Europe has some of the best beaches in the world with stunning coastline and everything from white to pink to black sand beaches.

Best Sandy Beaches in Europe

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Europe has a wide variety of beaches. Everything from the wild Atlantic coastline to the crystal clear waters of the Mediterranean. Locals have long known that European beaches make for a fantastic vacation. While there are classic beach destinations such as Spain, Greece, and Italy, visitors to cooler waters are treated to scenic coastlines and often dramatic views. There are even beaches where you don’t have to choose between beach and mountain in Europe. With everything from black sand to pure white sand, this list has some of the best sandy beaches in Europe on it.

With all of its coastlines, Europe has some of the best beaches in the world. Where are the best beaches in Europe? If you’re in need of some European beach inspiration read on to find out bloggers favorites, some of them are well off the beaten track.

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Most Beautiful Beaches on the Mediterranean Sea

Europe’s beaches on the Mediterranean have long been a tourist magnet. Some places become so busy in the high season that visitors will often find themselves looking for the best secluded beaches on the Mediterranean. With warm waters to swim in, soft white sand and clear turquoise waters, it’s easy to see why Sardinia, Greece, France, and the Balkans have long been favorites.

Cala Goloritze, Sardinia, Italy

Mateja of Matejalicious

Sardinia is an Italian island that definitely doesn’t come without an exotic beach or two. Turquoise water attracts visitors from all over the world for that perfect summer postcard experience. For me, however, there has always been a specific beach that’s been calling my name and there was no way I was going to miss it during my travels around Sardinia. Cala Goloritze is one of the best white sand beaches in Europe.

One of the best white sand beaches in Europe, Cala Goloritze in Sardinia. A hike to Cala Goloritze takes you to white sand, cliffs you can climb, and teal water
You can follow more of Mateja’s adventure photography on Instagram

What I like the most about the beach is that it’s not particularly easily accessible. Yes, you’ve read that right! Unless you hop on a boat and then swim to the shore, there’s no other way but to take a hike to Cala Goloritze on foot. You literally have to work out to reach one of the most beautiful beaches on the island! Such slightly challenging access consequently keeps it unspoiled and a bit special in my opinion.

Cala Goloritzé is located in Baunei, a town in the southern end of Golfo di Orosei. Hiking adventure takes approximately 5km (or 1-1½ hour) one way to complete. Good shoes are a must (trainers are ok), as is some food and lots of water. Also, bring €6 per person for the track entrance. Start early in the day because the beach will be in the shade in the late afternoon.

The second feature I like about this beach is Aguglia (Monte Caroddi), a 150m high limestone pinnacle in the shape of a needle that soars right above the beach and coastal cliffside. It’s become quite popular with free climbers. There’s also a rock arch on the right end of the bay that makes Cala Goloritzé quite recognizable.

The beach is absolutely stunning from both, sea and land. Rocks and white boulders that perfectly clash with clear blue and green water make this place a slice of paradise. Even though it takes a bit of an effort to reach this beach, you can expect it to be packed during the summer months (or May holidays, in my case). If you’re planning to explore Sardinia, then charming Cala Goloritzé absolutely needs to be added to your list.

Mylopotas Beach, Ios, Greece

Cristina of LooknWalk Greece

Mylopotas Beach on the Island of Ios in Greece is, by far, the best beach for entertainment.

Located about 5 km from the bus station in Chora, it is a hub of activities once the weather gets warm.

Whether you walk or take the bus, you are bound to be enchanted by the scenery.

Ios Greece has many of Europe best beaches and Mylopotas Beach is the best for entertainment. On Mylopotas beach you can SUP, swim, play volleyball, or boat.
Photo by Cristina of LooknWalk Greece

The beach is dotted with places to eat. And there are shacks where you can rent water sports equipment. SUP (stand-up paddleboarding) is a popular activity here. You can also play beach volleyball, rent sun beds, or just put your towel on the sand and soak up the sun.

Also on the beach, you can find companies that run various tours whether you are a water sports fanatic or just want to explore the nearby islands.

If you are a hiker, there’s an amazing trail starting at the end of the beach: the one going to Klima Beach. The hike is not very hard and the views are magnificent.

We went to Mylopotas Beach on our wedding anniversary trip and had an amazing meal at Drakos Taverna (highly recommended for very fresh seafood and salads). We also enjoyed splashing in the water as we watched others try their luck at SUP.

