide; heed the flag system near the estuary where currents sharpen.
Activities: Sunrise jogging on the hard-packed sand, family paddles in shallow pools, and photo ops with the 18th-green flag fluttering just beyond the dunes.
Facilities: Seasonal lifeguards, dune-edge snack huts, public loos by the golf clubhouse, plus a paved promenade for wheel-friendly access.

Suggested Stay: Old Course Hotel St Andrews

Five-star legend edging the 17th fairway of the Old Course, with many rooms (and the rooftop bar) gazing straight down the beach. Staying in one of the hotels near golf courses in Scotland, guests enjoy priority tee-times, a Kohler spa for post-round massages and a three-minute walk across the dunes to sunset strolls on West Sands.

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#8 Reynisfjara — South Coast, Iceland

Photo by Peter_134 on flickr

Few beaches in Europe deliver drama like Iceland’s black-sand showstopper: coal-dark grains, geometric basalt columns and Atlantic waves that explode white against sea stacks straight out of myth. It’s a setting directors crave (see Game of Thrones), but the real spectacle is hearing the surf roar across the polished pebbles at low tide.

Need to know

Getting there: Two-hour drive east of Reykjavík on the Ring Road; large parking lot next to the beach café.
Safety first: “Sneaker waves” can surge suddenly, so stay well back from the wet sand line and heed red-flag warnings.
Activities: Guided lava-tube caving nearby, puffin watching at Dyrhólaey headland (10 minutes away) and glacier hikes in Mýrdalsjökull National Park.

Suggested Stay: Hotel Vík í Mýrdal

Scandi-modern rooms with floor-to-ceiling views of the Reynisdrangar sea stacks, where black sand meets brooding Atlantic waves. Grab the complimentary thermos at reception and pour your post-hike cocoa right on the shoreline, with seabirds wheeling overhead and basalt cliffs rising at your back. In the evening, head to Berg Restaurant for local lamb, char and Icelandic beef served with quiet flair.

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#7 Spiaggia dei Conigli (aka Rabbit Beach) — Lampedusa, Italy

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

A curve of blinding-white sand set inside a jade-green lagoon, guarded by low cliffs and visited every summer night by nesting loggerhead turtles. Daily visitor caps keep the scene blissfully uncrowded, which means you can still find hush-hush corners on even the most sun-kissed Mediterranean isles.

Need to know

Access: Park at the Belvedere overlook, then follow the 15-minute dirt path down (moderate incline). Boat taxis from Lampedusa harbour land outside the swim zone.
Permit: Free entry, but rangers allow only 600 people at a time, so make sure to arrive before 10 a.m. in high season.
Eco rules: No umbrellas in the turtle nesting zone; pack snacks but leave the shells; there are no cafés or bins on the sand.
Underwater pull: Seagrass meadows attract parrotfish, so bring a mask for effortless snorkelling straight off the beach.

Suggested Stay: Oasi Di Casablanca

Mediterranean-style rooms and stone cottages gathered around a palm-rimmed pool, about a 10-minute drive from Spiaggia dei Conigli (the hotel’s free beach shuttle does the run several times a day). Mornings start with homemade cannoli on the garden patio, and afternoons end in hammock shade before you zip back for sunset swims and after-hours turtle spotting.

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#6 Playa de Rodas — Cíes Islands, Spain

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Imagine two emerald-forested isles joined by a crescent of powder-soft quartz sand lapped by Atlantic-turquoise water. That’s Rodas: long celebrated as one of the world’s most beautiful strips of sand and living up to the hype with calm lagoon swimming on one side and rolling surf on the other.

Need to know

Getting there: 40-minute ferry from Vigo or Baiona (E-tickets sell out days ahead in summer). National-park permit is included with your ferry booking, which you can print or just screenshot.
On-island vibes: Car-free, bike-free and blissfully quiet after the last afternoon boats leave.
Trails: A 30-minute pine-scented hike from the beach leads to Faro Cíes lighthouse for eagle-eye views over the archipelago.
Facilities: A single barefoot-friendly beach bar for empanadas and iced Albariño; solar showers and compost loos tucked behind the dunes.

Suggested Stay: Parador de Baiona

Stone towers and sea-breeze terraces define this historic hilltop hotel, perched above Baiona’s harbour. Just steps from the ferry dock, it offers seamless access to Playa de Rodas, an easy 40-minute boat ride away. After island adventures, return to sweeping Atlantic views, quiet gardens, and the comfort of castle-thick walls.

