{ "name": "Beachmap — beaches of Europe", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com", "license": "CC BY 4.0 — https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ — credit \"Beachmap\" with a link to https://europebeachmap.com", "note": "Sea temperatures are typical warm-season values (°C), rounded. Photos are not included and carry their own licences.", "updated": "2026-07-10", "count": 361, "beaches": [ { "id": "ksamil-beaches-al", "name": "Ksamil Beaches", "locality": "Ksamil, Albanian Riviera", "country": "AL", "region": "Europe", "tier": 1, "category": "tropical", "lat": 39.766, "lon": 20.0035, "seaTempC": 26, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "White sand", "water": "Shallow, clear turquoise", "swimming": "Warm, shallow, calm between the islets", "surf": "None", "setting": "Small offshore islets you can swim to, near ancient Butrint", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "albanian-riviera", "islets", "turquoise" ], "description": "Turquoise coves and swim-to islets have made Ksamil the star of the fast-rising Albanian Riviera.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/ksamil-beaches-al/" }, { "id": "dhermi-beach-al", "name": "Dhërmi Beach", "locality": "Albanian Riviera", "country": "AL", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "tropical", "lat": 40.152, "lon": 19.64, "seaTempC": 25, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "White pebbles", "water": "Clear turquoise", "swimming": "Deep and clear, calm in the mornings", "surf": "None", "setting": "A long pebble beach below the Ceraunian Mountains and a hillside old village", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "albanian-riviera", "turquoise", "mountains" ], "description": "The Albanian Riviera's headline beach — clear turquoise below the Ceraunian Mountains, with beach clubs and a hilltop old village.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/dhermi-beach-al/" }, { "id": "gjipe-beach-al", "name": "Gjipe Beach", "locality": "Between Dhermi and Himare", "country": "AL", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "wild", "lat": 40.1385, "lon": 19.656, "seaTempC": 25, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "White pebbles and coarse sand", "water": "Deep clear blue", "swimming": "Deep and clear", "surf": "None", "setting": "At the mouth of a dramatic canyon, reached on foot or by boat", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "canyon", "secluded", "albanian-riviera" ], "description": "Hidden where a deep canyon meets the Ionian, Gjipe is the wild heart of the Albanian Riviera.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/gjipe-beach-al/" }, { "id": "borsh-beach-al", "name": "Borsh Beach", "locality": "Borsh, Albanian Riviera", "country": "AL", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "tropical", "lat": 40.058, "lon": 19.855, "seaTempC": 25, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "Fine pebbles and sand", "water": "Clear blue-green", "swimming": "Clear and calm along a long open strand", "surf": "None", "setting": "The Riviera's longest beach, backed by olive groves beneath a hilltop castle", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "longest", "olive groves", "quiet" ], "description": "The Albanian Riviera's longest beach — seven quiet kilometres of pebble and clear water beneath olive groves and a castle.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/borsh-beach-al/" }, { "id": "jale-beach-al", "name": "Jale Beach", "locality": "near Himarë", "country": "AL", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "tropical", "lat": 40.116, "lon": 19.663, "seaTempC": 25, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "White pebbles", "water": "Clear turquoise", "swimming": "Clear, calm and deep-shelving", "surf": "None", "setting": "A compact bay between Dhërmi and Himarë with beach bars and camping", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "albanian-riviera", "cove", "turquoise" ], "description": "A compact turquoise cove between Dhërmi and Himarë, a favourite of the young Albanian-Riviera crowd.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/jale-beach-al/" }, { "id": "livadhi-beach-al", "name": "Livadhi Beach", "locality": "Himarë", "country": "AL", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "tropical", "lat": 40.118, "lon": 19.72, "seaTempC": 25, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "A long arc of white pebbles and sand", "water": "Clear turquoise-green", "swimming": "Clear, calm and gently shelving", "surf": "None", "setting": "Olive terraces spilling to a broad bay just north of Himarë town", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "olive groves", "himarë", "turquoise" ], "description": "Himarë's big easy bay — a kilometre of white pebbles and clear turquoise under the olive terraces.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/livadhi-beach-al/" }, { "id": "palase-beach-al", "name": "Palasë Beach", "locality": "Palasë, Albanian Riviera", "country": "AL", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "tropical", "lat": 40.183, "lon": 19.6, "seaTempC": 25, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "Long white pebble-sand below the Llogara pass", "water": "Vivid, clear Ionian blue", "swimming": "Clear and deep-shelving; morning calm", "surf": "None", "setting": "The first great beach below the Llogara mountain pass, where paragliders land", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "llogara", "paragliders", "riviera" ], "description": "Where the Riviera begins — paragliders spiral down from the Llogara pass onto Palasë's white shore.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/palase-beach-al/" }, { "id": "neum-beach-ba", "name": "Neum Beach", "locality": "Neum", "country": "BA", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "resort", "lat": 42.925, "lon": 17.615, "seaTempC": 25, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "Pebble and concrete-terrace bathing spots", "water": "Calm, clear Adriatic blue in a deep sheltered bay", "swimming": "Warm and calm — the bay is protected by the Pelješac peninsula", "surf": "None", "setting": "Bosnia's only seaside town, on a fjord-like channel behind Pelješac", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "only coast", "sheltered bay", "adriatic" ], "description": "Bosnia and Herzegovina's entire coastline in one town — a sheltered, warm Adriatic channel behind the Pelješac peninsula.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/neum-beach-ba/" }, { "id": "knokke-heist-be", "name": "Knokke-Heist", "locality": "Flanders", "country": "BE", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "resort", "lat": 51.35, "lon": 3.288, "seaTempC": 18, "bestMonths": "June to September", "sand": "A very wide, flat golden beach at Belgium's smartest resort", "water": "Shallow, gentle North Sea", "swimming": "Shallow and calm, lifeguarded in summer", "surf": "None, though a sand-yacht and kite beach", "setting": "Upmarket villas, art galleries and the Zwin nature reserve", "blueFlag": true, "tags": [ "upmarket resort", "wide beach", "North Sea", "Zwin reserve" ], "description": "Belgium's most elegant seaside resort spreads an enormously wide beach beneath chic villas and galleries.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/knokke-heist-be/" }, { "id": "de-haan-beach-be", "name": "De Haan Beach", "locality": "West Flanders", "country": "BE", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "resort", "lat": 51.275, "lon": 3.035, "seaTempC": 17, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "Wide, flat golden sand", "water": "Shallow, gentle North Sea water", "swimming": "Shallow and lifeguarded in season", "surf": "None", "setting": "Belgium's best-preserved belle-époque resort, all villas and tram bells", "blueFlag": true, "tags": [ "belle époque", "villas", "family" ], "description": "Belle-époque Belgium intact — a broad family beach below the whitewashed villas where Einstein once summered.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/de-haan-beach-be/" }, { "id": "de-panne-beach-be", "name": "De Panne Beach", "locality": "West Flanders", "country": "BE", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "cold", "lat": 51.098, "lon": 2.573, "seaTempC": 17, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "Very wide, flat pale sand", "water": "Shallow, gentle North Sea blue", "swimming": "Very shallow with a huge tidal range", "surf": "Land-yachting rather than surf", "setting": "Belgium's widest beach, birthplace of sand-yachting, beside high dunes", "blueFlag": true, "tags": [ "sand yachts", "wide", "dunes" ], "description": "Belgium's widest beach — a vast flat expanse of firm sand beneath big dunes, the birthplace of sand-yachting.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/de-panne-beach-be/" }, { "id": "ostend-beach-be", "name": "Ostend Beach", "locality": "Ostend", "country": "BE", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "resort", "lat": 51.232, "lon": 2.912, "seaTempC": 17, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "Wide golden sand", "water": "Cool, gentle North Sea blue", "swimming": "Shallow and gentle, lifeguarded in summer", "surf": "None", "setting": "The lively city beach of Belgium's 'Queen of Coastal Resorts'", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "city beach", "promenade", "resort" ], "description": "The broad city beach of Ostend, the 'Queen of the Belgian Coast', backed by a grand promenade and casino.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/ostend-beach-be/" }, { "id": "golden-sands-bg", "name": "Golden Sands", "locality": "Varna", "country": "BG", "region": "Europe", "tier": 1, "category": "resort", "lat": 43.285, "lon": 28.041, "seaTempC": 25, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "Famously fine, deep golden sand", "water": "Clear, calm Black Sea blue", "swimming": "Warm, gently shelving and family-friendly", "surf": "None", "setting": "A forested nature-park hillside dropping to Bulgaria's classiest resort beach", "blueFlag": true, "tags": [ "golden sand", "forest park", "resort" ], "description": "The sand really is golden — a deep, fine strand beneath the forested hills of a Black Sea nature park.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/golden-sands-bg/" }, { "id": "sunny-beach-bg", "name": "Sunny Beach", "locality": "Nesebar", "country": "BG", "region": "Europe", "tier": 1, "category": "resort", "lat": 42.69, "lon": 27.712, "seaTempC": 25, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "Eight kilometres of fine golden sand", "water": "Warm, gently shelving Black Sea blue", "swimming": "Warm, shallow and lifeguarded along the resort strip", "surf": "None", "setting": "Bulgaria's biggest resort, next to the UNESCO old town of Nesebar", "blueFlag": true, "tags": [ "resort", "nightlife", "black sea" ], "description": "Bulgaria's party flagship — eight kilometres of warm golden sand beside the ancient peninsula town of Nesebar.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/sunny-beach-bg/" }, { "id": "sozopol-harmanite-bg", "name": "Harmanite Beach", "locality": "Sozopol", "country": "BG", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "resort", "lat": 42.415, "lon": 27.699, "seaTempC": 25, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "Soft brown-gold sand", "water": "Clear, calm Black Sea water", "swimming": "Gentle and shallow in the town bay", "surf": "None", "setting": "The southern beach of Bulgaria's prettiest old town, all wooden houses and cobbles", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "old town", "family", "black sea" ], "description": "The house beach of Sozopol's cobbled old town — Bulgaria's answer to a Greek island port.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/sozopol-harmanite-bg/" }, { "id": "veleka-beach-bg", "name": "Veleka Beach", "locality": "Sinemorets, Strandzha", "country": "BG", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "wild", "lat": 42.065, "lon": 27.975, "seaTempC": 25, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "A wild sandbar of pale sand", "water": "Clear Black Sea blue meeting a green river", "swimming": "Swim the sea side; the river mouth has currents", "surf": "None", "setting": "Where the Veleka river loops into the sea below the wild Strandzha hills", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "river mouth", "wild", "strandzha" ], "description": "A sandbar pinched between a looping green river and the open Black Sea, at the wild southern end of Bulgaria's coast.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/veleka-beach-bg/" }, { "id": "albena-beach-bg", "name": "Albena Beach", "locality": "Albena", "country": "BG", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "resort", "lat": 43.366, "lon": 28.086, "seaTempC": 25, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "Wide, fine golden sand", "water": "Very shallow, warm and calm", "swimming": "Among the safest family swimming on the Black Sea — shallow for 150m out", "surf": "None", "setting": "A purpose-built resort backed by the Baltata riverine forest reserve", "blueFlag": true, "tags": [ "family", "shallow", "resort" ], "description": "A resort strand so shallow you can wade a hundred metres out — Bulgaria's classic family beach beside a jungle-like forest reserve.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/albena-beach-bg/" }, { "id": "bolata-beach-bg", "name": "Bolata Beach", "locality": "Cape Kaliakra", "country": "BG", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "wild", "lat": 43.381, "lon": 28.472, "seaTempC": 24, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "A small crescent of pale sand", "water": "Clear, shallow and calm", "swimming": "Sheltered and shallow inside the red-cliff cove", "surf": "None", "setting": "A hidden valley cove between rust-red cliffs in the Kaliakra reserve", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "red cliffs", "reserve", "cove" ], "description": "A secret crescent tucked between rust-red cliffs where the Kaliakra steppe suddenly opens to the sea.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/bolata-beach-bg/" }, { "id": "irakli-beach-bg", "name": "Irakli Beach", "locality": "Emona", "country": "BG", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "wild", "lat": 42.75, "lon": 27.89, "seaTempC": 25, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "Long, soft pale sand and low dunes", "water": "Clean, clear Black Sea blue", "swimming": "Open and gently shelving; some naturist stretches", "surf": "None", "setting": "A protected, mostly undeveloped strand below the Balkan mountains' last slopes", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "undeveloped", "camping", "bohemian" ], "description": "Bulgaria's bohemian escape — a long, protected strand where the Balkan range slides into the Black Sea.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/irakli-beach-bg/" }, { "id": "nissi-beach-cy", "name": "Nissi Beach", "locality": "Ayia Napa, Cyprus", "country": "CY", "region": "Europe", "tier": 1, "category": "resort", "lat": 34.988, "lon": 33.9688, "seaTempC": 27, "bestMonths": "May–Oct", "sand": "Soft white sand with a shallow sandbar out to a tiny islet", "water": "Warm, clear turquoise", "swimming": "Warm shallow water; wade across the sandbar to the islet", "surf": "None", "setting": "A lively resort beach with bars, foam parties and watersports", "blueFlag": true, "tags": [ "party", "resort", "turquoise" ], "description": "Cyprus's famous party beach, where a shallow sandbar leads to a little islet off Ayia Napa.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/nissi-beach-cy/" }, { "id": "fig-tree-bay-cy", "name": "Fig Tree Bay", "locality": "Protaras, Cyprus", "country": "CY", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "resort", "lat": 35.0113, "lon": 34.0645, "seaTempC": 27, "bestMonths": "May–Oct", "sand": "Fine golden sand sloping into shallow water", "water": "Clear, calm turquoise", "swimming": "Calm shallow water, excellent for families; an islet to swim to", "surf": "None", "setting": "An organised resort bay named after a lone centuries-old fig tree", "blueFlag": true, "tags": [ "family", "resort", "turquoise" ], "description": "A calm golden-sand resort bay off Protaras, regularly rated among Europe's best beaches.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/fig-tree-bay-cy/" }, { "id": "konnos-bay-cy", "name": "Konnos Bay", "locality": "Cape Greco, Protaras", "country": "CY", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "tropical", "lat": 34.976, "lon": 34.073, "seaTempC": 26, "bestMonths": "May-Oct", "sand": "Fine golden sand", "water": "Clear, calm turquoise", "swimming": "Warm, sheltered and shallow in the bay", "surf": "None", "setting": "A sheltered cove between pine-clad headlands in the Cape Greco park", "blueFlag": true, "tags": [ "turquoise", "sheltered", "national park" ], "description": "A sheltered turquoise cove cradled by pine-clad headlands at the edge of Cyprus's wild Cape Greco park.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/konnos-bay-cy/" }, { "id": "coral-bay-cy", "name": "Coral Bay", "locality": "Peyia, Paphos", "country": "CY", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "resort", "lat": 34.858, "lon": 32.376, "seaTempC": 26, "bestMonths": "May-Oct", "sand": "Soft golden sand", "water": "Clear, calm blue", "swimming": "Warm, calm and shallow between two headlands", "surf": "None", "setting": "A sheltered resort bay of golden sand north of Paphos", "blueFlag": true, "tags": [ "resort", "golden sand", "family" ], "description": "A sheltered golden-sand resort bay north of Paphos, calm and shallow between two low limestone headlands.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/coral-bay-cy/" }, { "id": "governors-beach-cy", "name": "Governor's Beach", "locality": "Limassol", "country": "CY", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "exotic", "lat": 34.712, "lon": 33.29, "seaTempC": 26, "bestMonths": "May-Oct", "sand": "Dark grey sand beneath chalk-white cliffs", "water": "Clear, warm Mediterranean blue", "swimming": "Warm and gently shelving below the white ledges", "surf": "None", "setting": "White chalk bluffs and fish tavernas between Limassol and Larnaca", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "white cliffs", "dark sand", "tavernas" ], "description": "Cyprus in negative — charcoal sand beneath chalk-white cliffs, with fish tavernas on the ledge above.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/governors-beach-cy/" }, { "id": "lara-beach-cy", "name": "Lara Beach", "locality": "Akamas Peninsula", "country": "CY", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "wild", "lat": 34.928, "lon": 32.298, "seaTempC": 25, "bestMonths": "May-Oct", "sand": "Pale sand", "water": "Clear, deep blue", "swimming": "Clear and open; a protected nesting beach — respect the turtles", "surf": "None", "setting": "A wild, roadless turtle-nesting beach in the Akamas peninsula reserve", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "turtles", "wild", "reserve" ], "description": "A wild, roadless beach in the Akamas reserve where loggerhead and green turtles come ashore to nest each summer.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/lara-beach-cy/" }, { "id": "makronissos-beach-cy", "name": "Makronissos Beach", "locality": "Ayia Napa", "country": "CY", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "resort", "lat": 34.985, "lon": 33.94, "seaTempC": 27, "bestMonths": "May-Oct", "sand": "Soft pale-gold sand over three linked coves", "water": "Warm, shallow, clear turquoise", "swimming": "Calm and family-gentle in the coves", "surf": "None", "setting": "Three coves and ancient rock-cut tombs west of Ayia Napa", "blueFlag": true, "tags": [ "three coves", "tombs", "family" ], "description": "Three gentle turquoise coves sharing a headland with ancient rock-cut tombs, on Ayia Napa's calmer side.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/makronissos-beach-cy/" }, { "id": "kampen-beach-de", "name": "Kampen Beach", "locality": "Sylt", "country": "DE", "region": "Europe", "tier": 1, "category": "cold", "lat": 54.95, "lon": 8.34, "seaTempC": 17, "bestMonths": "June to September", "sand": "Wide pale sand beneath the glowing Rotes Kliff, the Red Cliff", "water": "Clear, brisk North Sea", "swimming": "Bracing North Sea swimming with strong surf and tides", "surf": "Occasional North Sea swell; Sylt is a German surf hub", "setting": "The red-ochre cliff and heath of Germany's most fashionable northern island", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "red cliff", "Sylt", "North Sea", "chic resort" ], "description": "Germany's most fashionable island beach runs beneath the glowing ochre face of Sylt's Red Cliff.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/kampen-beach-de/" }, { "id": "binz-beach-de", "name": "Binz Beach", "locality": "Rugen", "country": "DE", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "resort", "lat": 54.4, "lon": 13.616, "seaTempC": 18, "bestMonths": "June to September", "sand": "Long white sand lined with hooded wicker beach chairs", "water": "Shallow, calm Baltic water", "swimming": "Gentle, shallow Baltic swimming", "surf": "None", "setting": "White seaside-resort villas and a pier on Germany's largest island", "blueFlag": true, "tags": [ "seaside resort", "white villas", "Strandkorb", "Rugen" ], "description": "Rugen's grand white-villa resort lines a broad Baltic strand dotted with hooded wicker beach chairs.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/binz-beach-de/" }, { "id": "st-peter-ording-de", "name": "St. Peter-Ording", "locality": "Schleswig-Holstein", "country": "DE", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "cold", "lat": 54.298, "lon": 8.593, "seaTempC": 17, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "Vast flat pale sand", "water": "Shallow North Sea over huge tidal flats", "swimming": "Very shallow with big tides; a vast flats-and-wind beach", "surf": "Kite and land-sailing hub", "setting": "Germany's largest beach, famous for stilt houses out on the tidal sand", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "stilt houses", "tidal flats", "kite" ], "description": "Germany's vast North Sea beach — kilometres of tidal sand dotted with iconic stilt-legged houses and kitesurfers.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/st-peter-ording-de/" }, { "id": "timmendorfer-strand-de", "name": "Timmendorfer Strand", "locality": "Lübeck Bay", "country": "DE", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "resort", "lat": 53.997, "lon": 10.79, "seaTempC": 18, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "Fine pale sand lined with hooded wicker beach chairs", "water": "Calm, gently shelving Baltic water", "swimming": "Gentle and family-friendly along the bay", "surf": "None", "setting": "Germany's smartest Baltic resort on Lübeck Bay, promenade and piers included", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "strandkorb", "elegant resort", "baltic" ], "description": "Germany's polished Baltic classic — ranks of hooded wicker chairs on pale sand along Lübeck Bay.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/timmendorfer-strand-de/" }, { "id": "norderney-weststrand-de", "name": "Norderney Weststrand", "locality": "East Frisian Islands", "country": "DE", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "cold", "lat": 53.71, "lon": 7.145, "seaTempC": 17, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "Wide white North Sea sand", "water": "Brisk, tide-swept North Sea water", "swimming": "Bracing, with guarded bathing zones; big skies and big air", "surf": "Germany's oldest surf spot, a small faithful scene", "setting": "A spa island of dunes and thalasso tradition in the Wadden Sea UNESCO zone", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "island", "thalasso", "dunes" ], "description": "Germany's original seaside cure — white Frisian sand and North Sea air on the spa island of Norderney.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/norderney-weststrand-de/" }, { "id": "prerow-beach-de", "name": "Prerow Beach", "locality": "Darß Peninsula", "country": "DE", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "cold", "lat": 54.457, "lon": 12.573, "seaTempC": 18, "bestMonths": "Jun-Aug", "sand": "Wide pale sand", "water": "Shallow, clear Baltic blue", "swimming": "Shallow, calm and clean", "surf": "None", "setting": "A broad, forest-backed beach in the wild Darß-Zingst national park", "blueFlag": true, "tags": [ "national park", "forest", "wild coast" ], "description": "A broad, gently shelving Baltic beach backed by the wind-sculpted pine forest of the wild Darß national park.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/prerow-beach-de/" }, { "id": "warnemunde-de", "name": "Warnemünde", "locality": "Rostock", "country": "DE", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "resort", "lat": 54.18, "lon": 12.083, "seaTempC": 18, "bestMonths": "Jun-Aug", "sand": "Wide pale sand", "water": "Shallow, gentle Baltic blue", "swimming": "Shallow and calm, lined with hooded wicker chairs", "surf": "None", "setting": "A grand Baltic seaside resort at the mouth of the Warnow with a lighthouse", "blueFlag": true, "tags": [ "Baltic resort", "lighthouse", "Strandkorb" ], "description": "A broad Baltic resort beach dotted with hooded wicker chairs beneath a white lighthouse at the mouth of the Warnow.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/warnemunde-de/" }, { "id": "dueodde-dk", "name": "Dueodde", "locality": "Bornholm", "country": "DK", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "cold", "lat": 54.988, "lon": 15.079, "seaTempC": 18, "bestMonths": "June to August", "sand": "Famously fine, powder-white quartz sand", "water": "Clear, shallow, pale Baltic water", "swimming": "Shallow, calm and family-friendly Baltic swimming", "surf": "None", "setting": "Pine forest, dunes and a tall lighthouse at Bornholm's southern tip", "blueFlag": true, "tags": [ "white sand", "Baltic", "lighthouse", "Bornholm" ], "description": "Powder-fine white sand so pure it was once used in hourglasses, on Bornholm's sun-soaked southern tip.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/dueodde-dk/" }, { "id": "grenen-dk", "name": "Grenen", "locality": "Skagen", "country": "DK", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "wild", "lat": 57.744, "lon": 10.64, "seaTempC": 16, "bestMonths": "Jun–Aug", "sand": "Pale gold", "water": "Two seas colliding", "swimming": "Cold, strong currents", "surf": "None", "setting": "Denmark’s northern sandspit", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "Two seas meet", "Art light", "Walk" ], "description": "Stand with a foot in two seas where the Skagerrak and Kattegat collide.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/grenen-dk/" }, { "id": "henne-strand-dk", "name": "Henne Strand", "locality": "West Jutland", "country": "DK", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "cold", "lat": 55.74, "lon": 8.209, "seaTempC": 17, "bestMonths": "Jun-Aug", "sand": "Wide pale sand and dunes", "water": "Cool, open North Sea blue", "swimming": "Bracing and open; watch for currents", "surf": "Beach-break on the open coast", "setting": "A wild dune-backed North Sea beach on Jutland's west coast", "blueFlag": true, "tags": [ "dunes", "North Sea", "wild" ], "description": "A wild, dune-backed North Sea beach on Jutland's windswept west coast, all big skies and rolling grey-blue surf.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/henne-strand-dk/" }, { "id": "romo-lakolk-dk", "name": "Lakolk Beach", "locality": "Rømø, South Jutland", "country": "DK", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "cold", "lat": 55.14, "lon": 8.49, "seaTempC": 17, "bestMonths": "Jun-Aug", "sand": "An immense flat of firm pale sand — among Europe's widest", "water": "Shallow North Sea over endless tidal flats", "swimming": "Very shallow with big tides; more wading than swimming", "surf": "Kite-buggy and windsurf country", "setting": "A Wadden Sea island beach so wide cars park on the sand itself", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "drive-on", "wadden sea", "vast" ], "description": "A beach so wide it has car lanes — Rømø's immense Wadden Sea sand flat, one of the broadest in Europe.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/romo-lakolk-dk/" }, { "id": "l-kken-beach-dk", "name": "Løkken Beach", "locality": "North Jutland", "country": "DK", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "cold", "lat": 57.368, "lon": 9.717, "seaTempC": 17, "bestMonths": "Jun-Aug", "sand": "Wide pale sand", "water": "Cool, gentle North Sea blue", "swimming": "Shallow and gentle; bracing North Sea temperatures", "surf": "Small beach-break", "setting": "A broad Jutland beach lined with white bathing huts, drivable by car", "blueFlag": true, "tags": [ "white huts", "wide", "North Sea" ], "description": "A broad North Sea strand lined with rows of white wooden bathing huts, wide enough to drive your car onto the sand.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/l-kken-beach-dk/" }, { "id": "marielyst-dk", "name": "Marielyst", "locality": "Falster", "country": "DK", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "resort", "lat": 54.755, "lon": 12.049, "seaTempC": 18, "bestMonths": "Jun-Aug", "sand": "Fine pale sand", "water": "Shallow, calm Baltic blue", "swimming": "Shallow, calm and family-friendly", "surf": "None", "setting": "Denmark's favourite family summer-house beach on the island of Falster", "blueFlag": true, "tags": [ "family", "summer houses", "shallow" ], "description": "Denmark's classic summer-house beach — a long, gently shelving strand of pale sand on the Baltic island of Falster.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/marielyst-dk/" }, { "id": "tisvildeleje-beach-dk", "name": "Tisvildeleje Beach", "locality": "North Zealand", "country": "DK", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "cold", "lat": 56.062, "lon": 12.077, "seaTempC": 18, "bestMonths": "Jun-Aug", "sand": "Pale sand and smooth stones below heather hills", "water": "Clear, clean Kattegat blue", "swimming": "Gently shelving and clean — Copenhagen's summer swim", "surf": "None", "setting": "The 'Danish Riviera' village where Copenhagen summers, beside the ancient Tisvilde grove", "blueFlag": true, "tags": [ "danish riviera", "village", "kattegat" ], "description": "Copenhagen's beloved summer village — clean Kattegat water off pale sand beneath the old Tisvilde grove.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/tisvildeleje-beach-dk/" }, { "id": "parnu-beach-ee", "name": "Parnu Beach", "locality": "Parnu", "country": "EE", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "resort", "lat": 58.373, "lon": 24.503, "seaTempC": 19, "bestMonths": "June to August", "sand": "Wide, shallow-shelving white sand", "water": "Shallow, warm and calm Gulf of Riga water", "swimming": "Excellent, shallow and gentle and among the Baltic's warmest", "surf": "None", "setting": "Estonia's summer capital, with a promenade, spa hotels and parks", "blueFlag": true, "tags": [ "spa town", "shallow", "family", "Blue Flag" ], "description": "Estonia's summer capital fronts a broad, shallow strand where the Baltic warms to genuinely swimmable.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/parnu-beach-ee/" }, { "id": "jarve-beach-ee", "name": "Järve Beach", "locality": "Saaremaa", "country": "EE", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "cold", "lat": 58.203, "lon": 22.47, "seaTempC": 18, "bestMonths": "Jun-Aug", "sand": "Fine white sand and low grassy dunes", "water": "Shallow, clear and clean Baltic water", "swimming": "Shallow, calm and family-friendly", "surf": "None", "setting": "Saaremaa island's best sand, backed by juniper heath and pine", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "island", "dunes", "family" ], "description": "The island of Saaremaa's finest sand — a quiet white ribbon of dunes and junipers on Estonia's slow-living isle.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/jarve-beach-ee/" }, { "id": "narva-joesuu-ee", "name": "Narva-Jõesuu Beach", "locality": "Ida-Viru", "country": "EE", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "cold", "lat": 59.462, "lon": 28.04, "seaTempC": 19, "bestMonths": "Jun-Aug", "sand": "Seven kilometres of fine white sand", "water": "Shallow, calm and briefly summer-warm Gulf of Finland water", "swimming": "Very shallow and gentle — the Baltic at its mildest", "surf": "None", "setting": "A tsarist-era spa resort of wooden villas under tall pines, at the Narva river mouth", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "pines", "spa history", "white sand" ], "description": "A tsarist spa resort's seven-kilometre white strand under the pines, at Estonia's eastern edge.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/narva-joesuu-ee/" }, { "id": "pirita-beach-ee", "name": "Pirita Beach", "locality": "Tallinn", "country": "EE", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "cold", "lat": 59.469, "lon": 24.833, "seaTempC": 18, "bestMonths": "Jun-Aug", "sand": "Fine pale sand", "water": "Shallow, calm Baltic blue", "swimming": "Shallow, calm and briefly summer-warm", "surf": "None", "setting": "Tallinn's long city beach with medieval-skyline and convent-ruin views", "blueFlag": true, "tags": [ "city beach", "skyline view", "shallow" ], "description": "Tallinn's long, pine-backed city beach, its pale sand looking back to the medieval spires across the bay.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/pirita-beach-ee/" }, { "id": "playa-de-maspalomas-es", "name": "Playa de Maspalomas", "locality": "Maspalomas, Gran Canaria", "country": "ES", "region": "Europe", "tier": 0, "category": "exotic", "lat": 27.7364, "lon": -15.585, "seaTempC": 23, "bestMonths": "Year-round", "sand": "Vast rolling golden dunes meeting the sea", "water": "Warm, clear Atlantic blue", "swimming": "Generally calm and gently shelving", "surf": "None", "setting": "A protected 400-hectare reserve of desert dunes", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "sahara-like dunes", "iconic", "desert", "gran canaria" ], "description": "A Sahara in miniature where hundreds of hectares of golden dunes tumble straight into the Atlantic.