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Come July and August, the beaches of Europe’s favourite holiday destinations inevitably become overrun with parasols, loungers and liros – and lying in the path of a child’s bucket and shovel can quickly ruin dreams of a blissful holiday.
As locals try to decongest beaches in Mallorca and the Canary Islands amid anti-tourism protests, the sight of beach towels bunched together less than a metre apart may have you looking for somewhere more sleepy.
Thankfully, towering sand dunes, tranquil coves and turquoise bays dot Europe’s coastlines – especially if you’re willing to venture off the beaten path.
From the wild Galician Islands to sleepy French communes, there are plenty of tranquil beaches perfect for laying down a towel – if you know where to look.
Don’t follow the crowds booking the same cheap flights to the same crowded spots – choose one of the lesser known destinations where you can soak up some summer sun and tranquility.
For more information on travelling to Europe, please see:
Alentejo, Portugal
Albufeira trades to Alentejo this summer (Getty Images/iStockphoto)
While everyone flocks to the crowded beaches of the Algarve, head instead to the neighbouring Portuguese region to the north, Alentejo. You’ll also find a steady supply of sunshine here, but rather than fighting for a sun lounger in a crowded tourist area, you’ll enjoy boutique design hotels, tackle epic walking trails, and explore the UNESCO World Heritage city of Évora. The picturesque coastline is lined with soft beaches, towering cliffs, and cute fishing villages, as well as exhilarating surfing and dolphin watching options. Add in hilltop towns with local artisans and ancient ruins (the Roman villas of Sant Cufate, for example), and you’ll definitely miss the resort of Albufeira.
Paxos island, Greece
A private stretch of Paxos coast is worth the hike (Getty Images/iStockphoto)
A Greek island not packed with British tourists, this is the ultimate summer holiday dream. Finding this hidden corner of Greece in high season takes a little effort, but it’s not that hard. Paxos is just an hour’s hydrofoil ride from Corfu, which is connected to the UK by dozens of direct flights every day, taking just over three hours. The reward for that little effort? Quiet beaches and cosy taverns serving freshly caught fish and salads topped with feta. Hilly walks along chalk cliffs, beside olive groves and diving in sparkling coves. In other words, island heaven.
Corsica east coast
Golden Tallon promises secluded beaches (Getty Images)
France’s chic Mediterranean island is full of bustling beach bars, swanky hotels and billionaire’s yachts bobbing on the waves. But if you want to avoid the glitz and throngs of French holidaymakers, avoid much of the south coast, Bastia and the capital, Ajaccio. Head instead to the underrated wild east, where long, sandy beaches are dotted with sleepy hamlets. Golden stretches like the scrub-fringed Taronne have few facilities but plenty of laid-back atmosphere.
Bozburun Peninsula, Türkiye
The Bozburun Peninsula straddles the Aegean and Mediterranean Seas (Getty Images/iStockphoto)
Though crowded Marmaris is just an hour away, the sleepy Bozburun Peninsula feels far from a package resort vibe. Lush, forested mountains drop sharply into turquoise bays, and narrow, winding roads hug the cliffs. The terrain is dramatic, but the crowds are easy to avoid. Private stone villas overlooking rocky peaks and galley-riddled seas come with private pools and all the sun you could want, and they’re relatively affordable.
Aude, France
Lagrasse combines beaches with some of France’s most beautiful villages (Getty Images)
When it comes to France’s beaches, “busy” is a relative term; Provence and the Côte d’Azur are the exceptions, not to mention that prices are soaring at this time of year and the beaches are as crowded as sardines in a tin. But Aude, a department west of the famous Riviera, is quieter by comparison. Sure, there are long stretches of beach along almost the entire coast, many of which border salt flats. But there are also pretty towns like Bages, Lagrasse, Gruissan and the UNESCO-listed fortified city of Carcassonne, as well as wild garrigue shrubs and picture-postcard vineyards.
Cies Islands, Spain
The seven-kilometre-long national park is car-free and features a vast white sand beach. (Getty Images/iStockphoto)
So how far off the beaten path are you prepared to venture? Just a 40-minute ferry ride from the mainland, there are no hotels on this wild Galician archipelago. Instead, if you want to fully experience its pristine beaches, Listerine-blue bays and truly tranquil atmosphere (visitors are limited to 1,800 per day), be prepared to check into the only campsite (thankfully, pre-pitched tents are available). But in return, you’ll wake up to a nearly deserted landscape, exhilarating sunrise snorkelling in the cool waters and the chance to spot protected seabirds. Ferries depart from Vigo or Cangas on the country’s northwest coast.
Costa Verde, Sardinia
Enjoy some tranquil sunbathing at Sivu Beach in Sardinia (Getty Images/iStockphoto)
With such amazing beaches, it’s surprising that the Costa Verde, on the western tip of Sardinia, is not crowded. Towering sand dunes, high as the desert, wind their way down to the sea, backed by forests dotted with farmhouses and old mines, and few large resorts in sight. The winds make it ideal for surfing, and the western exposure makes for unforgettable sunsets. It feels like the end of the world until dinnertime, when a warm welcome at a rustic agritourismo (farm stay) and a plate of succulent suckling pig (sporceddu) make you feel right at home.
Read more: Best Hotels in Europe: Where to Stay for City, Beach and Retreat Holidays
