Who would have believed that London would hit 30°C while Jerusalem sits at just 19. As an unusual heatwave grips Europe and drives temperatures up, the idea of a beach holiday becomes especially tempting. But with countless hidden coves, white sands and wild stretches across the continent, the choice is far from simple. That is exactly why the ranking of Europe’s best and most beautiful beaches for 2026 was published.
Behind the ranking stands the tourism organization European Best Destinations, a Brussels-based body working to promote tourism and culture across the continent. It is a widely recognized organization in the industry and its rankings are often treated as a kind of quality benchmark that generates broad media attention worldwide. Although it is not a strict scientific study but rather an index that often reflects countries’ ability to mobilize online voters, its lists are widely seen as a reliable snapshot of trending destinations, and appearing in them is considered a significant achievement for local tourism boards.
The selection process combines professional screening with public voting. In the first stage, the editorial team reviews hundreds of beaches and compiles a shortlist of around ten candidates per country based on criteria such as natural beauty, water quality, accessibility, environmental preservation and the quality of beach services. The 30 highest-scoring beaches then go to a vote by an international travel panel, which determines the final ranking. The result is a list that highlights not only aesthetics but also destinations that offer a real escape from stressful routines.
No. 1: Best beach - Praia de Monte Clérigo, Portugal
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Best beach - Praia de Monte Clérigo, Portugal
(Photo: Kristof Bellens / shutterstock)
Praia de Monte Clérigo on the Costa Vicentina has in recent years emerged as a standout destination for travelers seeking a quieter alternative to Portugal’s crowded resorts. Known as the “sunset beach,” it features golden cliffs and a wild Atlantic landscape. Every Friday evening, locals and tourists gather at the nearby restaurant “O Sargo” for live music and seafood dinners. The site, located within a protected nature reserve, has recently also begun attracting high-profile visitors, including the son of the Prince of Monaco and fashion designer Christian Louboutin. Despite the construction of luxury villas in the area, accommodation prices remain significantly lower, sometimes by up to a third, compared with other luxury destinations in the country.
No. 2 - Most beautiful beach: Voutoumi Beach, Greece
Voutoumi Beach on the island of Antipaxos, ranked among the most beautiful in Europe, stands out for its turquoise waters and white pebbles. Surrounded by lush greenery, it is not accessible by car, with most visitors arriving by boat, which contributes to its peaceful atmosphere. As there are no sunbed or umbrella rentals, visitors must come prepared, although a nearby tavern operates during the tourist season, serving traditional Greek dishes such as souvlaki and tzatziki.
No. 3: A secluded and pristine paradise - Fteri Beach, Greece
Fteri Beach on the island of Kefalonia offers a stretch of white pebbles and turquoise water surrounded by steep cliffs. It is a remote beach with no commercial development or facilities, requiring visitors to bring their own food and equipment. Access is challenging, either by sea or via a demanding hiking trail from the nearby village of Zola. Visitors can combine the trip with a meal in the village, which offers local dishes such as meat pies and seafood.
No. 4: Pink sands - Elafonisi Beach, Greece (Crete)
Elafonisi Beach, located in southwestern Crete and designated a nature reserve, is best known for its pink-hued sand and shallow waters. Unlike other remote beaches on the list, Elafonisi offers high accessibility, including free parking and full beach services such as sunbed and umbrella rentals, snack bars and public restrooms. These conditions make it especially popular with families. Nearby tavernas serve traditional Cretan cuisine.
No. 5: Picturesque Italian charm - Bogliasco Beach, Italy
Bogliasco is a pebble beach located in a fishing village in the Liguria region near Genoa. The scenery combines clear water with colorful village houses built close to the shoreline. During the tourist season, sunbeds and umbrellas are available for rent, and the surrounding area offers a variety of restaurants and cafés. As parking is limited in the village, public transport is recommended. Local restaurants serve typical Ligurian dishes such as trofie pasta with pesto and focaccia.
No. 6: White sand between dunes - Cala Mesquida, Spain
Cala Mesquida bay in northeastern Mallorca features a 300-meter stretch of fine white sand surrounded by dunes and gentle hills. The beach offers easy access with free parking and a marked walking path. Visitors can use beach services including sunbed rentals, showers, a bar and a restaurant serving traditional Spanish food. During peak season, lifeguards are on duty and it is considered family-friendly, though caution is advised on windy days with strong waves.
No. 7: Wild and isolated among the mountains - Kvalvika Beach, Norway
Kvalvika Beach in the Lofoten archipelago in northern Norway offers a dramatic landscape of towering mountains meeting golden sand and turquoise water. Access is only possible via a rocky hiking trail that takes one to two hours, preserving its secluded character. The area has no facilities and requires proper equipment and preparation, making it suitable mainly for experienced hikers. Parking at the trailhead is limited. Nearby villages offer traditional Norwegian dishes such as klippfisk (dried and salted cod).
No. 8: Crystal waters and lush vegetation - Rovinia Beach, Greece (Corfu)
Rovinia is a secluded pebble beach on the western coast of Corfu, near the village of Liapades. It is surrounded by cliffs and dense vegetation and has no commercial development or beach services. Access is by boat or a 15-minute walking path. Visitors must bring all necessary supplies. Parking in the nearby village is limited and mostly roadside. Local restaurants serve island specialties such as sofrito and pastitsada.
No. 9: Golden cove between cliffs - Kaputas Beach, Turkey
Kaputas Beach is a small cove located between the towns of Kaş and Kalkan, known for its golden sand and turquoise waters. Access requires descending nearly 187 steps from the highway, which may be difficult for visitors with mobility limitations. Despite its location, the beach offers basic facilities including a café, changing rooms, toilets and sunbed rentals. Parking is limited along the roadside. Nearby towns offer traditional Turkish cuisine.
No. 10: Scenic views and water sports - Paleokastritsa Beach, Greece (Corfu)
The Paleokastritsa area on Corfu is a major tourist destination made up of several bays and adjacent beaches. It is highly developed and offers full beach services, restaurants, cafés and tavernas. The area is also a hub for water sports, with clubs offering diving, snorkeling equipment and boat rentals. Some bays are shallow and especially suitable for families. As it is a popular destination, parking fills up quickly during peak season, so early arrival is recommended.
Meanwhile, if you are planning to travel outside Europe, it may be worth checking the ranking of the world’s best beaches for 2026, recently published, where Entalula Beach in the Philippines takes first place.