Lonely PlanetAug 7, 2026
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.
24 things in this story
- Cala MacarellaSightFlour-white sand and startlingly turquoise waters.
- Elsewhere
- Île de PorquerollesSightHyères, FranceCar-free islet with crescent-shaped beach of pearl-white sand.
- 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.
- 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
