We have all been asked at some point if we like the beach or the mountains more. What landscape attracts you, relaxes you or inspires you? Although the mountains have that eternal majesty, I believe that the sea and the infinite horizon transmit a much stronger peace, fullness and sense of eternity.
The good thing is that there is no need to spend hours on a plane and cross the seas in search of good beaches, let's see today the most paradisiacal beaches without leaving Europe.
Porto Katsiki, in Lefkada
Lefkada is a Greek island and it wasn't until the mid-20th century that the rugged west coast opened up to anything other than local goats. Port Katsiki was then founded and today it is one of the most popular beaches on the Greek islands: white cliffs impressive scenery with pine trees, a deep blue sea that is great for swimming, a pebble and sand beach...
Luckily there are sun loungers and umbrellas to protect yourself from the sun and wait for the beautiful sunset. The best is that boats are prohibited from entering the bay so the views of the Ionian Sea are spectacular and clear.
Kvalvika Beach, Norway
Norway? Well, of course, we can know Norway for its fjords and mountains, but it also has beaches, and some, like this one, are beautiful. We found Kvalvika beach in the Lofoten archipelago, well inside the Arctic Circle, where the sea is clear and blue.
The beach is hugged by huge rocks emerging from the sand, a gold sand like the sun. There are usually no people because it is not easy to access. You must walk a distance through the middle of a forest of birch trees and wildflowers and some even make camp along the way, spending the night before arriving.
I can tell you that being here when the famous sky shines Midnight Sun It is something without equal.
Calanque d'en Vau, France
This beach It is in Cassis, on the coast between Cassis and Marseille. This is where small islets are hidden, the creeks, along the coast, shaped like fingers emerging from the blue water flanked by flat, white cliffs.
By far the most beautiful beach here is Calanque d'en Vau, although Getting there requires quite an adventure: either you walk and climb from Cassis, something quite hard but which is rewarded with fantastic views of the Mediterranean Sea along the way (poorly signposted, too), or you go kayak.
Praia do Carvalho, Portugal
On our list of the most paradisiacal beaches without leaving Europe You cannot miss at least one beach in Portugal. The truth is that the Portuguese coast has many beautiful beaches and that is why it attracts, every summer, many tourists who come from the coldest part of Europe. Germans or English have turned Portugal into their second home,
You may think of long beaches bathed in the hot sun when you think of portuguese beaches, but if you visit Praia do Carvalho you will realize that there is more to enjoy. to this beach It is reached by descending a steep limestone staircase and crossing a fossilized tunnel excavated in the rock itself. If you don't follow this path you should be a wizard and come straight down the cliff face.
The most adventurous jump from the top of the rocks into the clear, cold sea below, with plenty of marine life. Others arrive with their snorkeling equipment. Of course, you must always bring food and drink because there is nothing at all here.
Zlatni Rat, Croatia
Well, Croatia is not far behind with postcard-perfect lines. Zlatni Rat is Croatia's beach destination and a place that has been truly blessed by Mother Nature. This particular beach It is on the south coast of Brac Island, a tongue-shaped peninsula extending from the bay village of Bol into the Adriatic sea.
The best view is from the nearby Mount Vidova Gora, or from a sun lounger on the pebble beach. There is wind so windsurfing is practiced, there are families because the waters near the beach are calm and there is a lot of shade by the Pine forest in the middle.
Cala Macarella, Spain
The Balearic Islands They cannot be missing from our list of paradisiacal beaches without leaving Europe. Cala Macarella is the name of this bay beautiful, whose beach has white areas, almost virgin.
Boats and yachts usually arrive to shop, there are many restaurants on the beach, but if you arrive by land there is a parking lot nearby. In summer there are a lot of people but if you go a little further away you reach the quieter sister of this beach: Cala Macarelleta.
Here you can practice nudism.
Sveti Stefan Beach, Montenegro
In the middle of the last century the rich and famous came here, and although it has lost some of its former fame it still attracts many visitors. The beach It is on an isthmus full of pine trees and its left side is reserved exclusively for hotel guests, while the other is for public use
You can rent sun loungers, and the good thing is that It is near the small island of Sveti Stefan, where you can see part of the fortified village dating back to the 15th century.
Ses Illetes Beach, Spain
This charming and very famous beach is in Formentera and it is almost a Caribbean postcard. In summer there are a lot of people, many visitors from neighboring Ibiza even come with their yachts to spend the day, but luckily it is never overcrowded.
There are dunes so visitors tend to spread out seeking privacy. On a quiet day you can even enjoy the views of the Espalmador islet, unoccupied. If you want to stay you can do so in Etosoto, 15 minutes away by car, an old farm converted into accommodation.
Cala Coticcio, Italy
Coticcio Cove It is in Sardinia, in the Maddalena archipelago. There are seven large islands and 55 small islands that are located between Sardinia and Corsica. The easiest and quickest way to get there is to take a boat and spend the day snorkeling and swimming.
If you arrive on foot then The walk is arduous and hot and only the most determined make it. The reward is what you see in the photo: a beach of white sand, a local Tahiti as the people here say.
Sarakiniko, Greece
I think one could make a list of paradisiacal beaches without leaving Europe…without leaving Greece! There are so many beautiful beaches here that it is difficult to make a choice. We surely have dozens left out.
But if you are looking for a less touristy destination, with almost mythological landscapes, then you can head towards the Cyclades Islands and know the Sarakiniko Beach. It is a large beach, rocks eternally bathed by the sun and eroded by salt water.
And suddenly you are in a beach on the Moon.
The list can be truly endless. We can talk about Farö Island, in Sweden, about Navagio Beach, on the Greek island of Zakynthos, about the beautiful Scala dei Turchi, in Sicily, about some English beach like Porthcurno Beach, about the pink sand beach of Elafonisi, in Crete, or the Turkish beach of Oludeniz, just to remember a few. It all depends on what landscapes you are looking for or interpret as paradisiacal.
Are you looking for a Caribbean Eden in Europe or are you looking for landscapes that relax the mind and open the spirit?