From la Playa to la Plage, These are 6 of Europe’s Most Underrated Beach Towns

If life’s a beach, Europe has plenty to boast about, but the best beaches aren’t always where you expect to find them. So why not say goodbye to bustling tourist hubs and hello to hidden coves, pristine waters and sumptuous food at six of Europe’s most underrated beach towns?

Matala, Greece

Experience the allure of Homer’s “wine-dark sea” in Matala (Photo: Getty Images)

The peach-pink sands of Crete’s Elafonissi Beach are a big hit with visitors, but really in-the-know travellers go to Matala, a bijou beach town where singer Joni Mitchell wrote her hit song “Carey” in 1970.

Explore the caves above Matala’s horseshoe-shaped beach where Mitchell and folk-singing pals camped out, and then shop for handcrafted jewellery in narrow lanes behind the seafront.

As sunset spills scarlet over Homer’s “wine-dark sea”, dine on rice-stuffed zucchini flowers and other home-cooked meze at Sunset, a family-owned tavern with spectacular views over Matala’s sheltered bay.

La Graciosa, Spain

Generally overlooked for the livelier charms of sister Canary Island, Lanzarote, La Graciosa is a no-car idyll where locals get around on bikes.

Rent yours in the tiny, whitewashed capital Caleta de Sebo and head out to discover near-deserted beaches backed by the mighty Montaña Bermeja volcano and lapped by crystal-clear waters where endangered Mediterranean monk seals come to frolic.

If you're feeling peckish, keep an eye out for a Canarian favourite – crinkly papas arrugadas (wrinkled potatoes) doused in a fiery mojo sauce. Perfect enjoyed with a cold drink, gazing out over the sea.

Zandvoort, Netherlands

Just a half-hour train ride from Amsterdam’s canals and cultural highlights, Zandvoort is one of the Netherlands’ best-kept beach secrets.

When you’ve had your fill of lazing on Zandvoort’s endless dune-studded beach, follow hiking trails to spot fallow deer and other wildlife that roam among peat bogs and polders in the surrounding Zuid-Kennemerland nature reserve.

Adrenaline junkies should also drive a sports car around Circuit Zandvoort, the celebrated Formula One track where racing legends ranging from Niki Lauda to Alain Prost have competed to win the prestigious Dutch Grand Prix.

Orhaniye, Türkiye

Swim in Orhaniye’s sheltered coves (Photo: Getty Images)

Although only a short hop from Bodrum, Orhaniye’s sheltered coves and sapphire waters are rarely on tourists’ radars.

After wallowing in Orhaniye’s bath-warm waters, be sure to ‘walk on water’ at Kızkumu, dubbed “Jesus Beach” because of its walkable shallow sandbar heading far out to sea.

When the sun sinks over Orhaniye’s mirror-clear waters, bag a seaside table at Zuzu Beach Club and enjoy breathtaking bay views from this beachside hangout. Succulent must-try Turkish culinary treats include İzgara kofte meatballs served with fluffy rice and succulent grilled red peppers.

Île Sainte-Marguerite, France

Cannes in the south of France is a magnet for celebrities, but certain A-listers prefer Île Saint-Marguerite, a little-known island just a 15-minute ferry ride from glitzy Cannes, where pine-fringed beaches and sand-lined secret coves offer a haven away from the crowds.

Sainte-Marguerite is home to both some of the French Riviera’s best beaches and Fort Royal, the notorious stone fortress – now a museum – where the so-called Man in the Iron Mask was imprisoned in the 17th century.

After browsing the museum, mingle with celebrities at La Guerite, the island’s swanky beach club restaurant.

Isle of Arran, Scotland

A visit to Isle of Arran is often a tranquil experience (Photo: Getty Images)

Dubbed “Scotland in Miniature” because of its labyrinth of hiking trails and abundance of wildlife, this atmospheric island just a ferry-hop away from Ardrossan is often overlooked for the better-known Isle of Skye. Wander along Kildonan’s spectacular Silver Sands beach and you’ll surely wonder why.

Watersports lovers should spend a thrill-packed afternoon power-kiting or sea kayaking with Arran Adventure, while shopaholics will get their kicks in the narrow lanes behind Brodick’s lively port, where chic boutiques sell unique souvenirs.

To end your day on a high note, hike to the peak of Goatfell and revel in spectacular views over Brodick’s houses and glittering bay. When you’ve worked up a hearty appetite, wander down to Brodick’s cosy bar and brasserie to enjoy servings of gin-cured salmon and other luscious Scottish treats.

Published: October 07, 2024