It's time to start booking your summer vacations. And, of course, summer often means lounging on the beach! So, where can you go for a beach vacation? Whether in France, the rest of Europe or the other side of the world, on a limited budget or with a well-stocked wallet, the options seem endless for putting down your towel and taking a dip. Here's a look at some of the Petit Futé team's favorites.
Where to go on beach vacations in France?
Corsica's coastline, which includes our top 15 most beautiful beaches, is highly varied but mostly sublime. The vast sandy strip of the eastern coast, sometimes cut by ponds and lagoons, offers beautiful beaches with the graceful curves of its dunes. The southern and western coasts are very indented. To the north, Calvi boasts some of the island's finest beaches. Higher up, the coast becomes gentler. Northern Corsica is known for the gentle landscapes of Balagne and the desolate Agriate mountains nearby. Their coasts are punctuated by small coves topped by promontories delicately sculpted by erosion. The Cap Corse peninsula offers a much more rugged and wild terrain. Finally, to the south, the Bonifacio area is famous for the rugged beauty of its limestone cliffs, which plunge vertiginously into the sea and open onto caves.
The mild Mediterranean climate and exceptional landscapes make the Var a destination of choice. From Porquerolles, one of our 17 hottest destinations in France to visit this year, to Saint-Tropez and the Verdon gorges, visitors can enjoy a wide range of landscapes. Well-known for its seaside resorts, the Var coast invites you to bathe in its crystal-clear waters. Beaches are, in fact, one of the department's strong points. Whether it's a stretch of pebbles, fine sand or secluded coves, you're sure to find the perfect place to lay your towel! We particularly liked Plage de l'Estagnol in Bormes-les-Mimosas, Plage de Pampelonne in Ramatuelle, one of our 15 most beautiful beaches on the Côte d'Azur, and Plage Notre-Dame in Hyères.
Before you leave, if you're promised year-round sunshine, superb sandy beaches and warm turquoise seas, you might think the postcard is too good to be true... But Guadeloupe has it all! From the 70 kilometers of fine sand that line the aptly-named Karukera ("island of beautiful waters"), Guadeloupe boasts large coves of blond or red sand in Basse-Terre (between Sainte-Rose and Pointe-Noire), wild volcanic beaches of gray or black sand, and white sandy beaches (from Gosier to Moule)... Swimming spots abound! In Les Saintes, even the smallest cove is home to a small beach. Marie-Galante is lined with 12 of them, including one 12 km long (Folle-Anse). La Désirade offers "only" its south coast to bathers (Baie-Mahault, Souffleur and Fifi beaches).
Where to go on a family beach vacation?
With its 460 kilometers of coastline and exceptional microclimate, Charente-Maritime is the perfect place to enjoy a swim . Numerous family-friendly seaside resorts dot the coastline. Saint-Palais-sur-Mer, with its villas and maritime pine forest, is famous for its many beaches, including the Conche de Nauzan and the 5 km-long Grande Côte. In Royan, you can bathe in the Belle Epoque spirit at Pontaillac beach, while Châtelaillon-Plage boasts a 3 km stretch of sand. And let's not forget the islands and their wide variety of beaches. Oléron, Aix and Ré (especially La Couarde-sur-Mer) have numerous beaches. Every summer, the island of Oléron welcomes a host of tourists eager to enjoy its long sandy beaches, from the west coast (sandy beaches appreciated for their waves) to the northeast coast (recommended for families, as the ocean is calmer there).
The Ionian Islands bo astsome of the most beautiful beaches in Greece, and indeed in the whole of the Mediterranean! In Zante, the Bay of the Shipwreck has often been voted one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. In Cephalonia, Myrto Beach looks like a postcard. In Lefkada, endless white sand beaches such as Porto Katsiki and Egremni give you the impression of being in the Caribbean. In Paxos or Ithaca, small coves with crystal-clear waters attract sailing enthusiasts. Scuba diving is available in Corfu, Lefkada and Zakynthos. Zakynthos, where the natural marine park is home to Caretta caretta turtles, dolphins and monk seals. In between sunbathing sessions, you can also go kitesurfing, windsurfing or sailing. Jet-skiing, towed buoys, water-skiing and wakeboarding are also very popular in high season.
Discover our dedicated article What to do in the Greek islands? The 20 most beautiful islands to discover.
Split between the English Channel and the Atlantic Ocean, Brittany, one ofthe best destinations for family vacations, is enveloped by coastlines as diverse as they are exceptional. In the north, the view is generally more grandiose than in the south. The proportions seem more disproportionate, as if a giant's hand had shaped these landscapes where man seems minuscule. The west is a balcony overlooking the sea, while the south, from the Pointe de la Torche to La Turballe, is sunnier. But what the beaches of Brittany have in common is their fine sand, which varies from blond to white depending on the color of the day. Among the most beautiful in Brittany: Les Grands Sables in Groix, L'Anse du Verger in Saint Coulomb, Langoz in Loctudy, les Sables-d'Or in Fréhel, la Grève des Curés in Trégastel, les Blancs Sablons in Conquet, la Mine d'or in Pénestin, Pen Bron in La Turballe, la plage du Sillon in Saint-Malo...
Where to go on vacation in France for less?
