Reality check: you don’t have to fly long haul to find yourself on a beautiful beach. What we’re all craving right now is sun, sea and sand, and if you’re anything like us, you’re spending at least 30% of your waking hours plotting where and how far your budget can stretch to take you. Though taking a loan to get to Bondi seems like a sanity-saving solution, there’s money, time and travel to be saved by looking a little closer to home. Though it might not seem like it when you’re sat on the bus in rainy rush hour, the reality is that there’s some of the world’s finest beaches as little as two hours away.
So skip the loan, keep it short-haul, and spend more of your holiday on the beach than on the plane. Ahead, the best beaches to visit this summer that aren’t too far, and won't break the bank.
Navagio Beach, Zakynthos
Whilst Zante might not have the classiest rep, it’s got beaches worth travelling to. Navagio Beach, more commonly dubbed Shipwreck Beach or Smuggler’s Cove, is one of them. White sands roll into clear turquoise waters, it’s big enough to get your own towel space, and astonishingly, there’s a shipwrecked boat slap bang in the middle of the beach. Instagram fodder it is.
Photo: Getty
Cala Goloritzè, Sardinia
Unknown to many, Sardinia has some of most tropical, clear waters in Europe. Cala Goloritzè is celebrated among locals as Sardinia’s best beach, and could oh-so-easily be mistaken for Thailand, thanks to its clear waters, white sands and rocky surrounds. It’s tucked away in a town called Baunei, half way up the Eastern side of the island, and there’s a striking arch in the rock formation that’s just asking to be photographed. With just swimmers and a towel, you could happily spend all holiday here.
Photo: Getty
Jaz Beach, Montenegro
There are remote, secluded bays, then there are the ones that draw a crowd, a party, and some culture. Jaz Beach in Montenegro falls into the latter category, but before you write it off as not your cup of tea, hear us out. We’re not talking pay-for sun loungers and leathery-tanned holiday-makers, we’re talking open-air concerts (Rolling Stones played here in ‘07) and summer beach festivals. Sea Dance Festival, which takes place in July, was voted one of the best European festivals last summer. The beach is 850m long, with a campsite at one end. Just 2.5km away is Budva, a ‘mini Dubrovnik’ with a picturesque old town.
Photo: Getty
Porthcurno, Cornwall
Cornwall might seem like a trek from London but on the grand scale of things, it’s pretty damn close (and don’t forget you can fly there to save the car journey.) While there, Porthcurno Beach needs to feature on your to-do list. Ranked as one of the best beaches in Europe, it’s pure beauty, with fine white sands, turquoise waters (yes, in the UK!) and rocky cliffs on either side of the bay keeping it calm and still. Swim your heart out.
Photo: Getty
Myrtos Beach, Kefalonia
If there’s one thing Greece does well (besides yogurt, cheese and salad) it’s beaches. Being an island, Kefalonia is full of them and the most celebrated of them all is Myrtos, located in the north-west of the island, tucked into the feet of two mountains – Agia Dynati and Kalon Oros – which provide a striking backdrop, alongside the spotless powder white sands and turquoise waters of the Ionian Sea. Makes sense that Myrtos is often thought of as one of the most beautiful coast stretches of the Mediterranean.
Photo: Getty
Amrum Beach, North Frisian Islands, Germany
Come summer time, international visitors seeking something a little different and low-key flock to the North Frisian Islands (the three islands off Germany that border Denmark and face the North Sea) for their sleepy wide beaches and charming little villages and towns. Amrum, a 10-mile stretch of golden sand up the western coast, is Europe’s widest beach. It’s the perfect place to get away from it all, to take a breather and a long walk. Don’t miss the camera-baiting candy striped lighthouse at the end of the beach at Wittdün.
Photo: Getty
Cala Macarelleta, Menorca
Once upon a time, The Balearics didn’t get the best rep, dubbed as dot com destinations and package holiday heroes, but now, people are falling over themselves to get there. It’s true, Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera have some of the most glorious of landscapes in the whole of Europe, including fine sandy beaches and secluded snorkelling coves. Cala Macarella is just one of them: a quiet little cove in south-west Menorca, with white sands and clear waters, shaded by trees. Swim and bathe all day, then watch the pink sunset at dusk.
Photo: Getty
Playa de Bolonia, Spain
There’s a reason Andalucia draws such a strong holiday crowd and that’s down to its beaches and balmy climes. Bolonia is a small, sleepy ex-fishing village, home to Playa de Bolonia, a beautiful sandy bay that remains largely unspoilt. The golden sandy beach stretches 2.4 miles up the coast so you won’t struggle to find a quiet spot to spend the day (especially as it seems to be a well kept secret from international visitors!) Just lay back with a book, and enjoy. Bliss.
Sandwood Bay, Scotland
Sweeping sandy beaches aren’t exactly the first thing that come to mind when you think of Scotland, but don’t overlook it because Sandwood Bay proves otherwise. Located at Scotland’s north-westerly tip, it’s so remote that you have to walk four miles from the road to reach it, through sandy dunes and grassy moorland, but when you do, it’s worth it. The mile-long stretch of beach is perfectly unspoilt, stretching out into the freshwater Sandwood Loch. Don’t expect to swim though! Even in summer, the waters are icy due to the Gulf Stream, so stick to sunbathing or walking.
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