Summer vacations of most travelers do not happen without the sun, sea and beach. Therefore, many are wondering which part of the world to prefer? Beautiful, clean, comfortable, safe and well-groomed beaches are in many countries of the world. In Europe, their mass.
There are a lot of the best beaches in Europe, and you can talk on this subject endlessly. Below are the European beaches that deserve special attention. Each of them has its own unique features.
Rating of the best beaches in Europe
The presented rating was created by the following criteria: beauty, well-developed infrastructure. It was compiled in 2015 by Lonely Planet. The first three lines of the top were occupied by the beaches of France, Montenegro and Portugal. The ranking includes the ten best beaches in Europe: for families with children and for surf lovers, located in calm coastal areas and famous for the high wave.
- Jaz (Montenegro).
- Peniche (Portugal).
- Rondinara (France).
- Cala Goloridze (Italy).
- Vic (Iceland).
- Bentham Beach (England).
- Sandwood Bay (Scotland).
- Cala Macarella Bay (Spain).
- Vutumi (Greece).
- Curonian Spit (Lithuania).
It should be noted that all the beaches included in the top are located in different countries.
Jaz (Montenegro)
In first place among the best beaches in Europe is Jaz (Montenegro), stretching along the Adriatic coast near the city of Budva (2 km). The length of a fairly wide coastline is approximately two kilometers. The area is attractive because on one side a beautiful rocky coast adjoins the beach. The beach is covered with pebbles and clean sand. It hosts dance festivals and various parties.
Peniche (Portugal)
The second place is deservedly occupied by the Peniche Beach (Portugal), which is a paradise for surfers. It is located 100 kilometers from Lisbon (in a north-west direction from the city). The best beaches in Europe can not be imagined without Peniche. It is located on a beautiful cape, crashing into the Atlantic Ocean. A good beach is not only for lovers of a relaxing holiday in a corner of paradise, but also for extreme sportsmen seeking to “catch the wave”.
Rondinara (France)
The third place belongs to the beach, which is located in the Gulf of Rondinara (Corsica, France). This beach is unique in its form - it looks like a horseshoe. It is impossible not to call it one of the best sandy beaches in Europe, as it is covered with perfect sand, and the waters of the bay are surprisingly clear and shine with azure. Due to the huge popularity of the beach, in the midst of the season there’s nowhere to even go. The beach is also attractive because from July to August, a huge number of expensive yachts moor to the shores.
Cala Goloridze (Italy)
The beach in Sardinia can be considered the best white sand beach in Europe. He takes fourth place in the ranking. The place, located at the very bottom of the cliff, is beautiful. This is one of the heavenly corners of Italy, which is a secluded oasis. A small coastal area is covered with magnificent snow-white sand. The azure blue water sparkles between the limestone cliffs soaring in the blue sky. This beach is so unique that in 1995 it was given the status of UNESCO world heritage.
Vic (Iceland)
The fifth among the best was the beach, called by the Icelanders of Reinisfjär themselves. It is located in the southernmost point of Iceland. The peculiarity of the beach is that it is open to all existing winds, and its surface is covered with black sand, as it has a volcanic origin. It turns out that this is the best beach in Europe.
Bentham Beach (England)
Bentham Beach, located in southern England, in South Hams, is in sixth place. This ideal place with beautiful landscapes is suitable for tourists with families, as well as for surfers who are attracted by fairly high waves. The local nature is notable for the combination of sand dunes with magnificent views that open along the entire coast.
Sandwood Bay (Scotland)
It is very difficult to get to this amazing beach on the shore of Sandwood Bay - you need to walk seven kilometers from the nearest road along a path winding between swamps and grassy sand dunes. The water, of course, is very cold here, but the beach itself is amazingly beautiful - it looks out of the shade of a delightful sea cliff. It is in seventh place.
Cala Macarella Bay (Spain)
Another beach, covered with white sand, is located in the bay of Cala Macarella (in Menorca), which has the shape of a horseshoe. It differs in that along the coast there are cliffs covered with multiple oaks and pines. Many people like to look at this magnificence. The beach took the eighth line of the top.
Vutumi (Greece)
On the smallest island of the Ionian Islands, called Antipaxi, there is a beach dotted with pebbles and ivory sand. Walking around it is not difficult. An interesting fact is that only 20 people inhabit the island. This beach ranked ninth in the ranking.
Curonian Spit (Lithuania)
The Curonian Spit, which closes the top ten best beaches in Europe, is the closest beach area of all the above for Russians. The area is a sandy and endless beach. Some travelers who have ever been here could see an amazingly rather rare natural phenomenon - moving sand dunes, which are the largest in Europe.
Briefly about the Blue Flag
There are a lot of wonderful European beaches, which we talked about above. That is why it is impossible to list them all. That's why you should talk about the Blue Flag - a certificate of quality. Since 1987, this international award has been awarded every year to moorings and beaches where water meets the relevant quality standards and is suitable for safe swimming. The homeland of the Blue Flag is France. To meet the criteria of this standard, it is necessary to observe strict safety rules, monitor water quality and the environment.
The beaches marked with the “Blue Flag” have everything you need for vacationers: well-developed infrastructure, toilets, showers with clean fresh water, locker rooms, towers for lifeguards. Such beaches are covered with clean sand and pebbles, and admission is free. In coastal water there are no jellyfish and algae. Below are the countries that are among the first in the ranking of the best beaches in Europe according to the number of beach areas marked with "Blue Flags".
Rating of European countries for clean beaches
The rating by country is as follows:
1. Spain is the absolute record holder for the number of cleanest beaches marked with the Blue Flag in 2016. In total there were 586! Many kilometers of beach areas are interspersed with eucalyptus, olive and pine groves, and sandy shores vary in color from snow-white to yellowish and even black volcanic. Spain is one of the leaders in terms of the best beaches in Europe for children.
2. The second place belongs to Greece, the cleanest sandy beaches of which attract travelers from all over the world like a magnet. Magnificent traditional hospitality, wonderful local cuisine, excellent climatic conditions fascinate vacationers.
3. Among the best beach areas is France, whose azure shores with numerous restaurants, casinos and the insanely pleasant aroma of flowering oleanders attract tourists from all over the world. However, it should be noted that rest, for example, in Nice is a very expensive pleasure.
The beaches of Europe, located in countries such as Cyprus, Italy, Croatia, Portugal, are proud of the abundance of paradise eco-friendly coastal areas, marked with such a prestigious sign as the "Blue Flag".
Conclusion
I would like to introduce one more place as the best beach in Europe. It should be noted that many travelers admire the beach of Galapinhos (Portugal), which is located in one of the most heavenly corners of unspoiled nature. It is located on the Setubal Peninsula. Amazing clear, calm waters of the beach are perfectly combined with picturesque cliffs. This sandy beach is suitable for diving, as well as for a relaxing holiday among the magnificent surrounding nature.
As you can see, Europe can offer vacationers a lot of very different options. It all depends on their preferences and wishes. It is certainly worth choosing and visiting at least one of these magnificent corners of the earth.