Ghajn Tuffieha bay in Malta, voted the most beautiful beach in Europe.
Golden sand beaches in the Algarve and the Canary Islands, wild secret counterparts in Greece, others with therapeutic power in Italy and lush, green beaches in Albania — they all grace this year’s rankings of the Most Beautiful Beaches in Europe assembled by the European Best Destinations (EBD) organization, with something for everyone.
Based on the votes of 103,224 worldwide travellers from 116 countries, the 15 beaches selected include secluded, popular and wild beaches for romantic escapes or family adventures; feature every activity, from intense water sports to unspoiled nature for walks, and t are also the safest for sunny European holidays.
Malta leads the EBD ranking with a golden sandy beach located near Mellieha, a destination recognized by the European Commission for its commitment to sustainability.
Greece has five beaches on the list: Canal d’Amour, Porto Timoni, St Paul Bay, Porto Katsiki and Vai beach, making it the the most awarded country in this year’s ranking.
Spain has three beaches on the list: the highly popular Las Teresitas in Tenerife, the ‘secret’ beach of As Catedrais in Galicia, and the Miami look-a-like Calpe beach on the Costa Blanca.
Southwest Portugal features two beaches in the ranking: Monte Clerigo and Odeceixe, both located in Aljezur, in the Algarve, near the Alentejo border. They are part of the Vicentina Natural Coastal Park, a protected reserve.
Ghajn Tuffieha bay with the remains of the Roman baths, Malta.
1. Malta, Ghajn Tuffieha Bay Beach, Mellieha
Located near the coastal town of Mellieha, awarded for its commitment to sustainable tourism by the European Commission, Ghajn Tuffieha Bay, with its glorious cliffs, sand beach and remains of Roman baths was the most voted for sunny holidays in Malta.
“This beach offers high standards of cleanliness and services. Restaurants and snack bars, sunbeds and water activities also available” writes EBD.
Accessible by ferry and boat are the small, picturesque islands of Gozo and Comino (home to the beautiful Blue Lagoon between the islands) that are part of the Maltese archipelago.
The organization recommends Malta, located in the central Mediterranean between Sicily and the North African coast, as a destination “with a unique offer of outdoor activities including hiking, biking, horse riding, paddle, snorkeling, diving and other water sports” for lovers, families and foodies.
The architecture and colors in Valleta, Malta’s capital, are spectacular with the blue Mediterranean as backdrop.
Malta has been ranked as the Best LGBTQ+ destination yet again this year by EBD, as well as Best Destination to Dive in Europe and among the Best Destinations in Europe for family holidays.
Malta was also voted as the third best destination to visit in Europe in 2024.
View of the Monte Clerigo beach on the western coastline of Portugal’s Algarve region, near Aljezur, … [+]
2. Portugal, Monte Clerigo Beach, Aljezur, Algarve
Unspoiled nature, a fishing village with colourful houses nearby, several bars, restaurants that grill fresh fish, dunes to hide from the sun and the beauty of nature surrounding it: That’s the description of Monte Clerigo beach, by EBD.
Thirty kilometers north of Lagos, it’s nestled between the Alentejo region, renowned worldwide for its vineyards, reefs, extensive sandy beaches that attract celebrities and the sunny Algarve region with its long Atlantic beaches and golf resorts.
Monte Clerigo is also one of the most beautiful beaches in Portugal.
Aljezur, with authentic gastronomy, good wines breathtaking nature and centuries-old traditions, is a picturesque, small market town of whitewashed houses and cobbled streets.
Aljezur is close to a number of great beaches including Arrifana, Carrapateira, Amoreira and Bordeira, all within the Parque Natural do Sudoeste Alentejano e Costa Vicentina, a strip of coastline protected from development.
Paraglider flying at Fethiye over Blue lagoon in Oludeniz, Turkey
3. Turkey, Ölüdeniz Beach, Fethiye, Mugla
Ölüdeniz Beach, otherwise known as Blue Lagoon, surrounded by impressive coves, is lauded as one of Turkey’s treasures.
A nature reserve with the calm lagoon and a curved beach ending in an isthmus, it’s popular for water sports and appears as one of the most beautiful beaches in Turkey.
The best activity here could be renting a lounge chair to enjoy the sun and the tranquil waters while watching the yachts at sea. But visitors also can hire a paddleboard, engage in paragliding, swimming or scuba diving.
Although the beach is considered a ‘hidden’ gem, unless you arrive early in the morning or late in the day, it’s crowded. Access is via a single road that can get busy. Renting bikes is advised.
