Top 10 - Most beautiful beaches in Europe

Sunbathe in the golden sand beaches of the Algarve, dive into the crystal-clear water of Corfu, or swim to explore the depths of Formentera. From the United Kingdom to Italy, moving to Croatia, Portugal and Spain, join us on a short visit through the ten most beautiful beaches found on the European coastline. Brought to you by Tourism-Review.com.

Benagil (Algarve, Portugal)

Not all beaches are as noticeable to the world. Some are like hidden gems, surrounded by breathtaking scenarios. Such is the case of Algar de Benagil, a beach found in Algarve, the southernmost region of Portugal. An intriguing landscape located under the homonymous sea cave of Algar, a somewhat secluded spot with a natural oculus through which sunlight pours, illuminating this wonderful surface covered in golden sand.

Tuerredda (Sardinia, Italy)

The Tuerredda beach is located in the province of Cagliari, on the southern coastline of Sardinia. Deep blue waters, a strip of fine sand, and the Mediterranean scents carried by the sea breeze make this landscape a precious Italian jewel. The multiple colors of the water change constantly from a deep blue to emerald green. Its sandy depths are the perfect habitat of many sea creatures.

Kaputas (Turkey)

The Kaputas beach is considered as one of the best beaches in Europe and one of the most attractive destinations in the entire Mediterranean region. It boasts a wild nature and a non-polluted sea. This location offers a perfect view for visitors looking to enjoy the beauty of the landscape while resting in a fascinating granular sand bay.

La Concha (San Sebastian, Spain)

Seen from the highest point, the shape of this San Sebastián beach resembles a shell with a pearl. In fact, this beautiful beach located in the Basque Country receives its name after that shell-shaped form. It is a marvelous coastline covered in fine sand, and it offers ideal waters for surfing and sunbathing in the Cantabrian Sea.

Paleokastritsa (Corfu, Greece)

There's no need to travel all the way to the Caribbean Islands to enjoy the depths of the sea or diving into different shades of turquoise colored waters. You can do it at a much closer location by visiting the village of Palaiokastritsa, located on the Greek island of Corfu. Its beaches can be found on rocky shores and all of them offer incredible bays, open to practice swimming or scuba diving. Palaiokastritsa tops the selection of best beaches in Europe that you must visit this summer, according to travel search engines such as Skyscanner and TripAdvisor.

Zlatni Rat (Croatia)

A beach located in a wide isthmus of white sand that changes its form depending on the Mistral's wind and the strong tides. That's exactly what you'll experience if you go on a vacation to the Zlatnia Rat, on the Croatian coast. It's currently one of the most visited places during the summer holidays, a destination where visitors can still enjoy transparent waters and one of the most remarkable beaches in Europe.

Ses Illetas (Balearic Islands, Spain)

The clear waters and the fine golden sand are signatures of the Ses Illetes beach, located in Formentera. This sea paradise is a perfect retreat for relaxation, to enjoy incredible sunsets, or walking through its sand dunes. In addition, the depths of this beach are covered with 'posidonia oceanica', a seagrass species that forms an entire ecosystem, certainly a wonderful choice for scuba divers.

Inchydoney (Ireland)

Consider making a visit to Inchydoney in your next trip, a beach next to the town of Clonakilty, in the Irish county of Cork. Surrounded by dunes, this beach is a perfect destination for friends and families looking to explore coastal areas or surfing in incredible surroundings.

San Teodoro (Sardinia, Italy)

With less than 5,000 inhabitants, the town of San Teodoro, in Sardinia, is proud to offer its visitors some of the most beautiful beaches in Italy. The blue and transparent sea, an authentic natural pool, becomes the ideal place for recreational diving because of its shallow depths. Its fine white sand recalls the Caribbean tropical scenery.

Bantham (Devon, England)

If you are looking for a different beach full of surprises, visit the Bantham beach, in the county of Devon, located in the southern region of England. This maritime enclave offers incredible views to the Bigbury Bay since it's surrounded by impressive natural scenery.

Source: TourismReview | See the original article here.

