Sure, when you think of the best beaches in the world, gleaming white stretches of coast in the tropics might be the first things spring to mind. However, Europe is also blessed with some stunning shores, and the World’s 50 Best Beaches has shone a spotlight on those, too.
Much like the worldwide ranking (which we reported on here), each coastline has been ranked based on some key criteria: its wildlife, the soundtrack of nature, its unique characteristics, how untouched it is, the frequency of idyllic conditions, business, as well as accessible water and calmness of water.
It probably won’t come as much of a surprise that Mediterranean destinations dominated this list, with nine Italian, six Spanish, six Greek and three Portuguese entries claiming a spot in the top 50.
Recommended: The 16 best beaches in Europe, according to Time Out.
In first place was Cala Goloritzè, which also topped the worldwide list. The Sardinian beach has been a UNESCO-protected site since 1995 and it’ll cost you €7 to enter, but the heavenly blue waters and dramatic limestone cliffs are worth it, without a doubt.
Fteri Beach and Voutoumi Beach, both in Greece, claimed second and third place, and fourth place went to Playa de Rodas in Spain. However, much further north, Diamond Beach in Iceland and Puinn Sand Beach in Norway were both included in this 50-strong ranking.
Over in the UK, Three Cliffs Bay Beach in Wales and Porthcurno Beach and Kynance Cove in England were included, and Keem Beach, a lush patch of coast in Ireland’s County Mayo, was included, too. Read on for the full roundup.
These are Europe’s 50 best beaches
- Cala Goloritzè, Italy
- Fteri Beach, Greece
- Voutoumi Beach, Greece
- Playa de Rodas, Spain
- Porto Katsiki, Greece
- Santa Guilia, France
- Keem Beach, Ireland
- La Pelosa, Italy
- Calo Des Moro, Spain
- Kynance Cove, England
- Suluada Island, Türkiye
- Grama Bay, Albania
- Diamond Beach, Iceland
- Cala Macarelleta, Spain
- Elafonissi Beach, Greece
- Plage de Palombaggia, France
- Kelebekler Vadisi Beach, Türkiye
- Puinn Sand Beach, Norway
- Golden Beach, Cyprus
- Praia de Marinha
- Cofete Beach, Spain
- Pasjaca Beach, Croatia
- Porthcurno Beach, England
- Balos Beach, Greece
- Vila France Islet, Portugal
- Cala Brandinchi, Italy
- Cala dei Gabbiani, Italy
- Praia do Camilo, Portugal
- No Name Beach, Italy
- Gjipe Beach, Albania
- Rabbit Beach, Italy
- Zlatni Rat, Croatia
- Blue Lagoon, Malta
- Sveti Stefan Beach, Montenegro
- Podrace Beach, Croatia
- Cala Coticcio, Italy
- La Concha Beach, Spain
- Lotu Beach, France
- Calanque D’En-Vau, France
- Nissi Beach, Cyprus
- Praia do Fogo, Portugal
- Achmelvich Beach, Scotland
- Ses Illetes, Spain
- Haukland Beach, Norway
- Martinica Beach, Croatia
- Arutas Beach, Italy
- Paradiso del Sub, Italy
- Jaz Beach, Montenegro
- Elia Beach, Greece
- Three Cliffs Bay Beach, Wales
These are the absolute finest beaches in Europe, according to us at Time Out.
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