Europe is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Here, you can find many thousands of miles of picturesque beaches. The beaches of Northern Europe impress with their vastness, peace and fine sand. The following are the ten most beautiful beaches, ranging from Poland to Norway.
Rhossili Bay, Wales
Rhossili Bay is almost three kilometers long and nestles against the green hills of the Gower Peninsula in Wales. The peninsula was declared the first “Area of Outstanding Beauty” in 1956. Since then, clocks have been ticking more slowly here because the title goes hand in hand with the fact that changes may only be made in accordance with strict conditions.
As a result, Rhossili Bay is only watched over by one house – the vicarage dating from 1850; all further building plans were rejected. This is fortunate for the bay, which continues to shine in its original beauty.
In the lush grasses surrounding the house, Wild horses graze, Surfers wait for the next wave and Paragliders land. Although the daytime visitors are well distributed, Rhossili is no longer an insider’s tip, for the bay has already been named the most beautiful beach in Great Britain for the second time.
Kynance Cove, Cornwall
The Lizard Peninsula is located at the southernmost tip of the British Isles. Because of the mild climate, unique flora and fauna for the kingdom could develop here. This flora attracts most visitors to the sleepy village of Lizard and the surrounding countryside. However, beach fans will find the real attraction about three kilometers north of Lizard Village.
Kynance Cove is a secluded cove that has inspired poets such as Lord Alfred Tennyson. If the weather is stormy, waves lash against the granite rocks offshore, and the beach is barely passable.
But if the sea is calm, the result is a unique beach landscape of rocks, finely sand and turquoise water. Take a break with a view over scones and clotted cream at Kynance Café, just a few feet above the bay, which also runs a small guest cottage.
Falsterbo, Sweden
There’s something of Scandinavian design about the beaches on Sweden’s Falsterbo peninsula at the country’s southwesternmost tip: tidy, simple and white. Over nine kilometers of the finest sandy beaches ensnare the peninsula with its flowering heaths, Flommen Nature Reserve and the country’s most important bird sanctuary.
Once on Falsterbo, all you have to do is choose: families go to the shallow waters near the pier, youth meet at the Skanör harbor, and quiet-seekers cycle towards the lighthouse. Those searching for peace and quiet should definitely not come during the second week of July, as the annual Falsterbo Horse Show is held there with up to 60,000 visitors.
Jurmala, Latvia
Jurmala is the only official health resort in the country and is located just outside the capital Riga. Besides the water, its mild climate, therapeutic mud and mineral springs provide relaxation. The almost 26 kilometer long sandy beach borders pine forests, sand dunes and small villages.
Especially pretty are the wooden summer villas, which were built here at the beginning of the 20th century, standing in the first row to the beach. Majori and Bulduri are among the most famous stretches of beach. Both Latvians and visitors gather around Jomas Street in the center of the village of Majori for strolling and evening entertainment.
Reynisfjara, Iceland
Warning, This beach is only beautiful to look at, but it is unsuitable for swimming. The reason for this is the cool water temperatures all year round and the strong swells that prevail at the southern tip of Iceland, particularly in the winter months.
Reynisfjara impresses with black sand, dramatic cliffs, rocks and a washed-out pyramid-shaped rock formation called Gardar. Puffins, northern fulmars and guillemots thrive in the region and are easy to spot from the beach. According to the current, ice chunks drape on the black gravel and offer great photo opportunities.
Hela, Poland
Hela peninsula juts out from the Bay of Gdansk into the Baltic Sea for about 34 kilometers. At the narrowest point, it measures just 200 meters. Hela’s beach stretches like a coat of powdered sugar. Although many Poles are drawn to the peninsula in the summer, quiet spots can also be found at the unspoiled tip of Hela.
Kitesurfers will also find good conditions around Hela. In summer, three ferries a day leave from Gdansk for Hela, and the whole peninsula can be explored by bicycle or by a small island railroad. Even the Polish president has his summer residence here, complete with a private beach.
Dueodde, Denmark
At one time, the Dueodde area on the Danish island of Bornholm was one large expanse of sand. To contain the sand drift, marram oats and rye were planted in the 18th century. What emerged was a sandy beach almost ten kilometers long.
Best water quality and the fine sand give the beach of Dueodde, among other things, the blue flag – a label that proves high environmental standards at beaches. This long bay is also very suitable for families, as offshore sandbanks create shallow bathing spots.
Dueodde begins in Snogebæk, a narrow beach, becomes several hundred meters wide at the southern tip of Bornholm, and ends as a narrow strip of sand with the nudist beach Jomfrugård. The best view over the beach and the island is from Dueodde Fyr lighthouse.
Kvalvika, Norway
Encircled by rugged mountains and about an hour’s walk from the nearest road, this Lofoten beach gem is located. Kvalvika includes two sandy beaches separated by a cliff, fjords and lush pastures adorning the hinterland. Both of these can be admired from the saddle point. Unspoiled and mostly deserted, Kvalvika is worth the effort of the hike.
Norwegian surfers have discovered the bay recently and come here even in the winter months because of the good waves. Camping in the wild is explicitly allowed. If you have time and leisure, bring your tent and spend the night among the sheep and the sound of the sea.
Dingle, Ireland
Dingle, Ireland, a peninsula in the southwest of the country, has steep cliffs that reveal small, lonely bays with lush greenery behind them. Those who arrive here in the rain should not return immediately because the weather can change quickly on the coast around Dingle. The two best-known beaches on the peninsula are Inch in the south and Maharees in the north.
Both are patrolled by lifeguards during the summer months and have surf schools. It gets a little quieter around Brandon Bay, also to the north. Here Fermoyle beach offers perfect conditions for swimmers, windsurfers and anglers.
Kilcummin, Stradbally and Gowlane are frequented only by kites and windsurfers. A lone dolphin named Fungie has made the waters around the Dingle Peninsula his home since 1984. If you are lucky, you may even spot him from Dingle Harbour or on one of the tours offered.
Luskentyre, Scotland
Granted, getting to this beach takes a while, as it’s located on the Isle of Harris, which itself is part of the Outer Hebrides. However, those who make the journey are rewarded with azure water, pristine white sand and tranquility. Overgrown karst landscapes tower in the hinterland, and the constant change of weather makes for an impressive play of colors.
Feral horses are often seen in the dunes around Luskentyre, and dolphins and seals feel at home in the bay’s clear waters. Although it looks Caribbean here, it’s better to swim only in a wetsuit, as the water temperature here averages 7 degrees.
