Best beaches in Europe in May

Where to go for a beach in Europe in May? These 99 beaches are in their season in May, ranked warmest sea first — so you can chase the warmth early or late in the year. Tap any for its water temperature and best months.

• 
  Cleopatra Beach

  Alanya, Türkiye
• 
  Iztuzu Beach

  Dalyan, Türkiye
• 
  Nissi Beach

  Ayia Napa, Cyprus, Cyprus
• 
  Cirali Beach

  Olympos, Antalya, Türkiye
• 
  Fig Tree Bay

  Protaras, Cyprus, Cyprus
• 
  Phaselis Beach

  Tekirova, Antalya, Türkiye
• 
  Lara Beach

  Antalya, Türkiye
• 
  Makronissos Beach

  Ayia Napa, Cyprus
• 
  Isola Bella

  Taormina, Sicily, Italy
• 
  Ölüdeniz (Blue Lagoon)

  Fethiye, Türkiye
• 
  Patara Beach

  Gelemis, near Kalkan, Türkiye
• Akyaka Beach

  Gökova Gulf, Muğla, Türkiye
• 
  Kaputaş Beach

  Kaş, Türkiye
• 
  Konnos Bay

  Cape Greco, Protaras, Cyprus
• 
  Konyaaltı Beach

  Antalya, Türkiye
• 
  Bitez Beach

  Bodrum Peninsula, Türkiye
• 
  Coral Bay

  Peyia, Paphos, Cyprus
• 
  Fontane Bianche

  Siracusa, Sicily, Italy
• Governor's Beach

  Limassol, Cyprus
• 
  Blue Lagoon

  Comino, Malta
• 
  Mondello

  Palermo, Sicily, Italy
• 
  Vai Beach

  Palekastro, East Crete, Greece
• 
  Agios Prokopios

  Naxos, Greece
• 
  Anthony Quinn Bay

  Faliraki, Rhodes, Greece
• 
  Cala d'Hort

  Ibiza, Balearics, Spain
• 
  Calamosche

  Vendicari, Noto, Sicily, Italy
• 
  Cefalù Beach

  Cefalù, Sicily, Italy
• 
  Falassarna Beach

  Kissamos, West Crete, Greece
• 
  Fornillo Beach

  Positano, Amalfi Coast, Italy
• 
  Golden Bay (Għajn Tuffieħa area)

  Mellieħa, Malta
• 
  Matala Beach

  Matala, Crete, Greece
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  Perissa Beach

  Santorini, Greece
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  Poetto

  Cagliari, Sardinia, Italy
• 
  Prasonisi Beach

  Rhodes, Dodecanese, Greece
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  Scala dei Turchi

  Sicily, Italy
• 
  Spiaggia Grande

  Positano, Amalfi, Italy
• 
  Tsambika Beach

  Rhodes, Greece
• 
  Cala Benirràs

  Ibiza, Balearics, Spain
• 
  Għajn Tuffieħa

  Mellieħa, Malta
• 
  Kedrodasos

  near Elafonissi, Crete, Greece
• 
  Lara Beach

  Akamas Peninsula, Cyprus
• 
  Maronti Beach

  Ischia, Campania, Italy
• 
  Mylopotas Beach

  Ios, Greece
• 
  St Paul's Bay

  Lindos, Rhodes, Greece
• 
  St Peter's Pool

  Marsaxlokk, Malta
• 
  Balos Lagoon

  Crete, Greece
• 
  Elafonissi Beach

  Crete, Greece
• 
  Sarakiniko Beach

  Milos, Greece
• 
  Kathisma Beach

  Lefkada, Greece
• 
  Koukounaries

  Skiathos, Greece
• 
  Porto Timoni

  Afionas, Corfu, Greece
• 
  Red Beach

  Santorini, Greece
• 
  Glyka Nera (Sweetwater)

  Sfakia, Crete, Greece
• 
  Gümüşlük Beach

  Bodrum, Türkiye
• 
  Marina di Alberese

  Maremma Park, Tuscany, Italy
• 
  Xigia Beach

  Zakynthos, Greece
• 
  Playa de Maspalomas

  Maspalomas, Gran Canaria, Spain
• 
  Playa de las Teresitas

  San Andres, Tenerife, Spain
• 
  Playa de los Genoveses

  Cabo de Gata, Almería, Spain
• 
  Playa de Papagayo

  Playa Blanca, Lanzarote, Spain
• 
  Playa de Benijo

  Taganana, Tenerife, Spain
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  Playa de Cofete

  Jandia, Fuerteventura, Spain
• 
  Playa de Las Canteras

  Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, Spain
• 
  Praia da Falesia

  Olhos de Agua, Algarve, Portugal
• 
  Playa de las Conchas

  La Graciosa, Spain
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  Praia do Seixal

  Madeira, Portugal
• 
  Benagil Beach & Cave

  Algarve, Portugal
• 
  Plage de la Cote des Basques

  Biarritz, France
• 
  Praia da Marinha

  Algarve, Portugal
• 
  El Golfo (Charco Verde)

  Lanzarote, Canary Islands, Spain
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  Playa de Famara

  Lanzarote, Canary Islands, Spain
• 
  Playa de Sotavento

  Jandía, Fuerteventura, Spain
• 
  Praia da Rocha

  Portimão, Algarve, Portugal
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  Praia do Camilo

  Lagos, Portugal
• 
  Praia de São Rafael

  Albufeira, Algarve, Portugal
• 
  Playa de Valdevaqueros

  Tarifa, Cádiz, Spain
• 
  Zarautz

  Basque Country, Spain
• 
  Praia do Martinhal

  Sagres, Algarve, Portugal
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  Praia do Guincho

  Cascais, Lisbon Coast, Portugal
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  Praia do Amado

  Carrapateira, Algarve, Portugal
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  Praia da Arrifana

  Aljezur, Algarve, Portugal
• 
  Praia da Bordeira

  Carrapateira, Algarve, Portugal
• 
  Fistral Beach

  Newquay, Cornwall, United Kingdom
• 
  Omaha Beach

  Normandy, France
• 
  Perranporth

  Cornwall, United Kingdom
• 
  Plage de la Torche

  Brittany, France
• 
  Watergate Bay

  Cornwall, United Kingdom
• 
  Woolacombe

  Devon, United Kingdom
• 
  Bamburgh Beach

  Northumberland, United Kingdom
• 
  Inch Beach

  Dingle Peninsula, County Kerry, Ireland
• 
  Whitesands Bay

  Pembrokeshire, Wales, United Kingdom
• 
  Luskentyre Sands

  Isle of Harris, United Kingdom
• 
  Sandwood Bay

  Sutherland, Scotland, United Kingdom
• 
  Hoddevik

  Stadlandet, Norway
• 
  Skagsanden Beach

  Flakstad, Lofoten, Norway
• 
  Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach

  Vík, Iceland
• 
  Nauthólsvík

  Reykjavík, Iceland
• 
  Stokksnes

  Vestrahorn, Iceland, Iceland
• 
  Diamond Beach

  Jökulsárlón, Iceland