With its 140 kilometers of beaches, from the coves of Ile d'Yeu to the long, gently sloping sandy beaches of Saint-Jean-de-Monts or the bay of Sables-d'Olonne, one of our top 20 most beautiful beaches in France, the Vendée is a paradise for bathing! Whether in the ocean on one of Vendée's many beaches, or in lakes and rivers, the Vendée, one of our 16 destinations where you can go on vacation in France with children, offers plenty of opportunities for swimming. In the Vendée, we particularly liked the Noirmoutier peninsula. The dunes and pine-lined beaches are legion. You'll want to put down your towel at Bois de la Chaize, home to some magnificent villas, or on the beaches of Souzeaux and Dames, which have retained the retro charm of early 19th-century seaside resorts.
Normandy offers a wide range of options for those who don't want to break the bank. From the D-Day beaches, which in 2024 will be the venue for the celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of the Allied landings, to the cliffs of Etretat in Seine-Maritime, via the Manche and Siouville-Hague, the scenery is superb. In Calvados, it seems that Trouville also has its enthusiasts. And water sports clubs everywhere offer a long list of activities, including sand yachting... or longe-côte: halfway between the seaside and the sea, this aquatic walk is practised in a diving suit. Last but not least, a trip to the seaside is well worth a boat trip to discover the region's pretty spots in a different way.
Discover our Top 15 of Normandy's most beautiful beaches.
The beaches of the Landes are also very popular as soon as the first rays of sun arrive. It has to be said that there are plenty of holiday resorts to choose from. Families will particularly enjoy the lively seaside resorts of Mimizan-Plage and Vieux-Boucau-les-Bains. Of course, the Côte d'Argent is also a paradise for surfers, who can enjoy the internationally-renowned main spots of Hossegor's Plage de la Gravière, Biscarosse, Seignosse and Capbreton.
Where to go on vacation on paradise beaches?
The Seychelles beaches? Paradise on earth! It's impossible to find a better place on the planet. There are countless postcard-perfect beaches just for you, with white sand and coconut palms galore, as pure as the day you arrived, no deckchairs or parasols, no ice cream or pareo vendors. For most of them, not even a straw hut in the back with cold beer. While some of the wildly beautiful beaches can be dangerous, the majority are protected by coral reefs. The most recommended are Beau Vallon, Anse Royale, Petite Anse, Anse Soleil and Port Launay on Mahé; Côte d'Or, Anse Lazio and Anse Georgette on Praslin; Grand Anse, Anse Source d'Argent and Anse Patates on La Digue. Not to be missed!
The dream beaches alone have made the Bahamas famous. They unfurl their idyllic bangs of fine white, golden or pink sand along a sea of incredibly clear, translucent waters. Blonde, golden, pink, immaculate white, flooded with sunshine and refreshed by gentle breezes, shaded by pine trees or hemmed in by coconut palms, wild and secret, hidden at the bottom of deep coves, lulled by the lapping of lagoons or swept by the fiery waves of the Atlantic Ocean, intimate and nonchalant or vibrant with activity and surveyed by sports enthusiasts of all stripes, Bahamian beaches have a thousand faces... It's up to you to choose yours! We particularly liked the Abacos, with its famous pig beach, and Great Exuma, with its azure lagoon.
In Bali, the sea is everywhere, a common landmark throughout the immense archipelago. And everywhere, it's turquoise blue, lining beaches each more beautiful than the last. You'll be spoilt for choice when it comes to sunbathing... and dipping! And don't hesitate to treat yourself to a boat trip, a scuba diving outing or a snorkeling session. The seabed is among the most beautiful and richest in fish in the world. And for surfers, Bali offers some incredible spots. You can also indulge in all kinds of motorized water sports (jet-skiing, water-skiing...). Last but not least, many visitors also enjoy boat trips to observe wild dolphins, of which there are many around Lovina Beach.
Where to go on seaside vacations in Europe?
Once you've seen Sardinia's beaches, you'll find it hard to go anywhere else. They're beautiful, beautiful, beautiful! What more can we say? That the Sardinians have, of course, always been in love with them. They go there to sunbathe, play ball and take a dip dozens of meters from the coast. Along the beaches, small or large and often of white sand, you'll see small groups chatting in the sea, with water up to their mid-calf. Of course, the sea is also a great playground for sailing, scuba diving, windsurfing, kitesurfing, surfing, wakeboarding and kayaking. Don't miss the chance to sunbathe on La Spiaggia Rosa, one of our top 15 most beautiful beaches in Europe, La Pelosa, Berchida, Chia, Capriccioli or Cala Luna beach.
Whether fine sand or pebbles, small coves (calas) or stretches as far as the eye can see, the Balearics and Mallorca in particular (did you know? You can even get there without taking a plane! ) offer an impressive diversity of beaches of all kinds. Whether you're a naturist, a sports enthusiast or a budding sunbather, there's something for everyone. Most of the water is crystal-clear. The beaches are not really dangerous, but the rocks can be. Watch out for diving! On the island, our favorite sandbanks are Es Trenc beach, Cala Ratjada beach, Cala Matzoc beach and Coll Baix beach.
With over 150 km of ocean coastline (Costa Vicentina and Algarve), the Algarve abounds in beaches and coves. The water is often cool, between 14 and 22°C, depending on the season. But make no mistake: just because the Algarve is a small territory doesn't mean the beaches don't reflect the country's diversity. The coastline includes "Californian" beaches with bike and rollerblade paths around Albufeira, pebble beaches, windsurfing spots at Praia do Faro, bodyboarding and surfing on the south-western coast, secluded coves and a wild coastline along the Costa Vicentina. There is an infinite variety of beaches in this region.
