On the abandoned beach, shells and crustaceans.... Are you already thinking about your future swimsuit? We understand you! Europe is full of splendid beaches to refresh you when the sun comes out. Wild or jet-set, towel or private sunbathing: it's up to you! From Portugal to Greece, Germany and Italy, Petit Futé offers you its ranking of the most beautiful beaches in Europe.
Beaches of Sylt Island, Germany
The island of Sylt is the jewel of the Wadden Sea and the largest of the islands in the Friesland archipelago. Its extensive sandy beaches and almost lunar dunes seduce even the most resistant to the jet-set atmosphere that prevails there. Because yes, even if Sylt remains the most secret of holiday resorts because of its geographical position, it has welcomed a good number of people. Brigitte Bardot came for example to look for a little peace and quiet, far from her very dear Saint-Trop'... A very wild beach in!
Ksamil Beaches, Albania
Albania is a country that is still unknown, and that is a pity! It conceals sublime and still wild landscapes to discover. This is the case of the beaches of Ksamil, in the south of the country. In this small paradise, the water is clear and the climate Mediterranean. The islets around Ksamil are real little wonders that can often be reached by swimming! In short: enjoy it quickly before the region sees tourism develop!
Balos Beach and Lagoon, Crete
Balos beach can only be reached by boat or on foot, via a rocky track. That's what makes this place so charming... Once there, paradise is yours! The beach is divided into different lagoons, each more blue than the next, and swimming is a real treat. A word of advice: don't forget your masks and snorkels, the seabed is spectacular!
Irakli Beach, Bulgaria
Irakli Beach is one of the few beaches in the Black Sea that is still preserved. Far from the large hotel complexes and the ravages of human intervention in the region, it is still wild and shelters a rich and rare fauna and flora. On July 1st, many Bulgarians and visitors gather there to celebrate the "July Morning" and spend the night by the sea waiting for the sunrise. During the whole summer season, the sand is occupied by several tents here and there... Irakli is indeed a real paradise for all those looking for an alternative holiday in a lush natural setting.
Navagio Beach, Greece
Navagio beach is certainly the most beautiful beach in Greece. It owes its name to the shipwreck that took place there some twenty years ago, leaving an abandoned ship on the sand. This old carcass gives a certain charm to the place and a wild look. The gigantic cliffs surrounding the beach allow you to rest in the shade in a spectacular setting. Navagio is accessible mainly by boat. A little jewel of the Ionian islands...
The "Spiaggia rosa", Sardinia
Between Corsica and Sardinia, the "Spiaggia rosa" is located on the Isola di Budelli in the Maddalena archipelago. The pink colour of its sand is due to a micro-organism that lives in posidonia, a plant found on the coastal seabed. Since 1999, it has been prohibited to swim and dock along its waters in order to safeguard its particular ecosystem. You can still admire this preserved landscape in the distance during a boat trip. A real paradise...
Praia da Marinha, Portugal
Located in the Algarve, in the south of Portugal, Praia da Marinha has received the "Golden Beach" award from the Portuguese government for its natural preservation. Its incredible ochre cliffs sculpted by erosion blend with the crystalline colours of the sea. A wonderful landscape that calls for idleness...
Beach of Saleccia, Corsica
Saleccia is well deserved: it can be reached by sea or by a rocky hiking trail. But once there, you immediately fall under the spell of this pearl of the desert. Yes, the beach is in the Agriates in Corsica, the last European desert. Here, everything is still wild... So much so that the cows of the maquis come early in the morning to enjoy the transparent water and the white sand. A real show! Considered one of the most beautiful beaches in Corsica, Saleccia seduces by its natural beauty and tranquility. A true haven of peace...
Cabo de Gata, Spain
In the province of Almería, in Andalusia, there is a fabulous site: Cabo de Gata. A succession of picturesque villages, volcanic lands and splendid beaches, the Cape is the ideal place to discover southern Spain. Among the many villages in the natural park, the one of "Las Negras" is unmissable. This former fishing village is now a holiday resort from which you can reach "Agua Amarga" and its beaches and coves still unspoilt. To discover!
Beaches of Stromboli, Sicily
Stromboli is one of the Aeolian Islands, off the coast of Sicily. Here, as in the entire Aeolian Archipelago, it is not long white sandy beaches that you will find... but black sand! It is the volcanic activity of this area that makes its beaches so special. And if you don't want to do too much idleness, you can even start climbing the volcano! Stromboli and its particular atmosphere will hardly leave you insensitive...
