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.

As one of Europe’s most cherished beach destinations, Côte d’Azur is located on the heart of the French South-eastern coast, and is home to some of the best known luxury resorts in the world. For centuries, European travelers have vacationed in the area, which has become a favorite destination for global celebrities and politicians, ranging from European royalty to American pop stars. Centered around the city of Nice, a variety of well known resort towns are found in the region including Cannes, home of the famous film festival, as well as Monaco, a favored destination for the world’s wealthiest citizens.

Throughout its history, the Riviera has been influenced by a wide variety of cultures including the ancient Greeks and Romans, along with modern French culture stemming from the country’s royal traditions. In the 19th century, the coastline became a prime destination for British, American and Italian travelers who began to extensively develop the area with villas, railways and a variety of entertainment venues. At the heart of the area, the Monaco Royalty developed a number of casinos and high-end resorts to cater to the world’s most discerning travelers, including British royalty. In the wake of the Second World War, the Cannes Film Festival highlighted the Riviera’s role in world culture, which has been held annually dating back to 1946.

Along the coastal area, a wide variety of resort towns feature world class beaches and accommodations, including Antibes, Villenuve Loubet, Saint Raphael and Cannes, among others. With a sunny, hot climate during the summer and a mild winter, travelers can enjoy the beaches year round, although the vacation season from February to August; this season features a wide variety of Festivals ranging from the Cannes International Film Festival to the Grand Prix Monaco Formula One Races (in May) to the Nice Jazz Festival in July, rounding out a complete entertainment tradition.

Located on the Southern English coast, Brighton’s famous waterfront Pier forms the core of the city’s tourist attractions, which attract millions of travelers each year. With a local population nearing ½ million, the city has a balance of a vibrant tourist industry, centered around its beaches and nightlife, along with a bustling commercial life including its various medical research institutions.

Known as the Palace Pier, the city’s pier has been the center of social activity, and a number of leading restaurants, amusement rides and entertainment shows near the city’s beaches. Both at night and during the day, the Pier forms the core of entertainment activity in the city. One the other side of the city, the beach front areas are demarcated by the West Pier, which was damaged by a variety of natural disasters and remains under restoration to this day. Between the two piers, the beach front life of the cities revolves around a variety of clubs, arcades and vendors who congregate along the popular beach areas. With keen attention paid to maintaining the ecological life of the marine area, the city has been issued a blue flag certification for its environmental protection measures with respect to marine and beach life.

Running along the marina area, a number of beach sport events are held, ranging from volleyball tournaments to competitive games, especially during the spring and summer months. A vibrant local music scene frequently hosts large public concerts, along with private shows in the areas many clubs. An annual Arts Festival is held every May, which includes a wide variety of artistic performances, ranging from music to theater, which draws art critics, fans and travelers to the area during the beginning of the summer. In addition to relaxing on the Beach, Brighton has an active cultural and culinary scene which makes it one of Britain’s most exciting vacation spots.

Spanish Beaches

Nested in the Southern Andalusia region of Spain, Tarifa is a small community of just 18,000 with a vibrant tourist community. Located on the Costa de La Luz off the Straits of Gibraltar, the city is roughly 150 miles outside of Seville and draws visitors from throughout Spain and Portugal.

The city’s historic tradition includes a number of original castles including Castillo de Guzman, which is a symbol of the region’s strong classical tradition dating back to the Middle Ages. In addition to exploring the historic center of the city, visitors enjoy popular water sports off the coast, as well as some of the finest beaches in all of Spain. Well-crafted architecture and traditional buildings accent the city’s natural beauty, which is replete with unique migratory birds, palm trees and a number of well kept natural gardens.

The nearby Malaga Airport is easily accessible from most regional destinations, and is a quick flight from any Spanish flight. While you can also take a bus to the area (by connecting through Algeciras), the relatively low fares make it more convenient to take a flight on a regional airline. Arriving into he city, travelers will find a number of transportation options including car rentals and cabs, which can take you into the heart of the town.

With nearly 50 kilometers of beaches, most resort and villa areas feature private beaches which are right off the water. In addition to the fantastic beaches, guests enjoy a variety of windsurfing and water sports, with classes and training available for beginniners to truly enjoy the coast. Accomodations range from rental villas to bed and breakfast hotels to full service resorts, giving travelers a variety of hotel options.

A small coastal town an hour outside of Rome, Terracina is one of Europe’s finest beach destinations. With an ancient tradition, the city played a core role during the Roman Empire, where the orator Livy once referred to it as prona a paludes (“situated in the marshes”) for its strategic harbor near the Pontine Marsh on the western coast of Italy.

During its early history, the City served as a maritime port for the Roman Navy and ran along with Appian Way (via Appia), increasing its strategic importance for the Empire. The ancient architecture in the era reflects this rich history, including a number of temples and monuments that reflect the core of Roman culture. Over the years, the core buildings in the area have held up well, and even continued development in the Catholic tradition during the Middle Ages including the Cathedral de Pietro e Cesareo, although the region became a flash point during the Second World War conflict.

Visitors to the area generally arrive by way of economy flights (which takes roughly ½ hour) or by train. Roughly 100 kilometers outside of Rome, the city is easily accessible from the capital, and is a popular vacation spot for both locals, as well as regional travelers from the UK, Italy and France. Most of the resorts in the area feature private beaches, which are known for their relaxing beach fronts as well as local markets, historic buildings and a mix of ancient and modern culture.

Some of the leading hotels in the area are located in the Historic Center of the city, and include Casa Barbara, Trimalcioni and Casa Maria. The majority of hotels in the Center are traditional apartments or villas, which have been converted into rental rooms, offering a wonderful experience for travelers and visitors. Visitors can also enjoy traditional resort hotels outside of the center of the city, where amenities include pools and traditional hotel services.

Located in the heart of the southern French Riviera, Saint Tropez has a historic tradition, dating back to its ancient Occitan culture as well as its more modern role in the liberation of the country during the Second World War. A core part of French culture dating back to the 17th century, when the area formally became a part of the country under Louis XIV, Tropez forms a commercial and travel hub for the continent. During the 19th century, the port stood as one of the most bustling trade bases in all of Europe, although it has evolved into a modern tourist community.

Accessible by way of ferry or bus, Tropez is just an hour outside of mainland France, and draws a number of visitors from the country during the travel season. In addition to hosting a number of natural beaches and water sports, Tropez is also home to a rich art tradition, anchored at the Musee de l’Annonciade (Museum of Annuciation) which is housed in building dating back to the 16th century, which displays traditional French art ranging from Braque to Matisse.The area is home to several pristine, private and public beaches, including:

La Bouillabaisse
Situated near the center of the city, this public beach is an ideal destination for families, as there is plenty of room and a variety of activities and food.

Plage de Pampelonee
One of the most popular beach destinations, Pampelonne is a top sun bathing destination with pristine white sands, an active waterfront and a vibrant night life.

Plage de la Briande
As a relatively more tranquil beach, Plage is accessible only by foot (roughly a 1.5 hour trek), but offers beautiful scenery that makes it well worth the walk.

Plage de la Moutee
Another isolated beach, la Moutee is roughly 3 miles from the main part of the city, and its beautiful sunsets make it ideal for romantic excursions and long walks.