The soft sand beneath your feet calming you or the waves lapping over your toes as they reach the shore instilling a sense of tranquillity from within, the beach is something not to miss out on if you can help it.
Europe is a constellation of great beaches and sandy spots, so ensuring you have the essentials to make a good day great is simpler than you would think. Curating the softest towel or a high-factor sunscreen is good but the best choice to wear to the beach if you need to cross broken and jagged shells to the sandy shoreline is a quality pair of flip-flops. Your feet will thank you for it and it means you won’t need to navigate a safe pathway for an hour. Now, all you need to do is to decide which magazine-worthy, picturesque beach location will be your next vacation destination.
Is there such a thing as a right or wrong beach? Well, it depends on the reason for heading to the beach to begin with. Are you hoping for a secluded spot for peace and quiet where you can read your new novel, do you thrive on being in the midst of the hustle and bustle of a great day out in the sun where there are children laughing and people playing for as far as the eye can see, or simply want to be immersed in what looks like a travel magazine center fold. There is something for everyone and a spot calling your name.
Europe is great for travel because, as you might know, everything is essentially right on your doorstep. Whether you want to fly from place to place or take a road trip, there are countries and landscapes at every turn. Let’s look closer at the top European beach destinations so you can pick and choose which speaks to you most (or better yet, all of them – because we can never have enough time in the sun, sand, and surf, right?)
Warm summer months allow for swimming in these crystal waters but you will have to cross a small pebbly scattered stretch of beach to get to the water (great time for a quality pair of flip flops, right?) You can enjoy over 900 miles of majestic tranquillity to soak up the Sicilian sunshine and try your hand at the popular snorkeling activities.
Believe it or not, Spain is known for more than just delicious paella (but don’t skip out on this while you are there), but also for some of the most iconic beach destinations. With sand blackened from volcanic eruptions in places, while other common spots such as Tenerife Beach with its golden, but imported Saharan sand, it offer something for everyone. Grab a cocktail, and a deck chair, and laze the day away under the many palm trees decorating the island.
The black sands of Greece are a photographer’s dream but you will need a pair of flip-flops to walk over it, especially at peak heat during the day when it can get scorching. While the sand is coarser than most beaches, this does mean the water is that much clearer in the Mediterranean, making it all worthwhile.
When we think of top beach destinations we don’t immediately jump to Croatia, which is essentially more famous for its ‘Old Wall,’ however, this makes it the perfect spot to explore the idyllic beaches they do have which rival any island destination. While also somewhat rocky, this means the water has no excess sediment hanging around and therefore crystal clear to wade through at your heart’s content.
A top beach destination and yet, not necessarily for sunbathing, but more so for soaking up the sun on a lounger while being massaged or along its many beachfront walkways sipping fruity-filled beverages and snacking on cold meat platters. If you do want to enjoy a moment on the French beach sand then head to Villefranche sur Mer where you can enjoy warmer waters and decadent cafes.
No matter where you intend on heading to this summer for a relaxing time off you can always experience a tranquil, picturesque getaway when vacationing around Europe. While the essentials for your beach bag are simple and most likely include a great book, sunglasses and a hat, the most important item to not forget will be a quality pair of footwear. You don’t want something heavy and bulky, even if you think you will be doing a considerable amount of walking, a quality pair of flip-flops will do perfectly, and with such great designs on the market, you will be stylish as well as comfortable. Win-win.