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/playa-de-maspalomas-es/" }, { "id": "cala-formentor-es", "name": "Cala Formentor", "locality": "Pollenca, Mallorca", "country": "ES", "region": "Europe", "tier": 1, "category": "resort", "lat": 39.9281, "lon": 3.1386, "seaTempC": 26, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "Fine white sand", "water": "Clear turquoise and shallow", "swimming": "Calm and shallow, family-friendly", "surf": "None", "setting": "Pine forest below the dramatic Formentor peninsula", "blueFlag": true, "tags": [ "turquoise", "pine-backed", "mallorca", "peninsula" ], "description": "A kilometre of pine-fringed white sand and shallow turquoise water at the tip of Mallorca's wildest cape.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/cala-formentor-es/" }, { "id": "cala-macarella-es", "name": "Cala Macarella", "locality": "Ciutadella, Menorca", "country": "ES", "region": "Europe", "tier": 1, "category": "tropical", "lat": 39.9375, "lon": 3.937, "seaTempC": 25, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "Fine white sand", "water": "Vivid turquoise, glass-clear", "swimming": "Calm, shallow and sheltered", "surf": "None", "setting": "Limestone cliffs draped in Aleppo pines", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "turquoise", "virgin cove", "pines", "menorca" ], "description": "A postcard Menorcan cove of blinding white sand and turquoise water framed by pine-topped cliffs.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/cala-macarella-es/" }, { "id": "cala-macarelleta-es", "name": "Cala Macarelleta", "locality": "Menorca", "country": "ES", "region": "Europe", "tier": 1, "category": "tropical", "lat": 39.935, "lon": 3.936, "seaTempC": 25, "bestMonths": "Jun–Sep", "sand": "Fine white", "water": "Turquoise", "swimming": "Shallow, calm, warm", "surf": "None", "setting": "Pine-cloaked cove, hike-in", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "Hike", "Snorkel", "Cliff jump" ], "description": "A pine-framed turquoise cove, Menorca’s most beautiful and boat-only.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/cala-macarelleta-es/" }, { "id": "mundaka-es", "name": "Mundaka", "locality": "Urdaibai, Bizkaia", "country": "ES", "region": "Europe", "tier": 1, "category": "surf", "lat": 43.4085, "lon": -2.6975, "seaTempC": 21, "bestMonths": "Sep-Nov for surf", "sand": "A shifting sandbar at the estuary mouth", "water": "Cool, greenish Atlantic", "swimming": "For surfers only; strong river currents", "surf": "World-class long left-hand barrel", "setting": "The Urdaibai estuary, a UNESCO biosphere reserve", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "left-hand wave", "world-class surf", "estuary", "basque" ], "description": "One of Europe's finest waves, a legendary long left barrel peeling off the Urdaibai sandbar.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/mundaka-es/" }, { "id": "la-concha-es", "name": "Playa de la Concha", "locality": "San Sebastián", "country": "ES", "region": "Europe", "tier": 1, "category": "resort", "lat": 43.318, "lon": -1.99, "seaTempC": 21, "bestMonths": "Jun–Sep", "sand": "Golden", "water": "Sheltered Atlantic", "swimming": "Calm, cool, safe", "surf": "None", "setting": "Elegant Belle-Époque bay", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "Pintxos", "City beach", "Promenade" ], "description": "A perfect shell-shaped city bay ringed by an ornate promenade.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/la-concha-es/" }, { "id": "playa-de-las-catedrales-es", "name": "Playa de las Catedrales", "locality": "Ribadeo, Galicia", "country": "ES", "region": "Europe", "tier": 1, "category": "exotic", "lat": 43.5539, "lon": -7.1572, "seaTempC": 19, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep at low tide", "sand": "Golden sand revealed only at low tide", "water": "Cold, clear Cantabrian green-blue", "swimming": "Cool; best explored on foot at low tide", "surf": "None", "setting": "Soaring rock arches and flying-buttress sea stacks", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "arches", "sea stacks", "low tide", "galicia" ], "description": "Cathedral-like rock arches and buttresses you can walk beneath when the Atlantic tide retreats.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/playa-de-las-catedrales-es/" }, { "id": "playa-de-monsul-es", "name": "Playa de Monsul", "locality": "San Jose, Cabo de Gata", "country": "ES", "region": "Europe", "tier": 1, "category": "wild", "lat": 36.7306, "lon": -2.1453, "seaTempC": 23, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "Dark golden volcanic sand", "water": "Clear deep blue", "swimming": "Open and generally calm, no services", "surf": "None", "setting": "Volcanic cliffs and a giant wind-sculpted duna rock", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "volcanic", "wild", "film location", "cabo de gata" ], "description": "A stark volcanic cove of golden sand and a famous mushroom rock, immortalised in Indiana Jones.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/playa-de-monsul-es/" }, { "id": "ses-illetes-es", "name": "Playa de Ses Illetes", "locality": "Formentera", "country": "ES", "region": "Europe", "tier": 1, "category": "tropical", "lat": 38.74, "lon": 1.436, "seaTempC": 25, "bestMonths": "Jun–Sep", "sand": "White", "water": "Shallow turquoise", "swimming": "Shallow, warm, calm", "surf": "None", "setting": "Natural park sandspit", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "Sandbar", "Chiringuitos", "Boats" ], "description": "A Caribbean-like sandspit on Ibiza’s quiet little sister.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/ses-illetes-es/" }, { "id": "rodas-cies-es", "name": "Rodas Beach", "locality": "Cíes Islands", "country": "ES", "region": "Europe", "tier": 1, "category": "wild", "lat": 42.222, "lon": -8.905, "seaTempC": 18, "bestMonths": "Jun–Sep", "sand": "White", "water": "Clear, cool Atlantic", "swimming": "Cool, calm, sheltered", "surf": "None", "setting": "National park, permit-only", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "Ferry-in", "Hike", "Birdlife" ], "description": "A crescent of white sand on a car-free Atlantic island national park.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/rodas-cies-es/" }, { "id": "cala-aiguablava-es", "name": "Cala Aiguablava", "locality": "Begur, Costa Brava", "country": "ES", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "tropical", "lat": 41.9339, "lon": 3.2078, "seaTempC": 24, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "Fine pale sand mixed with smooth pebbles", "water": "Brilliant clear turquoise, hence the name 'blue water'", "swimming": "Calm, sheltered and family-friendly", "surf": "None", "setting": "Pine-cloaked cliffs and whitewashed villas", "blueFlag": true, "tags": [ "turquoise", "cove", "costa brava" ], "description": "A jewel-box turquoise cove tucked beneath the pine-clad cliffs of the Costa Brava.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/cala-aiguablava-es/" }, { "id": "cala-comte-es", "name": "Cala Comte", "locality": "Ibiza", "country": "ES", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "tropical", "lat": 38.96, "lon": 1.226, "seaTempC": 25, "bestMonths": "Jun–Sep", "sand": "White-gold", "water": "Turquoise over sand", "swimming": "Warm, clear", "surf": "None", "setting": "Islet-studded sunset coast", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "Sunset", "Snorkel", "Beach bar" ], "description": "Ibiza’s classic sunset beach, looking out to two rocky islets.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/cala-comte-es/" }, { "id": "cala-d-hort-es", "name": "Cala d'Hort", "locality": "Ibiza, Balearics", "country": "ES", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "wild", "lat": 38.881, "lon": 1.223, "seaTempC": 25, "bestMonths": "May-Oct", "sand": "Sand and pebbles", "water": "Clear deep blue", "swimming": "Clear and calm with a legendary sunset view", "surf": "None", "setting": "A cove facing the mystical pyramid islet of Es Vedrà off south-west Ibiza", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "es vedra", "sunset", "view" ], "description": "A cove framing Es Vedrà, the sheer pyramid islet that gives Ibiza its most mythic sunset silhouette.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/cala-d-hort-es/" }, { "id": "cala-mondrago-es", "name": "Cala Mondrago", "locality": "Santanyi, Mallorca", "country": "ES", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "tropical", "lat": 39.353, "lon": 3.2006, "seaTempC": 26, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "Soft golden-white sand", "water": "Shallow turquoise, crystal clear", "swimming": "Calm and shallow, ideal for families", "surf": "None", "setting": "A protected natural park of pines and low cliffs", "blueFlag": true, "tags": [ "natural park", "turquoise", "calm", "mallorca" ], "description": "A pair of soft turquoise coves cradled by a protected natural park on Mallorca's southeast coast.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/cala-mondrago-es/" }, { "id": "cala-turqueta-es", "name": "Cala Turqueta", "locality": "Menorca, Balearics", "country": "ES", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "tropical", "lat": 39.929, "lon": 3.914, "seaTempC": 25, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "Fine white sand", "water": "Vivid shallow turquoise", "swimming": "Warm, shallow and calm in the sheltered inlet", "surf": "None", "setting": "A pine-framed cove reached on foot through Menorca's protected south coast", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "turquoise", "cove", "pines" ], "description": "Menorca's signature cove — a horseshoe of white sand and glowing turquoise water framed by Aleppo pines.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/cala-turqueta-es/" }, { "id": "calo-des-moro-es", "name": "Caló des Moro", "locality": "Mallorca, Balearics", "country": "ES", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "tropical", "lat": 39.336, "lon": 3.132, "seaTempC": 25, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "Fine white sand", "water": "Intense turquoise", "swimming": "Deep, clear and calm between steep cliffs", "surf": "None", "setting": "A tiny cliff-walled cove down a steep scramble on Mallorca's south-east", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "turquoise", "cliffs", "tiny cove" ], "description": "Mallorca's most photographed cove, a tiny cliff-cupped scoop of white sand and electric turquoise reached down a rocky scramble.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/calo-des-moro-es/" }, { "id": "el-golfo-charco-verde-es", "name": "El Golfo (Charco Verde)", "locality": "Lanzarote, Canary Islands", "country": "ES", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "exotic", "lat": 28.981, "lon": -13.831, "seaTempC": 21, "bestMonths": "Year-round", "sand": "Black volcanic sand", "water": "An emerald-green crater lagoon", "swimming": "The green lagoon is protected; swim on the adjacent black beach", "surf": "None", "setting": "A half-sunk volcanic crater and a vivid green lagoon on Lanzarote's west coast", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "green lagoon", "volcanic", "crater" ], "description": "A vivid emerald lagoon cupped in a half-collapsed volcanic crater, ringed by black sand and rust-red cliffs.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/el-golfo-charco-verde-es/" }, { "id": "es-trenc-es", "name": "Es Trenc", "locality": "Mallorca, Balearics", "country": "ES", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "wild", "lat": 39.348, "lon": 2.981, "seaTempC": 25, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "Pale white sand", "water": "Shallow, clear turquoise", "swimming": "Shallow, warm and calm along a long undeveloped strand", "surf": "None", "setting": "Mallorca's longest natural beach, backed by dunes, pines and salt pans", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "undeveloped", "dunes", "salt pans" ], "description": "Mallorca's great undeveloped beach — three kilometres of white sand and Caribbean shallows backed by dunes and salt flats.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/es-trenc-es/" }, { "id": "platja-de-migjorn-es", "name": "Platja de Migjorn", "locality": "Formentera, Balearics", "country": "ES", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "tropical", "lat": 38.687, "lon": 1.437, "seaTempC": 26, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "Fine white sand", "water": "Shallow, luminous turquoise", "swimming": "Warm, shallow and calm the length of the island's south shore", "surf": "None", "setting": "Formentera's long south-coast beach of dunes and beach bars", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "turquoise", "long", "chiringuitos" ], "description": "Formentera's endless south shore, kilometres of white sand and luminous shallows dotted with barefoot beach bars.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/platja-de-migjorn-es/" }, { "id": "playa-de-benijo-es", "name": "Playa de Benijo", "locality": "Taganana, Tenerife", "country": "ES", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "exotic", "lat": 28.5721, "lon": -16.1925, "seaTempC": 22, "bestMonths": "May-Oct", "sand": "Black volcanic sand and boulders", "water": "Deep blue and powerful Atlantic", "swimming": "Strong waves and currents, caution advised", "surf": "Heavy beach break at times", "setting": "The jagged Anaga massif and offshore rock islets", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "black sand", "dramatic", "sunset", "tenerife" ], "description": "A wild black-sand beach beneath the primeval Anaga mountains, famed for its silhouetted rock stacks at sunset.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/playa-de-benijo-es/" }, { "id": "playa-de-bolonia-es", "name": "Playa de Bolonia", "locality": "Tarifa, Costa de la Luz", "country": "ES", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "wild", "lat": 36.0892, "lon": -5.7715, "seaTempC": 21, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "Broad white Atlantic sand with a colossal dune", "water": "Cool, clear Atlantic blue-green", "swimming": "Open Atlantic, breezy, watch for currents", "surf": "None", "setting": "A 30m shifting dune and the Roman ruins of Baelo Claudia", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "dune", "atlantic", "roman ruins", "windy" ], "description": "A wild Atlantic sweep backed by a towering sand dune and the ruins of a Roman town.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/playa-de-bolonia-es/" }, { "id": "playa-de-cofete-es", "name": "Playa de Cofete", "locality": "Jandia, Fuerteventura", "country": "ES", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "wild", "lat": 28.1096, "lon": -14.3884, "seaTempC": 22, "bestMonths": "May-Oct", "sand": "Endless wild golden sand", "water": "Wild Atlantic, deep blue", "swimming": "Dangerous currents, not for swimming", "surf": "Powerful, unpatrolled beach break", "setting": "A 12km beach below the towering Jandia massif", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "remote", "wild", "untamed", "fuerteventura" ], "description": "A vast, untamed 12-kilometre strand beneath brooding mountains, reached only by a rough dirt track.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/playa-de-cofete-es/" }, { "id": "playa-de-famara-es", "name": "Playa de Famara", "locality": "Lanzarote, Canary Islands", "country": "ES", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "surf", "lat": 29.118, "lon": -13.559, "seaTempC": 21, "bestMonths": "Year-round", "sand": "Golden sand", "water": "Clear Atlantic blue, cooler", "swimming": "Strong currents — better for surfing than swimming", "surf": "Consistent Atlantic beach-break, Lanzarote's surf heartland", "setting": "A vast beach beneath a 600-metre cliff wall on Lanzarote's north-west", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "surf", "cliffs", "wild" ], "description": "A wild, wind-scoured strand under a towering cliff wall — the raw Atlantic surf capital of Lanzarote.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/playa-de-famara-es/" }, { "id": "playa-de-gulpiyuri-es", "name": "Playa de Gulpiyuri", "locality": "Llanes, Asturias", "country": "ES", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "exotic", "lat": 43.4454, "lon": -4.887, "seaTempC": 19, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "A small crescent of fine white sand", "water": "Cool and clear, fed by the sea through caves", "swimming": "Shallow tidal pool, calmest at high tide", "surf": "None", "setting": "An inland meadow 100m from the open sea", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "inland beach", "sinkhole", "natural monument", "tiny" ], "description": "A tiny inland beach set in a green meadow, filled by the sea through underground caves.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/playa-de-gulpiyuri-es/" }, { "id": "playa-de-las-canteras-es", "name": "Playa de Las Canteras", "locality": "Las Palmas, Gran Canaria", "country": "ES", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "resort", "lat": 28.143, "lon": -15.437, "seaTempC": 22, "bestMonths": "Year-round", "sand": "Golden sand", "water": "Calm, clear blue behind a natural reef", "swimming": "Calm and shallow, sheltered by a natural offshore rock bar", "surf": "Gentle waves at the reef's end", "setting": "Las Palmas's three-kilometre urban beach behind the La Barra reef", "blueFlag": true, "tags": [ "city beach", "reef", "promenade" ], "description": "One of Europe's finest city beaches — a golden arc protected by a natural reef along the promenade of Las Palmas.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/playa-de-las-canteras-es/" }, { "id": "playa-de-las-teresitas-es", "name": "Playa de las Teresitas", "locality": "San Andres, Tenerife", "country": "ES", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "resort", "lat": 28.5103, "lon": -16.1868, "seaTempC": 23, "bestMonths": "Year-round", "sand": "Golden Saharan sand, shipped in by the tonne", "water": "Calm and clear, protected by a breakwater", "swimming": "Very calm and safe, a true family beach", "surf": "None", "setting": "A palm-lined bay below the Anaga mountains", "blueFlag": true, "tags": [ "golden sand", "palm-lined", "calm", "tenerife" ], "description": "Tenerife's golden showpiece, a palm-lined bay of Saharan sand sheltered by an offshore breakwater.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/playa-de-las-teresitas-es/" }, { "id": "playa-de-los-genoveses-es", "name": "Playa de los Genoveses", "locality": "Cabo de Gata, Almería", "country": "ES", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "wild", "lat": 36.759, "lon": -2.113, "seaTempC": 23, "bestMonths": "May-Oct", "sand": "Fine golden sand", "water": "Clear, shallow turquoise", "swimming": "Shallow, warm and calm in the wide protected bay", "surf": "None", "setting": "A wild dune-backed bay in the volcanic Cabo de Gata desert park", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "volcanic park", "dunes", "undeveloped" ], "description": "A broad, undeveloped bay of golden sand and clear shallows ringed by the volcanic hills of Cabo de Gata's desert park.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/playa-de-los-genoveses-es/" }, { "id": "playa-de-papagayo-es", "name": "Playa de Papagayo", "locality": "Playa Blanca, Lanzarote", "country": "ES", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "tropical", "lat": 28.8425, "lon": -13.7881, "seaTempC": 23, "bestMonths": "Year-round", "sand": "Fine golden sand", "water": "Clear turquoise and sheltered", "swimming": "Calm and clear in a sheltered cove", "surf": "None", "setting": "The protected Los Ajaches volcanic cliffs", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "turquoise", "protected cove", "volcanic", "lanzarote" ], "description": "A string of sheltered golden coves and turquoise water tucked into Lanzarote's protected southern cliffs.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/playa-de-papagayo-es/" }, { "id": "playa-de-sotavento-es", "name": "Playa de Sotavento", "locality": "Jandía, Fuerteventura", "country": "ES", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "surf", "lat": 28.128, "lon": -14.221, "seaTempC": 21, "bestMonths": "Year-round", "sand": "Pale golden sand", "water": "Clear turquoise over a vast lagoon at high tide", "swimming": "Shallow lagoon at high tide; strong wind and currents otherwise", "surf": "World-class windsurf and kite spot; big open Atlantic swell", "setting": "A colossal dune-and-lagoon beach on Fuerteventura's south-east", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "windsurf", "lagoon", "dunes" ], "description": "A colossal Atlantic beach where a shallow turquoise lagoon forms at high tide — one of the world's great windsurfing arenas.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/playa-de-sotavento-es/" }, { "id": "playa-de-valdevaqueros-es", "name": "Playa de Valdevaqueros", "locality": "Tarifa, Cádiz", "country": "ES", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "surf", "lat": 36.075, "lon": -5.703, "seaTempC": 20, "bestMonths": "Year-round", "sand": "Pale golden sand and a giant dune", "water": "Clear, cool Atlantic blue", "swimming": "Strong Levante wind and currents; a kiter's beach", "surf": "Europe's premier kitesurf and windsurf beach on the Strait of Gibraltar", "setting": "A vast dune and windswept sands with Africa on the horizon", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "kitesurf", "dune", "strait" ], "description": "A windswept Atlantic strand and towering dune at Europe's tip, where kitesurfers fly with Morocco across the strait.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/playa-de-valdevaqueros-es/" }, { "id": "zahara-de-los-atunes-es", "name": "Playa de Zahara de los Atunes", "locality": "Cádiz, Costa de la Luz", "country": "ES", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "wild", "lat": 36.13, "lon": -5.85, "seaTempC": 21, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "A broad, wild ribbon of golden Atlantic sand", "water": "Clear, cool Atlantic blue", "swimming": "Open and breezy with gentle shelving; levante wind some days", "surf": "None", "setting": "An old tuna-fishing village on the windswept Costa de la Luz", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "tuna village", "costa de la luz", "unspoilt" ], "description": "The Costa de la Luz at its purest — a wild golden ribbon beside an old tuna-fishing village.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/zahara-de-los-atunes-es/" }, { "id": "playa-del-sardinero-es", "name": "Playa del Sardinero", "locality": "Santander, Cantabria", "country": "ES", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "resort", "lat": 43.47, "lon": -3.78, "seaTempC": 19, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "A grand sweep of fine golden sand", "water": "Cool, clean Cantabrian blue", "swimming": "Lively but guarded; belle-époque bathing tradition", "surf": "Reliable beginner beach-break in autumn", "setting": "Santander's belle-époque seafront of casinos and gardens", "blueFlag": true, "tags": [ "belle époque", "city beach", "cantabria" ], "description": "Royal-era Santander on parade — a grand golden city beach below the casino and gardens of El Sardinero.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/playa-del-sardinero-es/" }, { "id": "playa-del-silencio-es", "name": "Playa del Silencio", "locality": "Cudillero, Asturias", "country": "ES", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "wild", "lat": 43.5666, "lon": -6.296, "seaTempC": 20, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "White pebbles and coarse sand", "water": "Cold, exceptionally clear turquoise-green", "swimming": "Chilly, rocky entry and no services", "surf": "None", "setting": "A curved amphitheatre of green cliffs and offshore rock needles", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "dramatic", "cliffs", "remote", "asturias" ], "description": "A silent, cliff-ringed amphitheatre of pebbles and sea stacks on Asturias' wild Cantabrian coast.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/playa-del-silencio-es/" }, { "id": "a-lanzada-es", "name": "Praia da Lanzada", "locality": "O Grove, Galicia", "country": "ES", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "wild", "lat": 42.428, "lon": -8.874, "seaTempC": 18, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "Two kilometres of fine white Atlantic sand", "water": "Cold, clean, glass-green Atlantic", "swimming": "Bracing but gentle on calm days; a fertility-rite chapel at one end", "surf": "Beach-break when the swell runs", "setting": "A dune-backed arc on the Rías Baixas with a 12th-century hermitage", "blueFlag": true, "tags": [ "rías baixas", "hermitage", "dunes" ], "description": "Galicia's great white arc — two kilometres of cold clean Atlantic beside a hermitage of fertility legends.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/a-lanzada-es/" }, { "id": "tossa-de-mar-es", "name": "Tossa de Mar", "locality": "Costa Brava", "country": "ES", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "resort", "lat": 41.719, "lon": 2.932, "seaTempC": 23, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "Coarse golden sand", "water": "Clear blue", "swimming": "Sheltered and calm below the walled headland", "surf": "None", "setting": "A crescent beneath a medieval walled old town and its clifftop castle", "blueFlag": true, "tags": [ "walled town", "castle", "old town" ], "description": "A golden crescent beneath the honey-coloured medieval walls and clifftop tower that make Tossa the Costa Brava's icon.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/tossa-de-mar-es/" }, { "id": "zarautz-es", "name": "Zarautz", "locality": "Basque Country", "country": "ES", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "surf", "lat": 43.286, "lon": -2.171, "seaTempC": 20, "bestMonths": "Year-round", "sand": "Golden sand", "water": "Cool, clear Cantabrian blue", "swimming": "Lively Atlantic swell; lifeguarded swimming zones", "surf": "The Basque coast's longest beach-break and a surf-town institution", "setting": "The Basque Country's longest beach along a lively surf-and-pintxo town", "blueFlag": true, "tags": [ "surf", "promenade", "basque" ], "description": "The Basque coast's longest beach — a golden surf strand fronting a promenade of pintxo bars and board shops.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/zarautz-es/" }, { "id": "cala-benirras-es", "name": "Cala Benirràs", "locality": "Ibiza, Balearics", "country": "ES", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "wild", "lat": 39.104, "lon": 1.459, "seaTempC": 25, "bestMonths": "May-Oct", "sand": "Coarse golden sand and pebbles", "water": "Clear blue-green", "swimming": "Sheltered and clear in the deep-cut bay", "surf": "None", "setting": "A cliff-ringed northern bay famous for Sunday sunset drum circles", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "drums", "sunset", "bohemian" ], "description": "Ibiza's bohemian heart, a cliff-ringed northern cove where crowds gather each Sunday to drum the sun down.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/cala-benirras-es/" }, { "id": "cala-pregonda-es", "name": "Cala Pregonda", "locality": "Menorca, Balearics", "country": "ES", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "wild", "lat": 40.038, "lon": 4.087, "seaTempC": 24, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "Reddish-gold sand", "water": "Clear green-blue", "swimming": "Sheltered and calm behind offshore rock islets", "surf": "None", "setting": "A Mars-red cove on Menorca's wild north coast, reached on a long walk", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "red rocks", "remote", "hike-in" ], "description": "A wild, Mars-red cove on Menorca's rugged north coast, its ochre rock islets rising from clear green water.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/cala-pregonda-es/" }, { "id": "cala-salada-es", "name": "Cala Salada", "locality": "Sant Antoni, Ibiza", "country": "ES", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "tropical", "lat": 39.0097, "lon": 1.2992, "seaTempC": 26, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "Golden sand with rocky edges", "water": "Clear emerald-turquoise", "swimming": "Calm and sheltered bay", "surf": "None", "setting": "Red cliffs, pines and old fishermen's boat huts", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "turquoise", "cove", "fishing huts", "ibiza" ], "description": "A sheltered emerald cove ringed by red cliffs and old fishermen's huts north of Sant Antoni.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/cala-salada-es/" }, { "id": "platja-de-castell-es", "name": "Platja de Castell", "locality": "Palamós, Costa Brava", "country": "ES", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "wild", "lat": 41.869, "lon": 3.176, "seaTempC": 23, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "Coarse golden sand", "water": "Clear blue-green", "swimming": "Clean and calm in the sheltered bay", "surf": "None", "setting": "One of the Costa Brava's last undeveloped bays, saved by referendum", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "undeveloped", "coves", "Iberian ruins" ], "description": "The Costa Brava's great unspoilt bay — pine-backed sand and hidden coves that locals voted to save from developers.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/platja-de-castell-es/" }, { "id": "cuevas-del-mar-es", "name": "Playa de Cuevas del Mar", "locality": "Nueva de Llanes, Asturias", "country": "ES", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "exotic", "lat": 43.446, "lon": -4.93, "seaTempC": 19, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "Pale sand threaded between eroded rock arches", "water": "Clear, cool Cantabrian water", "swimming": "Sheltered pools at low tide between the arches", "surf": "None", "setting": "A cove of wave-carved arches and caves on the Llanes coast", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "arches", "caves", "llanes" ], "description": "A geology lesson you can swim in — arches, tunnels and caves carved through an Asturian cove.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/cuevas-del-mar-es/" }, { "id": "playa-de-laga-es", "name": "Playa de Laga", "locality": "Ibarrangelu, Urdaibai", "country": "ES", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "surf", "lat": 43.407, "lon": -2.655, "seaTempC": 20, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "Fine golden sand beneath the Ogoño headland", "water": "Clean, green-blue Cantabrian water", "swimming": "Swim the sheltered corner; the middle catches swell", "surf": "A consistent, prettier-than-Mundaka beach-break", "setting": "The Urdaibai biosphere reserve, with the great Ogoño cliff at one end", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "urdaibai", "headland", "basque" ], "description": "The Basque coast in one frame — golden sand, green hills and surf beneath the mighty Ogoño headland.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/playa-de-laga-es/" }, { "id": "playa-de-las-conchas-es", "name": "Playa de las Conchas", "locality": "La Graciosa", "country": "ES", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "wild", "lat": 29.2755, "lon": -13.5235, "seaTempC": 22, "bestMonths": "May-Oct", "sand": "Golden sand flecked with shells", "water": "Vivid turquoise but rough", "swimming": "Strong currents, swimming discouraged", "surf": "None", "setting": "Beneath red Montana Bermeja, facing wild islets", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "turquoise", "remote island", "red mountain", "wild" ], "description": "A dazzling turquoise-and-gold beach on car-free La Graciosa, wild and windswept below a red volcano.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/playa-de-las-conchas-es/" }, { "id": "playa-de-torimbia-es", "name": "Playa de Torimbia", "locality": "Llanes, Asturias", "country": "ES", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "wild", "lat": 43.458, "lon": -4.808, "seaTempC": 19, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "Fine pale sand", "water": "Clear, cool Cantabrian blue", "swimming": "Cool and lively; some current on the open shell-shaped bay", "surf": "Beach-break waves at the fringes", "setting": "An undeveloped shell-shaped bay reached on a cliff path in green Asturias", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "undeveloped", "cliffs", "shell bay" ], "description": "A perfect undeveloped shell of pale sand cupped by green Asturian cliffs, reached only on foot down a headland path.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/playa-de-torimbia-es/" }, { "id": "praia-de-carnota-es", "name": "Praia de Carnota", "locality": "Carnota, Galicia", "country": "ES", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "wild", "lat": 42.822, "lon": -9.093, "seaTempC": 18, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "Pale golden sand", "water": "Clear, cold Atlantic blue", "swimming": "Cold and lively with Atlantic currents", "surf": "Open Atlantic beach-break", "setting": "Galicia's longest beach, a wild seven-kilometre sweep of sand, dunes and marsh", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "wild", "dunes", "longest" ], "description": "Galicia's longest beach — a wild seven-kilometre arc of sand, dunes and tidal marsh beneath the green Costa da Morte hills.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/praia-de-carnota-es/" }, { "id": "hietaniemi-beach-fi", "name": "Hietaniemi Beach", "locality": "Helsinki", "country": "FI", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "cold", "lat": 60.171, "lon": 24.909, "seaTempC": 18, "bestMonths": "Jun-Aug", "sand": "Pale sand", "water": "Shallow, calm Baltic blue", "swimming": "Shallow, calm and briefly summer-warm", "surf": "None", "setting": "Helsinki's beloved 'Hietsu' city beach with beach volleyball and a café", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "city beach", "volleyball", "summer" ], "description": "Helsinki's beloved 'Hietsu' — the capital's summer heart of sand, beach volleyball and long Nordic evenings.