Corfu, the famous canal d’amour beach with tourists and umbrellas on a summer’s day
4. Greece, Canal d’Amour, Sidari, Corfu Island
Canal d’ Amour Beach is one of the most famous ‘secret’ beaches in the village of Sidari on Corfu Island.
The beach is surrounded by unusual sandstone formations that make a long, narrow channel to which it owes its name. “Canal d’amour” comes from a French navigator who found a similarity between the shape of this beach and the shape of a female sex organ.
This stunning natural beach is quite small. But visitors also sunbathe on the adjacent rocks. On site there are sunbeds and umbrellas, while above sit a restaurant and a hotel.
According to tradition, couples swimming in this channel of love will get married within 12 months. Find out for yourself.
Aerial view of Porto Timoni, Afionas region, Corfu
5. Greece, Porto Timoni, Corfu
For the second time, Porto Timoni in Corfu rises to the rankings of the Best Beaches in Europe. It also appears as one of the most beautiful beaches in Greece.
Located in Corfu, one of the best-known Greek islands and among its greenest thanks to abundant winter rains, Porto Timoni “hides” in a secluded location and offers two beaches — one open to the sea, the other to a lagoon.
Perfect for snorkeling, Porto Timoni is a lush green paradise. “Take good shoes with you because it’s a long rocky hike to get there,” EBD advises.
“Park at “Afionas Parking” (5 euros for the day) and walk 20 minutes. Take food and drink with you and don’t forget to leave only traces of your feet on the beach.”
With a mix of Venetian, French and British cultures, close to Italy and Albania, Corfu is an island rich in history, with picturesque landscapes, beautiful beaches and good climate throughout the year.
View of San Andres village and Las Teresitas beach, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain
6. Spain, Las Teresitas Beach, Santa Cruz de Tenerife – Canary Islands
Las Teresitas is considered the most beautiful beach in the Canaries and the Spanish archipelago off the coast of northwestern Africa one of the most popular summer destinations in Europe.
The beach is suitable for families, for lazy afternoons on sunbeds, swimming and taking walks in the golden sand -which comes from the Sahara, or dive in warm waters all year round.
The beach is located in a protected bay in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, the capital of the main island of the Canaries, surrounded by cliffs and nature and near the authentic village of San Andrés.
The Santa Cruz town hall (capital of the main island of the Canaries) has voluntarily applied a policy of affordable prices, free parking, deckchairs for 4 euros per day to make it accessible to everyone.
Colorful ,Odeceixe beach in Aljezur – Algarve, Portugal, in the full strength of the Summer.
7. Portugal, Odeceixe Beach, Aljezur – Algarve
“Odeceixe Beach” at the border of Portugal’s Alentejo and the Algarve is described by the Portuguese as one of the wonders of the country.
Odeceixe beach, with its river beach and shallow waters, will suit nature lovers, families and also surfers.
The village of Odeceixe is worth the visit, with traditional architecture, local restaurants and regional specialties.
View of St. Paul’´s bay and ancient temple of goddess Athena on acropolis of Lindos (Rhodes, Greece)
8. Greece, St Paul Bay Beach, Lindos – Rhodes Island
One of the most beautiful secret beaches in Greece, St Paul Bay beach in the Southeast of Rhodes, is one of the most popular beaches in the Greek island, ranked among the Best Islands in Greece.
With crystal clear waters, protected from winds and waves and offering many amenities, it is a great beach for families. It offers the possibility to rent sun loungers and parasols (5-10 euros) and has bars, restaurants.
Lindos is a charming old town wrapped around the ancient Acropolis of Rhodes and spilling down to several beaches including St Paul.
La playa de las Catedrales; the rough waters of the Cantabrian Sea, have sculpted amazing shapes … [+]
9. Spain, As Catedrais beach, Ribadeo – Galicia
Praia das Catedrais on the northwest coast of Spain, is the name given by the tourism industry to the ‘Praia de Aguas Santas’ beach.
Located in the Ribadeo municipality, in the province of Lugo, on the Cantabric coast of the Galicia region, it is a natural monument with flying buttresses that are 30 metres high, sea caves with spired domes, arches within arches and sandy corridors surrounded by slate walls like in a catedral’s central nave.
The beach of the Cathedrals is of fine sand and it has a length of 1400m.
Admire this cathedral in the sea, feet in the water. Check the online tide schedule to be sure to arrive before the start of low tide to enjoy this exceptional place.
“Access to the site is free but to avoid crowds it is restricted to a maximum number of people per day,” EBD warns.. In high season (April-September) it is recommended to book your visit online (free). Parking and toilets are available and free.
