Top three European beach Holiday Destinations

Europe is a highly diverse, multi-cultural and historic continent. Each country is unique, boasting its own culture, landscape, cuisine, language and history. Although the beaches of Europe aren’t tropical, they are not lapped by warm water and they aren’t skirted by coral reefs the region’s beaches still have much to offer. In fact, whether you’re after culture, luxury, activity, a jetset lifestyle or simply some family seaside fun, beach holidays in Europe have it all, you just need to know where to look.

Here are three of our favourites for you to explore, all of which are readily accessible by low-cost travel operators and the budget airlines.

For the Jetset: The French Riviera

St. Tropez, Cannes, Nice, these are all coastal towns on the French Riviera and they are all synonymous with luxury, glamour and style. Living is cosmopolitan, but at the same time decidedly French. The beach-front promenades are classic; lined with palm trees, frequented by joggers and roller bladders and bathed in warm sunshine, this is one of the most sophisticated and glittering stretches of coastline in the world. Be prepared to spend big and look out for celebrities that these days tend to live aboard luxury yachts to avoid being seen.

For Families: The Costa Brava

When it comes to value for money you cannot beat the Costa Brava. Spain’s sunny, family-friendly coastline is easy to get to, hotels are numerous and affordable and there’s plenty to do aside from the beach, including water parks, shopping, sport and sightseeing. The northern end is at the foot of the Pyrenees and resorts are more low-key and traditional. At the Barcelona end, resorts are more lively but more contrived. Don’t just stay in the resort; get out and explore the more traditional seaside towns such as Cadaques, Pals, S’Agaro, Palamos and Sant Feliu de Guixols and sampling the region’s seafood paella is a must.

For Water Sports Lovers: Portugal’s West Coast

Prices of holidays to Portugal have gone down in recent years. Low-cost holiday providers such as On The Beach offer a wide range of Portugal holidays and, at around 35km just north of Lisbon, Europe’s premier surfing destination could be the perfect place from which to base yourself. It is one of just four regions in the world designated as a World Surfing Reserve. It is frequently the location for the ASP World Tour Surfing Championships and regarded as a surfing mecca. Almost every pro surfer has surfed here. However, that’s not to say it’s not a great place to learn to surf too. There are nine surf beaches around the town of Ericeira that cater to all levels. The village itself is beautiful; it has remained small and traditional despite years of surf tourism.

Photo Credits: French Riviera by theritters/ Costa Brava by rosergoula