Dada Beach, Montenegro

Erika of Erika’s Travelventures

Montenegro has recently been expanding as a tourist hot spot, especially for Europeans and cruise-ship addicts. Montenegro is Croatia’s neighbor to the south in the Balkans and its sand beaches are easily accessible from its kilometres of coastline. While many visitors turn to Kotor or Budva, I discovered Ulcinj, a small town close to the border of northern Albania. There are many beaches here, some filled to the brim with umbrellas and beach chairs, some empty and only accessible by boat. It’s in Ulcinj that I discovered Dada Beach, or Ladies Beach, an all-female nude beach located at the base of a cliff. 

Beach in Ulcinj Montenegro that is close to Dada Beach- nude beach for women in Montenegro. Ulcinj has multiple sandy beaches for you to enjoy on your trip to Montenegro
A beach nearby to Dada Beach in Ulcinj, Montenegro. Follow more of Erika’s travel adventures on Instagram

Dada beach was created because it’s a sulfuric beach, and local doctors believe that bathing in this water can improve fertility, or even cure infertility (when you’re visiting Dada beach you’ll smell a bit of sulfur in the air.) There is even a ritual, passed down from older generations, when a young woman wants to have a baby. She will come to this beach, leave a piece of her clothing on a designated rock, and swim around the rock three times to improve her fertility. 

I visited Dada beach, not because I wanted to improve my fertility, but because it was a freeing place to be (literally and figuratively). Women of all shapes and sizes were here, even Muslim women would come and take off their hijabs to tan alongside the bikini-clad women. After backpacking through the Balkan countries for weeks as a solo female traveler, I dealt with a lot of cat-calling, being grabbed, and dealing with bad men in general.

Dada beach was the perfect place to take a break from constantly watching my own back. We were just a bunch of ladies, local, foreign, big, small, young, old… all enjoying the sun and the water! Nervous about peeping-Toms? Tarps are set up around the top of the cliff so people can’t ogle at the naked women, and there’s one elderly male bodyguard at the entrance. I came back here three times during my stay in Ulcinj! 

Cannes, France

Grace of Extreme Nomads

With a long, winding coastline that stretches from the northern shores of the Atlantic to the sheltered Mediterranean Sea, it’s no secret that France is home to some of the most gorgeous beaches in all of Europe. And while there’s much to be said about the insane surf conditions on France’s westerly coast, there’s a soft spot in our hearts for the balmy beaches of Cannes in the Côte d’Azur (otherwise known as the French Riviera).

Plage du Moure Rouge beach in Cannes, France. This golden sandy beach is one of the best on the French Riviera and on France's coastlines.

Cannes has been made famous the world over for its glitzy social scene and star-studded film festival — but far from the glow of the silver screen, Cannes’ beaches draw a different crowd. Our absolute favourite beach in Cannes is the Plage du Mouré Rouge, which sits on the easterly side of the Point Croisette.

Mouré Rouge is quieter than the main city beach, and because of its slightly out of the way location, far fewer tourists make it there. The beach itself is covered in soft sand that slopes gently down to the aqua blue water. This is also quite near to where the local kitesurfers and windsurfers hit the water, and watching them fly around in the wind is one of our favourite authentic things to do in Cannes.

While you’re at Mouré Rouge, make sure to hit one of the pop-up restaurants up on the sidewalk next to the beach. The food is simple, fresh, and delicious (think heaping bowls of steamed mussels and piping hot chips). Order yourself a little glass of Provence rosé to go with and you’re set up for a perfect beachy afternoon.

Balos Beach, Crete, Greece

Leta of The Nerdy Me

Balos beach is one of the most photographed beaches on the island of Crete in Greece. But once you see the beach with your own eyes, it is not hard to see why it is so popular among tourist guides and fellow travellers.

One of the best beaches in Europe is the soft pink sands of Balos Beach on Crete. The turquoise water in Balos is one of the most photographed beaches in Europe
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Balos is famous for its crystal clear, vivid turquoise water and soft white, pink sand. One of the unique aspects of the beach is that the water is warm even in the early summer. But what I love the most about Balos is its exotic and naturally wild scenery. The exotic nature of the beach will make you think that you’re relaxing on a faraway Caribbean island instead of Europe. You can even climb up a nearby hill to get a stunning view of Balos beach and lagoon if you enjoy a bit of a hike during your holiday.

