Europe’s Best Beaches: Our 10 Favorite Spots for Sea, Sand & Something Extra
One small step for Jake, one big step for humanity (oh well…)
Spoiler alert: You won’t find Mykonos, Amalfi or Ibiza here. This is a deeply biased, highly personal list of European beaches we’ve actually been to — and loved enough to forget our towels — and sometimes our swimsuits — for. And don’t expect just sea, sun and sand! From lava-black shores in Iceland to dreamy coves in Sardinia, here’s where to go if you’re looking for irresistible landscapes and sweet solitude (well, at least off season).
Our top 10 beaches in Europe
1. Vík, Iceland
Wild, dramatic, and full-on apocalyptic vibes.
If a beach could be a heavy metal album cover, Vik is it. Jet-black sand, pointy basalt sea stacks, and waves that crash like thunder. You don’t swim here (unless you’re a seal or absolutely unhinged), but you feel this place. Wear layers. Take moody photos. Try not to get blown over by the wind. Another stunning beach in Iceland: Diamond beach, near Jökulsárlón, with crystal clear ice blocks contrasting with the black sand.
Diamond beach - Have you ever seen something more incredible?
2. Ramberg Beach & a secret one – Lofoten, Norway
Arctic white sand, aquamarine water, and one lone red cabin.
You’re driving through the Lofoten Islands, dodging sheep and gasping at every turn —and then you see it: a perfect stretch of beach with turquoise water and white sand that looks tropical… if you ignore the snow-capped mountains. Go for a swim, it’s seriously not that cold given the latitude! If you’re driving from Vareid, stop at the so-called “Morpheus” beach for a dreamy lagoon, and beautiful Flakstad. You might even spot some surfers! Continue to Fredvang, check out the stunning beach and hike to Kalvika (you get a breathtaking view point over it from Mt. Ryten). Seriously, just wow.
Ramberg is as stunning in fall as in summer
3. Cala Brandinchi & Lu Impostu – Sardegna, Italy
Caribbean colors, Italian snacks. What else?
Too cold for you? No worries, we’ve got hot beaches too! Locals call Cala Brandinchi “Little Tahiti,” and honestly, they’re not wrong. Shallow turquoise waters, powdery white sand, and pine trees swaying overhead. Right next door, Lu Impostu is just as dreamy, with fewer people, a wilder vibe and more driftwood. There’s a lagoon right behind it, and the view from the nearby rocks is just spectacular. Get there early and pack a good mortadella, tomato, basil and mozzarella panino! For other dreamy beaches away from the crowds, explores nearby islands like Tavolara.
50 shades of turquoise at Lu Impostu
4. Ses Illetes – Formentera, Spain
Two seas, one sandbar, and the occasional nudist on a bicycle.
Ok, it does get very, very busy. But it’s just soooo pretty. And even in summer, if you wake up early, you’ll have it all to yourself. Formentera, Spain, feels like Ibiza’s chill cousin who got into yoga and never looked back. Ses Illetes is its showstopper: a thin strip of beach with water on both sides, like you’ve been dropped in the middle of a Mediterranean mirage. Rent a bike, bring reef-friendly sunscreen, and just chillax.
A storm is coming in Ses Illetes!
5. Platja del Torn – Catalunya, Spain
Wild, turquoise, nude, and blissfully Catalan.
Just south of L’Hospitalet de l’Infant, this naturist-friendly (very friendly) beach is as local as it gets. Backed by pine forests and gentle cliffs, with no civilization in sight, Playa del Torn has a mix of golden sand, crystal-clear water, and peaceful vibes. Whether you’re into sunbathing au naturel or just want space to breathe, it delivers. In fact, it’s so isolated that many Catalans have no idea about this beach. Yep, that’s a true insider tip! Nearby, you’ll also find stunning calas around Calafat and L’Ametlla de Mar. Try Cala Forn or Vidre.
Forget everything — including your bikini — at Platja del Torn
Swim with…
No, not dolphins… Tunas! Near Ametlla de Mar, you can snorkel alongside hundreds of these impressive creatures, some weighing over 200 kilograms. It's a thrilling — they look like sharks! —and educational activity.
6. Cap de Creus – Costa Brava, Catalunya, Spain
Technically not a beach. Technically doesn’t matter.
