Looking for a beach vacation away from the crowds? Online beach and coast information hub, unearthed Europe’s top 10 secret beaches, stretches of pristine sand. Below, with the help of national tourist offices and beachgoers, are the top ten secret beaches in Europe:
1. Secluded Mwnt Beach, Cardigan Bay, Wales. Horseshoe shaped cove on the rugged coast of Ceredigion in Wales. Mwnt (pronounced Munt) has the watchful eye of the National Trust watching over it and a Green Award, the Blue Flag for rural beaches, to its credit. Stretch your calf muscles on a walk to the 15th-century cliff-top Mwnt Church or strap on your binoculars to spot porpoises.
2. Smuggler’s Cove, Zakynthos, Greece. The Ionian island of Zakynthos (or Zante) has its fair share of remote beaches. Embark on a mini-adventure in the most secluded of them all, Smuggler’s Cove. There are boats and private charters that ply south to the cove, allowing plenty of time to spot turtles along the way.
3. Praia da Ingrina, Algarve, Portugal. At the southwestern tip of the Algarve, in the heart of the Costa Vicentina, the self-proclaimed swimming beach Praia da Ingrina is also one of the most beautiful nature reserves in Portugal. Sea eagles and hawks fly overhead and sheep graze in the surrounding meadows. The environmental value of the area has also meant that hotels are kept to a minimum, which in turn has kept the beach deserted. Take a seat at the beachside restaurant and watch the local fishermen return from their morning catch.
4. Zlatni rat beach, Bol, Croatia. Croatia’s Adriatic chain of islands boasts a number of fantastic beaches. On the island of Brac, an hour from the mainland of Split, is Zlatni rât (the Golden Cape). Day-trippers visiting nearby Bol, the oldest town on Brac, gasp at the dazzling triangle of beach beyond the shops and restaurants. Watch out for the naturists who sway in the wind. The mountain range behind Bol offers a fantastic view of the sunset. When you arrive, explore the 25-year-old shipwreck that sits in the middle of the beach and climb to the precarious cliff-top platform for a spectacular view of the surrounding Mediterranean.
5. Poltu di Li Cogghj, Sardinia. On the famous Costa Smeralda in northern Sardinia, beaches like Poltu di Li Cogghj are surprisingly cheap to reach thanks to Ryanair’s arrival in Alghero. Costa Smeralda has been a haven of eco-luxury since Prince Karim Aga Khan IV arrived in the 1960s. Poltu is characterized by a row of pink rocks dividing the alabaster sands. Beware of Italian paparazzi lurking in the rugged Mediterranean scrub.
6. Skagen, Denmark. Miles and miles of pristine white sand dunes lie at the tip of Denmark’s North Jutland region. Stand at ‘Greenen’, the point where the two waters of the Baltic, the Skagerrak and the Kategatt, meet and watch the waves crash in opposite directions. Skagen town is also worth a visit to visit the art museum. The whole area is an old artists’ retreat: painters flocked to Jutland for its brilliant light.
7. Es Migjorn, Formentera, Balearic Islands. Who needs the Caribbean when you have the Balearic Islands? Formentera is the smallest and least developed of the islands, quite a different perspective from its high-end neighbor Ibiza. Es Migjorn is blessed with miles of fine white sand ensuring that bathers can find their own place in the sun. Take advantage of the breeze and test your windsurfing skills.
8. Calgary Bay, Isle of Mull. A surprisingly pretty beach considering how windy it gets, Calgary Bay lies to the west of the town of Tobermory on the north shore of Mull. Heather crowns the surrounding hills and a 13th-century abbey is now home to local wildlife, including puffins and golden eagles.
9. Paradise Bay, Malta. Overlooking the Maltese islands of Comino and Gozo, Paradise Bay in the far north of Malta overlooks Cirkewwa and takes a bit of effort to get to, but is certainly worth the trek. At the foot of a flight of stone steps, let yourself be surprised by a beach surrounded by impressive cliffs and ultramarine waters. Rent a sun lounger and enjoy the beautiful view before getting ready for the trek back.
10. Noirmoutier, West of the Loire, France. Linked to the French mainland via a bridge, the island of Noirmoutier has some of the most pristine beaches in the Western Loire. All of Noirmoutier’s 40 km of fine sand beaches are free from crowds and clean, making them a great place to let the kids loose. Head to the west coast for the wide, dune-filled beaches or north for the rockier coves.