The beach is located around 56km northwest of Chania and 17km northwest of Kissamos, which makes it a perfect day trip destination. It is located in quite a remote area but quite easy to reach by car or by catching a ferry from Kissamos. Best of all, you can get the beach all to yourself if you don’t mind waking up early. Trust me, it is worth it.

Es Trenc, Mallorca, Spain

Kriszti of She Wanders Abroad

Mallorca is a popular destination amongst beach-lovers. If you are looking for the very best beach on the island you have to check out Es Trenc!

Es Trenc on Mallorca Spain is a 2km long white sand beach set on the calm Mediterranean waters. It's one of the best beaches on Mallorca and is great for families and has calm waters for swimming.
Follow along with more of Kriszti’s adventures on Instagram

Es Trenc is located on the southern coast of Mallorca, only 45 minutes from Palma, which makes it a great stop on any Mallorca road trip itinerary. The beach stretches 2 km long between Colónia de Sant Jordi and Ses Salines. The crystal-clear blue water along with the bright white sand will almost make you feel like you were spending your holiday on a Caribbean island! The water is really spectacular, it’s shallow and always calm, therefore it is a perfect spot for families as well.

Since this is one of the most famous beaches in Mallorca, it can get very busy, especially during the peak season. I suggest heading there early in the morning if you want to secure a good place for yourself. There is a paid parking lot near the beach but it fills up quickly, so one more reason to go early!

The beach is not attached to any resort and the area is still undeveloped. That means there are no showers, changing rooms, shops, or restaurants nearby. I recommend taking some food and plenty of water with you if you are planning to stay longer! Make sure to bring an umbrella as well, because there is absolutely no shade on the beach.

I especially loved the remoteness and the wild beauty of this beach. Spending the day on Es Trenc was a truly memorable experience!

European Beaches on the Atlantic Ocean and Baltic

While the Atlantic doesn’t have the warm waters that the Mediterranean boasts, the beaches here are no less impressive. If you’re a brave soul, you might even brave the cooler water for a swim. Beaches here often are less busy than their Mediterranean counterparts so you can enjoy beach scenery without the crowds.

Rossnowlagh Beach, Ireland

Kathleen of Dream Wander Repeat

Many places spring to mind when someone mentions beautiful beaches in Europe. I bet that Ireland is not one of those places, though it should be. Ireland has some of the most beautiful beaches that I have seen in all of Europe, with the whitest, softest sand, and idyllic stretches of coast minus the crowds.

Rossnowlagh Beach in Donegal County Ireland is one of Ireland's best sand beaches. With 3 km of white sand and surfing.
Follow more of Kathleen’s travels on Instagram

There are plenty of amazing beaches across Ireland, but to me, some of the best are located in Donegal County. On my latest trip there, I visited Rossnowlagh Beach, located between Ballyshannon and Donegal Town, and it was absolutely stunning! It features a 3km stretch of unspoiled white sand. A beach this beautiful anywhere in Southern Europe would be completely overrun with people even in the offseason. And whilst Rossnowlagh can certainly attract the crowds in the middle of summer, my visit in late spring featured only a handful of people on a peaceful stroll and one hardy local on a swim.

Opening onto Donegal Bay, Rossnowlagh (pronounced ross-now-la) is a renown surfing beach. This depends on the weather and season though, as when I was there the water was completely flat. If catching the biggest waves is your priority, you’ll probably want to head to Rossnowlagh during the winter months. You can drive out onto the sand during low tide, but make sure you follow the safety advice as you can get yourself caught in the fast-moving tide. It’s also the perfect place for kite-surfing and wind-surfing, or just to sit and enjoy nature without people close enough to fling sand on you as they go by (that is, if it’s not raining – it is Ireland after all!)

Cies Island, Galicia, Spain

Caitlin of The County Jumper

Cies Island sits off the coast of Galicia in northwest Spain. Though once upon a time it landed on a best beaches in the world list, it is still relatively unknown to many. That’s not to say there aren’t tourists visiting all season, there are, but it’s not as crowded as it has the potential to be. That is also, partly, in thanks to the limits put on how many people are allowed to come over on the boats from mainland Spain.

