Summer is here! Although the sun’s rays may only be breaking through clouds at a slightly sporadic rate at present, the promise of warmer weather is consistently making the news. With weeks of what should be beautiful beach weather to look forward to, it’s time to put some serious thought towards where you would like to soak up that sunshine. We’ve listed our top 10 European beachfronts below which, along with our handy quiz, should help you find the perfect shore come high summer season.
Brighton, UK
Brighton Beach.
Traditional and quintessential, but with the modern conveniences of beach-side clubs, bars and an open air cinema, Brighton is renowned as an all-encompassing destination to while away summer days. It often wins Blue Flags Awards, given only to locations with the cleanest water, beaches and the best facilities. Brighton is also unique in our list as the only beach front with a stony pebble beach. Although, in theory, this can put off bathers, the beach remains popular year on year, and is naturally perfect for visitors who would prefer to avoid sand that relentlessly manages to get everywhere.
Coast of Schleswig Holstein or Niedersachsen, Germany
Coast of North Germany.
When you think of Germany, beaches are unlikely to be the first thing that comes to mind. But the country proudly boasts some of the best kept secrets in Europe because of its little known and largely unspoilt coast. The coasts of Schleswig Holstein or Niedersachsen are perfect examples of some of its stunning seaside which, due to their strong tides, can leave the sandy flats exposed for up to six hours, making them perfect for those who would enjoy walking or horse riding. If you can’t make it this year, do not fear. Large parts of the Wadden Sea are protected by UNESCO World Heritage, meaning they will remain unspoilt for years to come.
Blankenberge, Flanders, Belgium
Blankenberge. Source
For all those happy to lie still and do nothing on a seaside break, there’s another who would prefer to keep themselves occupied. For these people, the Blankenberge beach in Belgium offers the perfect escape. Bars, a casino, mini golf and even a “Serpentarium” line the beachfront, offering numerous activities besides topping up on your tan and reading a book. It’s a pretty unique Belgian experience, as it’s the only pier on the coast, and has been standing since 1933.
Cadzand Bad, close to Oostburg, Netherlands
Cadzand Bad.
Every beach trip involves gathering up an obligatory small collection of beachy things to take home, put on your shelf, and soon forget about. Cadzand Bad offers the pebbles and little shells so prized for these collections, but unlike other beaches it also offers a selection of shark teeth to be found among the sand as well. The beach itself used to be littered with them, however as years have gone by they have become slightly more scarce. No reason not to make it your mission to find some though. The beach is great for families, and the nearby Het Zwin nature park is also an excellent reason to visit.
Formentera, just south of Ibiza, Spain
Formentera.
So far, there’s not been much focus on actually spending time in the water at these seaside locations. But for those who love scuba diving, few places in Europe match Formentera, one of the Balearic islands just south of Ibiza. As part of the Ses Salines National Park it has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999, and its 69 kilometres of coastline make it perfect for water exploration in a stunning location. The only way to reach it is by boat, and as it’s protected, there are measures in place to prevent overcrowding.
Isola delle Correnti (Island of the Currents), nearest transport found at Ragusa, Italy
Isola delle Correnti.
Located at the very bottom of Sicily where the Ionian and Mediterranean Seas collide – the cause of the currents that give the island its name – Isola delle Correnti is a picturesque and secluded destination. It is connected to the mainland by a small strip of sand, and is a favourite with surfers due to the strong winds that rush along the coastline. If you’re into sports, choppy seas and bracing winds allowing, this beach will be perfect for you.
Barcaggio, Corse, France
Barcaggio.
This award-winning beach was crowned second best beach by popular French magazine Express Tendencies, and it’s not hard to see why. Miles of beautiful dunes make this seaside location the perfect place to chill out and do nothing. In fact, the dunes make it difficult to even make sand castles, so if you’re keen on beach activities this may not be the destination for you. If, however, your idea of beachside paradise is sunbathing all day between lazily flicking through a book, you’ll be in heaven.
Grüner See, Austria
Gruner See.
This is a bit of a wildcard in our list because, technically, Grüner See is a lake. However its uniqueness and the opportunities it presents for seaside fun in a landlocked country such as Austria means it makes it onto our list. Found up in the Northern Limestone Alps, its a pretty remarkable location, as during the colder months the lake exists purely as a park. Only in the warmer months, when the snow from the mountain melts, does it flood the park with beautiful, clear alpine water. The color reflected has reminded visitors of the Blue Lagoon in Jamaica, earning the lake its description of “the Caribbean in the heart of the alps”. A major difference between here and the Land of the Sun though is that it’s not as warm, making this unusual aqua park perfect for anybody who would like to escape the summer heat and enjoy activities such as paragliding.
Porto Santo, Portugal
Porto Santo.
This Portuguese beach was actually found by accident in 1418 due to a storm that dragged sailors here. It was then used as a base by Christopher Columbus, however these days it’s known more widely for its soft volcanically-formed sands and mild temperatures that make it possible to swim throughout the year. It was voted Best Beach among TripAdvisor users, and golfers should note the nearby golf course designed by Spanish champion Severiano Ballesteros.
Helen’s Bay Beach, just outside Belfast, North Ireland
Helen’s Bay Beach.
Much like Germany, Ireland is not exactly renowned for its beautiful beaches and coastline. Helen’s Bay Beach, however, is just one of two amazing shores found in Crawfordsburn Country Park, only a short drive away from Belfast. Being a protected area due to the populations of wading birds who spend the colder months here, the sandy, unspoilt beaches are perfect for human use in the warmer sunny months. In fact, the beaches are so nice here that they consistently win Green Coast Awards, a recognition only given to beaches with exceptional water quality, making it an ideal swimming spot. Not only that, but it lies on the Northern Ireland East Coast Canoe Trail, which offers 70 nautical miles of stunning coastline for rowers to enjoy
Your article is very useful and have good knowledge, thanks for the post.
ReplyDeletevacation trip planner