A new study by low-cost airline Wizz Air ranks Europe’s beaches by how much personal space they offer visitors, highlighting the growing gap between idyllic beach photos and the reality of peak-season crowds.
Most spacious beaches
Topping the list is Durres Beach in the historic city of Durres, Albania. Despite being one of the country’s most popular spots, each visitor can expect nearly 65 beach towels' worth of space (roughly 775 square feet), making it a top choice for families and travelers seeking quiet along the Adriatic Sea.
Albania continues to rise in popularity as a more affordable and authentic alternative to busy destinations like Greece.
In second place is Camber Sands in East Sussex, England—an 8 km (5 mi) stretch of wide sand offering about 61 towels’ worth of space (around 727 square feet) per person. Its growing appeal stems from its proximity to London and visibility on social media.
Third is Zlatni Rat (Golden Horn) beach in the town of Bol on the Croatian island of Brac, a striking horn-shaped pebble beach extending into the Adriatic. Even at the height of summer, its size and shoreline length allow for a comfortable sense of space.
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Other top spacious beaches include:
• Borsh Beach in Albania, one of the country’s longest and quietest
• Plage de Pampelonne in Ramatuelle, southern France, a classic Riviera destination with relatively roomy sections.
• Brighton Beach, England, a local and tourist favorite.
• Praia da Falesia in Portugal’s Algarve, flanked by dramatic red cliffs.
• Mogren Beach in Budva, Montenegro.
• Nissi Beach in Ayia Napa, Cyprus, a long beach that remains spacious even during high season.
• Playa d’en Bossa, Ibiza’s longest beach, which still offers pockets of relative calm despite the island’s party reputation.
Most crowded beaches
At the other end, Sa Caleta Beach in Ibiza, Spain ranks as Europe’s most crowded. Just 80 meters (262 feet) long, it offers less than half a beach towel’s worth of space per visitor. Though lesser-known, its small size and rising popularity make it particularly packed in summer.
Second is Cala Macarella in Menorca, a cove surrounded by cliffs and turquoise waters. Despite its postcard beauty and viral fame, visitors get only about 0.6 towel’s worth of space — roughly 7 square feet.
In third is Barceloneta Beach in central Barcelona, easily accessible and known for its energetic vibe. It draws locals and tourists alike, but only offers around 0.7 towel’s worth of room per visitor.
Other crowded beaches include:
• Mellieha Bay, Malta, a family-friendly beach with just 0.9 towels per person.
• Cala Goloritze, Sardinia — visually stunning but narrow and packed in summer.
• Isla Canela, Costa de la Luz, Spain.
• Playa del Duque, Tenerife.
• Playa de Maro, Nerja, Spain.
• Puerto de la Cruz, Tenerife.
• Sant Sebastia Beach, another popular but cramped Barcelona beachfront.
The study selected each country’s most popular beaches, then calculated available space using current shoreline measurements.
The total beach area was divided by the size of an average beach towel (1.2 square meters or about 13 square feet) and then by the estimated average number of daily visitors based on tourism data and seasonal trends. The result: a comparative estimate of how much room each beachgoer can expect.