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/hietaniemi-beach-fi/" }, { "id": "kalajoki-hiekkasarkat-fi", "name": "Kalajoki Hiekkasärkät", "locality": "Kalajoki, Ostrobothnia", "country": "FI", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "cold", "lat": 64.226, "lon": 23.847, "seaTempC": 18, "bestMonths": "Jun-Aug", "sand": "Wide golden dunes rolling into the Gulf of Bothnia", "water": "Shallow, surprisingly warm Bothnian water in July", "swimming": "Very shallow — wade far out over rippled sand", "surf": "None", "setting": "Finland's great dune coast, a resort town on the Gulf of Bothnia", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "dunes", "midnight sun", "family" ], "description": "Golden dunes at 64° north — Finland's improbable beach resort where the Bothnian shallows warm under the midnight sun.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/kalajoki-hiekkasarkat-fi/" }, { "id": "hanko-plagen-fi", "name": "Plagen Beach", "locality": "Hanko", "country": "FI", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "cold", "lat": 59.822, "lon": 22.965, "seaTempC": 18, "bestMonths": "Jun-Aug", "sand": "Soft pale sand between smooth granite outcrops", "water": "Clear, brisk Baltic water", "swimming": "Gentle and shallow; Finland's warmest corner, relatively speaking", "surf": "None", "setting": "Finland's sunny southern spa town of ornate wooden villas", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "wooden villas", "granite", "spa town" ], "description": "Finland's riviera — pale sand and smooth granite below the ornate wooden villas of sunny Hanko.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/hanko-plagen-fi/" }, { "id": "yyteri-beach-fi", "name": "Yyteri Beach", "locality": "Pori", "country": "FI", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "cold", "lat": 61.548, "lon": 21.564, "seaTempC": 18, "bestMonths": "Jun-Aug", "sand": "Fine pale sand and dunes", "water": "Shallow, gentle Baltic blue", "swimming": "Very shallow and gently warming; wade far out", "surf": "Occasional wind swell and kitesurfers", "setting": "Finland's largest sandy beach, a six-kilometre dune strand on the Gulf of Bothnia", "blueFlag": true, "tags": [ "dunes", "shallow", "Finland" ], "description": "Finland's largest beach — six kilometres of dunes and sand so shallow you can wade far into the Gulf of Bothnia.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/yyteri-beach-fi/" }, { "id": "tjornuvik-fo", "name": "Tjornuvik", "locality": "Streymoy, Faroe Islands", "country": "FO", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "wild", "lat": 62.289, "lon": -7.145, "seaTempC": 11, "bestMonths": "June to August", "sand": "Dark grey-black sand in a bay at the island's northern end", "water": "Cold, clear North Atlantic", "swimming": "For cold-water surfers and hardy swimmers only", "surf": "A noted Faroese cold-water surf break", "setting": "A tiny turf-roofed village ringed by peaks, facing the Risin og Kellingin sea stacks", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "black sand", "sea stacks", "Faroese village", "cold-water surf" ], "description": "Black sand in an amphitheatre of peaks, gazing out at the Faroes' famous giant-and-witch sea stacks.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/tjornuvik-fo/" }, { "id": "dune-du-pilat-fr", "name": "Dune du Pilat", "locality": "Pyla-sur-Mer, Arcachon", "country": "FR", "region": "Europe", "tier": 1, "category": "exotic", "lat": 44.5883, "lon": -1.2155, "seaTempC": 20, "bestMonths": "June-September", "sand": "Vast pale sand at the foot of Europe's tallest dune", "water": "Cool Atlantic at the mouth of Arcachon Bay", "swimming": "Strong currents near the Banc d'Arguin channel, caution advised", "surf": "None", "setting": "A 100-metre wall of sand and pine forest above, the Banc d'Arguin sandbank offshore", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "dune", "atlantic", "dramatic", "arcachon" ], "description": "The beach at the foot of Europe's tallest sand dune, a hundred-metre mountain of sand sliding into the Atlantic.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/dune-du-pilat-fr/" }, { "id": "la-graviere-fr", "name": "La Graviere", "locality": "Soorts-Hossegor, Landes", "country": "FR", "region": "Europe", "tier": 1, "category": "surf", "lat": 43.6738, "lon": -1.4409, "seaTempC": 21, "bestMonths": "September-October for autumn swells", "sand": "Golden sand with a steep shorebreak and shifting banks", "water": "Powerful blue-green Atlantic", "swimming": "Dangerous, heavy shorebreak and rips, strong swimmers only", "surf": "World-class barreling beach break, host of pro-tour events", "setting": "Open Landes dune coast lined with pine forest", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "surf", "barrel", "world-class", "atlantic" ], "description": "One of the planet's finest beach-break barrels, drawing the pro surf tour to Hossegor's shifting sandbanks each autumn.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/la-graviere-fr/" }, { "id": "plage-de-la-cote-des-basques-fr", "name": "Plage de la Cote des Basques", "locality": "Biarritz", "country": "FR", "region": "Europe", "tier": 1, "category": "surf", "lat": 43.4745, "lon": -1.5688, "seaTempC": 21, "bestMonths": "May-October, best surf in autumn", "sand": "Dark golden sand that vanishes at high tide", "water": "Green-blue Atlantic, often lively", "swimming": "Only at low to mid tide, strong currents and disappearing beach", "surf": "Legendary longboard break, birthplace of European surfing", "setting": "Backed by cliffs and Belle Epoque villas with views to the Spanish Pyrenees", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "surf", "longboard", "cliffs", "atlantic" ], "description": "The cradle of European surfing, a cliff-framed Atlantic beach where longboarders have carved swell since the 1950s.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/plage-de-la-cote-des-basques-fr/" }, { "id": "palombaggia-fr", "name": "Plage de Palombaggia", "locality": "Corsica", "country": "FR", "region": "Europe", "tier": 1, "category": "tropical", "lat": 41.554, "lon": 9.32, "seaTempC": 24, "bestMonths": "Jun–Sep", "sand": "Pale gold", "water": "Clear turquoise", "swimming": "Warm, shallow, calm", "surf": "None", "setting": "Umbrella pines & red rocks", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "Pines", "Snorkel", "Family" ], "description": "Umbrella pines and red granite framing Corsica’s dreamiest sands.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/palombaggia-fr/" }, { "id": "pampelonne-fr", "name": "Plage de Pampelonne", "locality": "Saint-Tropez", "country": "FR", "region": "Europe", "tier": 1, "category": "resort", "lat": 43.229, "lon": 6.66, "seaTempC": 24, "bestMonths": "Jun–Sep", "sand": "Golden", "water": "Med blue", "swimming": "Calm, warm", "surf": "None", "setting": "Legendary beach-club strip", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "Beach clubs", "Yachts", "Glamour" ], "description": "Five kilometres of Riviera glamour and the original celebrity beach clubs.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/pampelonne-fr/" }, { "id": "calanque-den-vau-fr", "name": "Calanque d'En-Vau", "locality": "Cassis", "country": "FR", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "wild", "lat": 43.202, "lon": 5.5014, "seaTempC": 22, "bestMonths": "June-September", "sand": "Small white-pebble and coarse-sand cove", "water": "Vivid emerald-turquoise, crystal clear", "swimming": "Calm and sheltered, deep and cool", "surf": "None", "setting": "Towering white limestone cliffs of the Calanques National Park", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "calanque", "cliffs", "hike-in", "provence" ], "description": "A cathedral of sheer white limestone walls plunging into emerald water, reached only on foot or by boat.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/calanque-den-vau-fr/" }, { "id": "calanque-de-sormiou-fr", "name": "Calanque de Sormiou", "locality": "Marseille", "country": "FR", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "wild", "lat": 43.209, "lon": 5.417, "seaTempC": 23, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "Pale sand and pebbles", "water": "Deep, clear jade-blue", "swimming": "Deep and clear beneath the white limestone", "surf": "None", "setting": "A fjord-like limestone inlet in the Calanques National Park", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "calanque", "limestone", "hike-in" ], "description": "A fjord-like limestone inlet of jade water and pale cliffs in the Calanques park, reached on foot or by boat from Marseille.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/calanque-de-sormiou-fr/" }, { "id": "etretat-fr", "name": "Étretat Beach", "locality": "Normandy", "country": "FR", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "wild", "lat": 49.707, "lon": 0.207, "seaTempC": 17, "bestMonths": "Jun–Sep", "sand": "White pebble", "water": "Cool Channel", "swimming": "Cold, pebbly", "surf": "None", "setting": "Chalk cliffs & arches", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "Sea arches", "Cliff walk", "Art history" ], "description": "The chalk arches and needle that Monet painted again and again.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/etretat-fr/" }, { "id": "biarritz-pt", "name": "Grande Plage", "locality": "Biarritz", "country": "FR", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "surf", "lat": 43.483, "lon": -1.56, "seaTempC": 20, "bestMonths": "Jun–Oct", "sand": "Golden", "water": "Atlantic", "swimming": "Patrolled, rips", "surf": "Europe’s surf birthplace", "setting": "Belle-Époque resort", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "Surf", "Casino", "Thalasso" ], "description": "The elegant Basque resort where European surfing began.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/biarritz-pt/" }, { "id": "omaha-beach-fr", "name": "Omaha Beach", "locality": "Normandy", "country": "FR", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "cold", "lat": 49.37, "lon": -0.871, "seaTempC": 17, "bestMonths": "May-Sep", "sand": "Wide flat golden sand", "water": "Cool, calm Channel blue", "swimming": "Shallow and calm at high tide; vast flats at low tide", "surf": "None", "setting": "A vast, solemn D-Day landing beach backed by memorials and a cemetery", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "D-Day", "history", "memorial" ], "description": "A vast, wind-swept strand of huge tides and deep history — the most storied of the 1944 D-Day landing beaches.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/omaha-beach-fr/" }, { "id": "paloma-beach-fr", "name": "Paloma Beach", "locality": "Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat", "country": "FR", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "resort", "lat": 43.6861, "lon": 7.3422, "seaTempC": 24, "bestMonths": "June-September", "sand": "Pebble-and-shingle cove, part public and part private club", "water": "Clear deep-blue Mediterranean", "swimming": "Calm, clear and sheltered in the anse", "surf": "None", "setting": "The glamorous Cap Ferrat peninsula, a chic beach club and villa-lined shore", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "riviera", "chic", "cove", "cap-ferrat" ], "description": "A chic Riviera cove on billionaires' Cap Ferrat, where a celebrated beach club meets clear Mediterranean blue.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/paloma-beach-fr/" }, { "id": "plage-de-notre-dame-fr", "name": "Plage de Notre-Dame", "locality": "Ile de Porquerolles, Hyeres", "country": "FR", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "tropical", "lat": 43.0115, "lon": 6.233, "seaTempC": 24, "bestMonths": "June-September", "sand": "Fine pale golden sand", "water": "Clear turquoise shallows", "swimming": "Calm, shallow and gentle", "surf": "None", "setting": "Umbrella-pine forest inside a protected national park on a car-free island", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "island", "turquoise", "pine-backed", "national-park" ], "description": "Often called France's most beautiful beach, a turquoise arc backed by umbrella pines on car-free Porquerolles.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/plage-de-notre-dame-fr/" }, { "id": "plage-de-rondinara-fr", "name": "Plage de Rondinara", "locality": "Bonifacio, Corsica", "country": "FR", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "tropical", "lat": 41.4723, "lon": 9.2713, "seaTempC": 24, "bestMonths": "June-September", "sand": "Fine white sand in a near-circular bay", "water": "Shallow turquoise, very clear", "swimming": "Calm, warm and shallow, family friendly", "surf": "None", "setting": "Almost-enclosed shell-shaped bay between Bonifacio and Porto-Vecchio", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "bay", "turquoise", "family", "corsica" ], "description": "A near-perfect circular bay of shallow turquoise water, curved like a scallop shell in Corsica's deep south.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/plage-de-rondinara-fr/" }, { "id": "plage-de-santa-giulia-fr", "name": "Plage de Santa Giulia", "locality": "Corsica", "country": "FR", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "tropical", "lat": 41.521, "lon": 9.263, "seaTempC": 24, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "Fine white sand", "water": "Shallow, luminous turquoise", "swimming": "Warm, shallow and calm in the near-enclosed bay", "surf": "None", "setting": "A sheltered lagoon-like bay of umbrella pines in southern Corsica", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "turquoise", "lagoon", "pines" ], "description": "A near-enclosed lagoon of luminous turquoise shallows and white sand, southern Corsica's most tropical bay.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/plage-de-santa-giulia-fr/" }, { "id": "plage-de-trestraou-fr", "name": "Plage de Trestraou", "locality": "Perros-Guirec, Cote de Granit Rose, Brittany", "country": "FR", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "cold", "lat": 48.8162, "lon": -3.4586, "seaTempC": 17, "bestMonths": "July-September", "sand": "Long crescent of fine pale sand", "water": "Cool clear Atlantic with a big tidal range", "swimming": "Refreshing to cold, gentle when sheltered, large tides", "surf": "None", "setting": "Gateway to the Pink Granite Coast and its rose-hued boulder formations", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "pink-granite", "brittany", "cold-water", "coastal-path" ], "description": "A sheltered Breton crescent that launches the coastal path past the surreal rose-pink granite boulders of Perros-Guirec.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/plage-de-trestraou-fr/" }, { "id": "plage-du-sillon-fr", "name": "Plage du Sillon", "locality": "Saint-Malo, Brittany", "country": "FR", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "resort", "lat": 48.66, "lon": -2.01, "seaTempC": 17, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "Three kilometres of firm golden sand below a great sea wall", "water": "Jade-green Channel water with huge tides", "swimming": "Guarded bathing; at spring tides the waves explode over the wall", "surf": "Occasional storm-day rides", "setting": "The corsair city's ramparts and breakwater timbers", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "ramparts", "big tides", "saint-malo" ], "description": "Saint-Malo's grand strand — three kilometres of tide-swept sand beneath the corsair city's ramparts.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/plage-du-sillon-fr/" }, { "id": "deauville-beach-fr", "name": "Deauville Beach", "locality": "Normandy", "country": "FR", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "resort", "lat": 49.358, "lon": 0.068, "seaTempC": 18, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "Wide pale sand", "water": "Cool, gentle Channel blue", "swimming": "Shallow and gentle, lifeguarded in summer", "surf": "None", "setting": "The grand Belle-Époque resort of parasols, boardwalk and beach cabanas", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "belle-epoque", "boardwalk", "chic" ], "description": "Normandy's grande-dame resort — a wide sand beach of coloured parasols, a wooden boardwalk and film-festival glamour.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/deauville-beach-fr/" }, { "id": "hendaye-plage-fr", "name": "Hendaye Plage", "locality": "Basque Coast", "country": "FR", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "surf", "lat": 43.375, "lon": -1.77, "seaTempC": 21, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "Three kilometres of gentle golden sand", "water": "Clean Atlantic blue, softer here than anywhere on the Basque coast", "swimming": "The Basque coast's safest family swimming", "surf": "France's best beginner waves — soft, long and forgiving", "setting": "The last French beach before Spain, facing the Deux Jumeaux rocks", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "beginner surf", "family", "basque" ], "description": "France's gentlest surf beach — long soft waves on the last sand before the Spanish border.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/hendaye-plage-fr/" }, { "id": "plage-d-argent-fr", "name": "Plage d'Argent", "locality": "Porquerolles, Provence", "country": "FR", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "tropical", "lat": 43.004, "lon": 6.19, "seaTempC": 24, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "Silver-white sand that named the beach", "water": "Shallow, glass-clear turquoise", "swimming": "Calm, shallow and clear off a car-free island", "surf": "None", "setting": "Pine forest on the national-park island of Porquerolles", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "car-free island", "pines", "national park" ], "description": "Silver sand and pool-clear shallows on car-free Porquerolles — Provence's national-park island.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/plage-d-argent-fr/" }, { "id": "plage-de-l-espiguette-fr", "name": "Plage de l'Espiguette", "locality": "Camargue", "country": "FR", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "wild", "lat": 43.478, "lon": 4.138, "seaTempC": 23, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "Vast pale sand and dunes", "water": "Shallow, gentle Mediterranean blue", "swimming": "Shallow, warm and calm along an endless open strand", "surf": "None", "setting": "A huge wild dune beach on the edge of the Camargue delta", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "dunes", "wild", "vast" ], "description": "A vast, wild sweep of pale sand and shifting dunes on the flamingo-filled edge of the Camargue.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/plage-de-l-espiguette-fr/" }, { "id": "plage-de-l-ostriconi-fr", "name": "Plage de l'Ostriconi", "locality": "Corsica", "country": "FR", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "wild", "lat": 42.653, "lon": 9.078, "seaTempC": 23, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "Golden sand and dunes", "water": "Clear turquoise", "swimming": "Clear and lively where a river meets the sea", "surf": "Wind swell on the open bay", "setting": "A wild dune-and-river beach at the gateway to Corsica's Désert des Agriates", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "dunes", "river mouth", "wild" ], "description": "A wild golden beach where a river winds through dunes into turquoise sea, guarding the edge of Corsica's Agriates desert.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/plage-de-l-ostriconi-fr/" }, { "id": "conche-des-baleines-fr", "name": "Plage de la Conche des Baleines", "locality": "Île de Ré", "country": "FR", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "wild", "lat": 46.245, "lon": -1.56, "seaTempC": 19, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "A vast, dune-backed crescent of pale sand", "water": "Clean, cool Atlantic blue", "swimming": "Open Atlantic bathing, watched in summer", "surf": "Gentle beach-break on the right tides", "setting": "Pine woods, whale-name legends and the Baleines lighthouse", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "île de ré", "lighthouse", "dunes" ], "description": "Île de Ré's wild side — a huge pale crescent under the gaze of the Baleines lighthouse.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/conche-des-baleines-fr/" }, { "id": "plage-de-la-torche-fr", "name": "Plage de la Torche", "locality": "Brittany", "country": "FR", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "surf", "lat": 47.837, "lon": -4.349, "seaTempC": 16, "bestMonths": "Year-round", "sand": "Pale golden sand", "water": "Cool, clear Atlantic blue", "swimming": "Powerful swell and currents — a surf and windsurf beach", "surf": "Brittany's premier beach-break, off the Pointe de la Torche", "setting": "A wild dune-backed bay at a rocky point in south-west Brittany", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "surf", "point", "dunes" ], "description": "Brittany's surf capital — a dune-backed bay off a rocky headland that catches the full swell of the Atlantic.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/plage-de-la-torche-fr/" }, { "id": "plage-de-nonza-fr", "name": "Plage de Nonza", "locality": "Nonza, Cap Corse, Corsica", "country": "FR", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "exotic", "lat": 42.79, "lon": 9.343, "seaTempC": 23, "bestMonths": "June-September", "sand": "Dark grey-black pebbles and shingle", "water": "Deep blue-green, clear", "swimming": "Deepens quickly, pebble entry, can be breezy", "surf": "None", "setting": "Beneath the cliff-top village of Nonza on Cap Corse's wild west coast", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "black-pebbles", "dramatic", "corsica", "cliff-village" ], "description": "A striking ribbon of dark pebbles below a cliff-perched watchtower, tinted grey-black by old mine residue.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/plage-de-nonza-fr/" }, { "id": "plage-de-roccapina-fr", "name": "Plage de Roccapina", "locality": "Corsica", "country": "FR", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "wild", "lat": 41.478, "lon": 8.936, "seaTempC": 24, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "Fine golden sand", "water": "Clear turquoise", "swimming": "Clear, shallow and calm in the sheltered cove", "surf": "None", "setting": "A remote cove below a granite outcrop shaped like a crouching lion", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "lion rock", "remote", "turquoise" ], "description": "A remote turquoise cove watched over by the 'Lion of Roccapina', a granite crag weathered into a crouching lion.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/plage-de-roccapina-fr/" }, { "id": "plage-de-saleccia-fr", "name": "Plage de Saleccia", "locality": "Desert des Agriates, Saint-Florent, Corsica", "country": "FR", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "wild", "lat": 42.7253, "lon": 9.202, "seaTempC": 24, "bestMonths": "June-September", "sand": "Powder-white fine sand over a kilometre long", "water": "Turquoise and transparent", "swimming": "Calm and shallow", "surf": "None", "setting": "Roadless Agriates desert scrub, reached only by 4x4 track or boat", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "wild", "white-sand", "remote", "corsica" ], "description": "A kilometre of Caribbean-white sand marooned in Corsica's roadless Agriates desert, reachable only by boat or 4x4.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/plage-de-saleccia-fr/" }, { "id": "plage-du-cap-ferret-fr", "name": "Plage du Cap Ferret", "locality": "Arcachon Bay", "country": "FR", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "surf", "lat": 44.628, "lon": -1.245, "seaTempC": 20, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "Wide pale golden sand", "water": "Clear, cool Atlantic blue", "swimming": "Strong Atlantic surf and currents on the ocean side", "surf": "Long open Atlantic beach-break", "setting": "The ocean side of a chic pine-and-oyster peninsula opposite the Dune du Pilat", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "surf", "peninsula", "oysters" ], "description": "The wild ocean side of the chic Cap Ferret peninsula, all Atlantic surf, oyster shacks and pine forest.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/plage-du-cap-ferret-fr/" }, { "id": "fistral-beach-gb", "name": "Fistral Beach", "locality": "Newquay, Cornwall", "country": "GB", "region": "Europe", "tier": 1, "category": "surf", "lat": 50.4163, "lon": -5.1015, "seaTempC": 17, "bestMonths": "May to October, surf year-round", "sand": "Wide golden sand backed by dunes", "water": "Blue-green Atlantic, often churning with swell", "swimming": "Powerful surf beach with strong rips; lifeguarded in season", "surf": "Excellent, Britain's premier surf beach with consistent Atlantic swell", "setting": "Dunes and headlands on the edge of buzzing Newquay", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "surf", "Atlantic swell", "dunes", "Newquay" ], "description": "The beating heart of British surfing, with reliable Atlantic waves and a lively beach scene.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/fistral-beach-gb/" }, { "id": "kynance-cove-gb", "name": "Kynance Cove", "locality": "The Lizard, Cornwall", "country": "GB", "region": "Europe", "tier": 1, "category": "exotic", "lat": 49.975, "lon": -5.23, "seaTempC": 17, "bestMonths": "June to September", "sand": "Pale golden sand between dark serpentine rock stacks, mostly covered at high tide", "water": "Vivid turquoise and jade over pale sand", "swimming": "Beautiful but cold; safest on a falling tide, mind the currents", "surf": "None", "setting": "Serpentine sea cliffs, rock stacks and the National Trust coast path", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "turquoise water", "serpentine rock", "National Trust", "tidal cove" ], "description": "Jade-green water swirls between dark serpentine stacks on Cornwall's most photographed cove.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/kynance-cove-gb/" }, { "id": "luskentyre-gb", "name": "Luskentyre Sands", "locality": "Isle of Harris", "country": "GB", "region": "Europe", "tier": 1, "category": "cold", "lat": 57.883, "lon": -6.958, "seaTempC": 13, "bestMonths": "May–Sep", "sand": "White shell", "water": "Turquoise (but cold)", "swimming": "Very cold", "surf": "Some", "setting": "Hebridean machair", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "Photography", "Wild", "Tidal flats" ], "description": "Caribbean-blue water over white shell sand — in the cold Outer Hebrides.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/luskentyre-gb/" }, { "id": "bamburgh-beach-gb", "name": "Bamburgh Beach", "locality": "Northumberland", "country": "GB", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "wild", "lat": 55.609, "lon": -1.709, "seaTempC": 15, "bestMonths": "May to September", "sand": "Vast pale-gold sand and dunes stretching for miles", "water": "Clear North Sea, cold and clean", "swimming": "Bracing North Sea swimming with strong tides, largely unpatrolled", "surf": "Occasional rideable waves off the point", "setting": "Dominated by clifftop Bamburgh Castle with the Farne Islands offshore", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "castle backdrop", "dunes", "North Sea", "wide beach" ], "description": "Endless pale sand sweeps beneath the ramparts of a thousand-year-old clifftop castle.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/bamburgh-beach-gb/" }, { "id": "barafundle-bay-gb", "name": "Barafundle Bay", "locality": "Pembrokeshire, Wales", "country": "GB", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "cold", "lat": 51.6178, "lon": -4.8917, "seaTempC": 17, "bestMonths": "June to September", "sand": "Arc of soft golden sand reached only on foot over a headland", "water": "Clear blue-green, sheltered and calm", "swimming": "Sheltered and swimmable, though bracing", "surf": "None", "setting": "Dunes, pine trees and clifftop coast path with no road access", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "golden sand", "walk-in only", "Pembrokeshire", "secluded" ], "description": "A Caribbean-looking crescent of golden sand hidden beyond a clifftop walk on the Welsh coast.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/barafundle-bay-gb/" }, { "id": "durdle-door-gb", "name": "Durdle Door", "locality": "Dorset", "country": "GB", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "wild", "lat": 50.621, "lon": -2.276, "seaTempC": 17, "bestMonths": "Jun–Sep", "sand": "Pebble & shingle", "water": "Clear Channel", "swimming": "Cool, pebbly", "surf": "None", "setting": "Natural limestone arch", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "Sea arch", "Jurassic Coast", "Fossils" ], "description": "The Jurassic Coast’s great limestone arch striding into the sea.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/durdle-door-gb/" }, { "id": "holkham-beach-gb", "name": "Holkham Beach", "locality": "North Norfolk", "country": "GB", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "wild", "lat": 52.976, "lon": 0.79, "seaTempC": 16, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "An immense, flat golden expanse under huge skies", "water": "Shallow North Sea over kilometre-wide sands", "swimming": "More paddling and lagoon-bathing than swimming; vast tides", "surf": "None", "setting": "Pine woods and a national nature reserve on the Holkham estate", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "vast", "pines", "nature reserve" ], "description": "England's emptiest grandeur — a mile of golden sand at low tide, framed by pines and enormous Norfolk skies.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/holkham-beach-gb/" }, { "id": "porthcurno-gb", "name": "Porthcurno", "locality": "Cornwall", "country": "GB", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "tropical", "lat": 50.043, "lon": -5.653, "seaTempC": 16, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "Fine white shell sand", "water": "Startlingly clear turquoise", "swimming": "Cool but clear and sheltered in the cove", "surf": "Small waves", "setting": "A white-sand cove below the cliff-carved Minack open-air theatre", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "turquoise", "Minack theatre", "cliffs" ], "description": "A startlingly turquoise cove of white shell sand beneath the Minack, the theatre hewn into Cornwall's granite cliffs.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/porthcurno-gb/" }, { "id": "rhossili-gb", "name": "Rhossili Bay", "locality": "Gower, Wales", "country": "GB", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "wild", "lat": 51.567, "lon": -4.293, "seaTempC": 16, "bestMonths": "Jun–Sep", "sand": "Golden", "water": "Cold Atlantic", "swimming": "Cold, rips", "surf": "Good", "setting": "3 mi sweep under a down", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "Surf", "Cliff walk", "Worms Head" ], "description": "A three-mile golden sweep repeatedly voted Britain’s best beach.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/rhossili-gb/" }, { "id": "sandwood-bay-gb", "name": "Sandwood Bay", "locality": "Sutherland, Scotland", "country": "GB", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "wild", "lat": 58.535, "lon": -5.07, "seaTempC": 13, "bestMonths": "May to September", "sand": "A mile of pink-tinged sand backed by dunes and a freshwater loch", "water": "Clear, cold Atlantic with rolling breakers", "swimming": "Wild and cold with strong surf; for hardy swimmers only", "surf": "Occasional Atlantic swell but remote and unpatrolled", "setting": "Remote moorland and the sea stack Am Buachaille, a four-mile walk from the road", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "remote", "sea stack", "hike-in", "wild" ], "description": "A mile of empty pink sand guarded by a sea stack at the roadless edge of northwest Scotland.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/sandwood-bay-gb/" }, { "id": "three-cliffs-bay-gb", "name": "Three Cliffs Bay", "locality": "Gower, Wales", "country": "GB", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "wild", "lat": 51.573, "lon": -4.108, "seaTempC": 16, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "Golden sand around a winding creek", "water": "Cool, clear blue with strong tides", "swimming": "Beware fast tides and rip; a paddling and walking beach", "surf": "Occasional swell", "setting": "A wild bay of three limestone peaks, a ruined castle and a tidal creek on Gower", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "limestone peaks", "castle", "tidal creek" ], "description": "The signature view of Gower — golden sand curling round a tidal creek beneath three limestone peaks and a ruined castle.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/three-cliffs-bay-gb/" }, { "id": "west-wittering-gb", "name": "West Wittering Beach", "locality": "West Sussex", "country": "GB", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "resort", "lat": 50.775, "lon": -0.91, "seaTempC": 17, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "Broad, clean golden sand with dune-backed shallows", "water": "Some of the south coast's cleanest, warmest shallows", "swimming": "Gently shelving, warm over the sandflats at low tide", "surf": "None; a windsurf lagoon at East Head", "setting": "National Trust dunes at the mouth of Chichester Harbour", "blueFlag": true, "tags": [ "national trust", "dunes", "family" ], "description": "The south of England at its best-behaved — clean golden sand and warm shallows by Chichester Harbour.