The 22 Most Beautiful Beaches For 2022 By European Best Destinations

Because the record of Covid-restrictions-free European international locations grows longer, the variety of flights to and from the continent will increase and tourism gathers energy, the dream of basking within the wonderful summer season sunshine at a number of the most stunning seashores of Europe is finally a sensible chance for relief-seeking vacationers.

Assembled by European Finest Locations (EBD), a wing of the European Fee’s EDEN Network (European Locations of Excellence), the 2022 record has one thing for everybody: from golden sand and secluded, hidden or wild seashores, for romantic escapes or household adventures, from intense water sports activities to unspoiled nature…and extra.

The 22 seashores chosen are the most-voted by 1000’s of vacationers from 82 international locations – with 16% of the votes from the US.

“Deal with your self to a vacation in these pure nature refuges providing dream seashores to disconnect from a worrying world and reconnect with your self,” EBD suggests.

Porto Santo Seashore within the Portuguese Madeira Islands ranked first this yr. Spain, Greece and Italy (with seven seashores ranked) are additionally among the many prime.

1. Porto Santo Seashore, Madeira Islands, Portugal

Protected, golden and sunny, combining nature, wellness, out of doors sports activities, gastronomy, golf, idleness and simply accessible from European and American airports — together with direct flights from New York — the Madeira Islands are a fantastic vacation spot to recharge your batteries.

Voted for seven years among the many most stunning islands on this planet but additionally a most secure vacation spot throughout Covid, the Madeira Islands — which incorporates the principle islands of Madeira and Porto Santo — is that this yr’s #1 on the record of Finest Seashore Locations in Europe with three seashores within the prime 10.

Awarded the title of “Finest Seashore in Europe 2022,” the golden, sandy seashore of Porto Santo is world well-known, not least for the therapeutic virtues of its sand.

“Throughout your keep, don’t miss a go to to the Golf of Porto Santo, thought of some of the stunning golf programs on this planet,” recommends EBD. “On the finish of the day, get pleasure from a panoramic sundown whereas tasting a Madeira wine.”

Porto Santo is world famend for its resorts, all of which provide direct entry to the mile-long, golden, sandy seashore.

2. Bolonia Seashore, Tarifa, Cadiz Province, Spain

With miles-long seashores of positive sand, the province of Cadiz within the Andalucia area of southwestern Spain is a dream vacation spot.

Cadiz is the oldest metropolis in Western Europe and the untamed Bolonia Seashore with its sand dunes cascading to the turquoise water affords views of the coast of Africa, Roman ruins lining the seashore, snorkeling and different water sports activities, strolling paths and rustic seashore bars for a break within the shade.

3. Seixal Seashore, Seixal, Madeira Islands, Portugal

For the great thing about its volcanic black sand, its crystal-clear waters, the unbelievable cliffs and plush vegetation, Praia do Porto do Seixal was chosen as some of the stunning seashores in Europe. Right here, you may glimpse the magnificent panorama of the north coast of the island of Madeira bordering the Atlantic Ocean.

This extremely ‘Instagrammable’ seashore boasts eating places, showers and bathrooms in addition to lodging with ocean and cliff views and direct entry to the seashore.

In these troubled occasions, Madeira has turn into a refuge for tropical, protected holidays surrounded by nature combining seashore, journey, gastronomy, out of doors sports activities and enjoyable.

This good seashore is positioned a couple of minutes from the pure swimming pools of Porto Moniz.

4. Cala Goloritze, Sardinia Island, Italy

The wild seashore of Cala Goloritze in Sardinia is reachable solely by foot by means of a shaded path that isn’t accessible to these with decreased mobility or with strollers. You can even get there by boat.

To protect this heavenly place, entry to the seashore is regulated and with a six-euro entry payment per individual (free parking, although). For a postcard-worthy picture, cease at Punta Salinas, positioned on the heights.

Cala Goloritze can also be one of many most beautiful beaches in Italy and of the best-hidden gems in Italy.

5. Mitjaneta Seashore, Menorca, Balearic Islands, Spain

The island of Menorca is dotted with a number of the most beautiful beaches in Spain.

“Mitjaneta seashore is simply magical,” based on EBD. “Come bathe in its 29-degree turquoise water and revel in a dose on the positive sand of this small and romantic seashore.”

6. Monolia Seashore, Lichadonisia Island, Greece

The verdant seashore of Monolia on the Greek Lichadonisia Archipelago and often called the “Greek Bahamas” is reachable by boat solely and principally inhabited.

This secluded “secret paradise” is the biggest of a fancy of islands from a single volcanic formation. It has a restaurant-bar fashionable with boat trippers.

A ticket for the boat crossing prices €10 spherical journey and contains the rental of a deckchair.

7. Baia delle Zagare, Vieste, Apulia, Italy

Italy is one in every of Europe’s most-visited international locations and its quite a few seashores are among the many hottest for summer season holidays combining rest, gastronomy, nature, sports activities and tradition.