ALENTEJO - TOP 10 BEACH HOTELS

One of Europe's beast-preserved coastlines with beautiful places to stay in, such as small hotels, guest houses and campsites.

1. Ilha do Pessegueiro campsite, Porto Covo

A Nature Reserve located in Pessegueiro Island, along with the ruins of a 16th-century fortress. It doesn't have much shade, so, in the Summer, the best choice is to stay in an wooden bungalow or apartment. There is a restaurant, a bar, a playground and a shop, and most apartments have barbecues.

2. Monte Carvalhal da Rocha campsite, Brejão

The campsite of Monte Carvalhal da Rocha has a wonderful view of the sea and the valley, with small hidden bays, a swimming pool, a mini-market, a restaurant, a coffee shop and a playground. It is also a great spot for hikers. You can choose to camp or to stay in an apartment with a sea view.

3. Hotel Soltróia, Tróia

This Hotel is located in a Nature Reserve about an hour south of Lisbon, with a pool and direct access to two different beaches. You can also visit a lagoon with sunken boats and bird-life and the Roman ruins nearby.

4. Comporta Village, Comporta

In Comporta Village, there are 26 colourful apartments and a peaceful beach with beautiful white sand (photo), beach bars and restaurants. If you wish, you can go visit Tróia by bike, which is 15kms away.

5. Refúgio da Praia, Praia do Queimado

Refúgio da Praia is an isolated rural house with six rooms on the beach south of the village of Porto Covo. It's on the Rota Vicentina and has an amazing view of the countryside. To eat, you can go to Porto Covo, for some fish and seafood.

6. Pátios da Vila, Vila Nova de Milfontes

Vila Nova de Milfontes is a beautiful beach in the Mira Estuary, with a river that is excellent for kayaking and simple well-equipped apartments. Pátios da Vila is next to the beaches of Franquia and Farol.

7. Mil Reis, Vila Nova de Milfontes

Renovated some years ago, Mil Reis is a guest-house with a self-catering apartment and 10 bedrooms. You can visit the fortress that was built in 1602 and some classic fish restaurants.

8. HS Milfontes Beach, Vila Nova de Milfontes

A modern hotel under the sun that has 10 rooms with balconies facing the pool and 15 facing the sea and the river. There's a beach nearby and boat rides up the river. You can also visit Cercal and Odemira, two traditional villages with fewer tourists and great local food.

9. Herdade do Touril, Zambujeira do Mar

The perfect location to relax, with little houses decorated in rustic style. Nearby, there's a beach and free bikes to explore other beaches. Every August, Zambujeira hosts Sudoeste Music Festival.

10. Rosa dos Ventos, Zambujeira do Mar

A white and yellow Bed & Breakfast with comfortable rooms, suite bathrooms, television and Wi-Fi. Zambujeira do Mar beach is close by and the village has plenty of restaurants with great fish and seafood.

AL-GHARB

Algarve is the southern coast of Portugal and is mostly known for its sunny climate, yellow sand beaches and green golf courses. But it was also here, that in the 15th century the Portuguese set off to the unknow and began to discover the world.

Five centuries of Moorish occupation, left a strong influence in this region, which is easily noticed in the names of villages, monuments, and local architecture. In fact, most of the portuguese words that starts with "al" have an arabic origin - eg: Algarve (al-gharb - the west), Azulejo (al-zuleij - tile) or Azeite (az-zayt - olive oil).

This rich historical inheritance is still very much alive in the local culture. You can visit museums, churches, forts and castles in places like Aljezur, Lagos, Silves, Faro, Tavira, Castro Marim and Alcoutim, and witness the magnificence of Portuguese history, its people and their traditions.

MOST PHOTOGRAPHED SITES IN PORTUGAL #4 - SANTA MARIA LIGHTHOUSE MUSEUM

According to the website sightsmap.com, Portugal is one of the most photographed areas of the world. 
We wondered if some of the photos are yours? 

Located in the bay of Cascais, the Santa Marta Lighthouse Museum was opened to the public in July 2007 as a cultural space, but it has kept its coastline signing functions. Adjacent to the lighthouse, are the ruins of the 17th century – Forte de Santa Marta – which started operations in 1868 and played an important part in the defence of Cascais.