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/west-wittering-gb/" }, { "id": "achmelvich-beach-gb", "name": "Achmelvich Beach", "locality": "Assynt, Scotland", "country": "GB", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "cold", "lat": 58.17, "lon": -5.305, "seaTempC": 13, "bestMonths": "Jun-Aug", "sand": "Brilliant white shell sand", "water": "Startlingly clear pale turquoise", "swimming": "Cold and clear — Caribbean-bright but bracing", "surf": "None", "setting": "A tiny white-sand cove among the rocky knolls of the north-west Highlands", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "white sand", "Highlands", "turquoise" ], "description": "A tiny Highland cove where brilliant white shell sand meets water so clear and pale it looks tropical — until you dive in.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/achmelvich-beach-gb/" }, { "id": "perranporth-gb", "name": "Perranporth", "locality": "Cornwall", "country": "GB", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "surf", "lat": 50.345, "lon": -5.156, "seaTempC": 16, "bestMonths": "Year-round", "sand": "Vast golden sand and dunes", "water": "Cool, clear Atlantic blue", "swimming": "Broad, lively surf; lifeguarded flags in summer", "surf": "A huge, reliable beach-break with a beach bar on the sand", "setting": "Three miles of dune-backed surf sand with a famous bar built on the beach", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "surf", "dunes", "beach bar" ], "description": "Three golden miles of dune-backed Cornish surf, home to the Watering Hole — Britain's only bar built on the sand.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/perranporth-gb/" }, { "id": "watergate-bay-gb", "name": "Watergate Bay", "locality": "Cornwall", "country": "GB", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "surf", "lat": 50.442, "lon": -5.043, "seaTempC": 16, "bestMonths": "Year-round", "sand": "Wide golden sand", "water": "Cool, clear Atlantic blue", "swimming": "Lively Atlantic swell; lifeguarded in summer", "surf": "Two miles of consistent beach-break near Newquay", "setting": "A two-mile cliff-backed surf beach beside Newquay", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "surf", "cliffs", "wide" ], "description": "Two miles of golden Atlantic surf sand beneath dark cliffs, the sporty heart of Cornwall's surf coast near Newquay.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/watergate-bay-gb/" }, { "id": "west-sands-gb", "name": "West Sands", "locality": "St Andrews, Scotland", "country": "GB", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "cold", "lat": 56.345, "lon": -2.808, "seaTempC": 13, "bestMonths": "Jun-Aug", "sand": "Vast flat golden sand", "water": "Cold, gentle North Sea blue", "swimming": "Shallow, calm and very cold", "surf": "None", "setting": "A two-mile strand beside the Old Course, famous from Chariots of Fire", "blueFlag": true, "tags": [ "Chariots of Fire", "golf", "vast" ], "description": "The vast flat strand beside St Andrews' Old Course, immortalised by the running scene in Chariots of Fire.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/west-sands-gb/" }, { "id": "whiterocks-beach-gb", "name": "Whiterocks Beach", "locality": "Portrush, Northern Ireland", "country": "GB", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "cold", "lat": 55.212, "lon": -6.612, "seaTempC": 14, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "Golden sand below white cliffs", "water": "Cool, clear Atlantic blue", "swimming": "Lively swell; a surf and horse-riding beach", "surf": "Reliable beach-break on the Causeway Coast", "setting": "Golden sand beneath sculpted white limestone cliffs on the Causeway Coast", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "white cliffs", "surf", "Causeway Coast" ], "description": "Golden surf sand beneath dazzling white limestone cliffs, riddled with caves and arches on the Causeway Coast.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/whiterocks-beach-gb/" }, { "id": "whitesands-bay-gb", "name": "Whitesands Bay", "locality": "Pembrokeshire, Wales", "country": "GB", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "surf", "lat": 51.895, "lon": -5.295, "seaTempC": 15, "bestMonths": "Year-round", "sand": "Wide golden sand", "water": "Cool, clear Atlantic blue", "swimming": "Lively swell; lifeguarded flags in summer", "surf": "A reliable beach-break below the tip of Wales", "setting": "A golden surf bay beneath rocky St David's Head, facing Ramsey Island", "blueFlag": true, "tags": [ "surf", "headland", "wild coast" ], "description": "A golden surf bay under the rocky headland at the western tip of Wales, gazing out to Ramsey Island.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/whitesands-bay-gb/" }, { "id": "woolacombe-gb", "name": "Woolacombe", "locality": "Devon", "country": "GB", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "surf", "lat": 51.173, "lon": -4.209, "seaTempC": 16, "bestMonths": "Year-round", "sand": "Wide golden sand", "water": "Cool, clean Atlantic blue", "swimming": "Gently shelving with reliable surf; lifeguarded", "surf": "Long, family-friendly beach-break", "setting": "A three-mile golden surf beach backed by National Trust dunes", "blueFlag": true, "tags": [ "surf", "dunes", "family" ], "description": "A three-mile sweep of clean golden sand and gentle surf, repeatedly voted among Britain's best beaches.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/woolacombe-gb/" }, { "id": "navagio-gr", "name": "Navagio (Shipwreck) Beach", "locality": "Zakynthos", "country": "GR", "region": "Europe", "tier": 0, "category": "wild", "lat": 37.859, "lon": 20.625, "seaTempC": 24, "bestMonths": "Jun–Sep", "sand": "White pebble-sand", "water": "Neon turquoise", "swimming": "Clear, deep", "surf": "None", "setting": "Cliff-locked cove, boat-only", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "Shipwreck", "Cliffs", "Boat" ], "description": "A rusting smugglers’ wreck marooned on white sand between towering cliffs.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/navagio-gr/" }, { "id": "balos-gr", "name": "Balos Lagoon", "locality": "Crete", "country": "GR", "region": "Europe", "tier": 1, "category": "tropical", "lat": 35.588, "lon": 23.588, "seaTempC": 24, "bestMonths": "May–Oct", "sand": "Pink-tinged white", "water": "Shallow turquoise lagoon", "swimming": "Warm, shallow, calm", "surf": "None", "setting": "Wild peninsula", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "Lagoon", "Hike-in", "Snorkel" ], "description": "A shallow, blindingly bright lagoon at Crete’s wild north-west tip.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/balos-gr/" }, { "id": "egremni-beach-gr", "name": "Egremni Beach", "locality": "Lefkada, Ionian", "country": "GR", "region": "Europe", "tier": 1, "category": "wild", "lat": 38.6375, "lon": 20.5584, "seaTempC": 25, "bestMonths": "Jun–Sep", "sand": "Long strip of fine white pebbles and sand below a sheer cliff", "water": "Electric blue-turquoise, deep and clear", "swimming": "Deep, clean water that can turn choppy when the wind picks up", "surf": "None", "setting": "The base of a towering white cliff on Lefkada's wild west coast", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "white cliffs", "dramatic", "turquoise" ], "description": "A dazzling white-cliff beach on Lefkada's west coast reached by a long clifftop stairway.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/egremni-beach-gr/" }, { "id": "elafonissi-gr", "name": "Elafonissi Beach", "locality": "Crete", "country": "GR", "region": "Europe", "tier": 1, "category": "exotic", "lat": 35.271, "lon": 23.539, "seaTempC": 24, "bestMonths": "May–Oct", "sand": "Pink coral", "water": "Shallow turquoise", "swimming": "Warm, shallow, safe", "surf": "None", "setting": "Nature reserve islet", "blueFlag": true, "tags": [ "Pink sand", "Family", "Wade-across" ], "description": "Pink coral sand and a wade-across lagoon on a protected islet.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/elafonissi-gr/" }, { "id": "kleftiko-gr", "name": "Kleftiko", "locality": "Milos, Cyclades", "country": "GR", "region": "Europe", "tier": 1, "category": "exotic", "lat": 36.6522, "lon": 24.333, "seaTempC": 24, "bestMonths": "Jun–Sep", "sand": "No beach — swim among white sea-stacks straight from a boat", "water": "Luminous pale turquoise over a bright volcanic seabed", "swimming": "Crystal-clear deep water threading between rocks; boat access only", "surf": "None", "setting": "Blinding-white volcanic pillars, arches and caves once used by pirates", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "sea caves", "white rock", "boat-only" ], "description": "A labyrinth of dazzling white volcanic cliffs, arches and caves reachable only by boat.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/kleftiko-gr/" }, { "id": "myrtos-gr", "name": "Myrtos Beach", "locality": "Kefalonia", "country": "GR", "region": "Europe", "tier": 1, "category": "wild", "lat": 38.343, "lon": 20.535, "seaTempC": 24, "bestMonths": "Jun–Sep", "sand": "White pebble", "water": "Sapphire & turquoise", "swimming": "Deep, clear", "surf": "None", "setting": "Sheer mountain amphitheatre", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "Viewpoint", "Photography" ], "description": "A dazzling white ribbon between sheer green mountains and blue sea.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/myrtos-gr/" }, { "id": "sarakiniko-gr", "name": "Sarakiniko Beach", "locality": "Milos", "country": "GR", "region": "Europe", "tier": 1, "category": "exotic", "lat": 36.766, "lon": 24.437, "seaTempC": 24, "bestMonths": "May–Oct", "sand": "White volcanic rock", "water": "Deep blue", "swimming": "Deep, clear, cliff jumps", "surf": "None", "setting": "Lunar volcanic ash", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "Cliff jumping", "Photography", "Geology" ], "description": "A moonscape of wind-carved white volcanic rock against ink-blue water.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/sarakiniko-gr/" }, { "id": "super-paradise-beach-gr", "name": "Super Paradise Beach", "locality": "Mykonos, Cyclades", "country": "GR", "region": "Europe", "tier": 1, "category": "resort", "lat": 37.4126, "lon": 25.3653, "seaTempC": 24, "bestMonths": "Jun–Sep", "sand": "Golden sand lined end to end with loungers and beach clubs", "water": "Clear deep-blue, calm and sheltered", "swimming": "Calm water deepening steadily from the shore", "surf": "None", "setting": "A south-coast cove ringed by pumping beach clubs and bars", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "party", "beach clubs", "lively" ], "description": "Mykonos's legendary party cove where the beach clubs run from midday to sunrise.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/super-paradise-beach-gr/" }, { "id": "vai-beach-gr", "name": "Vai Beach", "locality": "Palekastro, East Crete", "country": "GR", "region": "Europe", "tier": 1, "category": "exotic", "lat": 35.2546, "lon": 26.2649, "seaTempC": 25, "bestMonths": "May–Oct", "sand": "Soft pale-gold sand at the foot of Europe's largest natural palm grove", "water": "Clear turquoise, shallow and calm", "swimming": "Gentle shallow entry, sheltered and family-friendly", "surf": "None", "setting": "Thousands of native Cretan date palms filling the valley behind the bay", "blueFlag": true, "tags": [ "palm forest", "turquoise", "organized" ], "description": "A palm-backed golden cove at Crete's far eastern tip that looks transplanted from the tropics.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/vai-beach-gr/" }, { "id": "voidokilia-beach-gr", "name": "Voidokilia Beach", "locality": "Pylos, Peloponnese", "country": "GR", "region": "Europe", "tier": 1, "category": "wild", "lat": 36.964, "lon": 21.6596, "seaTempC": 24, "bestMonths": "Jun–Sep", "sand": "Fine pale sand curved into an almost perfect semicircle", "water": "Shallow, warm, clear turquoise", "swimming": "Calm, shallow, sheltered water — safe for all", "surf": "None", "setting": "A near-perfect omega-shaped bay backed by dunes, a lagoon and a hilltop castle", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "omega bay", "protected", "turquoise" ], "description": "A flawless omega-shaped bay of pale sand and turquoise water beneath a Frankish castle.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/voidokilia-beach-gr/" }, { "id": "agios-prokopios-gr", "name": "Agios Prokopios", "locality": "Naxos", "country": "GR", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "tropical", "lat": 37.077, "lon": 25.363, "seaTempC": 25, "bestMonths": "May-Oct", "sand": "Fine white sand", "water": "Shallow, clear turquoise", "swimming": "Warm, shallow and calm", "surf": "None", "setting": "A long white-sand beach near Naxos town, backed by salt lagoons", "blueFlag": true, "tags": [ "turquoise", "white sand", "lagoon" ], "description": "A long, gently shelving strand of white sand and turquoise water repeatedly ranked among Greece's very best beaches.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/agios-prokopios-gr/" }, { "id": "ammolofoi-beach-gr", "name": "Ammolofoi Beach", "locality": "Nea Peramos, Kavala", "country": "GR", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "tropical", "lat": 40.815, "lon": 24.28, "seaTempC": 25, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "Golden dunes — the name means 'sand dunes'", "water": "Shallow, exotic turquoise unusual for the mainland", "swimming": "Warm, shallow and calm over pale sand", "surf": "None", "setting": "Northern Greece's showpiece sand near ancient Kavala", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "dunes", "turquoise", "north aegean" ], "description": "Northern Greece's secret Caribbean — golden dunes and shallow turquoise an hour from Kavala.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/ammolofoi-beach-gr/" }, { "id": "anthony-quinn-bay-gr", "name": "Anthony Quinn Bay", "locality": "Faliraki, Rhodes", "country": "GR", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "wild", "lat": 36.3214, "lon": 28.209, "seaTempC": 25, "bestMonths": "May–Oct", "sand": "Small pebble beach edged by flat rock shelves", "water": "Jewel-like turquoise and emerald, superb for snorkelling", "swimming": "Clear, calm water over rocks; excellent snorkelling", "surf": "None", "setting": "A rocky pine-fringed cove named after the Zorba actor who loved it", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "snorkelling", "rocky cove", "turquoise" ], "description": "A jewel-toned rocky cove named for actor Anthony Quinn and beloved by snorkellers.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/anthony-quinn-bay-gr/" }, { "id": "antisamos-beach-gr", "name": "Antisamos Beach", "locality": "Sami, Kefalonia", "country": "GR", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "wild", "lat": 38.2606, "lon": 20.6739, "seaTempC": 25, "bestMonths": "Jun–Sep", "sand": "Bright white pebbles shelving into deep water", "water": "Intense blue-green, exceptionally clear", "swimming": "Deep, clear water close to shore; refreshing and clean", "surf": "None", "setting": "An amphitheatre of steep green mountains dropping to the bay", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "green hills", "pebbles", "clear water" ], "description": "A pebbled bay ringed by lush green mountains that starred in Captain Corelli's Mandolin.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/antisamos-beach-gr/" }, { "id": "elia-beach-gr", "name": "Elia Beach", "locality": "Mykonos", "country": "GR", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "resort", "lat": 37.412, "lon": 25.415, "seaTempC": 25, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "Mykonos's longest run of fine pale sand", "water": "Clear, deep Aegean blue", "swimming": "Clear and deep-shelving, organised with loungers", "surf": "None", "setting": "A polished, cosmopolitan bay on Mykonos's south coast", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "mykonos", "cosmopolitan", "loungers" ], "description": "Mykonos at full polish — the island's longest sand, lined with loungers and cosmopolitan beach bars.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/elia-beach-gr/" }, { "id": "falassarna-beach-gr", "name": "Falassarna Beach", "locality": "Kissamos, West Crete", "country": "GR", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "resort", "lat": 35.5036, "lon": 23.5764, "seaTempC": 25, "bestMonths": "May–Oct", "sand": "Wide expanse of fine, faintly pink-tinged sand", "water": "Bright turquoise, clean and shallow", "swimming": "Open water that can whip up afternoon waves in the meltemi wind", "surf": "Occasional wind-driven waves", "setting": "A broad open bay backed by low hills, famed for its sunsets", "blueFlag": true, "tags": [ "sunset", "wide sandy", "turquoise" ], "description": "A vast pink-tinged sweep of sand renowned for the finest sunsets in Crete.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/falassarna-beach-gr/" }, { "id": "firiplaka-beach-gr", "name": "Firiplaka Beach", "locality": "Milos", "country": "GR", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "wild", "lat": 36.665, "lon": 24.462, "seaTempC": 25, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "Pale sand below striped cliffs", "water": "Vivid clear turquoise", "swimming": "Warm, clear and calm beneath the cliffs", "surf": "None", "setting": "A cove backed by pink-and-white volcanic cliffs on southern Milos", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "volcanic cliffs", "turquoise", "Milos" ], "description": "A vivid turquoise cove beneath dramatic pink-streaked volcanic cliffs on the south coast of Milos.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/firiplaka-beach-gr/" }, { "id": "gerakas-beach-gr", "name": "Gerakas Beach", "locality": "Vasilikos, Zakynthos", "country": "GR", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "wild", "lat": 37.7067, "lon": 20.9874, "seaTempC": 25, "bestMonths": "Jun–Sep", "sand": "Soft golden sand beneath sculpted ochre clay cliffs", "water": "Warm, shallow and clear turquoise", "swimming": "Calm shallow water; the beach closes at night to protect nesting turtles", "surf": "None", "setting": "A protected Natura reserve and key loggerhead turtle nesting site", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "turtle nesting", "protected", "golden sand" ], "description": "A protected golden crescent that is one of the Mediterranean's prime loggerhead turtle nurseries.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/gerakas-beach-gr/" }, { "id": "kathisma-beach-gr", "name": "Kathisma Beach", "locality": "Lefkada", "country": "GR", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "resort", "lat": 38.735, "lon": 20.56, "seaTempC": 24, "bestMonths": "May-Oct", "sand": "Pale sand and fine pebbles", "water": "Bright, clear turquoise", "swimming": "Clear and lively; some open-sea swell", "surf": "Occasional wind swell on the open west coast", "setting": "A long west-coast beach with bars, backed by steep green cliffs", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "turquoise", "cliffs", "sunset" ], "description": "Lefkada's liveliest west-coast beach — bright turquoise below steep green cliffs, famous for its Ionian sunsets.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/kathisma-beach-gr/" }, { "id": "kavourotrypes-gr", "name": "Kavourotrypes", "locality": "Sithonia, Halkidiki", "country": "GR", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "exotic", "lat": 40.1266, "lon": 23.9697, "seaTempC": 24, "bestMonths": "Jun–Sep", "sand": "A string of tiny coves of pale sand between smooth white rocks", "water": "Vivid 'Sithonian blue' turquoise, crystal-clear", "swimming": "Calm clear water in a series of sheltered pockets", "surf": "None", "setting": "Sculpted white rocks and pine trees along Sithonia's east coast", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "white rocks", "coves", "turquoise" ], "description": "A chain of sculpted white-rock coves glowing with the famous 'Sithonian blue' on Halkidiki.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/kavourotrypes-gr/" }, { "id": "kolymbithres-gr", "name": "Kolymbithres", "locality": "Naoussa, Paros", "country": "GR", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "exotic", "lat": 37.129, "lon": 25.221, "seaTempC": 24, "bestMonths": "Jun–Sep", "sand": "Little sandy coves tucked between smooth sculpted granite boulders", "water": "Shallow, warm and clear turquoise", "swimming": "Sheltered rock-framed pools, calm and ideal for children", "surf": "None", "setting": "Wind- and sea-carved grey granite formations around Naoussa Bay", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "rock formations", "coves", "turquoise" ], "description": "Wind-sculpted granite boulders carve the shore into a string of tiny turquoise pools.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/kolymbithres-gr/" }, { "id": "koukounaries-gr", "name": "Koukounaries", "locality": "Skiathos", "country": "GR", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "tropical", "lat": 39.161, "lon": 23.437, "seaTempC": 24, "bestMonths": "May-Oct", "sand": "Fine golden 'gold sand'", "water": "Shallow, clear turquoise", "swimming": "Warm, shallow and calm", "surf": "None", "setting": "A pine-and-dune bay behind a protected lagoon on Skiathos's west tip", "blueFlag": true, "tags": [ "golden sand", "pines", "lagoon" ], "description": "Skiathos's celebrated 'Gold Coast' — soft golden sand and clear shallows backed by umbrella pines and a birdlife lagoon.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/koukounaries-gr/" }, { "id": "lalaria-beach-gr", "name": "Lalaria Beach", "locality": "Skiathos, Sporades", "country": "GR", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "wild", "lat": 39.206, "lon": 23.4805, "seaTempC": 24, "bestMonths": "Jun–Sep", "sand": "Smooth white marble-like pebbles polished by the sea", "water": "Deep sapphire, brilliantly clear", "swimming": "Deep, clear swimming; boat access only, no facilities", "surf": "None", "setting": "Bright white cliffs pierced by a natural stone arch", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "white pebbles", "rock arch", "boat-only" ], "description": "A glowing white-pebble beach beneath a natural rock arch, reachable only by boat.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/lalaria-beach-gr/" }, { "id": "matala-beach-gr", "name": "Matala Beach", "locality": "Matala, Crete", "country": "GR", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "exotic", "lat": 34.995, "lon": 24.75, "seaTempC": 25, "bestMonths": "May-Oct", "sand": "Golden sand", "water": "Clear blue", "swimming": "Clear and gently shelving", "surf": "None", "setting": "A bay walled by soft cliffs riddled with ancient caves, a 1960s hippie haven", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "caves", "hippie", "cliffs" ], "description": "A golden bay walled by honeycomb cliffs of Roman-era caves, once a famous 1960s hippie commune on Crete's south coast.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/matala-beach-gr/" }, { "id": "paleokastritsa-beach-gr", "name": "Paleokastritsa Beach", "locality": "Corfu, Ionian", "country": "GR", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "resort", "lat": 39.6722, "lon": 19.7024, "seaTempC": 25, "bestMonths": "Jun–Sep", "sand": "A cluster of small sand-and-shingle coves", "water": "Emerald-turquoise, cool and clear over a rocky seabed", "swimming": "Calm sheltered coves with sea caves to explore by boat", "surf": "None", "setting": "Verdant cliffs, cypress groves and a hilltop monastery above the bays", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "coves", "sea caves", "emerald" ], "description": "A necklace of emerald coves and sea caves beneath Corfu's cliff-top monastery.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/paleokastritsa-beach-gr/" }, { "id": "perissa-beach-gr", "name": "Perissa Beach", "locality": "Santorini", "country": "GR", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "exotic", "lat": 36.352, "lon": 25.478, "seaTempC": 25, "bestMonths": "May-Oct", "sand": "Jet-black volcanic sand", "water": "Deep, clear blue", "swimming": "Deep and clear, shelving quickly off the black sand", "surf": "None", "setting": "A long black-sand beach beneath the Mesa Vouno crag on Santorini's south-east", "blueFlag": true, "tags": [ "black sand", "volcanic", "resort" ], "description": "A long sweep of jet-black volcanic sand beneath a soaring crag — Santorini's laid-back answer to its clifftop towns.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/perissa-beach-gr/" }, { "id": "petani-beach-gr", "name": "Petani Beach", "locality": "Paliki, Kefalonia", "country": "GR", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "wild", "lat": 38.26, "lon": 20.38, "seaTempC": 25, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "White pebbles and coarse sand", "water": "Electric blue, deep and glass-clear", "swimming": "Deep-shelving and vividly clear; calm mornings", "surf": "None", "setting": "A cliff-flanked amphitheatre on Kefalonia's wilder Paliki peninsula", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "cliffs", "electric blue", "kefalonia" ], "description": "Myrtos's wilder twin — the same electric Kefalonian blue, minus the crowds, on the Paliki peninsula.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/petani-beach-gr/" }, { "id": "plaka-beach-gr", "name": "Plaka Beach", "locality": "Naxos, Cyclades", "country": "GR", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "tropical", "lat": 37.0497, "lon": 25.3711, "seaTempC": 24, "bestMonths": "Jun–Sep", "sand": "Kilometres of soft white sand backed by dunes and cedar scrub", "water": "Shallow, clear pale turquoise", "swimming": "Calm shallow water, superb for families and long wades", "surf": "None", "setting": "A long dune-backed strand on Naxos's laid-back southwest coast", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "long sandy", "turquoise", "laid-back" ], "description": "A five-kilometre ribbon of white sand and shallow turquoise on Naxos's mellow coast.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/plaka-beach-gr/" }, { "id": "porto-katsiki-gr", "name": "Porto Katsiki", "locality": "Lefkada", "country": "GR", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "wild", "lat": 38.638, "lon": 20.545, "seaTempC": 24, "bestMonths": "Jun–Sep", "sand": "White pebble-sand", "water": "Vivid turquoise", "swimming": "Deep, clear", "surf": "None", "setting": "White cliff amphitheatre", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "Cliffs", "Steps down", "Photography" ], "description": "A white cliff sliced by a ribbon of sand above impossibly blue water.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/porto-katsiki-gr/" }, { "id": "porto-timoni-gr", "name": "Porto Timoni", "locality": "Afionas, Corfu", "country": "GR", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "wild", "lat": 39.677, "lon": 19.678, "seaTempC": 24, "bestMonths": "May-Oct", "sand": "Pebbles on a double bay", "water": "Clear turquoise on both sides", "swimming": "Clear and calm — swim in two seas from one spit", "surf": "None", "setting": "A twin back-to-back beach on an isthmus reached by a hillside path", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "double bay", "isthmus", "hike-in" ], "description": "A dramatic double beach on a slender isthmus below Afionas, offering two turquoise bays reached down a hillside trail.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/porto-timoni-gr/" }, { "id": "prasonisi-beach-gr", "name": "Prasonisi Beach", "locality": "Rhodes, Dodecanese", "country": "GR", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "surf", "lat": 35.8853, "lon": 27.7687, "seaTempC": 25, "bestMonths": "May–Oct", "sand": "Broad sandspit joining an islet, with sea on both sides", "water": "Shallow and clear; a flat lagoon on one side, waves on the other", "swimming": "Shallow flat water on the lee side; the windward side is for boards", "surf": "Excellent windsurfing and kitesurfing on strong meltemi winds", "setting": "A double-sided sandbar tethering Prasonisi islet to Rhodes' southern tip", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "windsurf", "kitesurf", "sandspit" ], "description": "A wind-swept double-sided sandspit at Rhodes' southern tip, a mecca for windsurfers and kiters.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/prasonisi-beach-gr/" }, { "id": "preveli-beach-gr", "name": "Preveli Beach", "locality": "Plakias, South Crete", "country": "GR", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "wild", "lat": 35.1526, "lon": 24.4745, "seaTempC": 25, "bestMonths": "Jun–Sep", "sand": "Coarse grey-gold sand split by a freshwater palm-lined river", "water": "Deep blue sea meeting cool river water at the mouth", "swimming": "Good open-sea swimming plus a river to wade upstream between palms", "surf": "None", "setting": "The mouth of Kourtaliotiko Gorge with a colony of Theophrastus palms", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "palm river", "gorge", "wild" ], "description": "A palm-fringed river spills out of a dramatic gorge to meet the Libyan Sea.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/preveli-beach-gr/" }, { "id": "red-beach-santorini-gr", "name": "Red Beach", "locality": "Santorini", "country": "GR", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "exotic", "lat": 36.348, "lon": 25.393, "seaTempC": 24, "bestMonths": "May–Oct", "sand": "Red volcanic", "water": "Deep blue", "swimming": "Clear, watch rockfall", "surf": "None", "setting": "Red lava cliffs", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "Volcanic", "Snorkel", "Photography" ], "description": "Blood-red lava cliffs and pebbles at the foot of ancient Akrotiri.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/red-beach-santorini-gr/" }, { "id": "seitan-limania-gr", "name": "Seitan Limania", "locality": "Akrotiri, Chania", "country": "GR", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "wild", "lat": 35.5519, "lon": 24.1935, "seaTempC": 24, "bestMonths": "Jun–Sep", "sand": "Tiny strip of pale pebbles at the head of a slender inlet", "water": "Vivid emerald-turquoise, glassy and deep", "swimming": "Deep sheltered water in a narrow gorge; no facilities and a steep descent", "surf": "None", "setting": "Sheer limestone walls plunging into a fjord-like cleft", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "dramatic cove", "cliffs", "emerald" ], "description": "A slit of glowing emerald water trapped between towering cliffs, reached by a steep scramble.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/seitan-limania-gr/" }, { "id": "simos-beach-gr", "name": "Simos Beach", "locality": "Elafonisos, Peloponnese", "country": "GR", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "tropical", "lat": 36.4726, "lon": 22.9768, "seaTempC": 24, "bestMonths": "Jun–Sep", "sand": "Fine white sand over rolling dunes, forming twin bays", "water": "Shallow, warm, brilliant turquoise", "swimming": "Warm shallow water, calm and clear", "surf": "None", "setting": "Cedar-dotted dunes on a tiny island off the Laconian coast", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "white sand", "dunes", "turquoise" ], "description": "Twin dune-backed bays of white sand and turquoise on the little island of Elafonisos.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/simos-beach-gr/" }, { "id": "tsambika-beach-gr", "name": "Tsambika Beach", "locality": "Rhodes", "country": "GR", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "tropical", "lat": 36.222, "lon": 28.148, "seaTempC": 25, "bestMonths": "May-Oct", "sand": "Fine golden sand", "water": "Shallow, clear turquoise", "swimming": "Warm, shallow and calm for a long way out", "surf": "None", "setting": "A wide sandy bay below a clifftop monastery on Rhodes's east coast", "blueFlag": true, "tags": [ "turquoise", "monastery", "shallow" ], "description": "A broad golden bay of shallow turquoise water beneath the little clifftop monastery of Tsambika on Rhodes.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/tsambika-beach-gr/" }, { "id": "voutoumi-beach-gr", "name": "Voutoumi Beach", "locality": "Antipaxos, Ionian", "country": "GR", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "tropical", "lat": 39.153, "lon": 20.239, "seaTempC": 25, "bestMonths": "Jun–Sep", "sand": "Fine white pebbles and pale sand", "water": "Caribbean-clear turquoise fading to jade", "swimming": "Warm, calm, glass-clear water in a sheltered bay", "surf": "None", "setting": "A tiny green islet of vineyards south of Paxos", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "turquoise", "clear water", "islet" ], "description": "A slice of Caribbean-blue water lapping a vineyard-clad islet off the coast of Paxos.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/voutoumi-beach-gr/" }, { "id": "giola-lagoon-gr", "name": "Giola Lagoon", "locality": "Thassos", "country": "GR", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "exotic", "lat": 40.598, "lon": 24.567, "seaTempC": 25, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "A natural rock pool, no sand", "water": "Still, clear emerald-turquoise", "swimming": "A deep, calm natural pool you jump into from the surrounding rock", "surf": "None", "setting": "A teardrop rock pool carved into the sea cliffs of southern Thassos", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "rock pool", "natural pool", "cliff jump" ], "description": "A teardrop-shaped natural rock pool of still emerald water, cut into the Thassos sea cliffs and fed by the waves.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/giola-lagoon-gr/" }, { "id": "glyka-nera-sweetwater-gr", "name": "Glyka Nera (Sweetwater)", "locality": "Sfakia, Crete", "country": "GR", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "wild", "lat": 35.199, "lon": 24.156, "seaTempC": 24, "bestMonths": "May-Oct", "sand": "Fine grey pebbles", "water": "Deep, cold-fed clear blue", "swimming": "Cool and crystal-clear, freshwater springs bubbling up through the shingle", "surf": "None", "setting": "A remote cliff-foot beach reached by boat or a coastal cliff path", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "springs", "remote", "cliffs" ], "description": "A remote cliff-foot beach where cold freshwater springs well up through the pebbles into a deep, glassy sea.