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#5 Cala Goloritzé — Sardinia, Italy

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

One look at the needle-point limestone pinnacle and laser-blue water and you’ll understand why Goloritzé figures prominently in almost every best beaches in Europe round-up. Protected since 1995, it remains a wild pocket of the Gulf of Orosei where goats outnumber sunbathers and the only soundtrack is gentle surf echoing under the natural stone arch.

Need to know

Hike it: Park at Su Porteddu (cash-only fee), then follow the well-marked trail—3 km down, 3 km back up (expect 90 min return with shade only at the start).
Boat option: From Cala Gonone, summer boats drop snorkellers outside the buoy line; a short swim gets you ashore.
Entry fee: €6 conservation ticket collected at the trailhead or by beach rangers.
Pack list: Reef shoes for smooth marble pebbles, at least 1.5 L water per person, and small bills for the trail-top lemonade hut on the way out.

Suggested Stay: Club Esse Palmasera

Clifftop rooms overlooking the bay, a private marina for boat tours and a pool to soothe post-hike legs are just some of the things making this 4-star hotel in Sardinia the perfect launchpad for the area’s most cinematic cove. The resort also offers multiple restaurants, tennis courts and a shaded amphitheatre for live evening shows, giving guests plenty to do between swims.

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#4 Zlatni Rat — Brač, Croatia

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

A narrow, golden spear of pebbles juts 500 m into the Adriatic and tilts a few degrees with every shift in wind or tide. That ever-changing outline keeps windsurfers, drone pilots and sun-seekers returning for a fresh angle on one of the most photographed European beaches.

Need to know

Getting there: A breezy 20-minute seaside stroll (or tourist train) from Bol harbour; day boats also run from nearby Hvar.
Winds & waves: Morning maestral delivers champagne-flat water for paddleboards; afternoon thermals kick up ideal kite- and wind-surf conditions.
Facilities: Rental loungers, a windsurf school, smoothie shacks, showers and shaded pine-grove picnic spots cover the basics.
Viewpoint bonus: For postcard-perfect overhead shots, hike or taxi 15 minutes up to Vidova Gora lookout before hitting the beach.

Suggested Stay: Bluesun Hotel Elaphusa

A stunning full-service beachfront resort five minutes’ walk from the spit, complete with a Thalasso spa, four pools and a vine-shaded promenade that lights up for golden-hour strolls.

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#3 Ses Illetes — Formentera, Spain

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

A string of blush-white sandbars fringed by water so clear the boats appear to hover. No wonder Ses Illetes regularly tops the world’s best lists despite its simple, low-key vibes thanks to strict limits on car traffic inside the Ses Salines Natural Park.

Need to know

Getting there: 35-minute fast ferry from Ibiza to La Savina, then bike, e-scooter or short taxi ride to the beach gate (summer car permits sell out fast).
Entry fee: €4 per bike or €6 per scooter/car funds dune restoration; pay on arrival at the park booth.
Tide tip: Stake out the north end in late afternoon when the sandbar narrows and the sea turns into a jade-and-turquoise swirl. It makes for pure desktop-background magic.
Food scene: Two chiringuitos plate up paella and grilled lobster; reservations recommended for sunset seatings.

Suggested Stay: Five Flowers Hotel Formentera, member of Melia Collection

Formentera’s first five-star stay channels Boho-Ibiza style with rooftop pool views over Illetes, free beach-runner e-bikes and after-sun aloe treatments in a scent-filled spa. This luxury hotel blends laid-back island charm with upscale design and attentive service, setting a new standard for indulgence on the island.

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#2 Porto Katsiki — Lefkada, Greece

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Hemmed in by sheer cliffs and washed by electric-blue Ionian waves, Porto Katsiki is one of Greece’s most dramatic beachscapes. Ninety zig-zag steps separate the pine-scented car park from a beach whose sunset cliff-dives are already legend among European beaches fans.

Need to know

Getting there: 40-min coastal drive from Vasiliki (free but limited parking); high-season taxi-boats also run from Vasiliki and Nydri.
Access workout: Concrete staircase, moderate incline; bring light backpacks, as coolers get heavy on the climb back.
Shade vs. sun: West end stays shaded until late morning; full turquoise pop from noon; cliffs glow gold after 6 p.m.
Facilities: Snack vans and a panoramic coffee kiosk at the top; on-beach loungers limited to the north end; summer lifeguard patrol.

Suggested Stay: Eunoia Porto Katsiki

A stylish hillside micro-resort (five minutes by car) with glass-fronted suites, infinity pools and concierge-arranged sunset paddleboard sessions that launch right beneath the cliffs. Thoughtfully designed for barefoot luxury, Eunoia pairs panoramic sea views with personalized touches, from locally sourced breakfasts to spa treatments scented with wild herbs.

