Europe's best summer destinations for beach lovers
The Greek Islands
Best for: sightseeing
Few locations are as iconically beautiful as the Greek Islands, from Santorini’s instantly recognisable blue-and-white villages to the isolated, unspoilt coves on Zakynthos. But they’re also historically unique; visitors can tour archaeological sites from which legends have sprung, such as Apollo’s mythical birthplace at Delos, or the Minoan Palace of Knosós on mountainous Crete.
The Old Towns of Corfu and Rhodes are both UNESCO-ranked, with elegant architecture and shady cobbled squares that make for charming afternoon ambles. Add to this the shimmering pink sands and turquoise waves that can be found across the islands’ beaches, and you’re left with a picture-perfect holiday.
Cornwall and Devon
Best for: surfing
Surfing enthusiasts need look no further than the southwest corner of England for their next adrenaline fix. Cornwall and Devon have long been two of the UK’s most popular counties to visit, and with good reason: their combined coastline stretches for a whopping 530 miles and is every bit as scenic as any you'd find abroad.
You'll find that most of the charming seaside villages dotted along the coastline are home to at least one surf school, so you’ll be spoilt for choice. Perennial favourites like Newquay will be deservedly packed, but try lesser-known St Agnes, Croyde or Constantine Bay for the same chilled atmosphere, scrumptious cream teas and great waves.
Costa Blanca
Best for: chilling out
Some like their holidays sun-filled and laid back, and Costa Blanca – southern Spain’s “White Coast” – offers the perfect chilled-out location. Popular both with locals and international visitors, there’s nevertheless a string of unspoiled sandy stretches to be found.
Try Calblanque, whose beaches are among the most beautiful in Murcia, or the famously tractor-combed shores of Playa Nord. Away from the bays, mountain villages and palm groves also offer some truly spectacular scenery.
There’s a lively nightlife in the area too, whether you’re in the mood for chilled bars and restaurants, or looking to let loose in one of Benidorm’s buzzing nightclubs.
Portugal
At more than 1,000 miles long, Portugal’s coastline is home to some of Europe’s best beaches. The Algarve, the country’s southernmost region, is synonymous with golden sand and Atlantic waves. Praia de São Rafael and Praia da Salema are popular with families, and the latter is a departure point for some excellent nearby dive sites such as Boco do Rio, where the wreck of the Ocean lies in shallow water, teeming with fish.
In the Oeste region of Portugal, São Martinho do Porto, with its safe waters, soft sands and opportunities to hire kayaks and pedalos is also a great place for families. A short drive north along the coast, the former fishing village of Nazaré has a great choice of seafood restaurants where you can watch surfers riding the waves while you eat. It was at this beach that Rodrigo Koxa mastered the largest wave ever surfed at 80 ft (24 m) high.
Brittany
Want a stretch of sand all to yourself? Shake off the crowds in Brittany, which has scores of breathtakingly unspoiled beaches. Without a doubt the most stunning beach is the Côte de Granit Rose, which gets its name from its pink-tinged cliffs that tumble to the sea in dreamlike curves.
The best spot to admire them is between Trégastel and Trébeurden, where visitors can follow the beautiful coastal path, passing huge piles of blush-pink boulders, picturesque cottages tucked away among the coves and the striking lighthouse at Ploumanac’h. In the area are several excellent beaches with gentle turquoise waters as well as the large resort of Perros-Guirec.