Pasjaca beach below cliffs in Konavle region of Dalmatia, Croatia
Summer is here, the time of year when beaches become the goal of most travelers around the world who dream of warm seas, white sand and secret, quiet and sunny shores.
Including the best hidden paradisical, remote, magic beaches from Croatia and Spain to Turkey, Greece and Portugal, the European Best Destinations, EBD, organizations has unveiled its list of iconic beaches in Europe that “the locals like to keep secret.”
Secluded, sun-kissed beaches, free of crowds, hotels, cafes and noise are ever more rare as social media burst with listings of the world’s “secret beaches,” most of which are anything but that anymore.
Some of the hidden beaches where only the locals ‘in the know’ go are, naturally, not easy to reach and require some effort to get there. Reaching them is part of the experience.
As EBD explains “they are not always easy to access as some are located on European islands. What they are offering is priceless quiet, privacy, pure beauty and crystal clear waters.”
The easiest to get to by plane? “The ones located in the Algarve, Portugal.”
The new ranking includes six beaches in Greece (three on the island of Milos), four in Spain, three in Portugal (two in the Algarve, one in the Natural Arrabida Park, which was already awarded five years ago for the most beautiful beach in Europe, the “Praiga de Galapos.”)
Pasjaca beach in Konavle Cavtat – Croatia
1. Pasjaca beach, Konavle Cavtat, Croatia
The small, hidden, sand-and-gravel Pasjaca beach in the Konavle region, southern Croatia, appears at the top of the EBD ranking of the best secret beaches in Europe.
Nested at the foot of the Konavle cliff where it meets the Adriatic Sea, it’s a narrow coastal strip of unique beauty.
At 30 kilometers from Dubrovnik, one of the most-visited tourist destinations in Europe, this hidden beach “is a real miracle,” according to EBD:
“In 1955, a tunnel was created from the fields upstream (often flooded) to the sea. The remaining rocks were used to build the roads or were left on the seaside. In a few years, the waves transformed these rocks into pebbles then into sand. Pasjaca beach was born.”
This destination was also awarded the title of Most Exclusive Destination in Europe and Most Beautiful Bay in Europe.
Not far from “must visit” Dubrovnik is Cavtat, also in the Konavle region and known as the ‘Croatian Tuscany.’ “The picturesque charming town of Cavtat is probably the most famous place in the region and its old town another well-kept secret with its lovely cafés and restaurants and a stunning waterfront lined with palm trees that has been favorably compared to Saint Tropez.”
Tsigrado beach in Milos island, Greece
2. Tsigrado beach, Milos, Greece
Tsigrado is hidden from view. It’s accessible only by a ladder raised between two rocks that affords access to a beautiful beach with crystal-clear waters.
Perfect for snorkeling and exploring the numerous sea caves around it, this secluded beach is tucked away amid high cliffs, rocky passages and caverns.
Need one more reason to discover Tsigrado beach? The island of Milos, known for its turquoise waters, the wild beauty of its coastline, mineral resources and gorgeous sunsets, is ranked as one of the best destinations in Greece and most beautiful islands in Greece.
Praia da Ponta Pequena – Albufeira – Algarve – Portugal
3. Praia da Ponta Pequena, Albufeira, Algarve, Portugal
This magnificent little beach hidden in an open cave opens onto the sea with an arch of golden rocks. Because it gets almost entirely immersed during high tide, it’s obviously safest to go at low tide.
On the east cliff, there’s a natural arch that offers access to a neighboring beach.
A small trail runs almost the entire way to the beach, but access via sea is most recommended.
Aerial view of beach and coastline of Papafragas with caves and cliffs formed by volcanic activity
4. Papafragas beach, Milos, Greece
With three beaches classified among the most beautiful secret beaches in Europe, Milos, at the Cyclades’ southwestern extreme, offers a canvas of unique landscapes. Carved by volcanic activity, it offers 70-plus celebrated beaches.
A few meters wide, Papafragas beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in the Cyclades, offering a real swimming lane towards the turquoise Mediterranean that coexists with caverns, azure waters and geological curiosities.
