Planning your next coastal getaway? Here are some of Europe's finest beaches to help you choose from the continent's many charming seaside spots.
From a white-sand beauty on one of Spain's Balearic Islands to a little-known gem above the Arctic Circle (yes, really), we've rounded up the continent's most impressive stretches of seafront. We can practically feel the tan coming on.
Top 30 most beautiful beaches in Europe
Oludeniz beach, Turkey
Oludeniz boasts one of Turkey's most beautiful beaches (also known as the Blue Lagoon), with pebbled shores and aquamarine waters.
The beach also happens to be one of the best places in the world for paragliding, thanks to stable weather and superb panoramic views.
The launch site for most ventures is the Babadağ mountain, with jump points reaching 6,000 feet above sea level.
Praia da Marinha, Algarve, Portugal
With beautiful rocky outcrops and clean, calm water, Marinha is widely recognised as one of the best beaches in Portugal - and the world.
Located in the famous Algarve region, Praia da Marinha is known for its steep cliffs, soft sand and calm waters, ideal for snorkelling.
Bay of Biscay, Biarritz, France
A famous holiday destination for royalty and celebrities alike (you may remember it from Hemingway's film The Sun Also Rises), the beaches of Biarritz in the Basque country along the Bay of Biscay are not only beautiful, they are also very popular with surfers thanks to their gentle waves that are safe for beginners.
Reynisfjara, Vik, Iceland
Iceland may not be the first place that springs to mind when you think of beaches, but there's no denying the beauty and drama of its rugged coastline.
You won't see palm trees or white sand here: In Vik, the sand is as black as caviar and the beach is dotted with towering basalt columns, which we think makes it all the more special and beautiful.
San Fruttuoso, Liguria, Italy
Located halfway between Portofino and the small town of Camogli, San Fruttuoso is Italy's most idyllic beach, and that's saying something.
The appeal of the little cove lies in its hidden location (you can only reach it by hiking from Portofino or taking a ferry), its gorgeous blue waters and its backdrop, a medieval abbey surrounded by mountains.
Zlatni Rat, Brač, Croatia
Croatia has no shortage of beautiful beaches, but Zlatni Rat stands out for its striking and unusual shape (which actually changes according to the current).
Although it looks like a golden sandy beach, its shoreline is made up of small, smooth pebbles and stretches for half a mile either side of the point.
It's not just a place for lounging: Zlatni Rat is also a popular spot for windsurfing, jet-skiing and stand-up paddle boarding.
Santa Giulia, Corsica
Corsica is full of beautiful beaches, but the wonderful horseshoe-shaped bay of Santa Giulia, with its white sands, tops our list. Just a few kilometres south of the glamorous town of Porto Vecchio, the beach's bright, shallow lagoon is perfectly suited to families with young children - and popular with kayakers and paddle-boarders who take advantage of the light winds. Stretch out in the shade of an old umbrella pine or join the hordes of stylish Parisian holidaymakers sunbathing on the sand: at the height of summer, it gets busy, so arrive early to find your spot.
Praia da Falesia, Albufeira, Portugal
Portugal has no shortage of incredible beaches, but few are as unique as the Praia da Falesia in the Algarve.
It has soft, golden sands and warm, swimmable waters, but its main attraction lies inland: miles of striking orange-red cliffs, with pine trees above and flowers below. There really isn't a bad view here.
Haukland beach, Lofoten Islands, Norway
The water around the Lofoten Islands can be as clear and blue as the Caribbean or the Mediterranean (but not as warm).
Just take a look at the waters around Haukland beach for proof, where kayaking and swimming are tempting propositions during the summer months.
Even if you decide to visit in winter and forgo the swimming, you may be rewarded by the sight of the Northern Lights dancing on the water.
Sarakiniko, Milos, Greece
Milos could well be the unspoilt Greek island you've been looking for, with a mythological-looking landscape and the bluest water in the Cyclades.
Case in point: Sarakiniko beach. Its large sun-bleached rocks, eroded by salt water, stretch out over the sea, giving the impression that you are standing on the moon.
