Post-pandemic planning: 30 of the most stunning beaches in Europe

One of the best things about living in the UK is that we have some brilliant beaches on our doorstep.

And while we can't visit them at the moment, we can pick our our favourites to visit as soon as the coronavirus travel ban lifts.

We not only have some glorious beaches in the UK itself, but our European neighbours also boast some of the most stunning beaches in the world.

From a hidden gem along the Albanian Riviera, to a celebrity hot spot in France and the best beaches in the Greek islands, check out our round-up of Europe’s must-visit beaches below.

Durdle Door in Dorset, England

One of the most photographed and iconic areas of Dorset, Durdle Door is also home to one of the best beaches in Europe. At first glance you wouldn’t think you were in the UK, with its azure waters and golden sands, but this gorgeous beach is right on our doorstep.

How to get there: Durdle Door is just west of Lulworth on the B3070, if you’re driving, and the nearest train station is Wool. From here, hop on the one of four buses that takes you to West Lulworth for Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door and an extra bus (the number 30) is added in the summer months.

Navagio beach in Zakynthos, Greece

Also known as ‘shipwreck beach’ this cove is a favourite among Instagram travel influencers who like to get a shot from sitting on the white marble cliffs above. Located on the northwestern shores of Zakynthos, Navagio is a tourist magnet with its relative remoteness, shipwreck on the beach and striking blue sea contrasted against the picture perfect white sand.

How to get there: the only way to get to Navagio beach is by boat from Porto Vromi Maries or other ports nearby. To get to the clifftop viewpoint, the drive is about an hour from Zakynthos main town and there is a parking spot on the clifftop.

Praia Galapinhos in the Parque Natural da Arrábida, Portugal

A pristine beach, surrounded by greenery and clear, inviting waters, this beach may be close to a road but feels incredibly remote. Located in Parque Natural da Arrábida, a national park near Lisbon, be sure to explore the park via its hiking and cycling trails.

How to get there: just an hour’s drive from Lisbon, follow the A12 before the turn off to Parque Natural da Arrábida on the N10. The beach is located in the national park and you’ll have to walk through a small section to reach it.

Blue Lagoon in Ölüdeniz, Turkey

Forget Bodrum, Ölüdeniz is where you’ll find the most beautiful beach in Turkey. The aptly named Blue Lagoon sits next to a national park and boasts a long, sandy spit – so finding a place to sunbathe won’t be an issue (just don’t forget your sunscreen). If you get a bit restless lying in the sun, Ölüdeniz is also one of Turkey’s best destinations for tandem paragliding so you can see the beauty of the beach from above. However, it does become a bit tourist-heavy in the summer months so opt for an off-season escape to enjoy its magic.

How to get there: on the southwest coast of Turkey, the closest airport to Ölüdeniz is Dalaman Airport and from there it’s a one-hour transfer by either taxi or shuttle.

Plage de Roccapina in Corsica, France

White sands, clear water and surrounded by rocky hills, Plage de Roccapina on the French island of Corsica is the perfect quiet antidote to the French Riviera. The beach is set in a protected nature reserve and there is a small campsite nearby which can make the beach a touch more crowded come the summer months. Remember to take your own food and water with you as there are no eateries nearby.

How to get there: you can fly with easyJet to Ajaccio in Corsica and the best way to get to Plage de Roccapina is to rent a car as it’s a two-hour drive from Ajaccio. An ideal island day trip.

Isola Bella in Sicily, Italy

A small islet connected to Sicily by a strip of pebble beach, Isola Bella is often referred to as ‘the pearl of the Ionian’ for its beauty. Once the property of King Ferdinand III, the island went through a series of private owners before being obtained by the Region of Sicily in 1990 which turned it into a nature reserve. Now, visitors can enjoy the stunning beach as well as the thriving birdlife and rare lizards found on the island.

How to get there: the closest Sicilian airport to Isola Bella is Catania, just a three-hour flight from London and serviced by many different airlines. From there, Isola Bella is an hour’s drive up the coast of Taormina.

Cala Macarella in Menorca, Spain

There’s a reason Brits continue their love affair with the Spanish isles each summer: the stunning beaches. Cala Macarella is one of the best of the bunch and the horseshoe bay boasts shallow waters creating an enticing blue hue contrasted against the pine tree cliffs that surround the bay.

