European beach destinations

Two weeks ago I was in Mexico, inspecting new resorts in the Cancún area, all of them with beautiful beaches. They are, of course, a prime draw for tourism, especially North Americans and Europeans who might live in chillier climates and want to get away from the winter. In our hemisphere, Mexico competes with many Caribbean islands for beach-bound travelers, and indeed, we’ve sent clients to some excellent beaches in places like the Turks & Caicos, the Dominican Republic, the Caymans, St. Lucia and many more.

            Many Europeans like to stay closer to home, though, when it comes to beach vacations, and now a lot of Americans are discovering that Europe has some excellent beaches, too. Recently, a U.K.-based company, Quotezone, ranked the continent’s most popular beaches, factoring in natural beauty, air temperature, calmness of the water and, of course, cost. Here are the top ten beaches in Europe, starting with number 10:

·         Plage de Palombaggia, Corsica. This French island in the Mediterranean has Caribbean-worthy beaches, with this one being its most popular. It’s also the most expensive on this list, costing about $250 for an overnight stay with food and drink.

·         Bournemouth Beach, England. We don’t normally think of “beach” and “England” in the same sentence, but this sprawling beach, tucked between cliffs on the southern coast, not far from the Isle of Wight, offers warm waters rare in the U.K. and a bustling pier.

·         Playa de Maspalomas, Gran Canaria. Spain’s idyllic Canary Islands offer diverse beaches made of black or golden sand. This one is known for its lighthouse, rolling dunes and warm waters.

·         Praia da Falesia, Portugal. This historically significant country is climbing the lists of many Americans who travel to Europe, and this beach is worth a visit. Sandstone cliffs, bright blue water and lots to do make this beach one of the best on the continent.

·         La Pelosa Beach, Sardinia. The Italian island is the second-largest in the Mediterranean and offers a picturesque getaway for travelers, especially for those looking for beaches. This one is popular to the point where advance registration is required before you can dig your toes in the sand.

·         Zlatni Rat, Croatia. Translating to “Golden Horn,” this is a triangle-shaped beach on the Croatian island of Brac that extends into the Adriatic. As the tides and swells change, the beach changes its shape. It’s also relatively inexpensive. A one-night stay with food and drink is just over $100.

·         Elafonissi Beach, Crete. Greece’s largest island has been beloved by travelers for centuries, with this beach being one of Europe’s most famous. Calm azure waters greet the traveler year-round, but it does get crowded.

·         Portoroz Beach, Slovenia. Another Balkan beach on the Adriatic Sea, this pebble beach fronts a popular resort area, with a beautiful promenade for strolling. Like its Croatian counterpart to the south, it’s inexpensive, too, yet another reason why the Balkans are gaining prominence as destinations for U.S. travelers.

·         Mellieha Beach, Malta. This historic island in the middle of the Med offers the second-rated beach on our list, a sheltered bay with gentle and warm waters. It’s the largest sand beach on the island and popular with families from both Europe and North Africa.

·         Nissi Beach, Cyprus. Our top-ranked beach is on yet another Mediterranean island. Cyprus is just south of Turkey in the eastern Med, and this beach has it all: warm weather and water temps, calm waters, and a small island nearby that adds to the ambience. A one-night stay here will run you about $114.

 

Ready to hit the beach as part of your next European trip? Almost all of these are year-round destinations, and we can get you there. Give us a call and start packing the sunscreen!