Europe's Best Beaches

If you’re going on your much-awaited Eurotrip, looking up the best beaches seems like the obvious choice. Europe caters to everyone’s beach preferences. With these top three beaches, we bring you the crème de la crème of the European coastline. From the untamed, wind-whipped coasts of the Atlantic to the pleasurably sunny and majestic beaches tucked away in the coves of Italy and Greece, Europe has it all!

Few beaches can match the exquisite Cala Goloritzè, with its snow-white stones giving way to a sea of the purest turquoise blue. The coastal beauty of Sardinia’s east coast should be experienced at least once in your life. Above the bay, limestone cliffs rise sharply, as does Monte Caroddi, a 148-meter-high Italian cliff. You can get there by boat or by taking the Goloritzè Trail. We recommend hiking as it will result in some of the most breathtaking views of the coastline.

Getty Images / Moment / Carol Yepes

Some of Europe’s most beautiful beaches are hidden away in its less famous cities. It’s difficult to pick just one, but West Beach on the tiny island of Berneray is divine. The breathtaking three-mile stretch of white sand slopes gently into a blue sea. Except for seabirds chirping overhead and the occasional otter or crab, the Scottish beach is frequently deserted. If you value some peace and quiet, this is the perfect destination for you!

Navagio in Zakynthos, the Greek beach seen on a million postcards, is a location where one would be happy to find themselves stranded, hence it’s often known as the beach of shipwrecks. This beach is akin to a piece of paradise on earth and is well known for its towering cliffs that soar over a flawless arc of sand. The sea boasts the deepest blue you can imagine. We recommend avoiding peak hours, as it can get a little crowded.