How to get there: there are a number of flights flying to Menorca from the UK every day. From the airport, it is a one-hour drive to the dedicated carpark and about a 25-minute walk to the beach from there.

Nugal beach in Makarska, Croatia

Located along the Makarska Riviera and with no car parking nearby (you’ll have to walk from Makarska town), this pebble beach is a true hidden gem. Sitting in front of steep cliffs and dense forest, the beach is a serene sanctuary – and it’s also good to note that like a lot of Croatian beaches it’s clothing optional, and a popular nudist spot.

How to get there: Nugal beach is an hour’s drive from Split, the beautiful coastal town which is serviced by a number of different airlines. Drive from Split to Makarska where the beach is an hour round-trip from the southern end of Makarska harbour.

Porto Timoni beach in Corfu, Greece

A double beach divided by a bushy headland, Porto Timoni is postcard-perfect. The two beaches form two separate bays and both offer crystal-clear water and ample room to sunbathe. You won’t find any facilities here so take food, water and sunscreen with you (be sure not to leave any waste) and if you’re there later in the day, walk up the Porto Timoni trail to watch the stunning sunset.

How to get there: an hour’s drive from Corfu International Airport on the western side of Corfu and can be reached on foot from Afionas village or from boat from a nearby resort.

Sandwood Bay in Sutherland, Scotland

Definitely one of the more remote beaches in Europe but also one of the prettiest, Scotland’s Sandwood Bay faces straight out into the North Atlantic and is flanked by cliffs, sand dunes and a loch. Located in the Highlands, the isolated beach makes it one of the most unspoiled. Known for big waves, this is a great surf beach but not one for kids to swim at as there is a strong undertow.

How to get there: a two-hour drive north from Inverness lands you at the Blairmore car park. From there it’s a four mile walk to the beach.

Plaja Costinești in Costinești, Romania

With views of the Black Sea, this beach can get crowded in summer months as the local holidaymakers make their way to this resort town along with backpackers and foreign visitors. A party vibe is felt across the beach, but it’s wide enough that you’ll be sure to find a quiet spot. For dinner, have fish at one of the local restaurants found next to the beach.

How to get there: you can get direct flights from London to Costinești where you’ll find the beach on the shorefront.

Sveti Stefan beach in Budva, Montenegro

A sandbank makes up this stunning beach that looks onto the Sveti Stefan islet – home to an Aman resort. Half of the beach, on the Budva side, is reserved for hotel guests (unless you want to pay the €100 day charge) while the other side is a free-for-all. Spend the day soaking up the sun, dipping in the deep sea and admiring the mountainous terrain that surrounds you.

How to get there: the closest airport is Tivat and it’s a 50-minute drive to the islet from there. Alternatively, Podgorica (Montenegro’s capital) airport and Dubrovnik airport in Croatia are a one and two-hour drive away respectively.

Calanque d’En-Vau near Cassis, France

Located in the Parc national des Calanques in southern France, this national park is home to three Calanques (French for ‘narrow inlet’) – Port Miou, Port Pin and En Vau. The latter is the prettiest of the three but the most difficult to get to – when you arrive, though, you will be rewarded with sparkling turquoise waters and a pristine pebble beach lined by impressive cliffs.

How to get there: Marseille is the closest airport to Cassis, about a half hour drive away. But the easiest way to get to the three Calanque’s is by boat. You can arrange boat trips from either Marseille or Cassis and you can hike to them in the Parc national des Calanques come winter.

Kaputaş beach near Kas, Turkey

Vivid blue hues contrast with golden sand at Kaputaş, one of the shining stars of the Mediterranean. The untouched beach lies at the bottom of a rocky gorge, you just need to follow the long set of stairs down to get there.

How to get there: Dalman is the closest airport with Kaputaş being a two-hour drive following the D400 from there. From Kaputaş, the lovely town of Kas is just a 22-minute drive and the perfect place to spend the night.

