Last Updated
Europe is known for being home to many beautiful beaches, but these beaches take the prize for being the best in the continent.
At least according to a new ranking from Europe’s Best Destinations. This annual ranking reveals the best bucket-list beach destinations around Europe.
This list contains a mix of extremely popular and under-the-radar beaches around Europe.
For 2023, here are the beaches that took the top spots in the ranking:
1. Torrent de Pareis (Spain)
The number one best beach in Europe is Torrent de Pareis, located on the island of Mallorca in Spain’s Balearic Islands.
The beach is only accessible by strenuous six-hour hike or by boat. However, visiting this beach is worth the effort, as you’ll be rewarded with pristine white sand, clear blue water, and a dramatic surrounding landscape.
2. Bordeira Beach (Portugal)
Another one of the best beaches in Europe is Bordeira Beach, located in the Algarve region of southern Portugal. The Algarve is popular with tourists because of its amazing beaches, but Bordeira Beach is one of the more remote and wild beaches in the region.
Located on the far western tip of southern Portugal, this expansive, awe-inspiring beach is a popular destination for adventurous surfers.
Top 5 Travel Insurance Plans For 2023 Starting At $10 Per Week
3. Amio Beach (Spain)
Another Spanish beach to make the list of the best beaches in Europe is Amio Beach. This is not your typical Spanish beach destination.
Amio Beach is located in Cantabria, a highly underrated region of northern Spain. Far away from the overdeveloped tourist hotspots of southern and eastern Spain, this hidden beach paradise is only accessible during low tide.
4. La Pelosa Beach (Italy)
Sardinia, an Italian island in the Mediterranean Sea, is known for being home to many stunning beaches. But the most beautiful has to be La Pelosa Beach.
Like many beaches in Sardinia, La Pelosa Beach has suffered from overtourism. New protocols in place include limiting the number of visitors to 1,500 per day (and charging a €3.50 entry fee) and banning towels because they displace sand on the beach.
5. As Catedrais Beach (Spain)
Yet another Spanish beach on this list is As Catedrais Beach in Galicia. This dramatic beach is not a major tourist hotspot due to its more remote location.
However, visitors who make the journey off the beaten path to this beach will be rewarded with dramatic rocky landscapes and arches, most of which can only be accessed during low tide.
6. Cala Granadella (Spain)
Spain clearly dominates this ranking of the best beaches in Europe, and there’s one more Spanish entry in the top seven beaches. Cala Granadella, located on Spain’s popular Costa Blanca, is known for its idyllic beauty.
A white sandy beach and clear turquoise waters make this Mediterranean beach one of the top destinations in Europe.
7. Butterfly Valley Beach (Turkey)
Butterfly Valley Beach, better known as Kelebekler Vadisi Beach, is another one of the most beautiful beaches in Europe. Located in Turkey, this beach gets its name because of its location in the Butterfly Valley.
Depending on the time of year, you may get to see butterflies fluttering about as you visit this beach, which is a true hidden gem in Turkey.
More Beautiful Beaches In Europe
These are the top seven best beaches in Europe according to the ranking from Europe’s Best Destinations.
Here’s the rest of the best beaches in Europe for 2023 that didn’t quite make the cut:
- Praia Nova (Portugal)
- Cala Moraig (Spain)
- Cala Tonnarella dell’Uzzo (Italy)
- Sykia Beach (Greece)
- Kriaristi Beach (Greece)
- Monterosso al Mare (Italy)
- Ostriconi Beach (France)
- Spiaggia Rosa (Italy)
Traveler Alert: Don’t Forget Travel Insurance For Your Next Trip!
↓ Join Our Community ↓
The Travel Off Path Community FB group has all the latest reopening news, conversations, and Q&A’s happening daily!
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR LATEST POSTS
Enter your email address to subscribe to Travel Off Path’s latest breaking travel news, straight to your inbox.
This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com