Ok, you won’t find much sand around Cap de Creus. It’s rugged. It’s lunar. It’s where the Pyrenees fall into the sea. Cap de Creus isn’t your towel-and-frisbee kind of beach — it’s more, “clamber over Martian rocks and find your own private inlet.” Salvador Dalí was obsessed with this place, and honestly, same. Go early, definitely wear water shoes (and walking shoes to get to the water), and bring water and a picnic. Clothing is optional: total freedom!
Float it away — Eli chillin’ with the fish in Cap de Creus
7. Famara & La Graciosa – Lanzarote, Spain
Wind, waves, and off-the-grid vibes.
Famara is a long, wild beach backed by cliffs that look like they belong in Jurassic Park. Surfers love it. So do people who hate shoes. For something even more remote, hop a ferry to La Graciosa, where roads are sand and life moves at 3mph. You might cry tears of salty joy. Too much beauty! No wonder it’s one of our underrated European destinations for 2025.
La Francesa beach on the magnificent island of La Graciosa
8. Costa Vicentina – Alentejo, Portugal
The Portugal you didn’t know you needed.
Drive south from Lisbon, Portugal, skip the touristy Algarve, and enter a world of sleepy fishing villages, surf breaks, and eucalyptus-scented cliffs. The beaches along the Costa Vicentina are vast, raw, and breathtaking. Try Odeceixe or Amado. Warning: you may consider quitting your job and buying a van.
Let’s go to the beach!
9. Höga Kusten – Sweden
Red cabins, green pines, and maybe a moose or two.
Sure, Sweden doesn’t scream “beach,” but the High Coast will surprise you. Think pebbled and sandy coves, shimmering water, and forests that practically hum with silence. Perfect for a contemplative dip or a fika with a view. Also: barely any people, even in summer.
There’s nothing like a refreshing swim before a good camping night on a Swedish beach!
Penguin Trampoline tip:
Get free accommodation with a view in the Nordic countries! Thanks to something called Allemansrätten (Sweden), Allemannsretten (Norway), and Jokamiehen Oikeudet (Finland), wild camping is not only allowed—it’s a cultural right. Just make sure you follow the rules, for example not pitching your tent within 150 meters of a private house (which is very easy up there!)
10. Saksun Beach – Faroe Islands
Remote, mystical, and like stepping into a painting.
Tucked away in a steep-walled valley on Streymoy island, in the heart of the Faroe Islands, Saksun Beach isn’t your typical sun-and-sand affair. It’s more like walking into a Norse legend. A tidal lagoon leads to a black-sand beach framed by dramatic cliffs and moody skies. You might be the only person there — apart from a few sheep who clearly own the place. Time your visit with low tide and bring your best raincoat.
Find Jake!
How we chose these beaches
We didn’t Google “best beaches.” We went. We swam. We sometimes got lost or sunburnt. This list reflects places that felt magical, not just looked good on a drone shot. We leaned toward quieter spots, local faves, and beaches that came with a side of adventure.
Costa Brava post card near Begur, Catalonia
Travel tips for exploring Europe’s beaches
Time it right
June and September are your best friends. July and August? Chaos. If you don’t mind colder waters, just travel any time off season. We find winter by the sea to be absolutely magical! And obviously, prices will be much cheaper. You can get an awesome accommodation with a view for a steal! Car rentals and flights will also be cheaper.
Pack smarter
Always have a quick-dry towels in your backpack in case you find a hidden gem on your hike. Always have good shoes, water and snacks. There’s nothing like a delicious snack with a view after a refreshing swim!
Respect the place
Don’t litter. Don’t blast music to respect everyone’s peace. Don’t feed the seagulls unless you want war. And, if you can, wear reef and sea life-friendly sunscreen. Thaaaaank yooooou (in whale language).
Get travel insurance if needed
Do you need a travel insurance? Get a 5% discount (sometimes up to 15% if there’s an offer) with our partner HeyMondo.
Here is our favorite summer playlist (ok, maybe it won’t work with our favorite Arctic beaches…)
So, which one’s calling your name? Pack your sunscreen, your swimsuit (unless you visit a nude beach), your sense of wonder — but most of all, bring your curiosity. The perfect European beach isn’t just about the sand or the views; it’s the way the wind smells different, the way your feet hit the ground, the quiet thrill of finding a place that feels like yours. So go find your beach. And if it’s not on this list—maybe that’s even better.