August is the windiest month in Milos, so EBD recommends a visit in spring or fall.
For more inspiration, consider the Best Beaches in Greece and Best Hidden Gems in Greece.
The beach of Cala Goloritzè, Gulf of Orosei, Sardinia
5. Cala Goloritze, Sardinia
Cala Goloritze, known as the most beautiful beach in Italy, is located on the east coast of the island of Sardinia, in the municipality of Baunei in the southern part of the Gulf of Orosei.
Made of small white pebbles and sand, this beach — one of Sardinia’s most evocative — was created by a landslide in 1962 and its most famous sight is a high pinnacle of 143 meters rising above the cove.
It can be reached by sea, but the boat will drop you 100 meters from the beach. From there, you can continue by inflatable boat. It can also be reached on foot via a small path located on the plateau of Colgo. It takes 90 minutes to two hours of walking to get there.
Ballota beach, Llanes, Asturias, Spain
6. Ballota beach, Llanes, Asturias, Spain
Graced with fine sand and green surroundings, this hidden beach is one of the ‘secrets’ of the Spanish region of Asturias, located in the central-eastern area of the municipality of Llanes.
Nature, calm and crystalline sea, Ballota beach is 350 meters long and 62 meters wide in an almost perfect shell shape.
It’s two hours from Bilbao and only 30 minutes from the beautiful town of Ribadessella.
Playa de Cuevas del Mar beach in northern Spain
7. Cuevas del Mar, Llanes, Asturias, Spain
“Asturias is definitely a destination to put at the top of your travel wish list if you like secret wild beaches and nature,” EBD advises.
This sheltered beach, thanks to the rock formations that surround it, is perfect for families and provides parking upstream.
A deep, narrow, fine-sand beach flanked by rock formations with arches and tunnels, it offers magnificent panoramas of one of the most beautiful regions of Spain.
Arch on Kastelli beach, Kato Koufonisi, Small Cyclades, Greece
8. Kastelli Beach, Kato Koufinisi, Greece
There are many secret beaches on the beautiful Greek island of Kato Koufonisi, located in the Small Cyclades between the islands of Nexos and Santorini.
One of the Koufonissia islands referred to by the locals as the ‘Mykonos of the Small Cyclades,’ Kato is actually comprised of two islands: Ano Koufonisi, a lively, popular tourist spot in the Aegean, and the almost-uninhabited Kato Koufonisi.
The Kastelli beach arch is one of the most iconic places of the island, a showcase of Aegean Beauty. It can be discovered by boat from the island of Koufonissi or from Santorini or Mykonos. Or, take a four-hour ferry from Athens.
Joao d’Arens Beach, Portimao, Algarve, Portugal
9. Joao d’Arens beach, Portimao, Algarve, Portugal
This secret beach is as magical as it is difficult to access.
Located between Portimao and Alvor, in the Algarve, Portugal, it can be discovered after a hike or for an afternoon of relaxation and swimming. Praia Joao de Arens is accessible by a slightly steep path not suitable for visitors with reduced mobility or strollers. At low tide you can reach the second part of the beach located near Ponta Joao d’Arens.
The easiest way to get there is to park in the “Caminho da Praia do Joao d’Arens” and walk 10 minutes. Due to its seclusion, the beach its popular among naturists, “but you are not obliged to undress,” advises EBD. “Cohabitation goes very well in this little corner of paradise.”
Butterfly Valley in Oludeniz, Fethiye, Mugla, Turkey
10. Butterfly Valley beach, Turkey
This beach of rare beauty is located in the Butterfly Valley, on Turkey’s famous, 500-kilometer Lycian Way and only accessible by water. The 86,000 square-meter protected Butterfly Valley is home to roughly 100 species of butterflies, including the endemic orange, black and white Jersey Tiger.
“Be sure to climb the hill at the top of the beach to take photos — and be careful, though, as the hiking trail is not secure,” writes EBD.
“The easiest way to reach this beach is to book a boat from Ölüdeniz beach to discover Kelebekler Vadisi beach and stop there for a few moments or a few hours. During your stay, be sure to visit Ölüdeniz Beach, a 15-minute drive from Kelebekler Vadisi beach and ranked among the Best Beaches in Turkey.”