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/glyka-nera-sweetwater-gr/" }, { "id": "kedrodasos-gr", "name": "Kedrodasos", "locality": "near Elafonissi, Crete", "country": "GR", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "wild", "lat": 35.265, "lon": 23.538, "seaTempC": 25, "bestMonths": "May-Oct", "sand": "Pale sand among juniper trees", "water": "Shallow, clear turquoise", "swimming": "Warm and shallow over a sandy, rocky bed", "surf": "None", "setting": "A wild cedar-grove beach with no facilities beside Elafonissi", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "cedar grove", "wild", "camping" ], "description": "A wild, facility-free 'cedar forest' beach where junipers grow to the edge of turquoise shallows next to Elafonissi.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/kedrodasos-gr/" }, { "id": "kolimbithra-beach-gr", "name": "Kolimbithra Beach", "locality": "Tinos", "country": "GR", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "surf", "lat": 37.615, "lon": 25.13, "seaTempC": 24, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "Two soft-sand coves split by a headland", "water": "Clear Aegean blue with meltemi waves", "swimming": "The small cove is calm; the big one catches the wind", "surf": "The Cyclades' surf spot — meltemi swell all summer", "setting": "Tinos's green north side, dovecotes and reed beds behind the sand", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "cyclades surf", "two coves", "tinos" ], "description": "The Cyclades' unlikely surf beach — meltemi waves rolling into Tinos's green northern bay.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/kolimbithra-beach-gr/" }, { "id": "mylopotas-beach-gr", "name": "Mylopotas Beach", "locality": "Ios", "country": "GR", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "resort", "lat": 36.717, "lon": 25.291, "seaTempC": 25, "bestMonths": "May-Oct", "sand": "Fine golden sand", "water": "Clear, calm turquoise", "swimming": "Warm, shallow and calm in the wide sheltered bay", "surf": "None", "setting": "A long resort bay below Ios town, the island's watersports and party hub", "blueFlag": true, "tags": [ "resort", "watersports", "party" ], "description": "Ios's big golden party bay — a long crescent of sand and calm turquoise water lined with beach bars and watersports.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/mylopotas-beach-gr/" }, { "id": "pori-beach-gr", "name": "Pori Beach", "locality": "Ano Koufonisi, Cyclades", "country": "GR", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "tropical", "lat": 36.9457, "lon": 25.6208, "seaTempC": 24, "bestMonths": "Jun–Sep", "sand": "Wide horseshoe of fine pale sand", "water": "Impossibly clear turquoise, shallow far offshore", "swimming": "Warm, calm and wadeable — among the clearest bays in the Cyclades", "surf": "None", "setting": "A sweeping remote bay on tiny, car-light Koufonisi", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "turquoise", "remote", "gem" ], "description": "A curving bay of glassy turquoise on the sleepy Small Cyclades island of Koufonisi.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/pori-beach-gr/" }, { "id": "st-paul-s-bay-gr", "name": "St Paul's Bay", "locality": "Lindos, Rhodes", "country": "GR", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "tropical", "lat": 36.086, "lon": 28.084, "seaTempC": 25, "bestMonths": "May-Oct", "sand": "Fine sand and pebbles", "water": "Calm, clear turquoise", "swimming": "Sheltered, calm and clear in the near-enclosed bay", "surf": "None", "setting": "A near-circular cove below the Lindos acropolis where St Paul is said to have landed", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "acropolis", "sheltered", "turquoise" ], "description": "A near-enclosed turquoise cove beneath the ancient Lindos acropolis, where St Paul is said to have come ashore.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/st-paul-s-bay-gr/" }, { "id": "stafylos-beach-gr", "name": "Stafylos Beach", "locality": "Skopelos", "country": "GR", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "wild", "lat": 39.082, "lon": 23.72, "seaTempC": 25, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "Pale pebbles and sand in a pine-ringed cove", "water": "Clear green-blue", "swimming": "Sheltered and clear beneath the pines", "surf": "None", "setting": "A pine-wrapped Sporades cove named for a Minoan king's grave", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "pines", "sporades", "cove" ], "description": "Skopelos's pine-wrapped classic — clear green water in the cove where a Minoan king was buried.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/stafylos-beach-gr/" }, { "id": "xigia-beach-gr", "name": "Xigia Beach", "locality": "Zakynthos", "country": "GR", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "wild", "lat": 37.856, "lon": 20.7, "seaTempC": 24, "bestMonths": "May-Oct", "sand": "Pebbles below cliffs", "water": "Milky blue, sulphur-scented", "swimming": "Cool and buoyant; natural sulphur springs said to soften the skin", "surf": "None", "setting": "A tiny cliff-backed cove with natural sulphur springs on northern Zakynthos", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "sulphur springs", "cliffs", "tiny" ], "description": "A tiny cliff-cupped cove where natural sulphur springs turn the water a milky blue said to be good for the skin.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/xigia-beach-gr/" }, { "id": "punta-rata-hr", "name": "Punta Rata", "locality": "Brela, Makarska Riviera", "country": "HR", "region": "Europe", "tier": 1, "category": "resort", "lat": 43.3738, "lon": 16.9215, "seaTempC": 24, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "White pebbles and shingle", "water": "Clear emerald-blue", "swimming": "Clean, gently deepening", "surf": "None", "setting": "Pine-shaded promenade below the Biokovo mountains, with the offshore Kamen Brela rock", "blueFlag": true, "tags": [ "makarska-riviera", "pebbles", "pinewood" ], "description": "Croatia's poster beach, a pine-fringed pebble shore below the Biokovo massif with a lone islet offshore.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/punta-rata-hr/" }, { "id": "zlatni-rat-hr", "name": "Zlatni Rat", "locality": "Brač", "country": "HR", "region": "Europe", "tier": 1, "category": "exotic", "lat": 43.256, "lon": 16.635, "seaTempC": 24, "bestMonths": "Jun–Sep", "sand": "White pebble", "water": "Clear Adriatic", "swimming": "Clear, deep edges", "surf": "Windsurf", "setting": "Shifting sand horn", "blueFlag": true, "tags": [ "Windsurf", "Iconic shape", "Pines" ], "description": "The “Golden Horn” — a shifting pebble spit that changes with the wind.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/zlatni-rat-hr/" }, { "id": "bacvice-beach-hr", "name": "Bačvice Beach", "locality": "Split", "country": "HR", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "resort", "lat": 43.503, "lon": 16.447, "seaTempC": 24, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "Rare natural sand, very shallow", "water": "Warm, shallow, pale blue", "swimming": "Famously shallow and warm — you can wade far out", "surf": "None", "setting": "Split's sandy city beach, home of the local paddle-ball game picigin", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "city beach", "picigin", "shallow" ], "description": "Split's much-loved sandy city bay, so shallow locals play their splashy picigin ball game far from shore.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/bacvice-beach-hr/" }, { "id": "banje-beach-hr", "name": "Banje Beach", "locality": "Dubrovnik", "country": "HR", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "resort", "lat": 42.6415, "lon": 18.115, "seaTempC": 25, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "Fine pebbles and imported sand", "water": "Clear blue", "swimming": "Good and lively", "surf": "None", "setting": "Beach club just outside the Old Town walls with views to Lokrum island", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "dubrovnik", "old-town", "beach-club" ], "description": "Dubrovnik's classic pebble beach, gazing back at the Old Town walls and Lokrum island.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/banje-beach-hr/" }, { "id": "paradise-beach-lopar-hr", "name": "Paradise Beach (Rajska Plaža)", "locality": "Lopar, Rab", "country": "HR", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "resort", "lat": 44.826, "lon": 14.737, "seaTempC": 25, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "A rare Adriatic expanse of real fine sand", "water": "Very shallow, warm turquoise", "swimming": "Knee-deep for hundreds of metres — perfect for small children", "surf": "None", "setting": "Rab island's famous sandy bay ringed by low pine headlands", "blueFlag": true, "tags": [ "real sand", "shallow", "rab" ], "description": "Real sand in a pebble-and-rock sea — Rab's Paradise Beach stays knee-deep halfway across the bay.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/paradise-beach-lopar-hr/" }, { "id": "pasjaca-beach-hr", "name": "Pasjača Beach", "locality": "Konavle, near Dubrovnik", "country": "HR", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "wild", "lat": 42.548, "lon": 18.297, "seaTempC": 24, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "Pebbles beneath sheer cliffs", "water": "Deep, clear blue", "swimming": "Deep and clear, dramatic below the rock walls", "surf": "None", "setting": "A cliff-foot cove reached by a steep tunnelled path south of Dubrovnik", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "cliffs", "hidden", "tunnel path" ], "description": "A pebble strip at the foot of towering cliffs, reached down a rock-cut tunnel — repeatedly voted Europe's best beach.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/pasjaca-beach-hr/" }, { "id": "sakarun-hr", "name": "Sakarun", "locality": "Dugi Otok, Zadar", "country": "HR", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "tropical", "lat": 44.093, "lon": 14.866, "seaTempC": 24, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "White sand and fine shingle", "water": "Shallow milky-turquoise", "swimming": "Shallow, warm, family-friendly", "surf": "None", "setting": "Pine-backed bay on a remote island", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "dugi-otok", "turquoise", "shallow" ], "description": "A rare sandy Adriatic lagoon whose shallow turquoise water draws comparisons to the Caribbean.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/sakarun-hr/" }, { "id": "stiniva-hr", "name": "Stiniva Cove", "locality": "Vis", "country": "HR", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "wild", "lat": 43.023, "lon": 16.207, "seaTempC": 24, "bestMonths": "Jun–Sep", "sand": "White pebble", "water": "Clear turquoise", "swimming": "Clear, deep", "surf": "None", "setting": "Cliffs pinched to a keyhole", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "Hike", "Boat", "Snorkel" ], "description": "A hidden cove where two cliffs nearly meet over a pebble beach.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/stiniva-hr/" }, { "id": "sveti-ivan-lubenice-hr", "name": "Sveti Ivan Beach", "locality": "Lubenice, Cres", "country": "HR", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "wild", "lat": 44.807, "lon": 14.345, "seaTempC": 24, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "White pebbles in a tiny half-moon", "water": "Luminous, glass-clear blue", "swimming": "Deep, brilliantly clear — snorkelling water", "surf": "None", "setting": "A 45-minute scramble below the 4,000-year-old clifftop hamlet of Lubenice", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "clifftop village", "hike-in", "clear" ], "description": "A luminous pebble half-moon 378 metres below the ancient hamlet of Lubenice — earn it on foot or arrive by boat.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/sveti-ivan-lubenice-hr/" }, { "id": "zrce-beach-hr", "name": "Zrće Beach", "locality": "Novalja, Pag", "country": "HR", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "resort", "lat": 44.533, "lon": 14.908, "seaTempC": 24, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "White pebbles", "water": "Clear, bright turquoise", "swimming": "Clear and shallow, warm in the sheltered bay", "surf": "None", "setting": "Croatia's open-air club beach, lined with day-and-night beach bars", "blueFlag": true, "tags": [ "party", "clubs", "turquoise" ], "description": "The 'Croatian Ibiza' — a bright white-pebble bay on Pag that turns into a round-the-clock open-air club all summer.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/zrce-beach-hr/" }, { "id": "copacabana-beach-hr", "name": "Copacabana Beach", "locality": "Babin Kuk, Dubrovnik", "country": "HR", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "resort", "lat": 42.667, "lon": 18.063, "seaTempC": 24, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "Pebbles and imported sand", "water": "Clear, calm blue", "swimming": "Calm and shallow with watersports and slides", "surf": "None", "setting": "A family resort beach on the Lapad peninsula with Adriatic sunset views", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "family", "watersports", "sunset" ], "description": "Dubrovnik's liveliest resort beach, a west-facing Lapad cove of watersports, floating slides and Adriatic sunsets.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/copacabana-beach-hr/" }, { "id": "divna-beach-hr", "name": "Divna Beach", "locality": "Pelješac Peninsula", "country": "HR", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "wild", "lat": 42.949, "lon": 17.352, "seaTempC": 24, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "White pebbles", "water": "Clear turquoise", "swimming": "Clear and calm in the sheltered pine-ringed bay", "surf": "None", "setting": "A remote pine-fringed bay — 'divna' means lovely — on northern Pelješac", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "remote", "pines", "turquoise" ], "description": "Aptly named 'lovely', a remote pine-ringed bay of white pebbles and clear turquoise on the wild Pelješac peninsula.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/divna-beach-hr/" }, { "id": "dubovica-hr", "name": "Dubovica", "locality": "Hvar Island", "country": "HR", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "wild", "lat": 43.1461, "lon": 16.5343, "seaTempC": 25, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "White pebbles", "water": "Clear turquoise-blue", "swimming": "Clear, deepening, good snorkelling", "surf": "None", "setting": "A lone old stone house and terraced hills in an unspoilt cove", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "hvar", "cove", "stone-house" ], "description": "A secluded pebble cove on Hvar's south coast framed by a single old stone house and vineyards.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/dubovica-hr/" }, { "id": "nugal-beach-hr", "name": "Nugal Beach", "locality": "Makarska Riviera", "country": "HR", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "wild", "lat": 43.283, "lon": 17.041, "seaTempC": 24, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "White pebbles", "water": "Clear deep turquoise", "swimming": "Deep, clear and calm in the cliff-backed cove", "surf": "None", "setting": "A secluded cove between Makarska and Tučepi, reached by coastal path or boat", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "secluded", "cliffs", "pine path" ], "description": "A secluded white-pebble cove backed by dramatic cliffs and pines, hidden along the coastal path from Makarska.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/nugal-beach-hr/" }, { "id": "proizd-hr", "name": "Proizd", "locality": "near Vela Luka, Korčula", "country": "HR", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "wild", "lat": 42.966, "lon": 16.655, "seaTempC": 24, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "White rock shelves", "water": "Extraordinarily clear turquoise", "swimming": "Deep and glass-clear off the smooth white rocks", "surf": "None", "setting": "A tiny uninhabited islet of white-rock bathing shelves off Korčula", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "islet", "white rock", "clear water" ], "description": "A tiny uninhabited islet whose smooth white rock shelves drop into some of the clearest turquoise water in the Adriatic.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/proizd-hr/" }, { "id": "rt-kamenjak-hr", "name": "Rt Kamenjak", "locality": "Premantura, Istria", "country": "HR", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "wild", "lat": 44.762, "lon": 13.913, "seaTempC": 23, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "Rock shelves and pebble coves", "water": "Clear turquoise over white rock", "swimming": "Deep and crystal-clear off the rocks and in hidden coves", "surf": "None", "setting": "A wild protected cape of dozens of coves at Istria's southern tip", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "cape", "coves", "nature park" ], "description": "Istria's wild southern cape — a protected headland of scrub, dinosaur tracks and dozens of clear-water rock coves.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/rt-kamenjak-hr/" }, { "id": "saplunara-beach-hr", "name": "Saplunara Beach", "locality": "Mljet", "country": "HR", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "tropical", "lat": 42.687, "lon": 17.73, "seaTempC": 25, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "Fine golden sand — 'sabbia' gave the bay its name", "water": "Warm, shallow, sheltered turquoise", "swimming": "Calm and shallow inside the pine-ringed inlet", "surf": "None", "setting": "The sandy southern tip of green Mljet, Odysseus's island", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "mljet", "pine inlet", "sand" ], "description": "Golden sand on Odysseus's green island — Mljet's sheltered southern inlet, warm and pine-ringed.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/saplunara-beach-hr/" }, { "id": "sunj-beach-hr", "name": "Sunj Beach", "locality": "Lopud, Elaphiti Islands", "country": "HR", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "tropical", "lat": 42.681, "lon": 17.943, "seaTempC": 24, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "Rare golden sand", "water": "Warm, shallow, clear turquoise", "swimming": "Shallow, warm and calm — one of the Adriatic's few true sand beaches", "surf": "None", "setting": "A sandy bay on car-free Lopud, reached by walk or golf-buggy from the ferry", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "sand", "car-free island", "shallow" ], "description": "A rare true sand beach on car-free Lopud, its shallow turquoise water a short walk across the island from the ferry.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/sunj-beach-hr/" }, { "id": "vela-przina-hr", "name": "Vela Pržina", "locality": "Lumbarda, Korčula", "country": "HR", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "tropical", "lat": 42.905, "lon": 17.186, "seaTempC": 24, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "Golden sand", "water": "Shallow, clear turquoise", "swimming": "Warm, shallow and calm", "surf": "None", "setting": "A rare sandy bay among the vineyards of Lumbarda on Korčula", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "sand", "vineyards", "shallow" ], "description": "A rare golden-sand bay backed by the sandy Grk-wine vineyards of Lumbarda on the island of Korčula.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/vela-przina-hr/" }, { "id": "zavratnica-hr", "name": "Zavratnica", "locality": "Jablanac, Velebit", "country": "HR", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "wild", "lat": 44.706, "lon": 14.908, "seaTempC": 22, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "Pebbles at the head of a fjord-like inlet", "water": "Deep, vivid green-blue", "swimming": "Deep, clear and sheltered in the narrow inlet", "surf": "None", "setting": "A slender 800-metre inlet beneath the Velebit mountains, reached on foot", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "fjord-like", "mountains", "hike-in" ], "description": "A fjord-like inlet knifing 800 metres into the Velebit massif, its vivid water reached only on foot or by boat.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/zavratnica-hr/" }, { "id": "ballymastocker-bay-ie", "name": "Ballymastocker Bay", "locality": "Portsalon, Donegal", "country": "IE", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "wild", "lat": 55.2, "lon": -7.63, "seaTempC": 14, "bestMonths": "Jun-Aug", "sand": "A golden two-kilometre crescent once voted among the world's most beautiful", "water": "Clear, cold Lough Swilly water", "swimming": "Sheltered by the lough — cold but calm", "surf": "None", "setting": "The green flank of the Fanad peninsula on Lough Swilly", "blueFlag": true, "tags": [ "donegal", "lough swilly", "crescent" ], "description": "Donegal's golden crescent on Lough Swilly — regularly ranked among the world's most beautiful beaches.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/ballymastocker-bay-ie/" }, { "id": "inch-beach-ie", "name": "Inch Beach", "locality": "Dingle Peninsula, County Kerry", "country": "IE", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "surf", "lat": 52.14, "lon": -9.978, "seaTempC": 15, "bestMonths": "May to September", "sand": "A five-kilometre sand spit reaching out into Dingle Bay", "water": "Clear Atlantic, greenish and cold", "swimming": "Popular but with rips; lifeguarded in summer", "surf": "Reliable beach break, a favourite Kerry learner and longboard spot", "setting": "A long dune-backed spit between the Slieve Mish Mountains and the sea", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "surf", "sand spit", "Dingle", "learner waves" ], "description": "A five-kilometre finger of surf-swept sand pointing into Dingle Bay beneath the Kerry mountains.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/inch-beach-ie/" }, { "id": "keem-bay-ie", "name": "Keem Bay", "locality": "Achill Island, County Mayo", "country": "IE", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "wild", "lat": 53.965, "lon": -10.193, "seaTempC": 15, "bestMonths": "June to September", "sand": "Sheltered horseshoe of white-gold sand at the foot of steep cliffs", "water": "Clear turquoise, unusually calm for the Atlantic", "swimming": "Sheltered and clear but cold; a Blue Flag beach", "surf": "None", "setting": "Steep green cliffs and a hairpin mountain road at the western tip of Achill Island", "blueFlag": true, "tags": [ "turquoise water", "cliffs", "Achill Island", "Blue Flag" ], "description": "A turquoise horseshoe cupped by soaring green cliffs at the wild western tip of Achill Island.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/keem-bay-ie/" }, { "id": "banna-strand-ie", "name": "Banna Strand", "locality": "County Kerry", "country": "IE", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "cold", "lat": 52.32, "lon": -9.827, "seaTempC": 15, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "Vast golden sand and high dunes", "water": "Cool, clean Atlantic blue", "swimming": "Broad and lively; lifeguarded in summer", "surf": "Long open beach-break", "setting": "A long dune-backed Kerry strand with Tralee Bay views", "blueFlag": true, "tags": [ "dunes", "vast", "surf" ], "description": "A long, dune-backed Kerry strand of golden sand and rolling Atlantic surf beneath the Slieve Mish mountains.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/banna-strand-ie/" }, { "id": "barleycove-beach-ie", "name": "Barleycove Beach", "locality": "Mizen Peninsula, West Cork", "country": "IE", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "wild", "lat": 51.47, "lon": -9.71, "seaTempC": 15, "bestMonths": "Jun-Aug", "sand": "Pale gold sand between dunes thrown up by the 1755 Lisbon tsunami", "water": "Clear, cold Atlantic green", "swimming": "Sheltered between headlands; a warm tidal stream for children", "surf": "None", "setting": "A protected dune system near Ireland's southernmost point", "blueFlag": true, "tags": [ "tsunami dunes", "west cork", "tidal stream" ], "description": "Dunes raised by the great Lisbon tsunami of 1755 cradle West Cork's loveliest pale-gold bay.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/barleycove-beach-ie/" }, { "id": "coumeenoole-beach-ie", "name": "Coumeenoole Beach", "locality": "Dingle Peninsula", "country": "IE", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "wild", "lat": 52.108, "lon": -10.469, "seaTempC": 14, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "Golden sand among rocks", "water": "Clear, cold Atlantic blue", "swimming": "Strong currents — a dramatic look-don't-swim beach", "surf": "Heavy Atlantic swell", "setting": "A wild cove below Slea Head, facing the Blasket Islands", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "Slea Head", "cliffs", "Blaskets" ], "description": "A wild golden cove beneath the cliffs of Slea Head at Ireland's far south-west, gazing out to the Blasket Islands.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/coumeenoole-beach-ie/" }, { "id": "curracloe-beach-ie", "name": "Curracloe Beach", "locality": "County Wexford", "country": "IE", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "cold", "lat": 52.395, "lon": -6.365, "seaTempC": 16, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "Vast pale golden sand", "water": "Cool, gentle Irish Sea blue", "swimming": "Shallow and gentle; lifeguarded in summer", "surf": "Small swell", "setting": "An eleven-kilometre dune strand that stood in for Normandy in Saving Private Ryan", "blueFlag": true, "tags": [ "vast", "dunes", "film location" ], "description": "An eleven-kilometre sweep of pale dune-backed sand in Wexford, famous as the D-Day beach of Saving Private Ryan.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/curracloe-beach-ie/" }, { "id": "dog-s-bay-ie", "name": "Dog's Bay", "locality": "Roundstone, Connemara", "country": "IE", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "tropical", "lat": 53.383, "lon": -9.988, "seaTempC": 15, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "Brilliant white shell sand", "water": "Clear pale turquoise", "swimming": "Cold but clear and sheltered on the near-enclosed bay", "surf": "None", "setting": "A back-to-back white-sand bay of pure ground shell in wild Connemara", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "shell sand", "turquoise", "Connemara" ], "description": "A dazzling horseshoe of pure white shell sand and turquoise water, a slice of the tropics on Connemara's wild coast.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/dog-s-bay-ie/" }, { "id": "inchydoney-ie", "name": "Inchydoney", "locality": "County Cork", "country": "IE", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "surf", "lat": 51.596, "lon": -8.865, "seaTempC": 15, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "Wide golden sand", "water": "Cool, clean Atlantic blue", "swimming": "Gently shelving with reliable surf; lifeguarded", "surf": "A friendly beach-break split by a rocky headland", "setting": "A twin golden strand split by a green headland in West Cork", "blueFlag": true, "tags": [ "surf", "headland", "family" ], "description": "A twin sweep of golden sand split by a grassy headland, West Cork's favourite surf and family beach.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/inchydoney-ie/" }, { "id": "reynisfjara-is", "name": "Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach", "locality": "Vík", "country": "IS", "region": "Europe", "tier": 0, "category": "exotic", "lat": 63.404, "lon": -19.044, "seaTempC": 10, "bestMonths": "May–Sep", "sand": "Jet-black volcanic", "water": "Frigid, violent", "swimming": "No — deadly sneaker waves", "surf": "None", "setting": "Basalt columns & sea stacks", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "Basalt columns", "Puffins", "Geology" ], "description": "Black basalt sand and hexagonal columns — beautiful and genuinely dangerous.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/reynisfjara-is/" }, { "id": "diamond-beach-is", "name": "Diamond Beach", "locality": "Jökulsárlón", "country": "IS", "region": "Europe", "tier": 1, "category": "exotic", "lat": 64.043, "lon": -16.176, "seaTempC": 8, "bestMonths": "Year-round", "sand": "Black volcanic", "water": "Glacial", "swimming": "No", "surf": "None", "setting": "Icebergs stranded on black sand", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "Icebergs", "Seals", "Photography" ], "description": "Glittering chunks of glacier ice scattered like diamonds on black sand.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/diamond-beach-is/" }, { "id": "djupalonssandur-is", "name": "Djupalonssandur", "locality": "Snaefellsnes Peninsula", "country": "IS", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "exotic", "lat": 64.749, "lon": -23.905, "seaTempC": 10, "bestMonths": "June to August", "sand": "Smooth black volcanic pebbles rather than sand", "water": "Cold, wild North Atlantic", "swimming": "Not for swimming; dangerous surf and sneaker waves", "surf": "None", "setting": "Lava cliffs, rock arches and rusted shipwreck remains beneath Snaefellsjokull glacier", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "black pebbles", "lava", "shipwreck", "dangerous surf" ], "description": "Smooth black lava pearls, jagged rock arches and shipwreck iron beneath a glacier-topped volcano.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/djupalonssandur-is/" }, { "id": "stokksnes-is", "name": "Stokksnes", "locality": "Vestrahorn, Iceland", "country": "IS", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "wild", "lat": 64.246, "lon": -14.988, "seaTempC": 9, "bestMonths": "Year-round", "sand": "Jet-black volcanic sand and dunes", "water": "Cold, restless Atlantic grey-blue", "swimming": "Frigid — a place to photograph, not swim", "surf": "None", "setting": "A black-sand headland mirroring the jagged Vestrahorn massif", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "black sand", "Vestrahorn", "reflections" ], "description": "A black-sand headland where tufted dunes and mirror pools reflect the jagged spires of the Vestrahorn massif.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/stokksnes-is/" }, { "id": "nautholsvik-is", "name": "Nauthólsvík", "locality": "Reykjavík", "country": "IS", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "exotic", "lat": 64.126, "lon": -21.945, "seaTempC": 10, "bestMonths": "Year-round", "sand": "Imported golden sand", "water": "A geothermally warmed lagoon", "swimming": "A man-made cove where hot geothermal water warms the sea to a swimmable temperature", "surf": "None", "setting": "A geothermal beach lagoon on the edge of Reykjavík with hot-pots", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "geothermal", "hot-pot", "city beach" ], "description": "Reykjavík's geothermal beach — golden sand imported to a cove where hot spring water warms the North Atlantic enough to swim.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/nautholsvik-is/" }, { "id": "raudasandur-is", "name": "Raudasandur", "locality": "Westfjords", "country": "IS", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "exotic", "lat": 65.465, "lon": -23.988, "seaTempC": 10, "bestMonths": "June to August", "sand": "A ten-kilometre sweep of pink-red sand from crushed scallop shells", "water": "Cold Atlantic across vast shifting tidal flats", "swimming": "Too cold and remote for real swimming, but wade the shallows", "surf": "None", "setting": "A wild, remote Westfjords bay backed by mountains, reached by a steep gravel road", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "red sand", "remote", "Westfjords", "tidal flats" ], "description": "A ten-kilometre sweep of red-gold shell sand that shifts colour with the light in Iceland's remote Westfjords.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/raudasandur-is/" }, { "id": "cala-goloritze-it", "name": "Cala Goloritzé", "locality": "Sardinia", "country": "IT", "region": "Europe", "tier": 1, "category": "wild", "lat": 40.113, "lon": 9.66, "seaTempC": 24, "bestMonths": "Jun–Sep", "sand": "White pebble", "water": "Emerald & turquoise", "swimming": "Clear, deep", "surf": "None", "setting": "Hike- or boat-only cove", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "Rock pinnacle", "Hike", "Arch" ], "description": "A protected cove with a soaring limestone spire, reached on foot or by boat.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/cala-goloritze-it/" }, { "id": "cala-mariolu-it", "name": "Cala Mariolu", "locality": "Baunei, Gulf of Orosei", "country": "IT", "region": "Europe", "tier": 1, "category": "exotic", "lat": 40.146, "lon": 9.6555, "seaTempC": 24, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "White pebbles and pea-sized shingle", "water": "Deep sapphire shading to pale turquoise", "swimming": "Deep, clear, superb snorkelling", "surf": "None", "setting": "Towering Supramonte limestone cliffs, boat access only", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "gulf-of-orosei", "cliffs", "snorkelling" ], "description": "A boat-only cove of white pebbles beneath soaring cliffs where the sea glows in bands of blue.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/cala-mariolu-it/" }, { "id": "chia-su-giudeu-it", "name": "Chia (Su Giudeu)", "locality": "Domus de Maria, Sardinia", "country": "IT", "region": "Europe", "tier": 1, "category": "tropical", "lat": 38.888, "lon": 8.883, "seaTempC": 25, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "Fine pale sand backed by juniper dunes", "water": "Shallow, clear turquoise", "swimming": "Warm, shallow and calm; wade to the little Su Giudeu islet", "surf": "Occasional wind swell — a kite and windsurf spot", "setting": "Dunes, a Spanish watchtower and flamingo lagoons on Sardinia's south coast", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "turquoise", "dunes", "islet" ], "description": "Southern Sardinia's postcard beach, where juniper dunes frame a turquoise shallows you can wade across to a tiny islet.