Though not a non-public seashore, the doorway to Baia delle Zagare is thru a lodge positioned upstream from the seashore.

“To benefit from this distinctive place, don’t hesitate to hire a ship to find the hidden caves and secret seashores,” EBD advises.

8. Elafonisi Island, Crete, Greece

With one of many few pink-sand seashores on this planet, Elafoisi Island can also be some of the stunning seashores in Europe, with its crystal clear and shallow water, positive colourful sand and spectacular panorama.

Positioned on the southwestern tip of Crete, Elafonisi is an rectangular peninsula usually break up in two elements by water, relaying the impression of being a separate island. It’s a protected space surrounded by sand dunes, sea daffodils and junipers.

The endangered loggerhead sea turtle, essentially the most well-known turtle in Greece, and a number of other different uncommon animals and vegetation discover shelter on the island. For that purpose, it’s strictly forbidden to take away any vegetation, animals, shells and sand from the world.

A phrase of recommendation from EBD: “Don’t cease on the paid deckchairs and proceed straight within the route of the creeks, the place there are fewer folks and it’s free. If you wish to relaxation for the day, the deckchair with parasol are €10 per day.”

With a wealthy underwater life, carry your snorkel. Ample free parking is close by.

9. Santa Giulia Seashore, Porto Vecchio, Corsica, France

Positioned in Porto Vecchio within the south of Corsica, the seashore of Santa Giulia is likely one of the most beautiful beaches of France and arguably “the Finest Seashore in Corsica.”

Set in a horseshoe bay with good white sand, turquoise waters and pine timber, it’s a showering lagoon on the foot of a mountain that extends for miles.

The gently sloping seashore is good for younger kids.

Santa Giulia can also be a fantastic place for crusing and water sports activities. The lake on the opposite aspect of the lagoon is a treasure trove of Corsican fauna and flora.

“Good place to unwind and recharge your batteries,” says EBD.

10. Hel Seashore, Hel Peninsula, Poland

Simply over one hour from Gdansk, which is taken into account some of the stunning cities in Europe, the Hel Peninsula — regardless of its title — “is a paradise on earth,” based on EBD.

This large strip of sand, 35 kilometers lengthy and as much as three kilometers vast, affords one thing for everybody. EBD recommends to “hire a motorbike to find all the great thing about this distinctive peninsula in Europe. You probably have time, and for the extra athletic ones, there’s a bike journey on the Polish coast. Lease a motorbike in Świnoujście and be part of Hel Peninsula — it can take you 20 hours over 4 to 5 days with stops alongside the coast.

Poland is likely one of the most stunning international locations in Europe and the Hel Peninsula, going through the enclave of Kaliningrad (Russia) is a jewel of pure nature and freedom in Europe.

11. Porto Katsiki, Lefkada, Greece

Often called the “goat seashore” and positioned on the island of Lefkada, Porto Katsiki seashore is lauded as one the most beautiful beaches in Greece.

Beforehand, this seashore was solely accessible to goats as they alone might climb the steepest rocks. As we speak, paths have been put in to permit vacationers to benefit from the seashore. Park your automobile within the nearest car parking zone then stroll down the steps to seek out this superb hideaway.

12. Calanque d’En Vau, Marseille, France

Positioned between Marseille and Cassis, the “Calanque d’En-Vau” additionally bears the title of some of the beautiful secret beaches in France.

To get to this heavenly seashore, hike 1 1/2 hours alongside the trail and remember to carry a bottle of water, meals and good sneakers. Your reward: a stroll between the cliffs and the pines, surrounded by the unspoiled nature of the Calanques pure park.

13. Agios Konstantinos Seashore, Astypalaia Island, Greece

This seashore will swimsuit vacationers searching for solar, crystal-clear water and idleness, in addition to these craving for train who can take the eight-kilometer mountain climbing path alongside the coast that begins right here.

A fort, mills, beautiful blue sky and a peaceful blue sea, a small fresh-fish restaurant mix to make Agios Konstantinos seashore a really particular vacation in Greece this yr.

The seashore seems among the many most beautiful beaches in Greece,

14. Cavoli Seashore, Elba Island, Italy

The Island of Elba with its Spiaggia di Cavoli seashore is taken into account one in every of Italy’s hidden gems. This chic seashore positioned on a small cove is split into a non-public space reserved for close by resorts and a public space.

As some of the well-known seashores on the Island of Elba with its crystal clear sea, golden sand and a novel microclimate, the seashore will get crowded in summer season.

As a result of it faces south and has Monte Capanne to shelter the bay from northern winds, it all the time has a light local weather. Meaning vacationers can swim right here even in off-season.

Individuals go to this seashore from March to November.