Aliko beach in Naxos, Greece

Aliko (also spelt Alyko) beach in Naxos is the island’s prettiest – and most untouched. Located on the south western side of the island, the bay has powder-soft white sand and the kind of unbelievably blue water Greece is known for.

How to get there: Aliko beach is just a short drive from Naxos town or a local bus departs to Aliko from the port of Naxos six times per day.

Rushy Bay beach in Isles of Scilly, England

A firm local favourite, you’d be forgiven for thinking Rushy Bay was a beach in the Mediterranean with its sparkling turquoise waters and white sand. The beach is found on the southern tip of the island and is sheltered which makes it a perfect beach for families. The island is walkable and it takes just 15 minutes to get from the centre to the beach.

How to get there: the Isles of Scilly are made up of five main islands found off the coast of Cornwall. You can fly in St. Mary’s from Exeter, Land’s End and Newquay or get a ferry from Penzance. Rushy Bay is located on a smaller island, Bryher, which you can get to by ferry from St. Mary’s.

Bolata beach near Cape Kaliakra, Bulgaria

A crescent-shaped beach with translucent blue water, Bolata beach on the Bulgarian coast is a stunning spot slightly off the beaten track. The only sandy beach in the region, you can expect it to be filled with local sun-chasers and tourists checking out the Cape Kaliakra – one of the most beautiful vantage points along the Black Sea coastline.

How to get there: flying into Varna – a three-and-a-half hour flight from London – Bolata is a further one-hour drive and the beach is easily accessible by car.

Albandeira beach in the Algarve, Portugal

Portugal’s Algarve coastline is one of the best beach-hunting spots in the world – and Albandeira is a jewel in its crown. Expect to be greeted by glass-clear waters, golden sand and yellow limestone cliffs. The secluded beach is famous for its stunning arch in the water and, while there will be a smattering of tourists around, this beach is still relatively undiscovered.

How to get there: conveniently located between Algarve hot spots Faro and Lagos, get a direct flight from Faro to London where Albandeira is just a 50-minute drive.

Mesecev zaliv (Moon Bay) near Strunjan, Slovenia

Located on the shore of a small national park, Moon Bay is one of Slovenia’s only beaches - the country only has 28 miles of coastline after all. But it is also Slovenia’s prettiest and most natural beach, with the pebbles left untouched and the Adriatic Sea ready to swim in.

How to get there: multiple airlines in the UK fly direct to Slovenia’s Portorož Airport – a two-hour flight, Ryanair offers flights as low as £20 one-way – and from there Moon Bay is either 15 minutes in a car or an hour by public transport. Once you’ve arrived, you will need to walk a few minutes down the hill to access the beach.

Erchie beach in the Amalfi Coast, Italy

Amalfi and Positano have long been the stars of the Amalfi Coast, with their multi-coloured houses rising from the striking blue Mediterranean all the way up the tree-line cliffs. For somewhere quainter but still as picturesque, head along the coast a little further to find Erchie, a charming fishing village of just 100 permanent residents, filled with olive trees and the famous Amalfi limoncello.

How to get there: flying into Naples International Airport, Erchie is just a 50-minute drive away or two hours by public transport. Make a week of it and visit, Sorrento, Pompeii and eat pizza in Naples while you’re there.

Hovolo beach in Skopelos, Greece

Crystalline waters, a rocky landscape and a tranquil vibe all combine here to make it a secluded slice of paradise. Skopelos doesn’t pull in the high volume of tourists like fellow Greek islands Santorini and Mykonos, so make the most of the ample space you have on the beach. When you get hungry, you’ll find traditional tavernas along the beach where you can dine on delicious Greek fare.

How to get there: while Hovolo beach is on the opposite side of the island to Skopelos town, it’s just a half hour drive between the destinations. You can reach Skopelos by flying to Athens and taking a ferry.

Barfundle Bay in Pembrokeshire, Wales

When you arrive at Barfundle, you’ll realise why it’s been named as one of the best beaches in the UK as well as one of the best in the world multiple times. You’ll be in awe of the crescent-shaped golden beach with soft, golden sand and gentle azure waves.

How to get there: a five-hour drive from London or a one-hour drive from Swansea, Barfundle Bay has its own carpark and the beach is a half a mile walk from there.