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/chia-su-giudeu-it/" }, { "id": "fiordo-di-furore-it", "name": "Fiordo di Furore", "locality": "Furore, Amalfi Coast", "country": "IT", "region": "Europe", "tier": 1, "category": "wild", "lat": 40.6141, "lon": 14.5542, "seaTempC": 25, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "Small pebble and coarse-sand pocket", "water": "Deep clear blue", "swimming": "Deep and dramatic", "surf": "None", "setting": "A narrow ravine spanned by a high arched bridge", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "fjord", "amalfi", "bridge" ], "description": "A sliver of beach hides in a deep coastal ravine beneath the Amalfi Coast's famous arched bridge.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/fiordo-di-furore-it/" }, { "id": "isola-bella-it", "name": "Isola Bella", "locality": "Taormina, Sicily", "country": "IT", "region": "Europe", "tier": 1, "category": "resort", "lat": 37.851, "lon": 15.301, "seaTempC": 26, "bestMonths": "May-Oct", "sand": "Grey pebbles and shingle", "water": "Clear blue-green", "swimming": "Deepens quickly, good snorkelling", "surf": "None", "setting": "Tiny nature-reserve islet below Taormina's cliffs", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "taormina", "islet", "snorkelling" ], "description": "A pebble spit links the mainland to a miniature island reserve beneath clifftop Taormina.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/isola-bella-it/" }, { "id": "la-pelosa-it", "name": "La Pelosa Beach", "locality": "Sardinia", "country": "IT", "region": "Europe", "tier": 1, "category": "tropical", "lat": 40.827, "lon": 8.204, "seaTempC": 24, "bestMonths": "Jun–Sep", "sand": "Powder white", "water": "Shallow turquoise", "swimming": "Shallow, warm, calm", "surf": "None", "setting": "Watchtower & islet", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "Snorkel", "Family", "Wade-out" ], "description": "A Caribbean-clear shallow flat beneath a 16th-century Aragonese tower.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/la-pelosa-it/" }, { "id": "mondello-it", "name": "Mondello", "locality": "Palermo, Sicily", "country": "IT", "region": "Europe", "tier": 1, "category": "resort", "lat": 38.203, "lon": 13.328, "seaTempC": 25, "bestMonths": "May-Oct", "sand": "Soft white sand", "water": "Shallow, clear pale turquoise", "swimming": "Warm, shallow and calm in the sheltered bay", "surf": "None", "setting": "Palermo's belle-époque resort bay between Monte Pellegrino and Monte Gallo", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "belle-epoque", "city beach", "turquoise" ], "description": "Palermo's beloved resort bay, a curve of white sand and turquoise water framed by Liberty-style bathhouses and two mountains.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/mondello-it/" }, { "id": "monterosso-al-mare-it", "name": "Monterosso al Mare", "locality": "Cinque Terre, Liguria", "country": "IT", "region": "Europe", "tier": 1, "category": "resort", "lat": 44.147, "lon": 9.652, "seaTempC": 24, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "Coarse sand and pebbles", "water": "Clear blue", "swimming": "Good, gently shelving in the Fegina bay", "surf": "None", "setting": "Pastel village and terraced vineyards of the Cinque Terre", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "cinque-terre", "village", "liguria" ], "description": "The only true sandy beach of the Cinque Terre, fronting a pastel village of the Ligurian coast.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/monterosso-al-mare-it/" }, { "id": "polignano-a-mare-it", "name": "Polignano a Mare", "locality": "Lama Monachile, Puglia", "country": "IT", "region": "Europe", "tier": 1, "category": "wild", "lat": 40.996, "lon": 17.219, "seaTempC": 25, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "Pebbles in a cliff-walled cove", "water": "Deep, clear blue", "swimming": "Deep and clear, dramatic between the ravine walls", "surf": "None", "setting": "A pebble cove wedged in a ravine beneath Polignano's clifftop old town", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "cliffs", "old town", "cliff-diving" ], "description": "A pebble cove dramatically wedged in a ravine below Polignano's whitewashed clifftop town, famous for cliff-diving.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/polignano-a-mare-it/" }, { "id": "conigli-it", "name": "Spiaggia dei Conigli", "locality": "Lampedusa", "country": "IT", "region": "Europe", "tier": 1, "category": "tropical", "lat": 35.514, "lon": 12.56, "seaTempC": 25, "bestMonths": "Jun–Sep", "sand": "Fine white", "water": "Caribbean turquoise", "swimming": "Shallow, warm, calm", "surf": "None", "setting": "Nature reserve, turtle nesting", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "Turtles", "Snorkel", "Nature reserve" ], "description": "Rabbit Beach — a turtle-nesting bay of turquoise closer to Africa than Italy.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/conigli-it/" }, { "id": "spiaggia-del-principe-it", "name": "Spiaggia del Principe", "locality": "Costa Smeralda, Sardinia", "country": "IT", "region": "Europe", "tier": 1, "category": "tropical", "lat": 41.1213, "lon": 9.5375, "seaTempC": 24, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "Fine pale sand with a faint pink tinge", "water": "Emerald and turquoise, crystal clear", "swimming": "Calm, shallow entry, excellent", "surf": "None", "setting": "Granite headlands and maquis of the Emerald Coast", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "costa-smeralda", "turquoise", "cove" ], "description": "The jewel of the Costa Smeralda, a horseshoe cove of emerald water rimmed by pink-flecked sand.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/spiaggia-del-principe-it/" }, { "id": "spiaggia-della-rotonda-it", "name": "Spiaggia della Rotonda", "locality": "Tropea, Calabria", "country": "IT", "region": "Europe", "tier": 1, "category": "resort", "lat": 38.6745, "lon": 15.8965, "seaTempC": 26, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "Fine white sand", "water": "Clear turquoise", "swimming": "Shallow, warm, calm", "surf": "None", "setting": "Below Tropea's clifftop old town and the Santa Maria dell'Isola sanctuary", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "tropea", "cliff-town", "turquoise" ], "description": "White sand and turquoise water spread beneath Tropea's dramatic clifftop old town.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/spiaggia-della-rotonda-it/" }, { "id": "tropea-beach-it", "name": "Tropea Beach", "locality": "Tropea, Calabria", "country": "IT", "region": "Europe", "tier": 1, "category": "resort", "lat": 38.678, "lon": 15.895, "seaTempC": 26, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "Pale golden sand beneath a sheer sandstone cliff", "water": "Vivid turquoise over white sand", "swimming": "Warm, clear and gently shelving", "surf": "None", "setting": "The clifftop old town and the rock-perched sanctuary of Santa Maria dell'Isola", "blueFlag": true, "tags": [ "clifftop town", "sanctuary", "turquoise" ], "description": "Calabria's postcard — turquoise water and golden sand beneath Tropea's cliff-hung old town and island sanctuary.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/tropea-beach-it/" }, { "id": "baia-dei-turchi-it", "name": "Baia dei Turchi", "locality": "Otranto, Salento", "country": "IT", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "wild", "lat": 40.173, "lon": 18.469, "seaTempC": 25, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "Soft golden-white sand", "water": "Clear emerald-turquoise", "swimming": "Clean and gently shelving", "surf": "None", "setting": "Protected pine woodland behind the dunes", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "otranto", "pinewood", "protected" ], "description": "A pinewood-backed strand where Ottoman raiders once landed, now a protected turquoise bay.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/baia-dei-turchi-it/" }, { "id": "baia-del-silenzio-it", "name": "Baia del Silenzio", "locality": "Sestri Levante, Liguria", "country": "IT", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "resort", "lat": 44.271, "lon": 9.396, "seaTempC": 24, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "Fine golden sand", "water": "Calm, clear blue-green", "swimming": "Sheltered, calm and shallow in the near-enclosed bay", "surf": "None", "setting": "A near-circular 'Bay of Silence' ringed by pastel fishermen's houses", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "bay of silence", "pastel houses", "calm" ], "description": "The 'Bay of Silence' — an almost-enclosed Ligurian cove of calm water rimmed by a curve of pastel fishermen's houses.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/baia-del-silenzio-it/" }, { "id": "baia-delle-zagare-it", "name": "Baia delle Zagare", "locality": "Mattinata, Gargano", "country": "IT", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "wild", "lat": 41.702, "lon": 16.095, "seaTempC": 24, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "White pebbles and sand", "water": "Deep, clear blue", "swimming": "Deep and clear beneath the cliffs", "surf": "None", "setting": "A cliff-backed bay with towering rock arches on the Gargano promontory", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "cliffs", "sea arches", "gargano" ], "description": "A dazzling white cove on the Gargano cliffs, guarded by two towering limestone sea-stack arches rising from the water.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/baia-delle-zagare-it/" }, { "id": "cala-brandinchi-it", "name": "Cala Brandinchi", "locality": "San Teodoro, Sardinia", "country": "IT", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "tropical", "lat": 40.8341, "lon": 9.6853, "seaTempC": 25, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "Fine soft white sand", "water": "Shallow turquoise lagoon", "swimming": "Warm, shallow, family-friendly", "surf": "None", "setting": "Pine and juniper backing, views to Tavolara island", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "little-tahiti", "turquoise", "shallow" ], "description": "Nicknamed Little Tahiti for its powder sand and warm turquoise shallows facing Tavolara.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/cala-brandinchi-it/" }, { "id": "cala-coticcio-it", "name": "Cala Coticcio", "locality": "Caprera, La Maddalena", "country": "IT", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "wild", "lat": 41.216, "lon": 9.463, "seaTempC": 24, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "Coarse pale sand and smooth granite", "water": "Vivid green-blue", "swimming": "Deep, clear and calm in the sheltered twin coves", "surf": "None", "setting": "Reached on a rough trail or by boat in the Maddalena archipelago park", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "tahiti", "granite", "hike-in" ], "description": "Nicknamed 'Tahiti', a hidden granite-framed double cove in the Maddalena marine park reached only on foot or by boat.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/cala-coticcio-it/" }, { "id": "cala-rossa-it", "name": "Cala Rossa", "locality": "Favignana, Egadi Islands", "country": "IT", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "exotic", "lat": 37.943, "lon": 12.348, "seaTempC": 25, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "White tufa rock ledges and pebbles", "water": "Dazzling turquoise over pale stone", "swimming": "Deep, superb clarity, snorkelling", "surf": "None", "setting": "Old flooded tufa quarries and low cliffs", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "egadi", "tufa-quarry", "turquoise" ], "description": "Turquoise water fills the flooded tufa quarries of Favignana's most celebrated cove.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/cala-rossa-it/" }, { "id": "cala-violina-it", "name": "Cala Violina", "locality": "Scarlino, Maremma", "country": "IT", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "wild", "lat": 42.8729, "lon": 10.7773, "seaTempC": 24, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "Fine white sand that sings underfoot", "water": "Clear turquoise", "swimming": "Calm, shallow, clean", "surf": "None", "setting": "Reached on foot through a Mediterranean nature reserve", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "singing-sand", "maremma", "reserve" ], "description": "Sand that squeaks like a violin underfoot, reached by a walk through unspoilt Maremma woodland.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/cala-violina-it/" }, { "id": "calamosche-it", "name": "Calamosche", "locality": "Vendicari, Noto, Sicily", "country": "IT", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "wild", "lat": 36.798, "lon": 15.108, "seaTempC": 25, "bestMonths": "May-Oct", "sand": "Soft golden sand", "water": "Clear, calm turquoise", "swimming": "Sheltered, shallow and clean between two rocky arms", "surf": "None", "setting": "A wild cove reached on a footpath through the Vendicari nature reserve", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "reserve", "hike-in", "snorkelling" ], "description": "A sheltered golden cove hidden at the end of a reserve footpath, its clear water a favourite of Sicilian snorkellers.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/calamosche-it/" }, { "id": "cefalu-beach-it", "name": "Cefalù Beach", "locality": "Cefalù, Sicily", "country": "IT", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "resort", "lat": 38.033, "lon": 14.022, "seaTempC": 25, "bestMonths": "May-Oct", "sand": "Golden sand", "water": "Clear, calm blue", "swimming": "Shallow and gentle right below the old town", "surf": "None", "setting": "A sandy crescent beneath a medieval town and its great Norman cathedral rock", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "old town", "cathedral", "golden sand" ], "description": "A golden crescent right beneath Cefalù's medieval lanes, Norman cathedral and the great crag that towers over the town.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/cefalu-beach-it/" }, { "id": "fetovaia-it", "name": "Fetovaia", "locality": "Elba, Tuscany", "country": "IT", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "tropical", "lat": 42.732, "lon": 10.152, "seaTempC": 24, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "Fine golden granite sand", "water": "Clear turquoise-green", "swimming": "Sheltered, clear and calm behind a granite spur", "surf": "None", "setting": "A sheltered cove behind a pink-granite headland on Elba's south-west", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "elba", "granite", "turquoise" ], "description": "Elba's loveliest cove, a sheltered arc of golden granite sand and clear green water tucked behind a pink-rock spur.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/fetovaia-it/" }, { "id": "fornillo-beach-it", "name": "Fornillo Beach", "locality": "Positano, Amalfi Coast", "country": "IT", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "resort", "lat": 40.628, "lon": 14.482, "seaTempC": 25, "bestMonths": "May-Oct", "sand": "Dark sand and pebbles", "water": "Clear deep blue", "swimming": "Deep and clear, calmer and quieter than the main beach", "surf": "None", "setting": "Positano's quieter second beach, reached by a cliff path past medieval towers", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "amalfi", "cliff path", "quiet" ], "description": "Positano's quieter beach, reached along a cliff walkway and framed by the tumbling pastel houses of the Amalfi Coast.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/fornillo-beach-it/" }, { "id": "is-arutas-it", "name": "Is Arutas", "locality": "Cabras, Sinis Peninsula", "country": "IT", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "exotic", "lat": 39.966, "lon": 8.421, "seaTempC": 23, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "Tiny quartz grains resembling rice", "water": "Clear green-blue", "swimming": "Open water, can be breezy", "surf": "None", "setting": "Wild protected Sinis coast near a marine reserve", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "quartz-sand", "grains-of-rice", "wild" ], "description": "A shore made not of sand but of tiny white and pink quartz grains, unique in the Mediterranean.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/is-arutas-it/" }, { "id": "pescoluse-maldive-del-salento-it", "name": "Pescoluse (Maldive del Salento)", "locality": "Salve, Salento", "country": "IT", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "tropical", "lat": 39.8215, "lon": 18.3055, "seaTempC": 26, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "Fine white sand", "water": "Shallow turquoise", "swimming": "Warm, shallow, ideal for families", "surf": "None", "setting": "Low dunes on the Ionian tip of Salento", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "maldives-of-salento", "turquoise", "shallow" ], "description": "Powder sand and warm shallows earned this Salento strand its nickname, the Maldives of Italy.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/pescoluse-maldive-del-salento-it/" }, { "id": "poetto-it", "name": "Poetto", "locality": "Cagliari, Sardinia", "country": "IT", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "resort", "lat": 39.203, "lon": 9.163, "seaTempC": 25, "bestMonths": "May-Oct", "sand": "Long pale golden sand", "water": "Shallow, gentle blue", "swimming": "Shallow and calm along its whole eight-kilometre run", "surf": "None", "setting": "Cagliari's lively city beach below the Sella del Diavolo headland, lined with kiosks", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "city beach", "long", "flamingos" ], "description": "Cagliari's eight-kilometre city strand, a summer-long parade of kiosks, kitesurfers and flamingo-filled salt pans.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/poetto-it/" }, { "id": "porto-giunco-it", "name": "Porto Giunco", "locality": "Villasimius, Sardinia", "country": "IT", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "tropical", "lat": 39.108, "lon": 9.527, "seaTempC": 25, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "Fine white sand", "water": "Bright shallow turquoise", "swimming": "Warm and shallow, calm and family-friendly", "surf": "None", "setting": "A sandbar between the sea and a flamingo-filled lagoon below the Capo Carbonara tower", "blueFlag": true, "tags": [ "turquoise", "flamingos", "lagoon" ], "description": "A ribbon of white sand dividing the turquoise sea from a pink-flamingo lagoon beneath a clifftop watchtower.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/porto-giunco-it/" }, { "id": "punta-prosciutto-it", "name": "Punta Prosciutto", "locality": "Porto Cesareo, Puglia", "country": "IT", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "tropical", "lat": 40.293, "lon": 17.767, "seaTempC": 26, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "Powder-white sand", "water": "Caribbean-clear turquoise", "swimming": "Shallow, warm and calm for a long way out", "surf": "None", "setting": "Wild dunes and scrub on Salento's Ionian coast", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "maldive", "dunes", "turquoise" ], "description": "Powder-white sand and shallow turquoise water so vivid this dune-backed Salento strand is nicknamed the Maldives of Italy.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/punta-prosciutto-it/" }, { "id": "san-fruttuoso-it", "name": "San Fruttuoso", "locality": "Portofino Peninsula, Liguria", "country": "IT", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "wild", "lat": 44.315, "lon": 9.175, "seaTempC": 24, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "A pocket of coarse sand and pebbles", "water": "Deep, clear Ligurian green-blue", "swimming": "Deep and clear off the abbey steps; a sunken Christ statue lies offshore", "surf": "None", "setting": "A 10th-century abbey filling a cove reachable only by boat or trail", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "abbey", "boat-in", "portofino" ], "description": "A thousand-year-old abbey with its toes in the sea — Liguria's boat-in cove on the Portofino headland.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/san-fruttuoso-it/" }, { "id": "san-vito-it", "name": "San Vito Lo Capo", "locality": "Sicily", "country": "IT", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "tropical", "lat": 38.185, "lon": 12.735, "seaTempC": 25, "bestMonths": "Jun–Sep", "sand": "White", "water": "Turquoise", "swimming": "Shallow, calm", "surf": "None", "setting": "Under Monte Monaco", "blueFlag": true, "tags": [ "Couscous fest", "Family", "Snorkel" ], "description": "A crescent of white sand and warm shallows below a limestone cape.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/san-vito-it/" }, { "id": "scala-turchi-it", "name": "Scala dei Turchi", "locality": "Sicily", "country": "IT", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "exotic", "lat": 37.291, "lon": 13.464, "seaTempC": 25, "bestMonths": "May–Sep", "sand": "Pebble beside white marl", "water": "Blue", "swimming": "Calm", "surf": "None", "setting": "Blinding-white stepped cliff", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "White cliffs", "Sunset", "Photography" ], "description": "A staircase of dazzling white marl stepping down into the sea.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/scala-turchi-it/" }, { "id": "spiaggia-sabbie-nere-it", "name": "Spiaggia delle Sabbie Nere", "locality": "Vulcano, Aeolian Islands", "country": "IT", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "exotic", "lat": 38.4165, "lon": 14.953, "seaTempC": 25, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "Jet-black volcanic sand", "water": "Clear blue", "swimming": "Gently shelving and warm", "surf": "None", "setting": "Volcanic island with sulphur fumaroles nearby", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "black-sand", "volcanic", "aeolian" ], "description": "One of Italy's rare black-sand beaches, born of Vulcano's smouldering volcanic slopes.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/spiaggia-sabbie-nere-it/" }, { "id": "grotticelle-capo-vaticano-it", "name": "Spiaggia di Grotticelle", "locality": "Capo Vaticano, Calabria", "country": "IT", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "tropical", "lat": 38.6164, "lon": 15.8367, "seaTempC": 26, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "Soft white sand", "water": "Brilliant turquoise", "swimming": "Shallow, warm, excellent", "surf": "None", "setting": "Granite headlands of the Costa degli Dei with Aeolian views", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "costa-degli-dei", "turquoise", "cove" ], "description": "White-sand coves at Capo Vaticano glow turquoise on Calabria's Coast of the Gods.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/grotticelle-capo-vaticano-it/" }, { "id": "sperlonga-levante-it", "name": "Spiaggia di Levante", "locality": "Sperlonga, Lazio", "country": "IT", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "resort", "lat": 41.256, "lon": 13.44, "seaTempC": 25, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "Fine pale sand curving below a whitewashed hill town", "water": "Clear, calm Tyrrhenian blue", "swimming": "Gentle, clean and family-friendly", "surf": "None", "setting": "A white Saracen hill town halfway between Rome and Naples, Tiberius's grotto at the far end", "blueFlag": true, "tags": [ "white town", "roman grotto", "family" ], "description": "Rome's favourite escape — pale sand beneath a white Saracen town, with Emperor Tiberius's sea-grotto at one end.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/sperlonga-levante-it/" }, { "id": "sansone-beach-it", "name": "Spiaggia di Sansone", "locality": "Portoferraio, Elba", "country": "IT", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "tropical", "lat": 42.822, "lon": 10.293, "seaTempC": 24, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "Blinding white pebbles", "water": "Transparent, pool-like turquoise", "swimming": "Some of Italy's clearest water — snorkelling heaven", "surf": "None", "setting": "White cliffs and pines on Elba's northern shore", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "elba", "clearest water", "white pebbles" ], "description": "Elba's glass-water cove — white pebbles vanishing into water so clear the boats look airborne.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/sansone-beach-it/" }, { "id": "positano-it", "name": "Spiaggia Grande", "locality": "Positano, Amalfi", "country": "IT", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "resort", "lat": 40.628, "lon": 14.484, "seaTempC": 25, "bestMonths": "May–Sep", "sand": "Grey pebble", "water": "Deep blue", "swimming": "Deep, clear", "surf": "None", "setting": "Beneath a cascading cliff town", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "Amalfi", "Boats", "La dolce vita" ], "description": "The pebbly stage below Positano’s tumble of pastel houses.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/positano-it/" }, { "id": "torre-dell-orso-it", "name": "Torre dell'Orso", "locality": "Melendugno, Puglia", "country": "IT", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "tropical", "lat": 40.276, "lon": 18.428, "seaTempC": 26, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "Fine golden sand", "water": "Clear turquoise", "swimming": "Warm, shallow and calm", "surf": "None", "setting": "A pine-backed bay with the 'Two Sisters' sea stacks on Salento's Adriatic coast", "blueFlag": true, "tags": [ "turquoise", "sea stacks", "pines" ], "description": "A pine-fringed Salento bay of golden sand and turquoise water, watched over by the twin 'Due Sorelle' sea stacks.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/torre-dell-orso-it/" }, { "id": "tuerredda-it", "name": "Tuerredda", "locality": "Teulada, Sardinia", "country": "IT", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "tropical", "lat": 38.878, "lon": 8.732, "seaTempC": 25, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "Soft white sand", "water": "Caribbean-clear turquoise", "swimming": "Calm, shallow and warm; swim out to the Tuerredda islet", "surf": "None", "setting": "A sheltered cove between two headlands on Sardinia's wild south-west", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "turquoise", "cove", "islet" ], "description": "A crescent of white sand and glass-clear water so tropical it is regularly ranked among Italy's most beautiful beaches.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/tuerredda-it/" }, { "id": "berchida-it", "name": "Berchida", "locality": "Siniscola, Sardinia", "country": "IT", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "wild", "lat": 40.512, "lon": 9.802, "seaTempC": 24, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "Pink-tinged white sand", "water": "Clear emerald-turquoise", "swimming": "Clean and calm, shelving gently", "surf": "None", "setting": "Undeveloped dunes, juniper and a small river mouth on the east coast", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "undeveloped", "dunes", "juniper" ], "description": "A long, gloriously undeveloped sweep of juniper-backed dunes and clear water on Sardinia's quiet east coast.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/berchida-it/" }, { "id": "fontane-bianche-it", "name": "Fontane Bianche", "locality": "Siracusa, Sicily", "country": "IT", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "tropical", "lat": 36.938, "lon": 15.148, "seaTempC": 26, "bestMonths": "May-Oct", "sand": "Fine white sand", "water": "Bright shallow turquoise", "swimming": "Warm, shallow and calm", "surf": "None", "setting": "A resort bay of 'white springs' south of Syracuse", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "turquoise", "resort", "shallow" ], "description": "The 'white springs' south of Syracuse — a bright bay of white sand and turquoise shallows named for its freshwater seeps.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/fontane-bianche-it/" }, { "id": "marina-di-alberese-it", "name": "Marina di Alberese", "locality": "Maremma Park, Tuscany", "country": "IT", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "wild", "lat": 42.66, "lon": 11.01, "seaTempC": 24, "bestMonths": "May-Sep", "sand": "Driftwood-strewn dark-gold sand", "water": "Clean, open Tyrrhenian blue", "swimming": "Open-sea swimming off a wild protected strand", "surf": "None", "setting": "The Maremma national park — cowboys, wild boar and umbrella pines behind the dunes", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "national park", "driftwood", "wild tuscany" ], "description": "Tuscany gone feral — a driftwood beach in the Maremma park where cattle trails meet the sea.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/marina-di-alberese-it/" }, { "id": "maronti-beach-it", "name": "Maronti Beach", "locality": "Ischia, Campania", "country": "IT", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "resort", "lat": 40.703, "lon": 13.898, "seaTempC": 25, "bestMonths": "May-Oct", "sand": "Dark golden volcanic sand", "water": "Clear blue, warm", "swimming": "Warm and calm, with natural hot springs seeping through the sand", "surf": "None", "setting": "Ischia's longest beach below Sant'Angelo, with steaming volcanic fumaroles", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "volcanic", "hot springs", "ischia" ], "description": "Ischia's longest strand, where volcanic hot springs steam up through dark sand beneath the village of Sant'Angelo.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/maronti-beach-it/" }, { "id": "nida-beach-lt", "name": "Nida Beach", "locality": "Curonian Spit", "country": "LT", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "wild", "lat": 55.308, "lon": 20.983, "seaTempC": 18, "bestMonths": "June to August", "sand": "Wide white Baltic sand backed by some of Europe's highest drifting dunes", "water": "Clear, cool open Baltic water", "swimming": "Open-Baltic swimming, cooler and livelier than the lagoon side", "surf": "None", "setting": "The UNESCO Curonian Spit, pine forest and the great Parnidis dead dunes", "blueFlag": true, "tags": [ "UNESCO", "sand dunes", "Curonian Spit", "pine forest" ], "description": "Broad Baltic sand beneath the towering drifting dunes of the UNESCO-listed Curonian Spit.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/nida-beach-lt/" }, { "id": "palanga-beach-lt", "name": "Palanga Beach", "locality": "Palanga", "country": "LT", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "resort", "lat": 55.92, "lon": 21.055, "seaTempC": 18, "bestMonths": "Jun-Aug", "sand": "Wide pale sand and dunes", "water": "Shallow, gentle Baltic blue", "swimming": "Shallow, calm and gently warming in summer", "surf": "None", "setting": "Lithuania's lively resort beach with a long wooden pier and amber shops", "blueFlag": true, "tags": [ "pier", "amber", "resort" ], "description": "Lithuania's summer capital — a broad dune-backed beach and long wooden pier where crowds gather for the amber sunset.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/palanga-beach-lt/" }, { "id": "smiltyne-beach-lt", "name": "Smiltynė Beach", "locality": "Curonian Spit, Klaipėda", "country": "LT", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "cold", "lat": 55.71, "lon": 21.1, "seaTempC": 18, "bestMonths": "Jun-Aug", "sand": "Fine white sand backed by high forested dunes", "water": "Clean, open Baltic blue", "swimming": "Gently shelving, with lifeguards in season", "surf": "None", "setting": "The northern tip of the UNESCO Curonian Spit, a ferry ride from Klaipėda", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "curonian spit", "unesco", "forest dunes" ], "description": "Step off the Klaipėda ferry onto the UNESCO Curonian Spit — white Baltic sand beneath a wall of forested dunes.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/smiltyne-beach-lt/" }, { "id": "sventoji-beach-lt", "name": "Šventoji Beach", "locality": "Šventoji, Palanga", "country": "LT", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "cold", "lat": 56.027, "lon": 21.078, "seaTempC": 18, "bestMonths": "Jun-Aug", "sand": "Wide, soft white sand and marram dunes", "water": "Shallow, clean Baltic water", "swimming": "Shallow and family-gentle, quieter than Palanga", "surf": "None", "setting": "A low-key family resort village at the Šventoji river mouth", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "family", "dunes", "quiet" ], "description": "Palanga's quieter sister — the same white Lithuanian sand and dunes, minus the promenade crowds.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/sventoji-beach-lt/" }, { "id": "jurmala-beach-lv", "name": "Jurmala Beach", "locality": "Jurmala, near Riga", "country": "LV", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "resort", "lat": 56.968, "lon": 23.77, "seaTempC": 19, "bestMonths": "June to August", "sand": "Thirty-three kilometres of fine white quartz sand", "water": "Shallow, calm Gulf of Riga water", "swimming": "Shallow and gentle, ideal for families", "surf": "None", "setting": "A wooden-villa spa resort with pine forest between beach and town", "blueFlag": true, "tags": [ "spa resort", "white sand", "pine forest", "Blue Flag" ], "description": "Latvia's grand seaside spa strings 30 kilometres of white sand along a wooden-villa resort near Riga.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/jurmala-beach-lv/" }, { "id": "cape-kolka-lv", "name": "Cape Kolka", "locality": "Kurzeme", "country": "LV", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "wild", "lat": 57.752, "lon": 22.594, "seaTempC": 17, "bestMonths": "Jun-Aug", "sand": "Pale sand and driftwood", "water": "Shallow, restless blue where two seas meet", "swimming": "Shallow and lively where the currents of two seas collide", "surf": "None", "setting": "A wild, windswept cape where the Baltic Sea meets the Gulf of Riga", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "two seas meet", "wild", "driftwood" ], "description": "A wild, driftwood-strewn cape where the open Baltic collides with the Gulf of Riga in a line of restless water.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/cape-kolka-lv/" }, { "id": "liepaja-beach-lv", "name": "Liepāja Beach", "locality": "Liepāja, Courland", "country": "LV", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "cold", "lat": 56.51, "lon": 20.99, "seaTempC": 18, "bestMonths": "Jun-Aug", "sand": "Fine white 'singing' sand that squeaks underfoot", "water": "Open, clean Baltic blue", "swimming": "Gently shelving with occasional wind waves", "surf": "Latvia's best wind-swell — a small surf and kite scene", "setting": "The music city of Latvia, its beach backed by a grand seaside park", "blueFlag": true, "tags": [ "singing sand", "blue flag", "music city" ], "description": "White 'singing' sand that squeaks underfoot, fronting Latvia's music city and its century-old seaside park.