There’s no denying that the USA is home to some of the greatest beaches in the entire world. Whether you’re walking on the white quartz sand of Siesta Key in Florida, watching the sunset at Makena Beach in Hawaii, or admiring the awesome rock formations at Cannon Beach in Oregon, it’s hard to imagine another continent being home to so many brilliant coastal wonders.
That is, until you visit Europe, of course! Next time you’re looking to book the ultimate beach holiday, don’t just default to the US of A. Go further afield to Europe and you might stumble upon the best sunbathing spots you’ve ever seen. Consider these locations:
Cala Salada, Ibiza (Spain)
You might not associate party hub Ibiza with the words “rustic” and “secluded”, but Cala Salada beach definitely ticks both those boxes. The beach lies at the foot of a pine forest and is lined by warm turquoise waters. This area of Ibiza coastline is the perfect spot for watching the sun set, and is an ideal place to recover if you’ve been out clubbing the night before and need a little break…
Sarigerme, Dalaman (Turkey)
Dalaman is a district on the southwestern coast of Turkey famous for its charming river delta and the nearby resort towns that attract thousands of tourists every summer. One great spot to consider visiting is Sarigerme, a relaxed seaside village with a stunning stretch of immaculate sandy beach. Because the beach is in a conservation area, you have a pay a small fee to enter it – we think you’ll find it worthwhile for the quality of the sand and the water. Trust us.
Istro, Lassithi (Greece)
You’ll find this excellent, family-friendly beach on the Greek island of Crete. Istro is a resort area in the Lassithi region of Crete, and the main beach is famed for its crystal clear water, white sand and excellent facilities. Even better, the nearby restaurants and tavernas offer lots of opportunity to try some fresh Cretan seafood.
Zlatni Rat, Brac (Croatia)
Croatia is bursting with great beaches and vacation resort towns, but one of the best can be found on the island of Brac. Zlatni Rat is a distinctive spit of sandy land stretching from Brac’s southern coast. Its unusual shape gives it a large area of sand, meaning it is perfect for avid sunbathers. Even better, the water is great for swimming and snorkelling.
Image sourced – Szabolcs Emich (CC BY 2.0)
Coral Bay, Paphos (Cyprus)
Another beach resort town here, this time in Cyprus, Coral Bay is just a short drive from the town of Paphos. It boasts an excellent Blue Flag beach, which means it’s extremely safe to swim in. Coral Bay is also lined with plenty of sun loungers, umbrellas and beach bars, making it the perfect place to spend the entire day.