Scenic view of sandy beach in Calpe, Spain
10. Spain, Calpe Beach, Alicante – Costa Blanca
Compared with Miami’s or Monaco’s golden sand beaches, Calpe beach in the cosmopolitan town of Calpe with its famous rock, “Penon de Ifach”, is one of the trendiest destinations of the Costa Blanca.
The Rock of Ifach is a natural reserve of flora and fauna located right in the city ‘s centre and accesible through well marked paths and roads.
“Treat yourself to a bird’s eye view while climbing the rock (take good shoes)” EBD recommends. “Our favourite thing in Calpe is swimming in the calm, warm and crystal-clear waters. Even in spring or autumn the temperatures are mild and the beaches so large that they are rarely crowded.
Calpe is also modern, lively and unforgettable.”
People on famous Porto Katsiki beach on southwest part of Lefkada (Levkas) island, Ionian sea, … [+]
11. Greece, Porto Katsiki, Lefkada Island
Located on the Ionian island of Lefkada, Porto Katsiki beach is also in the list of the most beautiful beaches in Greece.
Known as the “goat beach” because in the past, the area was only accessible to goats (the only ones able to climb the steep rocks). Today, paths and stairs allow travellers to to get to the beach which is famed for its landscape and clear blue sea.
Located at the bottom of a concave pale cliff, it is 35 km from Lefkada town, near Athani village.
Park your car in the nearest car park then walk down the stairs
In the background the town of Vieste, overshadowed by the Pizzomunno Monolith (from the local … [+]
12. Italy, Scialara Beach, Vieste – Apulia Region
Also called “Castello Beach,” Scialara is one of the main and most beautiful beaches in Vieste, a coastal town in Gargano National Park, in southeast Italy.
The beach is crossed by different fresh spring water little streams and overshadowed by the “Pizzomunno” an imposing limestone monolith, that in local dialect means peak of cape of the world and is the symbol of the town.
Nearby are the Castello Svevo, a medieval fortress, and the 11th-century Vieste Cathedral, with a baroque bell tower and painted ceiling.
This beautiful beach of fine golden sand of almost 5 km, is perfect for families. The sea is calm and the slope is gentle. You can park nearby and also rent sunbeds with umbrellas, eat and drink at different bars and restaurants and do some shopping.
Town of Grado archipelago and its beaches aerial view, Friuli-Venezia Giulia region of Italy
13. Italy, Grado Beach, Friuli Venezia Giulia
Located in the upper Adriatic Sea, between Venice and Trieste, Grado and its 10 kilometre-long beach displaying the Blue Flag for the quality of its waters, is also called the Island of the Sun, for its iodine-rich microclimate, that makes it ideal for thalassotherapy.
Grado Beach is near the Doge city, in Friuli Venezia Giulia and its sand is known to have regenerative and therapeutic properties.
With an array of Hapsburg-style bathing establishments, 16,000 hectares of lagoon all around dotted with islets, the island of Grado has been a destination for bathing tourism, both Italian and international, for more than a century.
Grado has a wide range of other leisure activities like kite surfing and a lively nightlife without being Ibiza.
Sunshade umbrellas, deckchairs and boats on the beautiful Ksamil beach, Vlore, Ionian sea, Albania, … [+]
14. Albania, Ksamil Beaches, Saranda – Vlore County
The four Ksamili islands of Abania, featuring some of the most beautiful & secret beaches in the country, are admired for their lush, green vegetation throughout the year and can only be accessed by small boats.
Twenty minutes by car from the city centre of Saranda, Ksamil is a village and a former municipality in the riviera of Southern Albania, part of Butrint National Park and one of the European youth capitals.
The islands are among one of the most popular destinations in the region and the area is well known for growing olives, lemons and mandarines. Mussels are farmed in the nearby Butrint Lagoon.
The famous palm forest and beach at Vai, on Eastern Crete, Greece
15. Greece, Vai Beach, Vai – Crete
Vai (in Greek means “palm”) is a region of east Crete between Cape Sidero and Cape Plaka
The beautiful Vai beach of fine sand and pebbles is located at the far eastern tip of Crete. What makes this place unique is its luscious palm forest, the Vai Palmeraie, of a species found only on Crete, that extends to the beach offering one of the rare palm tree beaches to be found in Europe.
“To get the full view go up to the belvedere to admire this site of exceptional beauty, “ EBD advices. “The crystal clear waters rich in fish, the natural palm fiber umbrellas, nature as far as the eye can see, the Cretan sun are all the ingredients needed for a dream vacation.”
Allow 4 euros for parking and 10 euros for the sunbed. Bar sand restaurants on site and toilets available.