15. Playa Cala Sa Boadella, Lloret del Mar, Spain

One of many most beautiful beaches in Spain, Platja de sa Boadella is a beautiful little seashore ignored by a small hut the place you may eat with a view of the cove.

Half of the seashore is nudist and half is for non-nudists. “Cohabitation goes completely effectively,” says EBD.

16. La Sorgente Seashore, Portoferrai, Elba Island, Italy

Additionally positioned on Elba Island,”Spiaggia La Sorgente” seashore lies on the northern aspect of Portoferraio’s shoreline, some of the photographed websites within the island.

“We love its crystal clear waters, its stunning white pebbles and the scent of the pines that encompass this little wild and ‘secret” seashore,’ EBD says.

Additionally referred to as Acquavivetta, Sorgente is a tiny seashore, about 80 meters lengthy, set like a jewel amidst the white cliffs which might be typical of the shoreline on this space.

The ocean modifications hue and goes from blue to emerald inexperienced and to deep blue the place the water is deeper. Cautious, although: As a result of it’s not a sandy seashore and will get deep shortly, this seashore isn’t perfect for households with younger kids.

It’s linked to the highly regarded Sansone seashore.

17. Cala dei Gabbiani, Sardinia, Italy

This Sardinian seashore is ‘a effectively stored secret’ solely accessible by boat.

A pure continuation of the highly regarded Cala Mariolu, Cala dei Gabbiani is likely one of the limitless jewels of the Baunei coast and, extra typically, of the Orosei Gulf, alongside the central-eastern coast of the island.

If you wish to uncover one other of the most beautiful beaches in Italy, park within the pay-parking lot of “Su Porteddu” and take the trail that results in close by Cala Goloritze.

18. Greve Blanche seashore, Brittany, France

Grève Blanche, with its sand seashore and turquoise water positioned close to Carantec and Roscoff within the Finistere area of Brittany, appears to be like just like the seashores of the Seychelles.

The Greve Blanche positive sandy seashore, small waves and supervision in summer season makes it perfect for for households with kids.

Dealing with north, this seashore affords views of the Taureau Fortress and Callot Island. It’s surrounded by fashionable villas that impart the attraction of early-century seashores.

It’s stated that in Brittany there are 4 seasons in a day as a result of it may rain and be gloriously sunny a couple of minutes later. “The change in climate completely modifications the facet of this seashore, whose sand can appears even whiter and the waters much more turquoise when the solar shines after a rainfall,” EBD says.

19. Cala Cipolla seashore, Chia, Sardinia, Italy

With crystal water, pine forests, coves and secret seashores, Sardinia affords a number of the most stunning beaches in Italy.

Cala Cipolla, thought of one of many pearls of the Chia Bay within the south of the island, is tucked away in a slender bay and solely spans 150 meters. With white, positive sands and backed by dense Mediterranean Maquis, it has pine and juniper timber by the seashore and the place sunbathers discover shade in the course of the scorching hours of the day.

With its calm sea and shallow waters, this seashore is ideal for households. It’s doable to park 200 meters from the seashore for simply €5 per day.

There are not any bars and eating places on web site, however in summer season distributors arrange store on the entrance to the seashore.

20. Blanes seashore, Catalonia, Spain

Blanes, some of the beautiful beaches in Spain, with its 4 kilometers of golden sandy seashores, is a well-liked resort in Catalonia, often called the Gateway to the Costa Brava.

Though highly regarded, Blanes is much less touristy than its busy neighbors to the north, Lloret de Mar and Tossa de Mar, and straightforward to achieve from each Barcelona and Girona.

“Take a stroll alongside the shoreline to find different secret seashores and coves,” advises EBD.

The seashore is supervised and acceptable for households.

21. Laga Seashore, Urdaibai, Basque Nation, Spain

The golden-sand seashore of Laga, positioned within the Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve belongs to the city of Ibarrangelu in Spain’s Basque Nation.

Thought-about some of the breathtaking sandy areas alongside the Biscay coast, it’s fitted to wild-nature lovers and surfers but additionally to gourmets since there are a number of eating places close by. The Basque Nation is called one of many areas with the best variety of starred cooks.

Take a hike alongside the coast and climb for a panoramic view of this stunning seashore.

22. Cauco Seashore, Amalfi Coast, Italy

This summer season, uncover the Amalfi Coast with an array of the most beautiful beaches in Italy.

Positano, Amalfi, Sorrento, Ravello, Praiano, Maiori, Minori are all among the many most beautiful hidden gems in Italy and alongside the Amalfi Coast.

Spiaggia del Cauco is a secret and quiet seashore additionally referred to as “Lovers’ Seashore” by locals, accessible solely by boat and thought of some of the stunning on the Amalfi Coast.

“Cease on the close by seashore of Erchie, hire a pedal boat or a canoe and be part of this secret seashore for a timeless second on this small, virtually non-public seashore,” EBD advises.