European Beaches

As one of the hottest vacation spots worldwide, Europe is home to a number of beautiful, luxurious beaches. However, with such a large number of resorts to choose from, many people grow confused about what sites are really worth seeing. Algarve, which makes up the southernmost region of Portugal, contains a strip of homely beaches that most tourists find satisfying. The beaches range from sheltered coves to sandy coasts and provide a viewpoint of the glistening seafront. The beaches have grown so popular that they have become the heart of the Algarve economy. As a primary attraction, the beaches draw tourists from all over the world. In addition, several forms of employment, such as lifeguards and safety patrol, are dependent on the business that the beaches are generating each season.

French Riviera

One can’t discuss Europe’s finest beaches without mentioning the French Riviera. Known in French as the Côte d’Azur, the Riviera stretches along the eastern corner of France and is credit as one of the first resorts areas to ever be established. The Mediterranean climate provides a comfortable atmosphere. However, the coastline contains several microclimates, which causes many tourists to explore the great lengths of the beaches. What’s unique about the location is that the beaches are surrounded by the Alps mountain range, which consequently prevents the area from getting too warm. The French Riviera hosts several notable events, including the International Circus Festival of Monte-Carlo, making it a featured attraction in France. It should be noted that several famous figures have spent significant times of their lives at this location. For instance, Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier of Monaco engaged in holy matrimony at the French Riviera.

Lanzarote

Finally, one beach that many have discussed as pleasant is Playa Blanca, or “White Beach.” Located on the Spanish island of Lanzarote, this location features several distinguished beaches, including Playa Flamingo and Playa Dorada. What’s interesting about this beach is that it is slowly becoming a growing industrialized location, recently implementing a school, church, and transportation system. Just north of the beach is Timanfaya National Park, an astounding parkland made up of volcanic soil. Playa Blanca provides an exceptional view of the Atlantic coast and is slowly growing to become one of the most recognized vacation spots in the world.

While France is certainly a small country by size, it no doubt provides its inhabitants with distinguished oceanic scenery. Bordering the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, France has a number of beautiful beaches that have drawn tourists from all over the world. The first beach worth considering is Saint-Jean de Luz, a beach just a few minutes from Spain. Located in the developing Basque County, Saint-Jean de Luz attracts many travelers on their way to Spain, since it is the last major town on the southern tip of France. Saint-Jean de Luz’s economy is experiencing steady growth; it is filled with coffee shops, shopping centers, and even offers year-round surfing lessons. The sea-based spa therapy is also known to be a featured attraction that the beach offers.

Many have complained that Saint-Jean de Luz, while charming and enjoyable, is in an area that is too condensed. One of the main issues of concern is the lack of parking spaces, which is expected to be addressed in the near future. If Saint-Jean de Luz isn’t feasible, then La Grande Motte may be more suitable. Just a short distance from the city of Montpellier, La Grande Motte offers several activities that make it not only a beautiful site but a recreational attraction as well. Activities offered include water sports, nature hikes, golf courses, and water parks, making La Grande Motte an appealing vacation spot for the whole family. The beach area also contains diverse wildlife. Do not be surprised to find flamingoes, white horses, and black bulls lurking in the area.

Sete and Argeles sur Mer are just two more of the many relaxation spots located in France. Sete is known as one of the central fishing areas in France. However, the beach area also contains a number of museums that describe the unique history of Sete and its neighbors. A visit to Sete is not complete without a climb on Mont Saint Clair, which provides a stunning perspective of both the city and the sea. Argeles sur Mer is a low-profile location that usually attracts more senior citizens. The beaches located along Cote Vermeille provide for both a peaceful and scenic environment. What’s also fascinating about Argeles sur Mer is that it is not far from Spain. Tourists can drive to and from Spain in a matter of minutes, making Argeles sur Mer an extremely popular travel spot in France.

One of the hottest vacation spots in the world, the French Riviera, contains a number of beaches that are both scenic and entertaining. It comes as no surprise, since France has three different bodies of water along its coastlines. One of the featured towns in the French Riviera, Nice, has an array of beaches that provide a monumental view of the Cote d’Azur, which is the French name for the blue waters of the French Riviera. Most of the notable beaches in France are private. While there are public beaches for those who plan on visiting for a shorter period, the main beach strip in Nice is divided into 15 segments.

The most notable beaches are found on the Route de Plages, which is translated into “Beach Road.” This strip of beaches contains sites that are suitable for people with different levels of excitement. For instance, Moorea and Club 55 are known to be highly appealing to young, single men and women who are looking for a memorable time away from home.

The beaches found in Antibes and Juan constitute roughly 25 miles of coastline, making this strip the longest in the French Riviera. The primary beaches found on this stretch include La Gravette, the central place de Ponteil; and Plage de la Salis. These beaches contain spots that can be small sandy inlets or rocky escapades, thus offering a diverse setting.

In contrast to the beaches found in Antibes, Juan-les-Pins is usually bustling with more excitement. The beaches in this location are known to be an international attraction, as the locations are full of activities for travelers of all ages. The Plage de Juan-les-Pins is the featured vacation spot in town, and is ranked as one of the top beaches in the French Riviera. What’s unique about the beach is the fact that it is primarily made up of sand, since the pebbles are removed quite frequently.

Finally, one can’t speak about the French Riviera without discussing the attractions located in Nice. The primary beach in this town is Beau Rivage, a private beach offering various leisure activities such as parasailing, windsurfing, and jet-skiing. There is also a casino located near this beach. Another neighbor beach in the area that draws much interest is Ruhl.

The abundance of beaches in Greece definitely makes it a noteworthy vacation spot. Greece has a number of small islands that are all full of beaches suitable for different travelers. These islands include Mykoos, Santorini, Naxos, Skiathos, Skopelos, Crete, Paros and Ios. Choosing a beach to visit on one of these islands depends on the desired type vacation, resort and atmosphere a person is seeking.

Sarakiniko Beach is the first location worth noting. It is primarily a sandy beach, both on the coast and in the water. Sarakiniko Beach is known to have the cleanest and purest water, making it a great place for those looking to swim. While it is usually not a nude beach, several people do not hesitate to walk around topless. Located at the southern end of Peloponnese, this spot is definitely worth considering.

Rated as one of the best beaches in Greece, Myrtos is next on the list. Myrtos is found on the west coast of Kefalonia, and it has been recognized not only for its sandy coastline but also the bright white pebbles that have been produced by the shoreline.  What’s unique about Myrtos is the mountain range that surrounds the body of water. In simplest terms, the mountain range forms a basin around the beach, making it a distinguished scenic attraction. The water is also described as crystal clear with very few signs of algae or bacteria. The exclusive shape and framework of this beach definitely make it a sight worth seeing.

Erimoupolis is yet another beach that has been recognized as exceptional in Greece. What’s fascinating about this beach is its location. Erimoupolis is found at the northern tip of Eastern Crete and is surrounded by an ancient cemetery. The name Erimoupolis actually represents the “abandoned town” of Itanos, which one must pass through to get to the beach. The increased popularity of this beach makes it highly congested on summer weekends. Much like Myrtos, the beach is predominantly made up of pebbles as opposed to sand. The rocky hills adjacent to the beach also serve as another activity for those interested in climbing.

Lastly, Myrtidiotissa is a definite attraction located in Greece. Unfortunately, this beach is difficult to reach by car: many tourists need to park and then walk there for that reason. The beach is blanketed by cliffs, preventing the coastline from getting too hot. It is located in Corfu, and nude swimming is quite common at this beach. This site is known to be highly appealing to the younger crowd, and is said to be the most enjoyable beach in Corfu.