Sveti Stefan, Montenegro
The playground of celebrities such as Elizabeth Taylor, Sophia Loren and Kirk Douglas in the 1960s, Sveti Stefan is now off-limits to anyone not staying at the luxurious Aman Sveti Stefan complex on the islet.
The beach, which bears the same name as the coastal town linked to the island by a causeway, is one of Montenegro's most photographed spots.
Diamond Beach, Jökulsárlón, Iceland
The glacial lake of Jökulsárlón and its frozen beach (known as Diamond Beach, because of the dazzling chunks of ice dotting the shoreline) are considered one of Iceland's natural wonders, with black volcanic sands serving as a backdrop to ice and glaciers.
The place earns even more visual bonus points when it reflects the Northern Lights.
Porquerolles Island, France
On the Côte d'Azur, the island of Porquerolles remains a tranquil paradise, untouched by time and tourism.
The whole island is car-free - all you'll find are pristine, pristine beaches, thick forests and a charming little town.
We can't think of a better place to take a picnic.
The island of Fårö, Sweden
The island of Fårö is a popular summer destination for Swedes, and it's easy to see why.
Reached by ferry from Gotland's northernmost point, the island is another world - think of it as the wild Tasmania of Gotland Australia. Even in a country that offers unique landscapes at every turn, Fårö stands out: the entire island is made of limestone, and its many rock formations are strangely picturesque.
It was for this reason that the famous Swedish film director Ingmar Bergman fell in love with the island, where he shot six films and a TV series.
Navagio Beach, Zakynthos, Greece
Also known as Shipwreck Beach because of the ancient cargo ship buried at its centre, Navagio is undoubtedly the most beautiful stretch of sand in Greece.
Sheltered by steep limestone cliffs, it is so isolated that it can only be reached by boat.
Although you can easily spend all day sunbathing on its powdery sands, its beauty is best appreciated from the viewing platform in the cliffs above - just follow the signs to the monastery of Agios Gergio Kremnao.
Cala Macarella, Menorca, Spain
Located on Menorca's sunny south-west coast, tranquil Cala Macarella is the ideal escape from the crowded beaches of Majorca and Ibiza.
Getting there requires a hike: you can either take a three-kilometre hike along the cliffs from nearby Cala Galdana, or take a rough and winding road from Ciutadella and hike for 20 minutes through a pine forest.
But its ultra-fine sand and calm turquoise waters are well worth the effort.
Read also: Menorca beach: top 21 best places to swim
Scala dei Turchi, Sicily, Italy
We love Capri as much as the next person, but when it comes to secluded, uncrowded Italian beaches, Sicily wins.
The beach at the foot of the Scala dei Turchi, a rocky cliff on the coast near Realmonte, is particularly striking for its uniqueness.
Its fiery bronze sands form a striking contrast with the azure ocean in front and the pale grey cliffs behind.
The area is renowned as one of the island's most beautiful natural wonders. Visit once and you'll understand why.
Cala Goloritzé, Sardinia, Italy
Cala Goloritzé is one of Italy's most famous beaches, set at the foot of a ravine on Sardinia's picturesque north-east coast.
It's tiny but beautiful, with limestone cliffs, soft ivory sand and a striking blue-green ocean.
In fact, it's so special that it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995.
Porthcurno Beach, Cornwall, England
Dazzling turquoise water and silky golden sand aren't usually the first things that spring to mind when you think of England.
But that's exactly what you'll find at Porthcurno Beach in Cornwall, a five-hour drive from the heart of London. The beach is sheltered by high granite cliffs and lies in a sheltered bay.
So expect gentle breezes and gentle waves, perfect for wading.
Nugal Beach, Makarska, Croatia
You'll have to walk down a cliff and through a pine forest for around 40 minutes before you reach Nugal, a pristine beach on Croatia's Makarska Riviera.
But the spectacular views from the bottom - the beach is flanked by sheer cliffs on either side - and the cool, crystal-clear water are well worth the hike.
Pro tip: come after a heavy rain, and you may catch a glimpse of a 10-metre-high waterfall tumbling down the northernmost cliff.