Cies Island sits off the coast of Galicia in Spain and is one of Europe's best beaches for hiking around and swimming in the cold North Atlantic water
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And you do have to take a boat over. Once you get off you’ll be on one of the many beaches which dot Cies Island. There’s no one who lives here, so there’s little in the way of infrastructure though there are a few seasonal restaurants and some outhouses. There’s also a lighthouse at the top of the hill, and that’s a lovely easy hike to make and has truly terrific views. The beaches are beautiful with nearly white sand. But the water is cold, North Atlantic, only Galicians are brave enough to dive in, cold. But don’t let that deter you!

You can also stay the night on the island, but you’ll have to apply for a camping permit of which there are limited numbers throughout the season. And please, be respectful of this beautiful natural wonderland. Pack out what you pack in. Stay on the paths. Don’t feed the seagulls (though they very well may just steal what they want). And enjoy!

Reynisfjara Beach, Iceland

Brianna of Curious Travel Bug

Reynisfjara Beach has fast become one of the most well-known black sand beaches in the world. Located close to Vik, Iceland, this beach is best for taking photos and wandering around the hexagonal basalt columns.

The black sand of Reynisfjara Beach near Vik in Iceland is one of the World's most famous black sand beaches and a unique beach to visit in Europe
Reynisfjara Beach, Iceland

While you will have to visit Reynisfjara either very early or late to get the beach to yourself, it is quite beautiful and peaceful. If you just walk a little ways away from the basalt columns, you can find a little corner of the beach for yourself. With striking views of Dyrholaey Arch on one side of the beach and pinnacles on the other, there are lots of photo opportunities here. It’s also a great place to watch the waves, especially in high winds.

Unlike other beaches on this list, this one is firmly on the not safe to swim list. Reynisfjara is known for having “sneaker waves.” Sneaker waves are exactly what they sound like, they are a large wave that rides over the top of what seems to be a small wave. So instead of standing in a small amount of water, you end up dragged out to the Atlantic. That is to say, the signs here shouldn’t be ignored, tourists have been washed out never to be recovered.

Palanga Beach, Lithuania

Brianna of Curious Travel Bug

If you’ve ever wanted the experience of walking on the softest white sand, Palanga in Lithuania is the place to be. The sand here has the texture of brown sugar when you walk across it. I had no idea what to expect of a beach on the Baltic Sea but Palanga really made me understand why so many Lithuanians flock to the beaches in the summer. Walking up Palanga’s sand dunes and then being greeted with a white sand beach and a view of the sea is something everyone visiting the Baltic region should experience.

The pier at sunset on Palanga beach in Lithuania. Palangas beach is a top beach in Europe to visit because of its soft white sand and the beautiful Baltic Sea.
Palanga Beach, Lithuania

With sand dunes and a pine tree forest on one side and the chilly Baltic on the other, Palanga offers up beautiful scenery and a very relaxing vibe. The town is very much a resort town with lots of restaurant and accommodation options. I really enjoyed renting a bike here and biking along the trail next to the beach and through the forest taking in some of the scenery and pine-fresh air. Braver souls can swim in the water, but for swimming, you are going to want to visit in July or August.

One of my favorite things to do in Palanga was hunting for amber on the sand. If you’ve visited any of the Baltic countries then you know that they are famous for their amber. You can find little pieces of it in the sand if you have keen eyes. I was utterly hopeless at it but luckily my partner grew up vacationing on the Baltic coast so he has developed a talent for finding amber.

I was also lucky enough to see my first wild hedgehog on a Palanga sand dune. This is probably a typical experience for many Lithuanian children but as a Canadian, it was very exciting.

The Baltic coast is one of Lithuania’s most beautiful landscapes and it is well worth a visit to one of its beaches. The best way to access it would be by car but it is also easy to catch a bus from the capital of Vilnius to get to Palanga. Palanga itself is very walkable and you do not need a car to get around.

Saint-Malo, France

By Brianna of Curious Travel Bug

Saint-Malo is a walled city that sits on the coast of Brittany, not far from Mont Saint Michel. The beach here sits just outside of the walls of the city and is a fantastic destination for beach lovers. After the high tide, there is a beautiful sand beach revealed by the retreating waters of the Atlantic Ocean.

Just like Mont Saint Michel, Saint-Malo has large differences in high and low tides. At high tide, the water covers the beach and is up to the town walls and causes pathways to the tidal islands to be cut off. At low tide, a beautiful beach is revealed as well as pathways to the forts on the tidal islands.

