From the daunting Arctic to the sunny Mediterranean, Europe has a lot of coastline, which means a lot of beaches. Which ones are the best? Following are some of our top recommendations; keep in mind they can be awesome for reasons other than being great places to swim and get a tan.
Navagio, Greece
Because it’s surrounded by sheer cliffs, you can only get to this island beach in the Ionian Sea by boat. It’s also unique because in the early 1980s, a freighter ran aground here, and its weathered hull occupies the middle of the beach.
Calanque d’en Vau, France
You can only get here by boat or by a 2-hour hike; both keep the crowds away and make the effort worth it. Huge white limestone cliffs enclose this narrow beach and the clear blue waters off it.
Rabbit Beach, Italy
If you hate crowds and are willing to pay the cost of getting to this beach on an island 100 miles southwest of Sicily, welcome to Rabbit Beach. The beach is on a shallow bay, the waters are clear, and you have a good chance of seeing sea turtles.
Oludeniz Beach, Turkey
Shores lined with pebbles and aquamarine waters make this a truly beautiful beach. What’s even better is that the stable weather here makes it one of the best places in the world for paragliding.
Bay of Biscay, France
Royals and celebrities love this place, so you know it has something going for it. Mellow waves also make it a beginner-friendly place for people getting into surfing.
Praia da Marinha, Portugal
Steep cliffs and offshore rock outcrops create calm waters off this beautiful beach. The clear waters are practically made for snorkeling.
Elafonissi Beach, Crete (Greece)
The pink sands and the mountains as a backdrop will delight your eyes. And the waters themselves offer opportunities for swimming, surfing, windsurfing, and kiteboarding.
Playa de Migjorn, Spain
The longest beach on the island, this one gives you the best chance of getting away from everyone else. Otherwise, just enjoy the beauty and, closer to your hotel, the oceanfront service.
Durdle Door Beach, England
England’s beaches aren’t your typical getaways to escape summer heat. That doesn’t render this beach with a natural arch just offshore as anything less than beautiful.
San Fruttuoso, Italy
Mountains and a medieval abbey serve as the backdrop here. You can only reach this beach in a small cove by hiking or taking a ferry, so it’s rarely too crowded.
Reynisfjara, Iceland
You might not want to swim here– the water’s frigid and the currents are dangerous– but you’ll love the setting. The sand is black and basalt columns line the shore, and offshore are more spires and outcrops fighting a slowly losing battle against the relentless pounding of the sea.
Zlatni Rat, Croatia
he shape of this beach varies according to the currents. From a distance, the beach looks sandy, but it’s really made up of ocean-smoothed pebbles.
Playa Sa Caleta, Spain
Tall cliffs shelter this beach between them from the worst of the elements. When you need a break from the sun, sand, and sea, check out the nearby Phoenician ruins.
Haukland Beach, Lofoten Islands (Norway)
The waters here are as clear and blue as they are in the Mediterranean, but they’re a lot colder. Still, kayaking and swimming are popular here in the summer. In the winter, you might get to enjoy the Northern Lights.
Diamond Beach, Iceland
Alone on this list, this spot is on a lake, not along an ocean or sea. Black volcanic sands draw your eyes to glaciers. Since you likely won’t swim here, make a winter trip to see everything plus the Northern Lights.
15 Must-Dos on Your Next Trip to Lake Tahoe
Lake Tahoe on the California-Nevada border makes a lot of lists of the most beautiful places in America. There’s also a lot to do there, with a wide range of outdoor recreation, great dining, resorts, nightlife, and more. If it’s your first time going or if you’re going back, consider adding some of the following places to your itinerary.
15 Must-Dos on Your Next Trip to Lake Tahoe
The World’s 5 Friendliest and 5 Unfriendliest Cities
Some cities welcome visitors and want them to be there. Other cities are rude to visitors and would just as soon see you leave. It can be jarring to be in an unfriendly city, though some of the world’s most enticing cities rank high on the rudeness scale.
When you visit a friendly city, it’s much easier to soak in the culture and meet the locals. Rough Guides readers voted on the cities for their level of friendliness. According to Rough Guides, these are the world’s friendliest and unfriendliest cities.
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