Lonely PlanetAug 7
Europe's 20 Best Beaches
Along the tens of thousands of miles of coastline in Europe, these are the 20 best beaches you can find.
Car-free islet with crescent-shaped beach of pearl-white sand.
24 things in this story
- Île de PorquerollesSightCar-free islet with crescent-shaped beach of pearl-white sand.
- Elsewhere
- NavagioSightZakynthos, GreeceIt is one of the most famous and photographed beaches in the world.
- Haukland BeachSightLeknes, NorwayCreamy sands, spiky granite peaks, chilly water never over 15°C.
- RauðasandurSightLátrabjarg, IcelandVast, empty, bronze sands buttressed by dark cliffs, azure lagoon.
- Cala GoloritzèSightBaunei, ItalySnow-white pebbles give way to aquamarine blue sea.
- Spiaggia dei ConigliSightLampedusa, ItalyBleached sands and shallow aquamarine water near Tunisia.
- Barafundle BaySightStackpole, United KingdomArc of butterscotch sand rimmed by dunes to clear turquoise water.
- Pembrokeshire Coast PathTrailStackpole, United KingdomWalk over gorse-cloaked clifftops to Barafundle Bay.
- West BeachSightBerneray, United Kingdom5km expanse of white sand slides into turquoise sea.
- Plage de PalombaggiaSightPorto-Vecchio, FrancePale sand shelving into cerulean-blue waters, backed by pines.
- Platja IlletesSightFormentera, SpainBleach-blonde sand and translucent azure waters.
- Trucador PeninsulaSightFormentera, SpainBeach forms the western section of this slender peninsula.
- Praia da ArrifanaSightAljezur, PortugalGolden crescent with a ruined fortress and beachside restaurant.
- Praia da BordeiraSightAljezur, PortugalDunes fizz away into the brilliant blue sea.
- Cala MacarellaSightCiutadella de Menorca, SpainFlour-white sand and startlingly turquoise waters.
- Shipwreck BeachSightZakynthos, GreeceRusted hulk of a cargo ship on shores.
- Platja des Coll BaixSightAlcúdia, SpainPale pebbles and crystal-clear sea rimmed by crumbling cliffs.
- Cap des PinarSightAlcúdia, SpainRemote peninsula with a beach accessed by walking trail.
- Praia as CatedraisSightRibadeo, SpainSpectacular rock arches, towers, and chambers exposed at low tide.
- Sveti StefanSightBudva, MontenegroFortified island village with pink sands and limpid waters.
- Lara BeachSightPaphos, CyprusUnspoiled sands and pristine waters, a hatchery for turtles.
- Zlatni RatSightBol, CroatiaSand-and-pebble beach dipping into the Adriatic.
- Îles CerbicaleSightPorto-Vecchio, France
- Aman ResortHotelBudva, Montenegro