The beach at Saint-Malo is one of the most beautiful beaches in France and sits outside the walled city of Saint-Malo. You can walk along the beach, swim in the water, or explore the tidal islands.
Saint-Malo, France

This 2-mile sand beach is the perfect destination for beach-lovers visiting Normandy or Brittany in France. Saint-Malo’s beach is beautiful to sunbathe or walk along and take in the tidal islands and the walls of the city. If you feel like swimming, there is also a large pool here built that is filled up by the ocean at high tide.

When the tide is low, you can walk to two tidal islands, Petit Bé and Grand Bé. Petit Bé has an old fort on the island that was built in the 1600s and used to repel attacks on the town. It has been restored so you can explore it. Grand Bé has the ruins of an old fort on it.

Praia de Santa Barbara, Azores, Portugal

By Brianna of Curious Travel Bug

Iceland isn’t the only place in Europe that has black sand beaches. Praia de Santa Barbara on the volcanic island of Sao Miguel, part of the Azores Islands, also has fantastic black sand. Santa Barbara beach is located just outside of Ribeira Grande and is a great stop if you are road tripping the island.

The waves here can be quite large so while you’re here, you may see some people surfing. In fact, if you want to try out surfing, this is the place to do it. There are beginner’s surfing lessons here if you are willing to brave the cold waters of the Atlantic.

The black sand beach of Santa Barbara near Ribeira Grande on Sao Miguel. This is one of Portugal's most beautiful black sand beaches and deserves to be part of your travel plans.
Praia de Santa Barbara, Azores, Portugal

With dramatic cliffs framing one side of the beach, this is one of the most beautiful beaches in Europe. It’s easy to access and there are change rooms, bathrooms, and food options on-site. After hanging out on the beach, grab some food at the restaurant here, and enjoy the views of the Atlantic coast before continuing on your vacation in the Azores Islands.

Planning Your Trip to Europe?

Planning your trip to a beach in Europe? Below are some tools to help you plan your trip.

Best hotel deals: For booking accommodation in Europe, I use Booking.com.

Booking tours: To make the most of your beach vacation, check out boat tours and other water activities on GetYourGuide or Viator. If you’re looking for adventure travel like surfing and diving, I recommend using Manawa.

Europe Rental Cars: In Europe, I use DiscoverCars to find the best deals on rental cars and it is perfect for visiting lots of beaches while on vacation

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37 Comments

  1. I need to visit more beaches in Europe apparently! We went to Reynifsjara and loved that area of Iceland (Diamond Beach was another favorite in Iceland). I love the Greek islands, but I need to see more of them after this post. Sardinia is also moving higher on my list after seeing the beach posted here!

    1. Greece and Sardinia moved very high on my list after seeing what contributors to this collab wrote! I loved Iceland’s beaches and would love to visit more of them in the future. Diamond beach is definitely a great one and apparently there is a pink sand beach in the northern part of Iceland.

  2. Each one of the sandy beaches are better than the last one! I’ve been to 5 countries in Europe and haven’t been to a single coast yet. I need to plan a beach holiday in Europe now and you have given me plenty of food for though. Gorgeous photos!

  3. Well I love a good beach! The one in Lithuania surprised me! Love to discover new places I hadnt thought of before 🙂

    1. Thanks, the contributors to this collab really outdid themselves! The sunsets in Palanga were beautiful and with the white sand you could almost believe it was tropical.

  4. I honestly had no idea that cannes was such a beautiful beach. I havent done a whole lot of exploring in Europe but I would love too!

  5. I’m sold at the first mention of “beaches”!! I’d love to visit the Greek beaches and of course Palanga Beach looks amazing and endless!

    1. Palanga is a great beach and beach town to visit! I definitely moved up Greece as a priority on my travel list after seeing the beaches that were contributed to this collab.

  6. What a timely read, I was thinking of planning a trip to a less touristy beach destination in Europe this summer. You have given me so many options, ha!

  7. Europe has stunning and world famous beaches. I love Mediterranean beaches of Greek islands and Spain. French and Italian beaches are high on my wishlist and am planning for it during next summer vacation.

    1. Europe definitely has great beaches. France and Italy both have some really great beach destinations, hope you have a great time visiting next summer!

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