Long before Europe’s beaches became Instagram-famous, they inspired artists, writers, and filmmakers. Think of Biarritz in the 1960s, where movie stars lounged on the sand between takes, or the dramatic cliffs of Nazaré, now known for world-record waves but once a quiet fishing village. Today, you can still find that blend of cinematic beauty and real-life charm — from Portugal’s legendary surf breaks to quiet Greek coves and Baltic hideaways.
These 20 beaches aren’t just places to swim; they’re places with stories, views, and stays that turn a trip into a memory.
Europe’s Most Beautiful Beaches to Visit in 2026 — From Legendary Surf to Secret Shores
From balmy Baltic coastlines to the most testing surf in the world, Europe’s beaches deliver on all fronts. We’ve pulled together the best reviews and recommendations to reveal the best beaches for surfing, cleanliness, tranquillity, and nudists.
Best Beaches for Surfing
1: Peniche, Portugal
Portugal has earned its reputation as one of the world’s best surfing countries. Not far from Lisbon, Peniche has waves year-round, but the summer is better for beginners with decent swells and friendly surf schools. Prainha is best for easy beach breaks, while Praia dos Supertubos is renowned for Europe’s top barrelling beach breaks.
2: Hossegor, France
Hossegor, in France, is one of the world’s most-visited surfing beaches. It hosts major events like the Quicksilver Pro and is famed for heavy, barrelling beach breaks, namely La Gravière, which attracts many of the world’s elite surfers. The Atlantic swells at Hossegor are among the best in Europe.
3: Asturias, Spain
Asturias, Spain, offers uncrowded surf spots with consistent north Atlantic swells, ideal from fall to spring. Beaches like Rodiles deliver long, powerful left-hand river-mouth waves, while Salinas guarantee reliable beach breaks. Asturias suits all levels, with scenic backdrops and clean, punchy waves.
4: Nazaré, Portugal
The underwater Nazaré Canyon creates massive swells, especially at Praia do Norte, drawing huge numbers of winter surfers. In 2020, Sebastien Steudtner broke the world record for the biggest wave ever surfed when he rode an 86-foot monster at Nazaré. To put it lightly, the surf here isn’t for the faint-hearted.
5: Biarritz, France
Biarritz in France is a classic surf hub with consistent Atlantic swells and various breaks. Côte des Basques offers mellow waves for beginners, while Grand Plage and nearby reef breaks deliver faster, more powerful rides. It’s best from late summer to fall.
If you want something more wild, then in Denmark’s rugged northwest, Cold Hawaii in Thy is a 30-mile stretch of wind-battered beaches that’s become the country’s surf capital. With wild North Sea swells and a raw, untamed coastline, it draws surfers chasing both big waves and pure Nordic nature.
Best Beaches for Cleanliness & Water Color
6: Nissi Beach, Cyprus
As of 2025, Cyprus has the cleanest waters in the world, according to the European Environment Agency, with 99.2% of its 123 tested waters rated as excellent. Our pick of the Cypriot beaches is Nissi, a 500-meter stretch of sand with water sports and other activities. Sure, it can get crowded in the summer, but it’s a top spot if you’re looking for a clean beach in Ayia Napa with crystal blue waters.
7: Kampoudi Beach, Greece
Located in Halkidiki, Kampoudi Beach is one of Greece’s cleanest and most beautiful beaches. Each year since 1951, Kampoudi has been awarded three Blue Flags. It’s pretty much everything you might expect from a picture-perfect Greek beach: golden sands, turquoise water, and umbrellas and loungers for rent throughout the year.
8: Burriana Beach, Spain
Playa Burriana is a Blue Flag beach in Nerja, Spain’s Costa del Sol. It is 800m long and offers volleyball and water sports throughout the summer. It’s super accessible and easy to visit, too. You don’t need to bring anything with you – sunbeds and beach umbrellas go for around €15 ($18) per day, while there are bars, restaurants, and kiosks for food and drink.
9: Lara Beach, Turkey
East of Antalya, Lara Beach is one of Turkey’s longest sand beaches, featuring resorts, restaurants, and bars. It is another Blue Flag beach with pristine water and beautiful sand. While you don’t need to book into one of the Lara Beach resorts, it makes sense to do so, as guests can benefit from hotel-provided sunbeds and services on the beach itself.