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#1 Elafonissi — Crete, Greece

Photo by Stefanos, our co-founder

Blush-pink shell sand swirls across a knee-deep lagoon so calm it feels like nature’s infinity pool. Topping beach lovers’ wish lists for 2025, it’s a place where time slows to the rhythm of the tide and the horizon feels close enough to touch. Proof that Europe’s finest shores don’t need palm trees to leave the tropics blushing.

Need to know

Getting there: 1 h 30 m scenic drive from Chania or seasonal bus; arrive by 9 a.m. to snag dune-side parking.
Protected zone: Umbrellas only in marked rows; stick to boardwalks to save the rare sand lilies.
Golden hour: When tour buses leave, cliffs ignite rose-gold; linger with a sarong and watch the stars switch on.

Suggested Stay: Elafonisi Resort by Kalomirakis Family

Tucked among olive groves just a three-minute stroll from the lagoon, this resort offers whitewashed bungalows that blend simplicity with charm. Mornings begin with homemade orange-blossom marmalade and still-warm bread, followed by tranquil dips in the clear shallows before the day’s first footprints appear in the sand.

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⭐ Bonus A – Għajn Tuffieħa, Malta

Photo by Jocelyn Erskine-Kellie on flickr

Għajn Tuffieħa’s golden-red sand is cradled by terracotta cliffs and reached via 200 winding stone steps that deter the crowds after early evening. What remains is a natural amphitheatre where sunsets unfold in slow motion, each colour shift mirrored by the sea and met with the hush and applause of the waves. It’s one of Malta’s most atmospheric beaches, best savoured in the calm just before dusk.

Need to know

Access: Regular buses from Valletta and Mellieħa stop at the clifftop lot; stairs begin beside the Riviera bar.
Facilities: Seasonal lifeguards, one kiosk for ftira sandwiches and snorkel rentals, umbrella licences capped at 150.
Stay-late trick: Last public bus leaves just past dusk; linger for the flaming-orange sky, then taxi five minutes to your hotel.

Suggested Stay: Radisson Blu Resort & Spa, Malta Golden Sands

This five-star perch comes with a private coastal path, panoramic lagoon-view pools, and a serene spa where beach sand is swapped for sea-salt scrubs and Mediterranean botanicals. Set above Golden Bay, the resort pairs sweeping views with polished service and sunset terraces made for lingering.

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⭐ Bonus B – Saplunara — Mljet, Croatia

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

A half-moon of silky sand backed by Aleppo-pine forest on the far-flung eastern tip of Mljet Island. Protected as a Natura 2000 dune reserve, it blooms with rare sand lilies each summer and offers pure digital detox: no jet-skis, no nightlife, just cicada beats and warm, glass-flat water.

Need to know

Getting there: Catamaran from Dubrovnik to Sobra (1 h); 20-min taxi or scooter ride along the island’s main road.
Beach layout: One kilometre of main strand plus two pocket coves; shallow entry warms quickly, making it ideal for families and lazy float-sessions.
Conservation rules: No motorised water-sports, limited sun-bed quotas, and lights out early to keep the night sky pristine.
Essentials: Two rustic konobas for octopus peka and cold Ožujsko; tiny grocery shack sells beach staples.

Suggested Stay: Pine Tree Boutique Apartments

Solar-powered seafront suites tucked among whispering pines, each with its own hammock-deck and a pair of kayaks to glide across the glassy bay before breakfast. Thoughtfully designed for low-impact luxury, this boutique-style property captures the slow-living rhythm Saplunara was made for: quiet, barefoot, and deeply connected to the sea.

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Europe’s coastline is a kaleidoscope: pink-tinged lagoons, coal-black sands, cliff-walled coves and island spits that shift shape with the wind. Whether you crave turtle-nesting sanctuaries or windsurf playgrounds, these ten headliners (plus two surprise gems) prove the best beaches in Europe aren’t confined to one sea or season, and that the journey to reach them is half the thrill.

So, which shoreline just vaulted to the top of your bucket list, and what’s the first thing you’ll do when your toes hit that sand? Hold onto that feeling, it’s the perfect moment to start planning. Use Travelmyth’s 60 categories to zero in on a stay that matches your vibe—beachfront bungalow, adults-only spa hideout, dog-friendly eco-lodge, you name it. With 60 unique categories to filter through, your dream digs are only a click (or swipe) away. Happy plotting!

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