The sand, stark cliffs and stunning vistas you’ll encounter on European beaches can be as varied as the languages and cultures you’ll find on their shorelines.
Whether you’re on the hunt for a romantic getaway, some outdoorsy fun, or the chance to dive into the local food scene, we’ve come up with an outstanding list of European beach destinations to match every type of escape and mood.
For the Romantic: Italian Islands
When in Venice, if you require some private romantic time, far from any typical tourist hotspots, book a stay on the private Isola delle Rose. This island, home to the JW Marriott Venice Resort & Spa, offers up a secluded garden oasis perfect for tender moments, with seaside views at every turn. Yet the proximity provides easy access to the romantic ambience of Venice’s Piazza San Marco and the rest of the Venetian archipelago.
For your beach fix, head to Lido, an almost seven-mile-long sandbar in the Venice Lagoon and Adriatic Sea with the area’s top shoreline for sunbathers.
For the Culture Lover: Greece
After you’ve soaked in some Greek sun along the unforgettable shoreline of Costa Navarino, explore with your base at The Westin Resort, Costa Navarino and wash the sand from your feet, slip on some footwear and immerse yourself in the local heritage.
The city of Rhodes and its medieval Old Town — a UNESCO site close to the Sheraton Rhodes Resort — is perfect for vacationers who adore sauntering through narrow serpentine streets.
Walk past ancient churches, mosques, and remarkable structures like the Gothic Palace of the Grand Master of the Knights of Rhodes, with its imposing battlements and towers. History buffs should visit the Archaeological Museum of Rhodes, which is housed inside a medieval structure built for the Hospital of the Knights of St. John, and explore Rhodes’ storied past.
To the southeast, the ancient Acropolis of Lindos and the surrounding archaeological site offer up incredible views of the nearby ports and the sea.
For the Foodie: Spain
Spain and beach life are synonymous for many. Yet there’s more to this nation’s sand-adjacent culinary scene than tapas and paella. In Barcelona, for example, treat yourself to hearty Catalan dishes like suquet de peix (fish stew) or charred veggie dishes like escalivada (eggplant, peppers, and tomatoes). If you want to splurge on some truly gourmet Catalan cuisine, stray from W Barcelona‘s waterfront locale and head to Petit Comité in Eixample.
Beachgoers in Mallorca staying at The St. Regis Mardavall Mallorca Resort or the Sheraton Mallorca Arabella Golf Hotel can dig into some of this island’s traditional offerings, like tumbet, a baked vegetable dish smothered in tomato sauce or caragols (snails) with aioli. Foodies craving something fried can try frito Mallorquin, with diced meat, potatoes, peppers, and other vegetables.
For the Ultimate in Relaxation: Portugal
Portugal is home to a host of gorgeous beaches and woodlands perfect for unplugging from the rat race. Guests staying at Penha Longha Resort, located in the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park, can amble through verdant hills full of palatial homes and actual palaces, like Pena Palace, which looks like something out of a fairy tale. Take advantage of the hotel’s luxurious spa, stroll Guincho Beach (a windsurfing destination), or check out the many delightful shops in the nearby coastal town of Cascais.
In the Algarve, in southern Portugal, the Pine Cliffs Hotel, a Luxury Collection Resort, Algarve serves up the ultimate in relaxation from its cliff-top perch overlooking Praia (beach) da Falésia. Visit the hillside village of Monchique for a thermal spring soak to unwind even more. If you want a great meal, head into Albufeira for some fresh fish in a laid-back spot like Restaurante Três Coroas and gaze out at the dreamy Atlantic while you dine.
For the Outdoorsy: Turkey
Adventurous souls can give in to their outdoorsy spirt at Caresse, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Bodrum in Turkey.
Adventures include swimming in the Aegean or hiking around Bodrum Castle or the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus (one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World). To explore underwater reefs and wrecks and soar across the waves, the resort offers scuba boat excursions and sailing.
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