10: Praia da Falésia, Portugal
Widely admired as the Algarve’s most beautiful beach, Praia da Falésia extends over 8km from Olhos de Agua to Vilamoura. Though surfing is possible here, it’s not Portugal’s best surfing destination (see above). Instead, this is a top place to chill, with dunes providing a wind break and umbrellas and beds to rent all year round.
Best Small Beaches (Minus the Crowds)
11: Trez Goarem, France
Close to Crozon in Brittany, Trez Goarem is a peaceful, secluded beach that escapes the attention of many tourists who visit this region. It’s much wilder than some of Brittany’s other beaches, but this is part of the allure, with pristine blue waters and rock-strewn sand awaiting those who make the extra effort to reach it.
12: Ramla Bay, Malta
Situated on Gozo, Malta’s smaller and less visited sibling, Ramla Bay is arguably the finest beach on the Maltese islands. It’s known locally as “the red sandy beach,” and as it’s off the main tourist trail, it’s much quieter than many on Malta itself. The beach is accessed via ix-Xagħra, and is a great spot year-round thanks to Gozo’s moderate climate.
13: Sithonia Cape, Greece
While you needn’t put in much effort to visit a beach in Greece, Sithonia Cape is undoubtedly worth the extra yards. It’s a hidden gem on the Sithonia peninsula in Halkidiki, Northern Greece. If you make it here, turquoise waters, unspoiled golden sand, and very few other tourists await.
14: Matsi Beach, Estonia
Considered part of “wild Estonia,” Matsi Beach is a sandy outcrop in Pärnu County. You must traverse a pine forest to reach the sandy shores surrounded by beautiful juniper groves. Pack a tent and some supplies with you, as there’s nothing in the way of accommodation or restaurants, but the campsite is welcoming and open all year round.
15: Cala Sardinera, Spain
Some might consider Spain’s Costa Brava spoiled, but Cala Sardinera bucks the trend. This secluded bay is nestled in a small cove surrounded by cliffs and rugged vegetation. Less than an hour up the coast from Benidorm, this beach is worth the day trip if peace and tranquillity are your priorities.
Best Beaches for Nudists
16: Nida Nude Beach, Lithuania
Within Lithuania’s Curonian Spit, Nida Nudist Beach is Blue-Flag awarded thanks to its pristine blue waters and clean coastline. It’s the ideal place to join other nudists on the Baltic Sea coast, with the wildflower-covered dunes and coastal forest offering sufficient isolation.
Alternative beaches for naked swimming. For naturists, Hvar’s Jerolim Beach in Croatia offers a world-famous, secluded escape with pine-shaded coves and crystal-clear Adriatic waters. Near Valencia, Spain, spots like El Saler, L’Ahuir in Gandia, and La Devesa combine Blue Flag cleanliness with easy access and a relaxed, clothing-optional vibe.
17: Ågesta Beach, Sweden
While Sweden might not spring to mind when you think of Europe’s best beaches, Ågesta Beach, just nine miles outside of Stockholm, is an excellent spot for nudists. It is situated on Lake Magelungen, and open from May to September when the water isn’t too cold. There are communal picnic areas, BBQs, and play areas for kids.
18: Nugal Beach, Croatia
Croatia’s stunning coastline doesn’t receive much attention, but the nudist Nugal Beach, flanked by dramatic cliffs and shaded by pine trees, is still well off the beaten path. It is opposite Brač island and is approached via a narrow path you need to know about before visiting. One potential drawback to Nugal is that it’s a pebble, not a sand beach, but its isolation makes up for it.
19: Studland Bay, England
Though not exclusively for nudists, a 900-meter section of the beach at Studland Bay in Dorset is reserved for naturists. The National Trust manages the beach, and a pub and beach café are nearby, though the beach itself doesn’t have any amenities or services.
20: Red Beach Crete, Greece
Named for its darkened sand and the surrounding cliffs (not the sunburnt bodies that often frequent this rural idyll), Red Beach was first settled by Euro hippies in the 1960s. It’s a far cry from the upmarket beach resorts Crete is famed for, but this secluded nudist spot is growing in popularity and can be reached via a short hike from nearby Matala.
Europe’s beaches are waiting for you. Pack your surfboard or your Lilo, depending on how you like to vacation, and visit one of the 20 beaches introduced above. Be sure to check the weather forecast ahead of your trip and plan your trip for the best beach.
