Travel experts share Europe’s best beaches – just one stood out twice – Europe – Travel

Europe is full of lovely beaches. There’s one island, simply accessible from the UK, home to a number of of probably the most lovely beaches on earth.

And people are discovering the superb beaches on offer exterior the conventional vacation hotspots of Spain and Greece, just like the one that is earned the nickname ‘Maldives of Europe’ for its beaches and blue water.

So with so many superb beaches to select from – and plenty of them nonetheless at temperatures properly into the 20Cs in September and October – I requested travel experts which European seashore they like above all others. Hopefully, this will help you select your subsequent seashore getaway. There have been gorgeous beaches named from throughout the continent – however solely one was named twice, so it have to be actually particular. The checklist comes after vacationers have been instructed to keep away from a widespread European metropolis, as a consequence of “stress” ranges. 

Liz Delia, of travel information Zest for Latitudes, named Calanque d’en Vau in southern France close to Cassis. She mentioned: “It’s only accessible by foot or boat, giving it a hidden cove feel, even if summer crowds show up.

“The surroundings is unbeatable: towering limestone cliffs plunging into glowing turquoise water. We love mountain climbing from close by Cassis to succeed in it – it makes the seashore really feel earned and provides an journey ingredient to the go to. Some suggestions: begin early, carry sunscreen and water, and be ready for little or no shade and no services.”

Daniel Clarke, director of Parklink, which connects people to holiday parks, said: “Although the clear waters of Croatia or white sands of Monaco have a lot of appeal with regards to European beaches, my favorite is nearer to home: West Runton on the Norfolk coast.

“No matter what time of year you visit, you can enjoy different elements of the coast. With a blend of smooth grey stones and sand, there are options for whether your kids want to build sand castles or you’d rather sit on the stones and avoid the sand completely.

“There are rock swimming pools which may present limitless enjoyable and are the proper distraction from day-after-day life. The cliffs above and the beachfront are the proper place for kite flying, and when the tide is out the expanse of flat sand is looking for a sport of cricket or frisbee.

“There are toilets which are open all year round, and during the summer a thriving cafe and small stalls offering local crafts. Throughout your visit you may see paddle boarders, crabbers, detectorists, dog walkers and artists, or head there early, off season or when the tide is coming in and you can even get the shore to yourself.

“West Runton provides complete escapism, whether or not it is a recent and breezy stroll, a play on the seashore and an ice cream and even watching the bats within the cliffs at nightfall. For me, you’ll be able to’t beat this lovely british seashore, in each kind of climate.”

Salvador Ordorica, CEO of a language translation company and a self-described “international nomad and first-hand connoisseur of European beaches”, said: “Of all of the European beaches I’ve visited, one of my favorites is Platja de Ses Illetes in Formentera close to Ibiza.

“It is special not just for its bounty of clean, white sand that stretches into the sea in natural fashion, but also the water here looks like the Caribbean: various tones of turquoise give way to dark blues as you go deeper, punctuated with splashes from breaking waves during a calm period.

“If you stand at some factors on the seashore, you’ll be able to see each ends of Formentera, in different phrases a strip of paradise suspended between two seas. I discover it astonishing that the placement, so close to the full of life white island of Ibiza, can offer such peace. It’s just proper: you dive into the calm water for a tranquil swim, then pop out and within minutes end up at all types of fashionable seashore golf equipment that herald a assorted and completely worldwide crowd. In this sense each serenity and vitality describe the seashore completely.”

Tracy Lamourie, a travel expert and publicist, saiys Ramla il Hamra in Gozo, Malta is “one of probably the most superb beaches I’ve seen anyplace.”

She said: “Malta is changing into more and more often called a vacation vacation spot for a lot of causes however tinier, more conventional Gozo continues to be a secret to many. The Maltese islands have a number of implausible beaches however my favorite is Ramla il Hamra in Gozo, beneath the cliffs which might be mentioned to be the place the legendary Calypso’s Cave made well-known by Odysseus was.

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Gozo is Malta’s smaller, more traditional island – quieter, less built up, and increasingly known for eco and cultural tourism. The name Ramla i Hamra means ‘red sand’. It’s a colour that no other beaches on the island come near. Totally unique and unlike the smaller beaches at Marsalforn or Xlendi its not all built-up – no holiday apartments and just a small restaurant or two and a food truck nearby.

“It have to be maintained in its state by law, so its nonetheless a lot the best way it will need to have been for 1000’s of years, or within the days when Naploleon’s ships actually got here up on its shores.”

Jennifer Johnson, a travel designer with Tribù Travel who is based in Mallorca and has spent more than 15 years creating design-led journeys through Spain and Kenya, said: “Even although I ship vacationers throughout Menorca, Cala Macarelleta is the seashore I day-dream about when I’m caught at my desk. It’s a small cove of pale sand, ringed by pine trees and limestone cliffs, and half of the magic is how you get there – on foot.