Giant's Causeway, Northern Ireland
The studded beach known as the Giant's Causeway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is made up of polygonal columns of basalt jutting out of the coastline and water.
They were caused by a volcanic eruption 60 million years ago, but local legend has it that the columns were carved by a giant named Finn McCool (hence the name).
It may not be the ideal place to spread a towel and sunbathe, but it's beautiful nonetheless.
Durdle Door Beach, Dorset, England
With its dramatic limestone arch, steep cliffs and soft golden sand, Durdle Door is one of the most picturesque beaches in the whole of Europe.
But it's not just a pretty face - the Marine Conservation Society recommends the beach for swimming and fishing, thanks to its excellent water quality.
It's also part of the Jurassic Coast, a 95-mile-long coastal strip dotted with so many spectacular geological features and fossils that UNESCO declared it a World Heritage Site in 2001.
Cape Greco, Cyprus
Located in the Mediterranean resort of Ayia Napa, Cape Greco is an ideal spot for adventurous hikers and swimmers.
The cape's sea caves are well worth exploring (you can simply walk in at low tide), while the surrounding national forest is ideal for stretching your legs and sheltering from the sun.
Afterwards, you can swim and dive in the incredibly clear water.
Elafonisi Beach, Crete, Greece
Perhaps one of the most beautiful of the Greek islands, Elafonisi has all the amenities of a popular holiday beach (parking, accessible toilets) but the feel of a secluded oasis, thanks to its location away from the big cities.
After a swim in the shallow waters, cross the sandbank to take photos of the wildflowers and rock formations - if you haven't already filled your camera roll with shots of the pink sandy shoreline.
Tisvilde, Denmark
With its laid-back coastal towns and days that stretch well beyond 10pm, Denmark's north coast is the perfect place for your next summer trip.
Head to the village of Tisvilde (an hour north-west of Copenhagen) for one of the country's best hygge cultures, with grassy dunes, nude swimming and locals bringing cinnamon rolls and full pots of coffee to the beach for breakfast.
Luskentyre Sands, Isle of Harris, Scotland
More than 800 islands lie within easy reach of Scotland's rugged coastline, but the Isle of Harris in the Outer Hebrides is perhaps the best for beaches.
A gulf current makes the Hebrides surprisingly warm, so you can take a mid-summer stroll along the beautiful beach at Luskentyre Sands.
These winds also attract surfers; beginners can sign up for lessons with a local instructor.
Palombaggia Beach, Corsica
In south-east Corsica, Plage de Palombaggia bewitches with its long curve of pale, powdery sand flowing into cerulean-blue waters as clear as glass.
Bordered by fragrant umbrella pines, surrounded by wooded hills where the cicadas sound at sunset and overlooking the Cerbicale Islands, this beach could well be the one of your wildest Mediterranean dreams.
Bring a snorkel and a picnic.
Platja Illetes, Spain
With its long stretch of blonde sand and translucent azure waters, Formentera's Platja Illetes fits the image of a barefoot paradise perfectly. Comparisons with the Caribbean are not long in coming, but frankly, why would you want to imagine yourself anywhere else? The beach forms the western part of the Trucador peninsula and, just offshore, lie the two illetes (islets), Pouet and Rodona, from which it takes its name.
Read also: Beach in Formentera : Our selection of the 10 best spots
Praia da Arrifana, Portugal
On the wild, windswept west coast of the Algarve, the crowds are few and the Atlantic waves are formidable. Praia da Arrifana, surrounded by cliffs, is a beautiful golden crescent, with a ruined fortress, a seaside restaurant and plenty of surf.
For more, head south to Praia da Bordeira, on the edge of the lagoon, where the dunes tumble into the brilliant blue sea.
Myrtos Beach, Kefalonia, Greece
The road that slides down the steep hillside leading to Myrtos, on the island of Kefalonia, quickens the pulse as much as the bay itself.
Seen from above, the coastline is split in two, highlighting this fiercely beautiful bay of white pebbles, framed by sheer cliffs and bathed by a sea that matches almost every blue on the colour chart.
It's justifiably popular, so avoid peak times and seasons.