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From Arctic Norway's chilly plunge pools to a Sardinian cove where otters share the shore, ten beaches across 38,600 kilometers of European coastline
João Marcelo Martins / Unsplash
No matter the taste in beaches, Europe obliges. The continent’s astonishing 38,600 kilometers of coastline ranges from wild, wind-lashed shores along the Atlantic and mountain-fringed Arctic bays to sun-drenched, snuggled-away coves in Italy and Greece. With thousands of varied and wonderful places for swimmers, sunbathers and surfers, plenty of busy bays exist alongside lesser-visited spots tucked between dramatic cliffs with picture-perfect scenery.
Climate and water temperature vary dramatically across this list, from Arctic Norway’s chilly plunge pools to Mediterranean coves warm enough for a lazy afternoon swim. Accessibility also varies considerably, with some beaches reachable by a short walk from a parking lot and others requiring a boat trip or a genuine hike through dunes and pine forests. Crowds shift considerably by season as well, and several of these beaches, despite their considerable natural beauty, turn noticeably more peaceful once the busiest summer weeks pass. Getting to some of these beaches also requires genuine effort, whether a scenic hike through dunes, a boat trip along a rugged coastline, or a careful drive down winding mountain roads, making the journey itself part of what makes each destination memorable. Wildlife also plays a role at several stops on this list, from otters and porpoises along Scotland’s coastline to nesting sea turtles farther south, adding another layer of interest beyond the sand and water alone. Travelers $TRV hoping to combine several of these beaches into one longer trip should build in extra flexibility, since weather, ferry schedules and seasonal closures can all affect how smoothly a longer, multi-country beach itinerary actually comes together in practice.
