The Prettiest Beaches In Europe To Visit This Summer

Europe is brimming with beautiful destinations perfect for a romantic city break, long, fascinating history, incredibly delicious food, diverse and spectacular landscapes, phenomenal shopping experiences, and amazing public transportation systems.

Summer is a great time to visit Europe, thanks to warm weather, celebrations, and vibrant nightlife that turn many of the continent’s destinations into powerful magnets. Spending time on the beach is a great way to get through the hot season, but there are too many spectacular sandy stretches to choose from. Here are the prettiest beaches in Europe to visit this summer.

7 Santa Giulia, Corsica, France

The turquoise blue waters and watersports of this white sandy stretch make it a bucket-list-worth summer spot

A boardwalk on the white-sand Palombaggia beach in Corsica, France, surrounded by crystal-clear blue waters

Santa Giulia, nestled just south of the iconic Porto Vecchio, one of the most beautiful attractions in Corsica, is incredibly stunning, and definitely fit for an unforgettable summer adventure. The 1.2-mile stretch of white sand boasts blue-turquoise waters and offers many fun activities, including swimming and incredible options for nautical watersports.

The beach feels like a tropical heaven, giving more of a Caribbean than European feel. The park is suitable for families with kids who can indulge in many of the beach’s fun activities.

6 Porto Katsiki, Lefkada, Greece

The beach’s impressive pebbly shore and turquoise waters make this beach a wonderful summer destination for beach bums

Landscape with Porto Katsiki beach on the Ionian sea, Lefkada island, Greece

Although a hidden gem, the island of Lefkada is a haven for fun adventures and offers some of the most affordable European islands for a summer vacation. Boasting a half-moon shape, Porto Katsiki is one of the most beautiful beaches in Greece, and the main beach attraction on the island. It features a pebbly shore, turquoise waters, and striking white cliffs, making it a special destination for a summer trip.

5 Kvalvika Beach, Lofoten Islands, Norway

Kvalvika’s breathtaking views, turquoise waters, and pristine white sand make it one of the prettiest beaches in Europe for summer travel

View over the turquoise water of Kvalvika Beach

Norway is known for its breathtaking beauty and proximity to natural areas, which are among the major contributing factors to its high happiness score in the recent World Happiness Report. It’s home to numerous impressive beaches, thanks to its wild and rugged coastline, which extends from the Arctic Circle to the North Sea.

One of the best ones to explore is Kvalvika, located on an isolated bay in Moskenesoy’s northern part and accessible on foot. The hike to the beach is rewarding, thanks to the serenity and breathtaking views that come with it. It features picturesque white sand, turquoise waters, and vertical cliffs, making it a perfect beach spot for summer.

4 Seixal Beach, Madeira, Portugal

This stunning stretch of black sand boasts impressive views and fun beach activities in summer

Seixal Beach, Madeira, Portugal

Nestled on the northern coast of Madeira Island, Seixal Beach is a spectacular stretch of black sand with an incredible mountain backdrop and guarantees breathtaking views in almost every direction. Since many of the island’s beaches boast either rocky or pebbly shores, Seixal is a unique option. Its black sand is soft and fine, making it a very popular choice for tourists who value comfort when swimming.

Its mountain backdrop with waterfalls cascading down creates a surreal scene that vacationers just have to visit to believe. Apart from swimming, you can go surfing, bodyboarding, stand-up paddleboarding, and canoeing.

3 Oludeniz Beach, Turkey

From impressive sunset walks to outdoor adventures, this beach is a perfect summer retreat

Oludeniz Beach is one of the most beautiful Turkey Beaches everyone will love. Sometimes referred to as the Blue Lagoon, it boasts pebbled shores and stunning clear waters and offers amazing outdoor activities like cliff jumping and paragliding. Romantic leisure walks as the sun sets are among the other fun activities travelers can enjoy here. Endless breathtaking views mean plenty of opportunities for Insta-worthy pictures.

2 Hel Beach, Hel Peninsula, Poland

Enjoy a calming beach vacation experience in this fine sandy paradise with views

Aerial view of Hel Peninsula in Poland, Baltic Sea

Poland is known for its rich cultural heritage, evidenced by amazing monuments, palaces, and mansions, many of which display breathtaking traditional architecture. However, beyond that, the country is surrounded by several pristine beaches that offer many fun things to do in summer.

Explore Hel Beach, nestled on Hel Peninsula, nicknamed, “paradise on earth,” by beach bums. The single, long, fine sandy stretch is one of the prettiest beaches in Europe to visit in summer and has numerous features, including sandbars, which offer a unique summer retreat for beach lovers. Its location within sand dunes gives it more of an Arabian desert feel and a relaxing atmosphere, making it perfect for vacationers seeking serenity.

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1 Elafonisi Island, Crete, Greece

Turquoise blue waters, beautiful pink sand, and views make this a pretty beach destination not to miss in summer

A beautiful view of Elafonisi Beach in Crete, Greece

Elafonisi is one of the Greek Islands with the best beaches, characterized by pristine pink sand, turquoise waters, and picturesque scenery. It’s also known to be one of the most serene destinations by the sea, thanks to its peaceful and relaxing atmosphere. There are numerous fun beach activities to enjoy, including windsurfing, swimming, sunbathing, and more.