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/liepaja-beach-lv/" }, { "id": "ventspils-beach-lv", "name": "Ventspils Beach", "locality": "Ventspils, Courland", "country": "LV", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "cold", "lat": 57.39, "lon": 21.53, "seaTempC": 18, "bestMonths": "Jun-Aug", "sand": "Wide, immaculate white sand", "water": "Clean, open Baltic blue", "swimming": "Gently shelving and lifeguarded in season", "surf": "Small Baltic wind-swell for beginners", "setting": "A tidy port city's Blue Flag strand backed by dunes and a seaside park", "blueFlag": true, "tags": [ "blue flag", "dunes", "city beach" ], "description": "Latvia's tidiest beach — a wide Blue Flag ribbon of white sand beside the port city of Ventspils.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/ventspils-beach-lv/" }, { "id": "larvotto-beach-mc", "name": "Larvotto Beach", "locality": "Monte-Carlo", "country": "MC", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "resort", "lat": 43.746, "lon": 7.431, "seaTempC": 24, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "Fine imported pebble-sand, immaculately kept", "water": "Clear, calm Mediterranean blue behind breakwaters", "swimming": "Calm, netted and lifeguarded — Monaco keeps it orderly", "surf": "None", "setting": "The principality's own beach, rebuilt in 2021 beneath the Monte-Carlo skyline", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "monaco", "glamour", "city beach" ], "description": "Monaco's manicured city beach — calm netted water and designer cabanas beneath the Monte-Carlo towers.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/larvotto-beach-mc/" }, { "id": "sveti-stefan-me", "name": "Sveti Stefan Beach", "locality": "Budva Riviera", "country": "ME", "region": "Europe", "tier": 0, "category": "resort", "lat": 42.2545, "lon": 18.8905, "seaTempC": 25, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "Rose-pink pebbles", "water": "Clear blue", "swimming": "Clean and deepening", "surf": "None", "setting": "A pink pebble isthmus tethering a fortified islet-hotel village", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "budva-riviera", "islet", "iconic" ], "description": "Rose-pink pebbles form the causeway to Montenegro's storybook fortified islet resort.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/sveti-stefan-me/" }, { "id": "mogren-beach-me", "name": "Mogren Beach", "locality": "Budva", "country": "ME", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "resort", "lat": 42.278, "lon": 18.833, "seaTempC": 24, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "Fine sand and fine pebbles", "water": "Clear turquoise", "swimming": "Clear and calm below the cliffs", "surf": "None", "setting": "Twin cliff-backed coves reached by a clifftop path from Budva's old town", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "cliffs", "old town", "twin coves" ], "description": "Twin cliff-cupped coves reached on a scenic path from Budva's medieval walls, the pick of the Montenegrin riviera.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/mogren-beach-me/" }, { "id": "buljarica-beach-me", "name": "Buljarica Beach", "locality": "Petrovac, Budva Riviera", "country": "ME", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "wild", "lat": 42.19, "lon": 18.97, "seaTempC": 25, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "Two kilometres of grey-gold sand and pebbles", "water": "Clean, open Adriatic blue", "swimming": "Open and gently shelving, with wilder corners", "surf": "None", "setting": "The Budva Riviera's last big undeveloped bay, wetlands behind", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "undeveloped", "wetland", "long" ], "description": "The Budva Riviera before the cranes — two undeveloped kilometres of sand backed by reedy wetland.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/buljarica-beach-me/" }, { "id": "jaz-beach-me", "name": "Jaz Beach", "locality": "Budva", "country": "ME", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "resort", "lat": 42.288, "lon": 18.796, "seaTempC": 24, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "Fine pebbles and sand", "water": "Clear blue", "swimming": "Clear and open, gently shelving", "surf": "None", "setting": "A wide open bay west of Budva, once host to vast seaside concerts", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "wide bay", "concerts", "open" ], "description": "A broad open bay west of Budva, backed by green hills and famous for hosting the Rolling Stones on its sands.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/jaz-beach-me/" }, { "id": "velika-plaza-me", "name": "Velika Plaza", "locality": "Ulcinj", "country": "ME", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "wild", "lat": 41.901, "lon": 19.287, "seaTempC": 25, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "Fine grey-golden sand", "water": "Warm and shallow, sometimes hazy", "swimming": "Very shallow and warm; kitesurfing at the far end", "surf": "Kitesurfing and windsurfing near Ada Bojana", "setting": "A twelve-kilometre sweep of open sand near the Albanian border", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "long-beach", "kitesurf", "shallow" ], "description": "Montenegro's Big Beach, a twelve-kilometre sweep of warm shallow sand favoured by kitesurfers.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/velika-plaza-me/" }, { "id": "blue-lagoon-comino-mt", "name": "Blue Lagoon", "locality": "Comino", "country": "MT", "region": "Europe", "tier": 1, "category": "tropical", "lat": 36.013, "lon": 14.328, "seaTempC": 25, "bestMonths": "May–Oct", "sand": "White (small)", "water": "Electric turquoise", "swimming": "Shallow, warm, calm", "surf": "None", "setting": "Channel between tiny islands", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "Snorkel", "Boat", "Swim" ], "description": "A shallow channel of luminous turquoise between Comino and Cominotto.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/blue-lagoon-comino-mt/" }, { "id": "ghadira-bay-mt", "name": "Għadira Bay", "locality": "Mellieħa", "country": "MT", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "resort", "lat": 35.97, "lon": 14.35, "seaTempC": 26, "bestMonths": "Jun-Oct", "sand": "Malta's biggest sweep of soft red-gold sand", "water": "Very shallow, warm, bright turquoise", "swimming": "Wade a hundred metres in knee-deep water — Malta's family bay", "surf": "None", "setting": "A broad bay below Mellieħa's hilltop town and a bird reserve", "blueFlag": true, "tags": [ "shallow", "family", "biggest sand" ], "description": "Malta's biggest and shallowest sand — a knee-deep turquoise bay beneath hilltop Mellieħa.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/ghadira-bay-mt/" }, { "id": "golden-bay-g-ajn-tuffie-a-area-mt", "name": "Golden Bay (Għajn Tuffieħa area)", "locality": "Mellieħa", "country": "MT", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "resort", "lat": 35.937, "lon": 14.344, "seaTempC": 25, "bestMonths": "May-Oct", "sand": "Reddish-gold sand", "water": "Clear, warm blue", "swimming": "Warm and gently shelving; watch for afternoon swell", "surf": "Occasional wind swell", "setting": "Malta's largest sandy bay, backed by low clay hills in the north-west", "blueFlag": true, "tags": [ "golden sand", "resort", "sunset" ], "description": "Malta's largest sandy bay, a broad sweep of reddish-gold sand and clear water beloved for its west-facing sunsets.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/golden-bay-g-ajn-tuffie-a-area-mt/" }, { "id": "ramla-bay-mt", "name": "Ramla Bay", "locality": "Xagħra, Gozo, Malta", "country": "MT", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "exotic", "lat": 36.062, "lon": 14.283, "seaTempC": 26, "bestMonths": "Jun–Oct", "sand": "Distinctive reddish-orange sand", "water": "Clear, warm, shallow blue", "swimming": "Calm shallow water, family-friendly; largely undeveloped", "surf": "None", "setting": "An unspoilt red-sand bay backed by farmland and a hillside cave", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "red sand", "unspoilt", "exotic" ], "description": "Gozo's largest and wildest beach, famous for its rich reddish-orange sand.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/ramla-bay-mt/" }, { "id": "g-ajn-tuffie-a-mt", "name": "Għajn Tuffieħa", "locality": "Mellieħa", "country": "MT", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "wild", "lat": 35.941, "lon": 14.341, "seaTempC": 25, "bestMonths": "May-Oct", "sand": "Reddish-gold sand", "water": "Clear, warm blue", "swimming": "Warm and clear; some swell and current", "surf": "None", "setting": "A wild, undeveloped bay reached down 200 steps beside Golden Bay", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "undeveloped", "red sand", "steps" ], "description": "The quieter, wilder twin of Golden Bay — a red-gold cove reached down 200 steps and backed by undeveloped clay slopes.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/g-ajn-tuffie-a-mt/" }, { "id": "st-peter-s-pool-mt", "name": "St Peter's Pool", "locality": "Marsaxlokk", "country": "MT", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "wild", "lat": 35.828, "lon": 14.566, "seaTempC": 25, "bestMonths": "May-Oct", "sand": "Flat limestone rock, no sand", "water": "Deep, glass-clear turquoise", "swimming": "A deep natural rock pool for swimming and cliff-jumping", "surf": "None", "setting": "A smooth-rock natural swimming pool near the fishing village of Marsaxlokk", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "rock pool", "cliff jump", "turquoise" ], "description": "A natural swimming pool of deep turquoise water ringed by smooth flat limestone — Malta's favourite cliff-jumping spot.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/st-peter-s-pool-mt/" }, { "id": "scheveningen-nl", "name": "Scheveningen", "locality": "The Hague", "country": "NL", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "resort", "lat": 52.108, "lon": 4.275, "seaTempC": 17, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "Wide golden sand", "water": "Cool, gentle North Sea blue", "swimming": "Gently shelving; lifeguarded in summer", "surf": "A popular North Sea surf and kite beach", "setting": "The Netherlands' grand resort beach with a pier and belle-époque hotel", "blueFlag": true, "tags": [ "pier", "resort", "surf" ], "description": "The Netherlands' grand seaside resort — a wide North Sea strand beneath a pier and the historic Kurhaus hotel.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/scheveningen-nl/" }, { "id": "zandvoort-nl", "name": "Zandvoort", "locality": "near Amsterdam", "country": "NL", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "surf", "lat": 52.371, "lon": 4.527, "seaTempC": 18, "bestMonths": "June to September", "sand": "Broad flat golden sand backed by dunes", "water": "Grey-green North Sea, cool and clean", "swimming": "Popular and lifeguarded, with lively summer beach clubs", "surf": "The Netherlands' best-known surf and windsurf beach", "setting": "A dune reserve and rows of beach clubs, a quick train from Amsterdam", "blueFlag": true, "tags": [ "surf", "beach clubs", "dunes", "near Amsterdam" ], "description": "Amsterdam's nearest surf beach, a broad dune-backed strand packed with beach clubs and windsurfers.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/zandvoort-nl/" }, { "id": "bloemendaal-aan-zee-nl", "name": "Bloemendaal aan Zee", "locality": "North Holland", "country": "NL", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "resort", "lat": 52.405, "lon": 4.53, "seaTempC": 17, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "A wide strip of soft pale sand", "water": "Open, gently shelving North Sea water", "swimming": "Gentle in summer, lifeguarded by the pavilions", "surf": "Small North Sea beach-break", "setting": "Amsterdam's fashionable beach, famous for its dune-side clubs and DJ summers", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "beach clubs", "amsterdam", "dunes" ], "description": "Where Amsterdam goes to dance on the sand — dune-backed beach clubs with a North Sea horizon.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/bloemendaal-aan-zee-nl/" }, { "id": "domburg-beach-nl", "name": "Domburg Beach", "locality": "Zeeland", "country": "NL", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "resort", "lat": 51.565, "lon": 3.49, "seaTempC": 17, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "Wide pale sand below grassy dunes", "water": "Clean, gently shelving North Sea water", "swimming": "Gentle at mid-tide, watched in season", "surf": "Zeeland's small faithful wave scene", "setting": "The Netherlands' oldest seaside resort, a painters' town behind the dunes", "blueFlag": true, "tags": [ "oldest resort", "painters", "dunes" ], "description": "The Netherlands' first seaside resort — dune-backed sand that drew Mondrian and a century of bathers.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/domburg-beach-nl/" }, { "id": "texel-beach-paal-9-nl", "name": "Texel Beach (Paal 9)", "locality": "Texel, Wadden Islands", "country": "NL", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "cold", "lat": 53.108, "lon": 4.746, "seaTempC": 17, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "Vast pale sand and dunes", "water": "Cool, clean North Sea blue", "swimming": "Broad and gently shelving; bracing North Sea temperatures", "surf": "Beach-break on the open coast", "setting": "Endless dune-backed sand on the largest of the Dutch Wadden islands", "blueFlag": true, "tags": [ "dunes", "Wadden island", "wild" ], "description": "Endless dune-backed North Sea sand on Texel, the largest Wadden island — big skies, seal colonies and clean surf.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/texel-beach-paal-9-nl/" }, { "id": "haukland-no", "name": "Haukland Beach", "locality": "Lofoten", "country": "NO", "region": "Europe", "tier": 1, "category": "cold", "lat": 68.208, "lon": 13.545, "seaTempC": 12, "bestMonths": "Jun–Aug", "sand": "White", "water": "Arctic turquoise", "swimming": "Bracing, brief", "surf": "Cold-water surf nearby", "setting": "Arctic peaks straight from the sand", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "Midnight sun", "Hike", "Photography" ], "description": "Improbable white sand and turquoise water beneath sheer Arctic peaks.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/haukland-no/" }, { "id": "kvalvika-beach-no", "name": "Kvalvika Beach", "locality": "Moskenesoya, Lofoten", "country": "NO", "region": "Europe", "tier": 1, "category": "wild", "lat": 68.113, "lon": 13.089, "seaTempC": 12, "bestMonths": "June to August", "sand": "Pale golden sand in a roadless bay ringed by peaks", "water": "Clear turquoise Arctic water", "swimming": "An icy Arctic dip for the brave", "surf": "A known cold-water surf spot with Atlantic swell", "setting": "Reached only by a mountain hike, framed by sheer Lofoten summits", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "Arctic", "hike-in", "Lofoten", "turquoise" ], "description": "A hidden Arctic bay of turquoise water and golden sand reached only over a Lofoten mountain pass.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/kvalvika-beach-no/" }, { "id": "uttakleiv-no", "name": "Uttakleiv Beach", "locality": "Lofoten", "country": "NO", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "cold", "lat": 68.23, "lon": 13.393, "seaTempC": 12, "bestMonths": "Jun–Aug", "sand": "White & boulders", "water": "Cold, clear", "swimming": "Very cold", "surf": "Cold-water", "setting": "Aurora & midnight-sun coast", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "Aurora", "Photography", "Surf" ], "description": "A boulder-strewn Arctic beach famous for aurora and midnight-sun shots.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/uttakleiv-no/" }, { "id": "bunes-beach-no", "name": "Bunes Beach", "locality": "Moskenesøya, Lofoten", "country": "NO", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "wild", "lat": 68.01, "lon": 13.09, "seaTempC": 12, "bestMonths": "Jun-Aug", "sand": "Broad pale sand", "water": "Clear, cold Arctic blue-green", "swimming": "Frigid but astonishingly clear beneath the peaks", "surf": "None", "setting": "A vast remote beach under sheer peaks, reached by ferry and a valley hike", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "arctic", "remote", "hike-in" ], "description": "A vast, silent Arctic beach walled by sheer Lofoten peaks, reached by a small ferry and a hike over a wild valley.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/bunes-beach-no/" }, { "id": "ersfjord-beach-no", "name": "Ersfjord Beach", "locality": "Senja", "country": "NO", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "wild", "lat": 69.489, "lon": 17.435, "seaTempC": 11, "bestMonths": "Jun-Aug", "sand": "Pale golden sand", "water": "Clear, cold Arctic blue", "swimming": "Frigid and clear at the head of the fjord", "surf": "None", "setting": "A golden beach beneath dramatic granite spires on the island of Senja", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "arctic", "granite spires", "fjord" ], "description": "A golden crescent at the foot of Senja's dramatic granite spires, one of Arctic Norway's most photographed beaches.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/ersfjord-beach-no/" }, { "id": "hoddevik-no", "name": "Hoddevik", "locality": "Stadlandet", "country": "NO", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "surf", "lat": 62.055, "lon": 5.108, "seaTempC": 13, "bestMonths": "Year-round", "sand": "Pale golden sand", "water": "Clear, cold Atlantic blue", "swimming": "Cold with steady swell — Norway's surf valley", "surf": "Norway's best-known surf break, in a green amphitheatre of farms", "setting": "A remote surf beach in a farm-dotted bowl on the exposed Stad peninsula", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "surf", "remote", "fjord farms" ], "description": "A remote green amphitheatre of farms wrapped around a golden surf beach — the cradle of Norwegian surfing.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/hoddevik-no/" }, { "id": "ramberg-beach-no", "name": "Ramberg Beach", "locality": "Flakstadøya, Lofoten", "country": "NO", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "cold", "lat": 68.098, "lon": 13.234, "seaTempC": 12, "bestMonths": "Jun-Aug", "sand": "Pale white sand", "water": "Startlingly clear turquoise, icy cold", "swimming": "Caribbean-bright but Arctic-cold", "surf": "None", "setting": "A white-sand beach right by the road beneath red fishermen's cabins and peaks", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "arctic", "turquoise", "peaks" ], "description": "White sand and improbably turquoise water beneath jagged Lofoten peaks — a tropical mirage at 68° north.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/ramberg-beach-no/" }, { "id": "refviksanden-no", "name": "Refviksanden", "locality": "Vågsøy", "country": "NO", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "cold", "lat": 61.976, "lon": 4.97, "seaTempC": 13, "bestMonths": "Jun-Aug", "sand": "Broad white sand", "water": "Clear, cold turquoise", "swimming": "Cold, clear and lively on the open coast", "surf": "Atlantic swell for cold-water surfers", "setting": "A long white-sand beach open to the ocean on the island of Vågsøy", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "white sand", "open coast", "surf" ], "description": "A long, wild sweep of white sand and turquoise water on an exposed western island — often called Norway's finest beach.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/refviksanden-no/" }, { "id": "sjosanden-no", "name": "Sjosanden", "locality": "Mandal, Southern Norway", "country": "NO", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "cold", "lat": 58.02, "lon": 7.449, "seaTempC": 18, "bestMonths": "June to August", "sand": "Eight hundred metres of fine white sand, often called Norway's best beach", "water": "Clear and relatively mild Skagerrak water", "swimming": "Among Norway's most swimmable sea, calm and sheltered", "surf": "None", "setting": "Pine-backed dunes on the edge of Mandal, one of Norway's southernmost towns", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "white sand", "southern Norway", "family", "swimmable" ], "description": "Norway's favourite white-sand beach, where the mild southern sea actually invites a swim.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/sjosanden-no/" }, { "id": "skagsanden-beach-no", "name": "Skagsanden Beach", "locality": "Flakstad, Lofoten", "country": "NO", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "surf", "lat": 68.079, "lon": 13.371, "seaTempC": 12, "bestMonths": "Year-round", "sand": "Wide flat pale sand", "water": "Clear, cold Arctic blue", "swimming": "Cold with strong swell — a cold-water surf beach", "surf": "A famed Arctic surf beach with mountain-backed peaks and reflections", "setting": "A wide mirror-flat beach ringed by peaks, popular with Arctic surfers", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "arctic surf", "reflections", "peaks" ], "description": "A mirror-flat Lofoten beach ringed by peaks, where wetsuited surfers ride cold Arctic swell beneath the northern lights.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/skagsanden-beach-no/" }, { "id": "miedzyzdroje-beach-pl", "name": "Międzyzdroje Beach", "locality": "Wolin Island", "country": "PL", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "resort", "lat": 53.932, "lon": 14.44, "seaTempC": 18, "bestMonths": "Jun-Aug", "sand": "Wide golden sand beneath green cliffs", "water": "Clean, gently shelving Baltic water", "swimming": "Gentle and lifeguarded along the pier", "surf": "None", "setting": "A belle-époque resort with a long pier, between the sea and Wolin National Park's cliffs", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "pier", "cliffs", "national park" ], "description": "A belle-époque Baltic resort where golden sand runs beneath the green moraine cliffs of Wolin National Park.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/miedzyzdroje-beach-pl/" }, { "id": "sopot-beach-pl", "name": "Sopot Beach", "locality": "Sopot, near Gdansk", "country": "PL", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "resort", "lat": 54.446, "lon": 18.567, "seaTempC": 18, "bestMonths": "June to August", "sand": "Broad white sand along the Gulf of Gdansk", "water": "Shallow, calm Baltic water", "swimming": "Shallow and gentle, popular family swimming", "surf": "None", "setting": "A lively spa resort with Europe's longest wooden pier, the molo", "blueFlag": true, "tags": [ "wooden pier", "spa resort", "Baltic", "Blue Flag" ], "description": "Poland's chicest resort, where a grand wooden pier reaches over the Baltic beside broad white sand.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/sopot-beach-pl/" }, { "id": "hel-peninsula-beach-pl", "name": "Hel Peninsula Beach", "locality": "Hel, Pomerania", "country": "PL", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "cold", "lat": 54.608, "lon": 18.8, "seaTempC": 18, "bestMonths": "Jun-Aug", "sand": "Fine white sand", "water": "Shallow, clear Baltic blue on two sides", "swimming": "Shallow, calm and clean; open sea on one side, calm bay on the other", "surf": "The bay side is a leading windsurf and kite spot", "setting": "A slender 35-kilometre sand spit with sea on one side and calm bay on the other", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "sand spit", "windsurf", "two seas" ], "description": "A slender 35-kilometre sand spit with open Baltic surf on one side and a flat windsurfer's bay on the other.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/hel-peninsula-beach-pl/" }, { "id": "kolobrzeg-beach-pl", "name": "Kołobrzeg Beach", "locality": "Kołobrzeg, West Pomerania", "country": "PL", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "resort", "lat": 54.19, "lon": 15.55, "seaTempC": 18, "bestMonths": "Jun-Aug", "sand": "Wide, well-kept pale sand", "water": "Clean, open Baltic blue", "swimming": "Gently shelving and lifeguarded by the pier", "surf": "None", "setting": "Poland's salt-spa city with a lighthouse, port and grand promenade", "blueFlag": true, "tags": [ "spa city", "lighthouse", "promenade" ], "description": "Poland's classic spa-town beach — wide pale sand between a working lighthouse and a century of health resorts.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/kolobrzeg-beach-pl/" }, { "id": "eba-beach-pl", "name": "Łeba Beach", "locality": "Słowiński Coast", "country": "PL", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "cold", "lat": 54.76, "lon": 17.55, "seaTempC": 18, "bestMonths": "Jun-Aug", "sand": "Fine white sand and giant dunes", "water": "Shallow, clean Baltic blue", "swimming": "Shallow and gently warming in summer", "surf": "None", "setting": "A white-sand resort beside the shifting dunes of Słowiński National Park", "blueFlag": true, "tags": [ "shifting dunes", "national park", "white sand" ], "description": "A fine white-sand Baltic beach beside the vast wandering dunes of Słowiński National Park — Poland's 'moving desert'.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/eba-beach-pl/" }, { "id": "ustka-beach-pl", "name": "Ustka Beach", "locality": "Ustka, Pomerania", "country": "PL", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "cold", "lat": 54.588, "lon": 16.85, "seaTempC": 18, "bestMonths": "Jun-Aug", "sand": "Fine pale sand below low dunes", "water": "Clean, open Baltic blue", "swimming": "Gently shelving, bracing outside high summer", "surf": "Small Baltic beach-break on windy days", "setting": "A fishing port turned resort near the shifting dunes of Słowiński park", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "fishing port", "dunes", "quiet" ], "description": "A Pomeranian fishing port's pale strand, a quieter cousin to the great shifting dunes along the coast.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/ustka-beach-pl/" }, { "id": "benagil-pt", "name": "Benagil Beach & Cave", "locality": "Algarve", "country": "PT", "region": "Europe", "tier": 1, "category": "wild", "lat": 37.086, "lon": -8.427, "seaTempC": 21, "bestMonths": "May–Oct", "sand": "Golden", "water": "Emerald", "swimming": "Calm cove", "surf": "None", "setting": "Domed sea cave with skylight", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "Sea cave", "Kayak", "SUP" ], "description": "A cathedral-like sea cave with a sandy floor and a natural skylight.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/benagil-pt/" }, { "id": "praia-da-comporta-pt", "name": "Praia da Comporta", "locality": "Comporta, Alentejo", "country": "PT", "region": "Europe", "tier": 1, "category": "wild", "lat": 38.3809, "lon": -8.8035, "seaTempC": 19, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "Miles of fine white sand and dunes", "water": "Cool, clean Atlantic blue", "swimming": "Open Atlantic with some waves and currents", "surf": "Mellow beach break", "setting": "Rice paddies and umbrella-pine dunes", "blueFlag": true, "tags": [ "endless sand", "chic", "dunes", "alentejo" ], "description": "An endless, dune-backed white strand fringing the rice fields of chic, laid-back Comporta.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/praia-da-comporta-pt/" }, { "id": "praia-da-marinha-pt", "name": "Praia da Marinha", "locality": "Algarve", "country": "PT", "region": "Europe", "tier": 1, "category": "wild", "lat": 37.09, "lon": -8.412, "seaTempC": 21, "bestMonths": "May–Oct", "sand": "Golden", "water": "Clear emerald", "swimming": "Clear, some swell", "surf": "None", "setting": "Ochre limestone cliffs", "blueFlag": true, "tags": [ "Cliff walk", "Snorkel", "Photography" ], "description": "The Algarve’s emblem — golden cliffs and sea stacks over clear water.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/praia-da-marinha-pt/" }, { "id": "praia-de-porto-santo-pt", "name": "Praia de Porto Santo", "locality": "Porto Santo, Madeira", "country": "PT", "region": "Europe", "tier": 1, "category": "resort", "lat": 33.058, "lon": -16.339, "seaTempC": 23, "bestMonths": "Jun-Oct", "sand": "9km of fine golden mineral-rich sand", "water": "Warm, calm and crystal-clear blue", "swimming": "Calm and shallow, excellent swimming", "surf": "None", "setting": "A low golden island off the coast of Madeira", "blueFlag": true, "tags": [ "golden sand", "therapeutic sand", "calm", "madeira" ], "description": "Nine kilometres of fine golden sand famed for its therapeutic minerals on Madeira's sunny sister island.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/praia-de-porto-santo-pt/" }, { "id": "praia-do-guincho-pt", "name": "Praia do Guincho", "locality": "Cascais, Lisbon Coast", "country": "PT", "region": "Europe", "tier": 1, "category": "surf", "lat": 38.7325, "lon": -9.4725, "seaTempC": 18, "bestMonths": "May-Sep", "sand": "Wide pale sand backed by dunes", "water": "Cold and clear Atlantic", "swimming": "Cold, powerful surf and strong wind", "surf": "Consistent Atlantic beach break and world windsurf venue", "setting": "Dunes below the Sintra hills near Cabo da Roca", "blueFlag": true, "tags": [ "surf", "windswept", "dunes", "atlantic" ], "description": "A wild, wind-raked Atlantic beach below the Sintra mountains and a mecca for surfers and windsurfers.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/praia-do-guincho-pt/" }, { "id": "nazare-pt", "name": "Praia do Norte", "locality": "Nazaré", "country": "PT", "region": "Europe", "tier": 1, "category": "surf", "lat": 39.611, "lon": -9.086, "seaTempC": 18, "bestMonths": "Oct–Mar (big-wave)", "sand": "Golden", "water": "Wild Atlantic", "swimming": "Dangerous when big", "surf": "Biggest waves on Earth", "setting": "Canyon-fed swell", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "Big-wave surf", "Lighthouse", "Spectacle" ], "description": "Where an undersea canyon builds the largest surfed waves ever ridden.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/nazare-pt/" }, { "id": "praia-da-falesia-pt", "name": "Praia da Falesia", "locality": "Olhos de Agua, Algarve", "country": "PT", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "resort", "lat": 37.0888, "lon": -8.162, "seaTempC": 22, "bestMonths": "May-Oct", "sand": "A long golden-white strip of sand", "water": "Clear, warmer south-Algarve blue", "swimming": "Generally calm and gently shelving", "surf": "None", "setting": "Towering ochre-and-red striped cliffs", "blueFlag": true, "tags": [ "red cliffs", "long beach", "resort", "algarve" ], "description": "A six-kilometre ribbon of sand beneath spectacular ochre and rust-red cliffs on the central Algarve.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/praia-da-falesia-pt/" }, { "id": "praia-da-rocha-pt", "name": "Praia da Rocha", "locality": "Portimão, Algarve", "country": "PT", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "resort", "lat": 37.116, "lon": -8.535, "seaTempC": 21, "bestMonths": "May-Oct", "sand": "Wide golden sand", "water": "Clear, gentle Atlantic blue", "swimming": "Broad, gently shelving and lifeguarded", "surf": "Small beach-break at the edges", "setting": "The Algarve's grand resort beach beneath a promenade and ochre rock formations", "blueFlag": true, "tags": [ "resort", "wide beach", "promenade" ], "description": "The Algarve's original resort beach — a vast golden strand of ochre stacks below the bars and promenade of Portimão.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/praia-da-rocha-pt/" }, { "id": "praia-de-santa-barbara-pt", "name": "Praia de Santa Barbara", "locality": "Ribeira Grande, Sao Miguel", "country": "PT", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "surf", "lat": 37.819, "lon": -25.542, "seaTempC": 22, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep, surf year-round", "sand": "Dark volcanic sand", "water": "Clear, deep blue Atlantic", "swimming": "Lively surf and currents, a surfers' beach", "surf": "The Azores' premier beach break", "setting": "Green volcanic hills on Sao Miguel's north coast", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "black sand", "surf", "volcanic", "azores" ], "description": "A long black-sand beach on Sao Miguel's north coast and the Azores' leading surf destination.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/praia-de-santa-barbara-pt/" }, { "id": "praia-do-amado-pt", "name": "Praia do Amado", "locality": "Carrapateira, Algarve", "country": "PT", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "surf", "lat": 37.1672, "lon": -8.904, "seaTempC": 18, "bestMonths": "Year-round for surf", "sand": "Broad golden sand", "water": "Cool and clear Atlantic", "swimming": "Cool with waves; watch for currents", "surf": "Reliable beach break and surf-school favourite", "setting": "The rugged cliffs of the Costa Vicentina", "blueFlag": true, "tags": [ "surf", "costa vicentina", "surf school", "wild coast" ], "description": "A golden, cliff-backed surf beach on the wild Costa Vicentina and one of the Algarve's top wave spots.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/praia-do-amado-pt/" }, { "id": "praia-do-camilo-pt", "name": "Praia do Camilo", "locality": "Lagos", "country": "PT", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "wild", "lat": 37.086, "lon": -8.669, "seaTempC": 21, "bestMonths": "May–Oct", "sand": "Golden", "water": "Clear emerald", "swimming": "Sheltered, clear", "surf": "None", "setting": "Twin coves, wooden stairway", "blueFlag": true, "tags": [ "Snorkel", "Cliffs", "Steps" ], "description": "Twin golden coves reached by a photogenic wooden stairway.