“You follow this path that winds along the coast, and when you catch that first flash of impossible turquoise water, your whole body just relaxes. My ritual is to go early, find a warm patch of rock for my towel, and get in a swim before the chatter picks up. The water is so clear you can literally count the fish swimming around your feet. It has the perfect balance of feeling special without being a scene.

“I love it most within the shoulder season, like late May or September, when the sunshine is softer, the sea continues to be heat, and you’ll really hear the breeze within the pines.”

Gaia, a travel planner and founder of Italy Travel Plan, said her favourite European beach is San Fruttuoso in Liguria, Italy, found in a hidden bay inside the Portofino Regional Park with a Benedictine monastery dating back 1,000 years right on the water.

She said: “Arriving by boat is unforgettable: the abbey immediately seems between the hills, and the view is jaw-dropping. The seashore can get busy in peak season, however it’s completely value it. The turquoise water is unreal, and the setting is not like anyplace else. Tucked into the panorama and guarded by a sixteenth-century tower, the abbey feels suspended in time.

“Beyond the beach, my favorite spot is the loggia with its arches, a perfect frame for the sea and one of the best photo spots in Liguria.

“Getting there may be half of the journey. You can arrive by boat, both on a personal or group tour, or by ferries that join San Fruttuoso with Camogli, Recco, Portofino and different Ligurian cities. Otherwise, you’ll be able to hike one of the park’s trails. My favorite is the 4-hour hike from Camogli, which provides breathtaking views earlier than descending into the bay – just put on correct footwear!

“San Fruttuoso isn’t only about the beach or the abbey though. The bay is also home to the famous Christ of the Abyss, a submerged statue that has become one of Liguria’s most iconic dive sites.”

Darijo Šari, CEO of Croatian travel company VIP Holiday Booker, mentioned: “This beach is famous for its unique shape that changes with the currents and wind. A crystal-clear turquoise sea surrounds it on both sides, and the pine forest behind the beach offers natural shade and walking trails.

“Zlatni Rat is right for each swimming and water sports activities. In reality, it is one of the highest windsurfing and kitesurfing spots within the Adriatic. Without a doubt, it is one of probably the most recognisable beaches in Croatia, and you’ll typically see it on postcards and within the worldwide travel magazines.”

LaDell Carter, of luxury travel firm Royal Expression Travels, chose Spaggia Rosa in the Maddalena archipelago of Sardinia. Spaggia Rosa means “pink seashore” and is so named because of the distinctive colour of its sand.

It is so protected by the Italian authorities that it can only be viewed from afar by boat. Anyone who comes within touching distance of it may end up breaching a strict rule. It stands out as one of the world’s most stunning coastal destinations owing to its captivating and uncommon pink sand that sparkles beautifully under the sunlight and is attributed to the Pink Miniacina micro-organism shells.

LaDell said Sardinia is just “completely different”. She said: “It was additionally the place I chartered my first crewed yacht. The employees was more like previous buddies. We ate recent pasta, drank chilled Cava, and leapt into water so clear it resembled air. Paddleboards drifted close by.

“We glimpsed the pink sands of Spiaggia Rosa from the deck of our yacht, an otherworldly brushstroke of color against endless turquoise.” Praia da Marinha within the Algarve, Portugal was the one seashore named by two completely different experts. mily Bowerson, a travel agent at Explore with Emily, mentioned it “is often called one of the most beautiful beaches in Europe and with good reason.”

She added: “It sits along Portugal’s southern coast in the Algarve region, known for its golden limestone cliffs and sheltered coves. The beach itself is a crescent of soft sand framed by towering cliffs, with dramatic rock arches and sea stacks rising right out of the turquoise water. At low tide, you can wander between little coves and explore tide pools, while at high tide the water is calm and perfect for swimming.

“Above the seashore, there’s a scenic clifftop path the place you get postcard-worthy views of the shoreline – that is the place many of the well-known pictures of Praia da Marinha are taken. Kayaking and boat journeys are additionally widespread right here, since they help you weave in and out of hidden caves and grottos close by.

“Despite its popularity, Praia da Marinha still feels a bit more natural and less built-up compared to other Algarve beaches – there aren’t rows of hotels directly behind it, so the setting feels wild and unspoiled. Many travelers say it’s a must-see not just for sunbathing and swimming, but for the sheer beauty of the landscape.”

Georgia Fowkes, a travel adviser for Altezza Travel, additionally named Praia da Marinha. She mentioned: “Marinha is a natural amphitheater where the ocean cuts into cliffs and golden arches carved by wind and time.

“There’s one arch with a good spherical gap that frames the Atlantic like a window to a different planet. There are coves with pillars and rock domes that appear like implausible palaces. Every flip of the pinnacle reveals a new piece of this stone gallery formed over hundreds of thousands of years.

“I choose Marinha because it makes you feel the scale: you stand at the base of the cliffs and the whole place rises above you, a stage where the ocean performs its own play. Marinha reminds me that here humans are only guests, spectators in a masterpiece nature has been building for millennia.”