Best beaches in Europe

Life’s a beach when you know where to go. Are you after a calm cove all to yourself, or prefer to party it up on packed-out patches of sand? Want to surf the waves or wallow in shallow waters? Whatever kind of beach bum you are, there’s a stretch to suit your holiday style. Take your pick from this list of the best beaches in Europe… 

Best for: escaping the crowds

Not a lot of people know this, but Montenegro was made for beach breaks. A whole string of stretches here seek your attention, but Mogren Beach makes the cut for a quiet cotch. Beat the bucket and spade brigade to this Blue Flag beauty, which is made up of two separate belts, Mogren I and Mogren II. You’ll find them around a five-minute drive from Budva, backed up by Insta-ready cliffs and green forests packed with walking trails.  
 
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Best for: family-friendly holidays

The award-winning Levante Beach is a great shout for family-friendly getaways. You’ll find it nestled in the much-loved resort of Benidorm on Spain’s glorious Costa Brava. Here, the whole gang can get involved in adrenaline-inducing watersports, like banana boats, windsurfing and water skiing. Need something more relaxing? No problem. You can pick from pedalos, paddleboarding or kayaking. And when it’s time to wine and dine, you’ll have lots of options – the shore’s lined with plenty of traditional tapas bars and international restaurants.

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Best for: watersports lovers

You might think Zlatni Rat Beach is all about its good looks and yes, it is a bit of a stunner. But this Croatian belt of sand boasts a world of watersports, too. The white sands spear out into the sea, where you can discover a whole new world while scuba diving. Or skim across the water on a banana boat or a jet-ski. And, if you want a bird’s–eye view of the arrow-shaped beach, try your hand at parasailing.

FYI: Zlatni Rat Beach is within easy reach of the town of Bol. Just take a 20-minute stroll along the tree-fringed promenade to get there fast.

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Best for: your Instagram grid

Smug much? You will be after you’ve papped the perfect shot of Greece’s most photographed beach, Smugglers’ Cove. Nestled on Zante‘s southeast coast, its white sands and turquoise-tinted waters are some of Mother Nature’s finest work. A shipwrecked boat, which an alleged smuggler ran ashore in 1982, is camera ready for the shot of the day that’ll have your DM’s swimming with ‘send me your location.’ This place is also a popular pick for snorkelling, thanks to its clear waters and Nemo-esque fish, so don’t forget to bring your GoPro. This is one for the archives. 

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Now you’ve got the best beaches in Europe down, all you have to do is pick one. Take a look at these First Choice holidays for your next sun-kissed escape. 

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Authors: Lily Owen and Olivia Hunt

Last updated: 04.07.2023