Paloma beach in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, France

A celebrity favourite - Tom Cruise, Sean Connery and Jack Nicholson have all been spotted there – this pebble beach offers stunning views of Cap d’Ail and Beaulieu-sur-Mer along with envy-inducing yachts bobbing in the clear waters. Paloma is the French Riviera at its best.

How to get there: Nice is the closest international airport and the beach is just a half hour drive from there or 45-minutes on public transport.

Drymades beach near Dhërmi, Albania

Albania probably isn’t the first place you think of when you imagine a European beach destination, but the beaches along the Albanian Riviera boast blue hues as vibrant as Greece but without the crowds. The small bay of Drymades is the best of the bunch, with a large rock dividing the pebble beach from a sandy one – so take your pick.

How to get there: a three-hour direct flight will land you at Tirana Airport before a nearly four-hour drive to the beach. Make it an Albanian road trip and stop in the small towns along the way.

Praia Dona Ana in Lagos, Portugal

If you're willing to put up with crowds in the high summer months to lie on one of the prettiest beached in the world, then Praia Dona Ana is for you. A classic Algarve cove, it’s nestled between two sandstone cliffs with the golden sand disappearing into the vibrant green and blue-hued sea.

How to get there: fly to Faro direct from the UK and get a bus to Lagos. From Lagos it’s a 25-minute walk to the beach from the city centre.

Milos Beach in Lefkada, Greece

The water at Milos is so blue it’s almost cyan, especially when contrasted against the cream coloured beach and cliffs that surround it. The long beach is currently only accessible by foot, but there are plans to introduce a road that will make it easier to get to, so go now to enjoy the serene waves and untouched nature while you can.

How to get there: the closest airport to Lefkada is Preveza, which is serviced by a few UK airlines during the summer months. From Preveza Airport, it’s a 45-minute drive to get to Milos Beach and a short walk from Agios Nikitas village to the beach.

San Fruttuoso near Genoa, Italy

Also known as San Fruttuoso di Camogli, this is one of the hidden gems of the northern Italian coastline. While the pebbly beach is small, the water is a vibrant blue and tourists still manage to pack in to visit the beachfront Benedictine monastery and divers come to explore the bronze Christ of the Abyss statue found under the waters here.

How to get there: there are only two ways to get to San Fruttuoso – by foot or by boat. You can catch a boat (most which go hourly in the summer) from Camogli, Portofino and Santa Margherita to San Fruttuoso. Otherwise you can hike from those locales too – the reward will be the Agririfugio Molini restaurant you find on the way down to the beach, stop there for lunch with hard-to-beat views.

Stiniva beach in Vis, Croatia

Vis, the farthest inhabited island from the Croatian mainland, boasts one of the best beaches in Europe – it was even voted so in a 2016 poll. Stiniva beach is a cove almost entirely enclosed by cliffs, bar the four-metre gap in the middle of the water. The white pebble beach is often empty in early summer, which is the best time to visit the crystalline waters first-hand.

How to get there: after a flight to Split, you then need to take a two-hour ferry ride to Vis. To go to the beach, it’s then a short drive to the Žužec hamlet and a 20-minute walk down from there – a long trip that’s definitely worth it.

Cala Mariolu in Sardinia, Italy

If your idea of a perfect holiday is lying on small, pink and white pebbles listening to the waves of aquamarine waters then this is your place. Cala Mariolu is located on the eastern coast of Italian’s Sardinia and is considered to be the island’s prettiest beach. Here, mountain meet the sea and it’s an idea place for snorkelers.

How to get there: Cagliari is the closest airport to Cala Mariolu and there are a number of direct flights to here from the UK. Once in Sardinia, you can either do the three-hour hike into the bay or take a boat from nearby Cala Gonone in the north, or Santa Maria Navarrese in the south.

Calo des Moro in Mallorca, Spain

This picture-perfect cove offers visitors a white sand beach and waters which are a brilliant shade of blue. Located in the southeast of the island, the once local favourite has now been discovered by tourists who flock here in the summer months to soak up the beauty.

How to get there: flying into Palma, the beach is a 55-minute drive away. Follow the main road before looking for signs that will lead you onto a dirt road down to the spectacular beach.