The museum is composed by the lighthouse building and other four volumes which are corrently used as exhibition areas, and the “inhabited wall” hosts service areas. There is also an upper platform which offers a wide view of the ocean while the lower one is surrounded by a scenery of rock formations.

OLHÃO, ALGARVE - THE CUBIST VILLAGE

Located in southern Portugal, in the border of one the most important natural parks - Ria Formosa, Olhão is Algarve's largest port and a village know for its white cubic houses. But to see this wonder, you need to go on the top of the main church tower. Only then you can see the hundreds of roof terraces - the "açoteias" - which create a unique urban panorama, as if a multitude of cubes had been scattered across a flat surface.

The town itself is a colourful mix of sights and sounds, with twisting streets and a succession of square-sided white houses whose windows and parapets are edged with bands of grey or blue. Olhão is definitely a fishing town, being the population’s main livelihood and its importance is reflected everywhere, from the vibrant harbour that becomes a frenzy of activity when the boats return with their catches, to the impressive array of fish and shellfish on display in the stalls of the waterfront fish market.

SURF IN PORTUGAL

With a mild climate and 800 kms of coastline, Portugal is blessed with one of the world's greatest spots to Surf. Portugal offers a huge variety of waves and swell size, being also a good place to learn how to surf.

1) Ericeira
Just a few kms from Lisbon, the Ericeira World Surfing Reserve is a world-class surf zone with approximately 8 kms of coastline. It contains a high density of outstanding surf breaks, including iconic breaks such as Ribeira d’Ilhas and Coxos, among others.

2) Peniche
Due to the silting up of the shallow channel that divided Peniche from the rest of the country, here we can find an absurd amount of good waves, with plenty of variety and almost in any conditions. The most famous spot is Supertubos beach, with fast and tubular waves.

3) Nazaré
It was here that the Hawaiian surfer Macnamara surfed the highest wave ever ridden with an impressive 30 meters high. Another great spot is Praia do Norte with waves reaching up to 10 meters high.

ALGARVE - EUROPE'S BEST GOLF DESTINATION 2014

The world-class holiday region of the Algarve has scooped the prestigious title of International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO) European Golf Destination of the Year 2014 - the pinnacle of golf tourism awards.

With a choice of 40 golf courses, the Algarve is the perfect place for players to indulge their passion. The annual golf holiday is the highlight of the golfing year for many of the world’s 55 million players, and the IAGTO Awards serve to reward a few exceptional contributions to this world of golf travel.

Portugal was also nominated in the category of Best European Golf Destination.

COMPORTA

An hour away from Lisbon, where the Tagus peninsula merges with the mainland, Sluice emerges as a unique paradise where the hotels blend with the natural surroundings, the food is natural and the beaches are deserted and wild. This is a luxury made ​​in Portugal.

One territory, known only by the most cool world travelers, that maintains its pristine beaches and where happiness is to let yourself surrender to nature in its purest state. Here the eco-chic spirit is more than an adjective is a vital activity.

NORTH OF LISBON - ÓBIDOS, ALCOBAÇA, NAZARÉ, FÁTIMA AND BATALHA

Make it a full day tour and discover the region north of Lisbon. The first stop is the medieval town of Óbidos. Then Alcobaça and its Dominican monastery. The next stop will be Nazaré, a traditional fishing village. Then we will visit Batalha, with its imposing Gothic church, before heading to Fatima, where the world famous Catholic shrine is located.

Find out more in our complete programs: North of Lisbon.

The route starts traversing a landscape dotted with windmills and orchards towards Óbidos, where we will have our first stop. You will be delighted with the harmonious architecture of this medieval city - just make sure you do not forget to try their delicious cherry brandy. After Óbidos, Alcobaça will be our next stop. The main attraction is the Dominican Monastery, where you can admire the elegant tombs of the Lusitanian version of Romeo and Juliet: Dom Pedro and Inês de Castro.