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/praia-do-camilo-pt/" }, { "id": "praia-dona-ana-pt", "name": "Praia Dona Ana", "locality": "Lagos, Algarve", "country": "PT", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "tropical", "lat": 37.089, "lon": -8.669, "seaTempC": 21, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "Golden sand between ochre cliffs", "water": "Clear, calm blue-green", "swimming": "Sheltered, calm and clear among the rock stacks", "surf": "None", "setting": "A sheltered cove of golden cliffs and sea stacks near Lagos", "blueFlag": true, "tags": [ "golden cliffs", "sea stacks", "sheltered" ], "description": "The Algarve's postcard cove — golden ochre cliffs and honey-coloured sea stacks framing calm, clear water near Lagos.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/praia-dona-ana-pt/" }, { "id": "praia-dos-galapinhos-pt", "name": "Praia dos Galapinhos", "locality": "Arrábida, Setúbal", "country": "PT", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "tropical", "lat": 38.48, "lon": -8.98, "seaTempC": 19, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "Fine pale sand below green Arrábida slopes", "water": "Astonishingly clear green-turquoise for the Atlantic", "swimming": "Sheltered, calm and clear under the ridge", "surf": "None", "setting": "The Arrábida natural park's forest tumbling straight into the sea", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "arrábida", "clearest atlantic", "forest" ], "description": "Portugal's clearest water — a turquoise Atlantic anomaly beneath the green ridge of Arrábida.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/praia-dos-galapinhos-pt/" }, { "id": "costa-nova-pt", "name": "Costa Nova", "locality": "Aveiro", "country": "PT", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "resort", "lat": 40.618, "lon": -8.75, "seaTempC": 18, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "Wide pale sand and dunes", "water": "Cool, clear Atlantic blue", "swimming": "Bracing Atlantic swell; lifeguarded in summer", "surf": "Consistent beach-break", "setting": "A dune beach behind a row of candy-striped fishermen's houses near Aveiro", "blueFlag": true, "tags": [ "striped houses", "dunes", "surf" ], "description": "A breezy dune beach fronted by Portugal's famous row of candy-striped wooden fishermen's houses near Aveiro.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/costa-nova-pt/" }, { "id": "praia-da-adraga-pt", "name": "Praia da Adraga", "locality": "Sintra", "country": "PT", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "wild", "lat": 38.803, "lon": -9.47, "seaTempC": 18, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "Golden sand below dark cliffs", "water": "Cool, clear Atlantic blue", "swimming": "Powerful Atlantic swell and currents; a dramatic swim", "surf": "Heavy beach-break", "setting": "A wild cliff-walled beach with a great offshore rock arch near Sintra", "blueFlag": true, "tags": [ "cliffs", "sea arch", "wild" ], "description": "A wild beach walled by dark cliffs and crowned by a great offshore rock arch on the Atlantic edge of Sintra.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/praia-da-adraga-pt/" }, { "id": "praia-da-arrifana-pt", "name": "Praia da Arrifana", "locality": "Aljezur, Algarve", "country": "PT", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "surf", "lat": 37.291, "lon": -8.863, "seaTempC": 18, "bestMonths": "Year-round", "sand": "Golden sand below a cliff", "water": "Cool, clear Atlantic blue", "swimming": "Lively swell; a renowned surf bay", "surf": "A sheltered, consistent point and beach-break on the west coast", "setting": "A cliff-cradled bay below a clifftop village and old fort", "blueFlag": true, "tags": [ "surf", "cliffs", "fishing village" ], "description": "A cliff-cradled surf bay below a whitewashed village and ruined fort — the heart of the west-coast surf scene.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/praia-da-arrifana-pt/" }, { "id": "praia-da-bordeira-pt", "name": "Praia da Bordeira", "locality": "Carrapateira, Algarve", "country": "PT", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "surf", "lat": 37.187, "lon": -8.901, "seaTempC": 18, "bestMonths": "Year-round", "sand": "Vast pale sand and dunes", "water": "Cool, clear Atlantic blue", "swimming": "Strong currents — a surf and dune-walking beach", "surf": "Long, consistent beach-break on the wild south-west", "setting": "A huge dune-and-river beach in the Costa Vicentina wild park", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "surf", "dunes", "wild" ], "description": "A vast, wild sweep of sand and dunes on the untamed Costa Vicentina, one of the Algarve's great surf and walking beaches.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/praia-da-bordeira-pt/" }, { "id": "foz-do-arelho-pt", "name": "Praia da Foz do Arelho", "locality": "Óbidos Lagoon, Leiria", "country": "PT", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "resort", "lat": 39.43, "lon": -9.22, "seaTempC": 18, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "A huge sand tongue between lagoon and ocean", "water": "Warm, calm lagoon on one side; cold Atlantic surf on the other", "swimming": "Children in the lagoon, swimmers in the sea — pick your side", "surf": "Ocean-side beach-break", "setting": "Where the Óbidos lagoon opens to the Atlantic", "blueFlag": true, "tags": [ "lagoon", "two waters", "family" ], "description": "Two beaches in one — a warm shallow lagoon lapping one side of the sand, the cold Atlantic pounding the other.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/foz-do-arelho-pt/" }, { "id": "praia-ursa-pt", "name": "Praia da Ursa", "locality": "Sintra", "country": "PT", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "wild", "lat": 38.788, "lon": -9.484, "seaTempC": 18, "bestMonths": "Jun–Sep", "sand": "Golden", "water": "Rough Atlantic", "swimming": "Dangerous currents", "surf": "None", "setting": "Sea stacks near Europe’s westmost point", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "Hike-in", "Sea stacks", "Wild" ], "description": "A wild, hard-won cove of sea stacks beside continental Europe’s edge.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/praia-ursa-pt/" }, { "id": "zambujeira-do-mar-pt", "name": "Praia da Zambujeira do Mar", "locality": "Alentejo, Costa Vicentina", "country": "PT", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "wild", "lat": 37.525, "lon": -8.79, "seaTempC": 18, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "Pale sand walled by dark schist cliffs", "water": "Cold, powerful Atlantic blue", "swimming": "Swim close in on calm days; respect the shorebreak", "surf": "Consistent Costa Vicentina beach-break", "setting": "A whitewashed clifftop village on the wild Alentejo coast", "blueFlag": true, "tags": [ "clifftop village", "alentejo", "wild" ], "description": "The Alentejo's cliff-walled village beach — whitewashed houses above, cold wild Atlantic below.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/zambujeira-do-mar-pt/" }, { "id": "praia-de-odeceixe-pt", "name": "Praia de Odeceixe", "locality": "Aljezur, Costa Vicentina", "country": "PT", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "wild", "lat": 37.4405, "lon": -8.7975, "seaTempC": 18, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "Golden sand where river meets sea", "water": "Calm river water beside cool surf sea", "swimming": "Warm calm river or bracing Atlantic surf", "surf": "Good beach break on the sea side", "setting": "A horseshoe river mouth framed by green cliffs", "blueFlag": true, "tags": [ "river mouth", "costa vicentina", "surf", "scenic" ], "description": "A striking horseshoe beach at a river mouth offering calm river swimming beside the wild Atlantic surf.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/praia-de-odeceixe-pt/" }, { "id": "praia-de-sao-rafael-pt", "name": "Praia de São Rafael", "locality": "Albufeira, Algarve", "country": "PT", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "tropical", "lat": 37.076, "lon": -8.288, "seaTempC": 21, "bestMonths": "May-Oct", "sand": "Soft golden sand", "water": "Clear, calm turquoise", "swimming": "Sheltered, shallow and calm among the rocks", "surf": "None", "setting": "A small cove of sculpted golden rock stacks west of Albufeira", "blueFlag": true, "tags": [ "rock stacks", "sheltered", "turquoise" ], "description": "A small, sheltered cove where sculpted golden rock arches and stacks rise from calm, clear water near Albufeira.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/praia-de-sao-rafael-pt/" }, { "id": "praia-do-martinhal-pt", "name": "Praia do Martinhal", "locality": "Sagres, Algarve", "country": "PT", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "resort", "lat": 37.019, "lon": -8.918, "seaTempC": 20, "bestMonths": "May-Oct", "sand": "Fine golden sand", "water": "Clear, sheltered blue with offshore islets", "swimming": "Calm and clear, family-friendly at Europe's south-west corner", "surf": "Gentle waves and a windsurf spot", "setting": "A sheltered family bay with rocky islets near windswept Sagres", "blueFlag": true, "tags": [ "family", "islets", "sheltered" ], "description": "A sheltered, islet-dotted family bay near the wild headlands of Sagres at the very south-west corner of Europe.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/praia-do-martinhal-pt/" }, { "id": "praia-do-seixal-pt", "name": "Praia do Seixal", "locality": "Madeira", "country": "PT", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "exotic", "lat": 32.821, "lon": -17.104, "seaTempC": 22, "bestMonths": "Year-round", "sand": "Jet-black volcanic sand", "water": "Clear deep blue, cooler", "swimming": "Clear but with Atlantic swell; a dramatic black-sand dip", "surf": "Atlantic swell along Madeira's north coast", "setting": "A black-sand beach beneath green cliffs and waterfalls on Madeira's north", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "black sand", "waterfalls", "volcanic" ], "description": "A jet-black volcanic beach beneath the green cliffs and tumbling waterfalls of Madeira's dramatic north coast.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/praia-do-seixal-pt/" }, { "id": "mamaia-beach-ro", "name": "Mamaia Beach", "locality": "Constanța", "country": "RO", "region": "Europe", "tier": 1, "category": "resort", "lat": 44.255, "lon": 28.62, "seaTempC": 24, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "Eight kilometres of fine pale sand on a lagoon-backed sandbar", "water": "Gently shelving Black Sea blue", "swimming": "Warm and gentle, lifeguarded along the resort", "surf": "None", "setting": "Romania's flagship resort on a strip between the sea and Lake Siutghiol", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "resort", "sandbar", "nightlife" ], "description": "Romania's summer capital — a sandbar of pale sand and beach clubs squeezed between a lagoon and the Black Sea.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/mamaia-beach-ro/" }, { "id": "vama-veche-ro", "name": "Vama Veche", "locality": "2 Mai, Constanța", "country": "RO", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "resort", "lat": 43.75, "lon": 28.573, "seaTempC": 24, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "Coarse pale sand", "water": "Open, clean Black Sea blue", "swimming": "Open-sea swimming straight off the village", "surf": "None", "setting": "A legendary bohemian village on the Bulgarian border, famous for all-night beach parties", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "bohemian", "nightlife", "village" ], "description": "Romania's counter-culture beach — a fishing village turned all-night bohemian institution on the last sand before Bulgaria.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/vama-veche-ro/" }, { "id": "corbu-beach-ro", "name": "Corbu Beach", "locality": "Corbu, Danube Delta edge", "country": "RO", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "wild", "lat": 44.34, "lon": 28.665, "seaTempC": 24, "bestMonths": "Jun-Aug", "sand": "A vast, empty strand of soft grey-gold sand", "water": "Open, shallow Black Sea water", "swimming": "Open and unpatrolled — the price of solitude", "surf": "None", "setting": "The last wild beach before the Danube Delta biosphere, no buildings in sight", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "wild", "empty", "delta" ], "description": "Romania's emptiest beach — kilometres of bare sand running north toward the Danube Delta, with nothing built on it at all.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/corbu-beach-ro/" }, { "id": "eforie-nord-ro", "name": "Eforie Nord", "locality": "Eforie, Constanța", "country": "RO", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "resort", "lat": 44.07, "lon": 28.645, "seaTempC": 24, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "Fine pale sand below low bluffs", "water": "Clean, gently shelving Black Sea water", "swimming": "Gentle and family-friendly, with mud-spa lakes behind", "surf": "None", "setting": "An old-school spa resort between the sea and the therapeutic Techirghiol mud lake", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "spa", "family", "black sea" ], "description": "A century-old Romanian spa resort where a pale-sand beach meets the famous black mud of Lake Techirghiol.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/eforie-nord-ro/" }, { "id": "sandhammaren-se", "name": "Sandhammaren", "locality": "Skane, southern Sweden", "country": "SE", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "cold", "lat": 55.383, "lon": 14.2, "seaTempC": 18, "bestMonths": "June to August", "sand": "Long white sand and dunes, repeatedly voted Sweden's finest beach", "water": "Clear pale Baltic water", "swimming": "Gentle Baltic swimming; watch for offshore winds", "surf": "None", "setting": "Wild dunes and pine forest on Sweden's southeastern corner", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "white sand", "dunes", "Skane", "Baltic" ], "description": "Sweden's celebrated white-sand shore, a wild ribbon of dunes on the country's sunny southeast corner.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/sandhammaren-se/" }, { "id": "tylosand-se", "name": "Tylösand", "locality": "Halmstad", "country": "SE", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "resort", "lat": 56.657, "lon": 12.727, "seaTempC": 18, "bestMonths": "Jun-Aug", "sand": "Wide pale sand", "water": "Shallow, gentle blue", "swimming": "Shallow, calm and comparatively warm for Sweden", "surf": "None", "setting": "Sweden's best-known resort beach on the Halland coast", "blueFlag": true, "tags": [ "resort", "shallow", "summer" ], "description": "Sweden's favourite summer resort beach — seven kilometres of pale sand and shallow water on the sunny Halland coast.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/tylosand-se/" }, { "id": "boda-sand-se", "name": "Böda Sand", "locality": "Öland", "country": "SE", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "cold", "lat": 57.278, "lon": 17.061, "seaTempC": 18, "bestMonths": "Jun-Aug", "sand": "Fine pale sand", "water": "Shallow, clear Baltic blue", "swimming": "Shallow, calm and gently warming in high summer", "surf": "None", "setting": "The longest sandy beach on the sunny island of Öland, backed by pine forest", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "Baltic", "pine forest", "shallow" ], "description": "The longest sandy beach on sun-soaked Öland — kilometres of pale sand and shallow Baltic water backed by pines.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/boda-sand-se/" }, { "id": "skanor-beach-se", "name": "Skanör Beach", "locality": "Falsterbo, Skåne", "country": "SE", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "cold", "lat": 55.417, "lon": 12.842, "seaTempC": 18, "bestMonths": "Jun-Aug", "sand": "Pale sand and dunes", "water": "Shallow, clear Baltic blue", "swimming": "Shallow, calm and warm for the region", "surf": "None", "setting": "Wide dune-backed sands at Sweden's south-western tip, a birdwatching haven", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "dunes", "birdlife", "shallow" ], "description": "Wide dune-backed sands at Sweden's south-west corner, where shallow warm water meets one of Europe's great birding capes.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/skanor-beach-se/" }, { "id": "sudersand-beach-se", "name": "Sudersand Beach", "locality": "Fårö", "country": "SE", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "cold", "lat": 57.955, "lon": 19.16, "seaTempC": 17, "bestMonths": "Jun-Aug", "sand": "A three-kilometre crescent of fine pale sand", "water": "Clear, shallow Baltic water", "swimming": "Shallow and gentle on a gently curving bay", "surf": "None", "setting": "Bergman's stark island of Fårö, its gentlest side", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "fårö", "bergman", "crescent" ], "description": "The soft side of Ingmar Bergman's stark Fårö — a three-kilometre crescent of pale Baltic sand.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/sudersand-beach-se/" }, { "id": "tofta-beach-se", "name": "Tofta Beach", "locality": "Gotland", "country": "SE", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "cold", "lat": 57.53, "lon": 18.105, "seaTempC": 18, "bestMonths": "Jun-Aug", "sand": "Long, soft pale sand — rare for rocky Gotland", "water": "Shallow, clear and quick to warm", "swimming": "Shallow and family-friendly, Gotland's warmest water", "surf": "None", "setting": "Gotland's summer-party sand, twenty minutes from medieval Visby", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "gotland", "summer party", "shallow" ], "description": "Gotland's summer institution — a long shallow strand where Stockholm decamps every July, near medieval Visby.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/tofta-beach-se/" }, { "id": "moon-bay-strunjan-si", "name": "Moon Bay (Mesecev Zaliv)", "locality": "Strunjan, Slovenian Riviera", "country": "SI", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "wild", "lat": 45.5345, "lon": 13.6048, "seaTempC": 24, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "Shingle and mud-sand flats", "water": "Clear green-blue and shallow", "swimming": "Shallow and calm over tidal flats", "surf": "None", "setting": "Beneath the highest flysch cliffs on the Adriatic, in a nature reserve", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "flysch-cliffs", "nature-reserve", "secluded" ], "description": "Slovenia's wildest beach curls beneath the Adriatic's tallest cliffs in the Strunjan reserve.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/moon-bay-strunjan-si/" }, { "id": "fiesa-beach-si", "name": "Fiesa Beach", "locality": "Piran", "country": "SI", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "resort", "lat": 45.53, "lon": 13.582, "seaTempC": 23, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "Pebbles", "water": "Clear, calm Adriatic blue", "swimming": "Calm and clear in the sheltered bay beside a small lagoon", "surf": "None", "setting": "A quiet pebble cove a short cliff walk from the Venetian town of Piran", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "Piran", "quiet cove", "Adriatic" ], "description": "A quiet pebble cove just around the cliff from Venetian Piran, Slovenia's prettiest and least-crowded swim spot.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/fiesa-beach-si/" }, { "id": "portoroz-beach-si", "name": "Portorož Beach", "locality": "Portorož, Slovene Istria", "country": "SI", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "resort", "lat": 45.512, "lon": 13.59, "seaTempC": 25, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "Groomed imported sand and lawns", "water": "Calm, warm, shallow Adriatic water", "swimming": "Warm and family-calm in the protected bay", "surf": "None", "setting": "Slovenia's belle-époque 'Port of Roses' spa resort", "blueFlag": true, "tags": [ "spa", "belle époque", "family" ], "description": "Slovenia's Port of Roses — a groomed belle-époque resort beach on the warm, calm top of the Adriatic.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/portoroz-beach-si/" }, { "id": "iztuzu-beach-tr", "name": "Iztuzu Beach", "locality": "Dalyan", "country": "TR", "region": "Europe", "tier": 1, "category": "wild", "lat": 36.79, "lon": 28.625, "seaTempC": 27, "bestMonths": "May-October", "sand": "A 4.5 km sandspit of fine grey-gold sand", "water": "Warm and clear, sea on one side and river delta on the other", "swimming": "Warm and open with some surf, protected nesting zones", "surf": "Occasional wind waves", "setting": "Sandspit dividing the Mediterranean from the Dalyan river delta, a strict turtle sanctuary", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "turtles", "sandspit", "wild", "delta" ], "description": "A wild sandbar between sea and river delta, one of the Mediterranean's key loggerhead turtle nurseries.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/iztuzu-beach-tr/" }, { "id": "oludeniz-tr", "name": "Ölüdeniz (Blue Lagoon)", "locality": "Fethiye", "country": "TR", "region": "Europe", "tier": 1, "category": "tropical", "lat": 36.55, "lon": 29.116, "seaTempC": 26, "bestMonths": "May–Oct", "sand": "White pebble-sand", "water": "Still turquoise lagoon", "swimming": "Warm, calm, shallow", "surf": "None", "setting": "Nature-park lagoon", "blueFlag": true, "tags": [ "Paraglide", "Lagoon", "Snorkel" ], "description": "A sheltered turquoise lagoon with paragliders drifting down from above.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/oludeniz-tr/" }, { "id": "patara-beach-tr", "name": "Patara Beach", "locality": "Gelemis, near Kalkan", "country": "TR", "region": "Europe", "tier": 1, "category": "wild", "lat": 36.2704, "lon": 29.3116, "seaTempC": 26, "bestMonths": "May-October", "sand": "Eighteen kilometres of golden sand backed by dunes", "water": "Warm, clear turquoise, gently shelving", "swimming": "Warm and open, some surf and current on windy days", "surf": "Occasional wind waves", "setting": "Protected national park with ancient Lycian ruins and loggerhead turtle nesting", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "wild", "dunes", "turtles", "ruins" ], "description": "Turkey's longest beach, eighteen wild kilometres of dune-backed sand guarded by Lycian ruins and nesting sea turtles.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/patara-beach-tr/" }, { "id": "akyaka-beach-tr", "name": "Akyaka Beach", "locality": "Gökova Gulf, Muğla", "country": "TR", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "surf", "lat": 37.052, "lon": 28.32, "seaTempC": 26, "bestMonths": "May-Oct; wind all summer", "sand": "A short strand of pale sand and river greenery", "water": "Cool spring-fed shallows meeting the warm gulf", "swimming": "Gentle by the river mouth; the gulf is kite country", "surf": "One of Europe's great kitesurf flats at nearby Gökova", "setting": "A slow-town of Ottoman-style timber houses where a cold river meets the gulf", "blueFlag": true, "tags": [ "kitesurf", "river", "slow town" ], "description": "A slow-living timber-house town where an ice-cold river meets the Gökova kite flats.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/akyaka-beach-tr/" }, { "id": "butterfly-valley-tr", "name": "Butterfly Valley", "locality": "Faralya, near Oludeniz, Fethiye", "country": "TR", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "wild", "lat": 36.4968, "lon": 29.1273, "seaTempC": 26, "bestMonths": "June-September", "sand": "Small sand-and-pebble beach at a canyon mouth", "water": "Vivid turquoise, very clear and deep", "swimming": "Clear and calm in the cove, deep water", "surf": "None", "setting": "The foot of a steep pine-and-cliff canyon home to rare butterflies, reached by boat or steep hike", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "canyon", "turquoise", "remote", "butterflies" ], "description": "A hidden turquoise cove at the mouth of a sheer canyon reached by boat, home to clouds of rare butterflies.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/butterfly-valley-tr/" }, { "id": "cirali-beach-tr", "name": "Cirali Beach", "locality": "Olympos, Antalya", "country": "TR", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "wild", "lat": 36.3967, "lon": 30.4731, "seaTempC": 27, "bestMonths": "May-October", "sand": "Long pebble-and-sand beach", "water": "Clear deep blue, cooled by mountain streams", "swimming": "Warm and clear, deepens fairly quickly", "surf": "None", "setting": "Backed by mountains, the ancient ruins of Olympos and the eternal Chimaera flames, a turtle nesting shore", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "wild", "turtles", "ruins", "chimaera" ], "description": "A tranquil pebble shore backed by pine mountains, ancient Olympos and the eternal flames of the Chimaera.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/cirali-beach-tr/" }, { "id": "cleopatra-beach-tr", "name": "Cleopatra Beach", "locality": "Alanya", "country": "TR", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "resort", "lat": 36.551, "lon": 31.9765, "seaTempC": 28, "bestMonths": "May-October", "sand": "Fine soft golden sand", "water": "Warm, clear turquoise", "swimming": "Warm, gentle and gently shelving, excellent", "surf": "None", "setting": "Beneath Alanya's Seljuk castle headland, lined with a lively resort promenade", "blueFlag": true, "tags": [ "resort", "blue-flag", "turquoise", "castle" ], "description": "A soft golden crescent below Alanya's medieval castle, a lively Blue Flag beach lapped by warm turquoise water.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/cleopatra-beach-tr/" }, { "id": "cleopatra-beach-sedir-island-tr", "name": "Cleopatra Beach (Sedir Island)", "locality": "Sedir Island, Gulf of Gokova", "country": "TR", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "exotic", "lat": 36.9931, "lon": 28.2061, "seaTempC": 26, "bestMonths": "June-September", "sand": "Rare oolitic sand of perfectly round white grains, strictly protected", "water": "Clear pale turquoise", "swimming": "Warm and clear, though walking on the dry protected sand is banned", "surf": "None", "setting": "A tiny island with the ancient ruins of Kedreai in the sheltered Gulf of Gokova", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "exotic", "oolitic-sand", "island", "ruins" ], "description": "An island beach of rare spherical oolitic sand so protected that shoes and towels are forbidden on the grains themselves.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/cleopatra-beach-sedir-island-tr/" }, { "id": "ilica-beach-tr", "name": "Ilica Beach", "locality": "Cesme, Izmir", "country": "TR", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "resort", "lat": 38.3086, "lon": 26.3753, "seaTempC": 25, "bestMonths": "June-September", "sand": "Wide fine white-gold sand", "water": "Shallow warm turquoise, warmed by thermal springs", "swimming": "Very shallow, warm and calm, a family favourite", "surf": "None", "setting": "A lively Aegean resort strip with thermal spa hotels near Cesme", "blueFlag": true, "tags": [ "resort", "thermal", "shallow", "aegean" ], "description": "A broad Aegean resort beach where warm thermal springs bubble up into shallow turquoise shallows near Cesme.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/ilica-beach-tr/" }, { "id": "kaputas-tr", "name": "Kaputaş Beach", "locality": "Kaş", "country": "TR", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "tropical", "lat": 36.203, "lon": 29.4, "seaTempC": 26, "bestMonths": "May–Oct", "sand": "Pebble-sand", "water": "Vivid turquoise", "swimming": "Warm, deep-ish", "surf": "None", "setting": "Foot of a gorge, cliff steps", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "Gorge", "Snorkel", "Photography" ], "description": "A jewel of turquoise at the mouth of a gorge, reached down 190 steps.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/kaputas-tr/" }, { "id": "konyaalt-beach-tr", "name": "Konyaaltı Beach", "locality": "Antalya", "country": "TR", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "resort", "lat": 36.867, "lon": 30.635, "seaTempC": 26, "bestMonths": "May-Oct", "sand": "Grey pebbles", "water": "Clear, deep blue", "swimming": "Clear and quickly deepening, cooled by mountain streams", "surf": "None", "setting": "Antalya's long city beach beneath the snow-topped Taurus Mountains", "blueFlag": true, "tags": [ "city beach", "mountains", "promenade" ], "description": "Antalya's long pebble city beach, backed by a green promenade and the snow-capped wall of the Taurus Mountains.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/konyaalt-beach-tr/" }, { "id": "phaselis-beach-tr", "name": "Phaselis Beach", "locality": "Tekirova, Antalya", "country": "TR", "region": "Europe", "tier": 2, "category": "wild", "lat": 36.524, "lon": 30.552, "seaTempC": 27, "bestMonths": "May-Oct", "sand": "Pine-shaded pebble-sand coves", "water": "Warm, glass-clear Turquoise Coast blue", "swimming": "Swim off a 2,300-year-old harbour mole", "surf": "None", "setting": "Three bays of a ruined Lycian port city beneath Mount Tahtalı", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "ruins", "lycian", "pines" ], "description": "Swim in the harbours of a ruined Lycian city — pines, marble streets and turquoise water under Mount Tahtalı.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/phaselis-beach-tr/" }, { "id": "alt-nkum-beach-tr", "name": "Altınkum Beach", "locality": "Çeşme", "country": "TR", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "tropical", "lat": 38.243, "lon": 26.37, "seaTempC": 24, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "Fine 'golden sand'", "water": "Shallow, clear turquoise", "swimming": "Warm, shallow and calm — great for families", "surf": "Breezy afternoons draw windsurfers", "setting": "A string of shallow golden coves on the breezy Çeşme peninsula", "blueFlag": true, "tags": [ "golden sand", "shallow", "windsurf" ], "description": "The 'golden sands' of Çeşme — a string of shallow turquoise coves whose afternoon breeze also draws windsurfers.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/alt-nkum-beach-tr/" }, { "id": "bitez-beach-tr", "name": "Bitez Beach", "locality": "Bodrum Peninsula", "country": "TR", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "resort", "lat": 37.02, "lon": 27.38, "seaTempC": 26, "bestMonths": "May-Oct", "sand": "Coarse golden sand and jetty platforms", "water": "Calm, clear and warm in a sheltered bay", "swimming": "Warm and windless — Bodrum's gentlest bay", "surf": "None; a windsurf-school bay in the afternoons", "setting": "Tangerine groves running almost to the water on the Bodrum peninsula", "blueFlag": true, "tags": [ "bodrum", "tangerines", "sheltered" ], "description": "Bodrum's mellowest bay — warm sheltered water fringed by tangerine groves and low-key beach clubs.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/bitez-beach-tr/" }, { "id": "gumusluk-beach-tr", "name": "Gümüşlük Beach", "locality": "Bodrum", "country": "TR", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "resort", "lat": 37.052, "lon": 27.229, "seaTempC": 24, "bestMonths": "May-Oct", "sand": "Pebbles and sand", "water": "Clear, calm blue over sunken ruins", "swimming": "Calm and clear; wade toward the sunken city of ancient Myndos", "surf": "None", "setting": "A bohemian fishing village of seafood tables over the sunken ruins of Myndos", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "sunken city", "sunset", "fish tavernas" ], "description": "A bohemian Bodrum village where seafood tables line a calm bay above the sunken ruins of ancient Myndos.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/gumusluk-beach-tr/" }, { "id": "kabak-beach-tr", "name": "Kabak Beach", "locality": "Faralya, Fethiye", "country": "TR", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "tropical", "lat": 36.4612, "lon": 29.1252, "seaTempC": 26, "bestMonths": "June-September", "sand": "Sand-and-shingle cove", "water": "Brilliant turquoise and clear", "swimming": "Warm, clear and calm in the bay", "surf": "None", "setting": "A remote forested valley below Faralya, backed by pine cliffs and eco-camps", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "turquoise", "remote", "boho", "cove" ], "description": "A brilliant turquoise cove beneath forested cliffs, a bohemian off-grid escape at the end of the Lycian trail.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/kabak-beach-tr/" }, { "id": "lara-beach-tr", "name": "Lara Beach", "locality": "Antalya", "country": "TR", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "resort", "lat": 36.855, "lon": 30.833, "seaTempC": 27, "bestMonths": "May-Oct", "sand": "Fine golden sand", "water": "Warm, clear blue", "swimming": "Warm and gently shelving", "surf": "None", "setting": "A long sandy resort strip of grand themed hotels east of Antalya", "blueFlag": true, "tags": [ "resort", "golden sand", "hotels" ], "description": "Antalya's golden-sand resort strip, a long warm-water beach lined with the city's grandest all-inclusive hotels.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/lara-beach-tr/" }, { "id": "ovabuku-tr", "name": "Ovabükü", "locality": "Datça Peninsula", "country": "TR", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "tropical", "lat": 36.688, "lon": 27.593, "seaTempC": 24, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "Fine sand and pebbles", "water": "Clear turquoise", "swimming": "Clear, calm and deep-shelving", "surf": "None", "setting": "A laid-back cove of small pensions on the remote Datça peninsula", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "laid-back", "peninsula", "turquoise" ], "description": "A laid-back turquoise cove of family pensions and almond groves on the long, remote Datça peninsula.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/ovabuku-tr/" }, { "id": "suluada-tr", "name": "Suluada", "locality": "Adrasan, Antalya", "country": "TR", "region": "Europe", "tier": 3, "category": "tropical", "lat": 36.257, "lon": 30.435, "seaTempC": 26, "bestMonths": "Jun-Sep", "sand": "White sand on an uninhabited islet", "water": "Luminous shallow turquoise", "swimming": "Warm, shallow and calm off the boat-only islet", "surf": "None", "setting": "An uninhabited island reached by boat from Adrasan", "blueFlag": false, "tags": [ "turkish maldives", "island", "turquoise" ], "description": "The 'Turkish Maldives' — an uninhabited islet of white sand and luminous turquoise reached by boat from Adrasan.", "url": "https://europebeachmap.com/beaches/suluada-tr/" } ] }