View of the volcanic open cave of Sykia, Milos island, Cyclades, Greece
11. Sykia Beach, Milos Island, Greece
Situated on the west part of Milos island, this little “cocoon beach” in the heart of a sea cave can be approached better by the sea with a boat.
Inside a jaw-dropping ‘open cave’ because the roof collapsed long ago, it boasts unique views of the sky and astonishing white rock formations.
While one of the best ways to visit Sykia is to book a private boat as it’s almost inaccessible, you can still get there by walking for an hour.
Torrente de Pareis, island of Mallorca, Balearic islands
12. Torrente de Parreis beach, Mallorca, Spain
Torrent de Pareis on the island of Mallorca in Spain’s Balearic islands is located amid natural scenery in the middle of a deep ravine near the village of Sa Calobra. The eponymous torrent flows into the sea here.
High mountains, a beautiful bay, a nice little beach, and an incredible canyon with 300-meter-tall mountain walls make Torrent de Pareis a unique natural attraction.
The drive to the nearest town is special with its impressive view of the Tramontana mountain range, although not a trip for those prone to motion sickness.
There are two ways to reach the beach: walking (an adventure in itself as it passes two narrow caves) or booking a boat from the beautiful town of Söller.
Rodas beach, Cies Island in Galicia National Park
13. Cíes Islands, Vigo, Galicia, Spain
The hidden islands off Vigo (Galicia) don’t appear among the “most popular” listings. Of rare beauty, with crystal water and fine, white sand in the midst of wild and beautiful nature, the Cíes are an archipelago off the coast of Pontevedra in Galicia, Spain, at the mouth of the Ria de Vigo.
They were declared a Nature Reserve in 1980 and are included in the Atlantic Islands of Galicia National Park created in 2002.
Ferries depart from Vigo for the Cíes Islands every day. These protected islands can only accommodate a maximum of 2,200 visitors a day, so it is best to book your tickets in advance at the Vigo Tourist Office.
EBD advises to visit “Rodas beach,” voted as one of the most beautiful hidden beaches in the world, but don’t miss the beautiful Figueiras beach.
The sandy beach and narrow inlet at Seitan Limania on the Chania peninsula of Crete
14. Seitan Beach, Limania, Crete, Greece
This remote sandy beach in a cove surrounded by rock formation is located in the Akrotiri Peninsula, 22 kilometers northeast of the city of Chania and two kilometers east of the village of Chordaki. Seitan Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in Crete.
The rocky underwater is perfect for snorkeling; swimming is popular but not recommended for non-swimmers due to strong currents.
The beach was once only accessible by boat but there’s now a narrow rocky downhill path from the parking lot, a 20-minutes drive from Chania.
During the high season, the beach is crowded with locals and goes quiet during the low season and on weekdays.
The paradise isle, Isola Bella in Taormina, Sicily
15. Isola Bella beach, Taormina, Sicily, Italy
The little “Isola Bella,” aptly named “the beautiful island,” is located in Taormina, Sicily. A beautiful destination, popular with celebrities (Audrey Hepburn loved it), it has become, with the Greek Theater, the symbol of Taormina.
The history of the island is a real estate transaction for the centuries. In 1806, Ferdinand I of Bourbon, King of Sicily, gave the island as a gift to the town of Taormina. In 1890, it was sold to a rich English noblewoman, Lady Florence Trevelyan, for 14,000 lire. At her deat, it went to a nephew — who sold it again.
The island was abandoned for several decades, until it was bought by the family Bosurgi of Messina in 1954 for the equivalent of about €20,000 euros. They built a cozy little house and pool, which became worth more than €3 million. It was auctioned several times and eventually declared a “nature reserve,” and now managed by state agencies to ensure its preservation.
Isola Bella can be reached from downtown by taking the cable car on via Pirandello to Mazzarò and then walking for 200 meters. For those who enjoy a stroll, walk through Via Pirandello to a path that leads directly to the island.