It’s time for a pause! There you can enjoy lunch in a typical Portuguese restaurant, and taste some of the delights of local cuisine. After that, our next stop will be Nazaré, a traditional fishing village know famous on account of the biggest wave for surfing, where you will have plenty of time to discover the legends and traditions of this jewel of the Atlantic coast of Portugal. Next stop will be in Batalha, where you will be dazzled by the grandeur and delicacy of its Gothic monastery, an architectural masterpiece of Gothic declared World Heritage by UNESCO.

To finish the tour, let's go to Fátima, where you can visit the world famous Catholic shrine and even attend a Christmas mass. This is a place considered sacred because it has been permanently associated with the Marian apparitions that occurred in Cova da Iria in 1917 and which were later recognized by the Catholic Church. The tour ends with a return to Lisbon.

ARRÁBIDA, WINE CASTLES AND MUCH MORE

Crossing the Tagus River in a relaxed way towards the Village of Sesimbra and his magnificent castle, where you will enjoy an endless magnificent landscape. Next stop is the wonderful Natural Park of Arrábida Mountain and his paradise beaches. After lunch you head to Azeitão, where is an area of farms and vineyards. On the way back to Lisbon, you will stop at the viewpoint Christ the King.

Find out more in our complete programs: Arrábida.

We are going to head south! The first stop is in Village of Sesimbra, where you can enjoy a breathtaking view over the bay, offered by Sesimbra Castle. Due to its particular position at the Setúbal Bay, near the mouth of the Sado River and its natural harbour, Sesimbra is an important fishing town famous for its beaches, fish restaurants and nightlife.

Next stop is the wonderful Natural Park of Arrábida Mountain and his paradise beaches. This place was declared a Natural Park in 1976 to protect the many species existent here and some of the areas can only be visited with official authorization. After this unforgettable experience, you will have the opportunity to lunch in the city of Setubal, where you can taste one of the best fishes in the world!

Then we will visit Azeitão, located 30 km away from Lisbon, we will find an area of farms and vineyards. Here, we will visit a winery, where the oldest table red wine in Portugal was bottled. You will have the

opportunity to taste this wonderful nectar as well as the muscat wine liqueur typical of this region, a true

delight that we won't forget! After the tasting and to

keep us full of energy, we will try some typical products of this region.

ALENTEJO COAST AND HILLS OF ALGARVE

If you are looking for a challenging bike ride this is the right tour for you. You will cover more than 600 km in 7 rides. As you pedal along the magnificent Atlantic coast of Portugal, you will explore the wild beaches of Alentejo, and the unspoiled hilly region of the Algarve. You will visit all the charming little villages along the way.

Find out more in our complete program: Alentejo Coast and Hills of Algarve.

Sagres beach

The ride starts through cork and olive tree groves, on the way to Santiago do Cacém, where we will visit the Roman ruins of Miróbriga. The trail will take us to the Atlantic coast and through the charming village of Porto Covo, near to Cercal do Alentejo. These first days of riding will combine very different landscapes - the cliffs and the wild beaches. We will also have the opportunity to visit Sagres - the town where Prince Henry the Navigator prepared many of Portugal’s discovery journeys.

Serra de Monchique

The West to East crossing of the Algarve will take

us on a route through olive, orange, fig and almond groves. We will stay in Caldas de Monchique, a popular spa since the Roman times, and where you can save some time for a full body massage! From there we are going on a loop ride that will take us to the highest point in the Algarve, the Fóia peak (902 m/ 2960 ft). This is a very challenging ride but the panoramic views from the peak are fantastic!

Cacela Velha

The last days of the trip are reserved for discover the best of the inland Algarve. Charming villages and rolling hills make this a great day of riding. In Silves, the former Moorish capital of the Algarve, the 11th century castle is well worth a visit. The last track will take us all the way to Spain completing our West/East crossing of the Algarve. The coastal village of Cacela Velha, with its beautiful white sand beach, and the 13th century castle in Castro Marim, are among today’s highlights.Then we will cross the Guadiana River, by taking a ferry transfer from Vila Real de Santo António to Ayamonte (Spain).

