Islands and Beaches in Europe
Europe is not short of beaches and islands, many of which offer year-round good weather. Some beaches, however, are not suitable for families or those looking for rest and relaxation such as certain beaches in Ibiza or Torremolinos, while others offer nothing but peace and quiet.
If you are not on a tight budget you may consider traveling to exclusive resorts in St Tropez and other destinations on the Côte d’Azur while money conscious people would be more suited to popular destinations in Spain and Portugal.
Eastern Europe boasts a number of beaches which are underdeveloped in comparison to many on the western coast, but this is part of their attraction. Islands in the Adriatic Sea offer peace, quiet and the chance to see the natural beauty that exists before major development takes place.
Ibiza, Spain: Ibiza is very popular with the younger generation and has become known as the ultimate party island. Clubs on the island are open 24-hours and famous DJs from around the world arrive to play to the crowds.
St Tropez, France : St Tropez is luxury at its very best. A very exclusive beach located on the Côte d’Azur, it boasts famous stars as its guests with the street-lined cafés, harbor and pristine beaches offering the ultimate in style, serenity and beauty.
Algarve, Portugal: The Algarve is a stunning beach perfect for those who want an active beach holiday or for those who want to take it easy and get away from it all. The beaches are ideal for surfing or parasailing and at night the towns come to life with cafés, bars and fine restaurants.
Southeast England, England : England is the home of the seaside and many of its coastal towns still boast the traditional seaside atmosphere with buckets and spades for sale in every shop and sticks of rock the perfect souvenir. Some of the best beaches on the south coast include Bournemouth and Brighton.
Corsica Island, France: This stylish French island is one of the primary destinations for fans of every kind of water sport. The island boasts 600 miles of coastline, many of which are deserted beaches and coves.
Costa Brava, Spain: This area of Spain is on the north east coast and combines traditional Spanish culture with modern ways of living. There are many small beaches which are bypassed by tourists but are perfect for simply getting away from it all.
Kolocep Island, Croatia: One of the Elafiti Islands in the Adriatic Sea, Kolocep is literally opposite Dubrovnik and boasts stunning secluded beaches which have not yet been exposed to hordes of tourists. While standards of facilities might not be quite up to other beach destinations, there is no better place to experience tranquility.
Ghadira Bay, Malta : This is the most popular beach in the country. It is easily accessible from anywhere on the island and boasts golden sand and crystal clear sea. Many families like it here due to the shallow sea which is perfect for young children. It can get busy in the summer months.
Mondello Lido Beach, Sicily: Sicily is home to a number of stunning beaches as well as traditional villages and fine dining opportunities. Try the fashionable Mondello Lido for an escape from the inner-island summertime heat. There are also smaller islands located off the coast of Sicily which are home to a number of different wildlife species and on the odd occasion, sea turtles.
Erimoupoli Beach, Crete: Crete is the largest of the Greek islands, and is complete with dozens of pretty beaches, some of which become very busy during peak seasons and others which are quiet all year round, like the lovely Erimoupoli.