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These are Europe’s least (and most) crowded beaches, apparently

A new study analysed fifty beaches to determine the stretches of coast that offer the visitors the most (and the least) space

Liv Kelly
Written by
Liv Kelly
Writer, Time Out Travel
Praia Da Falesia, Portugal
Photograph: Shutterstock
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Some of Europe’s beaches are so busy that soon you’ll have to use an app to book your spot – no, seriously, read about it here – but some sandy stretches are gloriously crowd-free. 

To get a handle on which beaches offer the most (and least) space for sunbathing, Wizz Air measured 50 beaches across Europe and divided each one’s area by the size of a beach towel, and then divided that by the average number of daily visitors. The idea was to figure out exactly how much space a beach offers each person, and topping that list was the Beach of Durrës, on the coast of Albania

‘Despite being one of the most popular beaches in Albania, it still provides a laid-back charm. Our calculations reveal that each visitor has ample space, with room for just under 65 beach towels per person,’ says Wizz Air, ‘This makes it an ideal spot for families and sunbathers seeking a relaxing day by the Adriatic Sea.’

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It’s worth taking this ranking with a pinch of sea salt – the Beach of Durrës was once named one of Albania’s most overcrowded beaches, so if you’re expecting vast expenses of empty sand, you might want to look elsewhere. 

In second place was Camber Sands, a sandy stretch of coast in East Sussex, UK, and in third place was Zlatni Rat Beach in Croatia

Now for the most crowded. Eight of the top 10 are located in Spain, with Playa Sa Caleta in Ibiza claiming the top spot, and Cala Macarella in Menorca and Barceloneta Beach in Spain claiming the top spot. The other two countries included were Malta (Mellieħa Bay) and Italy (Cala Goloritzé). Read on for all the most and least crowded beaches in Europe. 

These are Europe’s least crowded beaches for summer 2025

  1. Beach of Durrës, Albania
  2. Camber Sands, England
  3. Zlatni Rat Beach (Golden Horn), Croatia
  4. Borsh Beach, Albania
  5. Plage de Pampelonne, France
  6. Brighton Beach, England
  7. Praia da Falésia, Portugal
  8. Mogren Beach, Montenegro
  9. Nissi Beach, Cyprus
  10. Playa d’en Bossa, Ibiza

These are Europe’s most crowded beaches for summer 2025

  1. Playa Sa Caleta, Spain
  2. Cala Macarella, Spain
  3. Barceloneta Beach, Spain
  4. Mellieħa Bay, Malta
  5. Cala Goloritzé, Italy
  6. Isla Canela, Spain
  7. Playa del Duque, Spain
  8. Playa de Maro, Spain
  9. Puerto de la Cruz, Spain
  10. Sant Sebastià Beach, Spain

Here are our top picks for the best beaches in Europe

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