The last day will be spent in Lisbon, where you will have the afternoon to explore the unique mix of old and

new neighborhoods within Portugal’s capital, as well as its many interesting monuments and museums.

ALGARVE, SOUTHWEST ATLANTIC WAVES

Discover the best of the Portuguese South. A traditional village renewed to receive tourists just next to the last treasure of the Portuguese ocean coast, the southwestern desert and wild beaches. Apart from the beach, surf and scubadiving, the village location is ideal for walking, cycling and nature watching in the Natural Park and Algarve mountains.

Carrapateira

The trail starts in the dunes of Carrapateira beach, and then goes along the coastal plateau all the way to Amado beach, where you can see a large number of Seabirds on their nest, or passing through here during migration, and a large number of white stork nests in the rocky cliffs - something unique in the world. From Praia do Amado, the trail continues towards the interior, and the landscape begins to change. Gradually species such as mastic trees, the white-leaved rockrose, the sage-leaf rockrose and cork-oaks begin to appear.

Bordeira

At the village of Bordeira, the walk is through a wooded area, with eucalyptus, stone pines and some corkoaks. The fauna is varied: here can be found the typical species of Mediterranean, like scrubland-wild boar, Iberian hare, European rabbit or the mongoose, among others. Arriving to Ribeira do Tacual, you’ll enter in a valley, where the landscape changes and you come across areas of olive trees and wild junipers.

Saint Vincent cape

The trail that will lead you to the coast starts in an area of scrubby vegetations, mainly consisting of mastic trees, citus and strawberry trees. Then you will go uphill until you reach Torre D’Aspa (109m) where you'll have a great view of the beach cliffs. Then you will roam south to Saint Vicente cape, the most southwestern point of the European continent, a sacred place for Romans that named it Promontorium Sacrum. This is a privileged spot for bird watching during the autumn.



The entire journey can be made by bike, on trails that are especially made for that purpose.
Suggestion: With a GPS you can do it at your own pace and enjoy the beautiful scenery's that these trails have to offer us.

Come to Algarve!

Algarve, Southwest Atlantic Waves

Discover the best of the Portuguese South. A traditional village renewed to receive tourists just next to the last treasure of the Portuguese ocean coast, the southwestern desert and wild beaches. Apart from the beach, surf and scubadiving, the village location is ideal for walking, cycling and nature watching in the Natural Park and Algarve mountains.

More information here

Alentejo Coast and Hills of Algarve

If you are looking for a challenging bike ride this is the right tour for you. You will cover more than 600 km in 7 rides. As you pedal along the magnificent Atlantic coast of Portugal, you will explore the wild beaches of the Alentejo, and the unspoiled hilly region of the Algarve. You will visit all the charming little villages along the way. The last day will be spent in Lisboa.

More information here

Bike ride to Cascais

Take a bicycle ride along Linha de Cascais, having its beautiful beaches and the blue Atlantic ocean as a backdrop.
If you have an enormous curiosity to discover the best beaches of Europe by riding through the secrets that the golden coast of Portugal hides, this tour is a must!

More information here

Portugal in love: honeymoon in the South and Madeira 8 days

With this romantic program by TravelTailors you will discover themost romantic and secret places of Portugal, in South and Madeira: hotels, palaces, gardens and beaches. It offers you intimate hotels and fine dining. It suggests other activities ideal for two, like cooking classes, SPA and walks; it´s perfect for an incomparable honeymoon in Portugal!

More information here

Bike Ride to Cascais

If you have an enormous curiosity to discover the best beaches of Europe by riding through the secrets that the golden coast of Portugal hides, this tour is a must! With a characteristic natural beauty, Cascais' beaches will be the backdrop of this bicycle ride along the coastline.
 
More information

ALGARVE, Southwest Atlantic Waves - 5 days

Discover the best of the Portuguese South. A traditional village renewed to receive tourists just next to the last treasure of the Portuguese ocean coast, the southwestern desert and wild beaches. Apart from the beach, surf and scubadiving, the village location is ideal for walking, cycling and nature watching in the Natural Park and Algarve mountains.

More information