Best Of The Best Beaches In Europe According To Travelers’ Choice Awards

Tripadvisor has released the Travelers’ Choice Awards featuring the Best of the Best title, known for the highest level of excellence in travel. Each year, this is awarded to those locations with the highest volume of top reviews and opinions from the Tripadvisor community. Here, we look at the Best of the Best Beaches across Europe, loved by travelers for everything from relaxing beach days to scuba diving, snorkeling and more. Read on to discover the top five beaches for those coming spring and summer days.

Travelers’ Choice Awards – Best of the Best Beaches in Europe

1. Praia da Falésia, Olhos de Agua, Portugal – rating 4.5 from 5,902 reviews

Number one in the list of Best of the Best Beaches in Europe is Praia da Falésia in Olhos de Agua, in the Algarve of Portugal. This gorgeous beach offers clean, golden sands, lapped by clear blue waters, and is backed by dramatic craggy cliffs. Moreover, there is plenty of space on Praia da Falésia for anyone wishing to quietly sunbathe, or enjoy swimming or body surfing in the waves. Even better, visitors can stroll on the scenic footpath on the top of the cliffs, enjoying stunning, panoramic views. Meanwhile, the beach had been awarded Blue Flag recognition for its cleanliness and amenities. Among these are clean restrooms and a snack bar, plus the beach is easy to get to via public transportation.

2. Spiaggia dei Conigli, Lampedusa, Italy – rating 5.0 from 6,509 reviews

Nestling in the Mediterranean Sea, Lampedusa is an island in southern Italy, Europe, renowned for its gorgeous beaches. Among the best is Spiaggia dei Conigli, known for its shallow, crystal-clear waters and colorful marine life. Moreover, the beach faces the Area Marina Protetta Isole Peglagie, an egg-laying site for marine turtles. Meanwhile, dolphins can be seen frolicking around the island. The beach offers free parking and it is easy to reach by public transportation.

3. La Concha Beach, San Sebastian-Donostia, Spain – rating 4.5 from 9,234 reviews

Located in the heart of the city of San Sebastian–Donostia, La Concha Beach offers a spacious sandy shore, lapped by clear, blue waters. This beach is perfect for families, with plenty to do, including making sand castles, swimming, surfing and more. Meanwhile, the views from the beach are truly Instagrammable.

4.  Reynisfjara Beach, Vik, Iceland – rating 4.5 from 2,104 reviews

Far from the warm Mediterranean Sea, Reynisfjara Beach is loved for its dramatic waves, crashing over the black sand in its stark, Iceland scenery. Moreover, it is also famous for its dolomite caves just waiting to be explored. If you have a drone, these are allowed here and you can capture amazing aerial views of the stark lava and basalt formations. Meanwhile, a stroll on the beach will reveal the cute puffins that live here.

5. Playa de Las Canteras, Gran Canaria, Spain – rating 4.5 from 8,056 reviews

Heading back to Spain, but this time to the Canary Islands, number five is Playa de Las Canteras, a 3 km (2.5 mi) stretch of clean, family-friendly sand. Meanwhile, the beach also features dedicated areas for bodyboarding and surfing, as well as plenty of marine life for snorkeling. This, along with fascinating sand sculptures, makes it the ideal beach to keep everyone happy. Moreover, a stroll along the promenade reveals a good selection of bars, restaurants and shops. Make sure to stay until sunset, when the colors truly light up this gorgeous beach.

Other Best of the Best Beaches across Europe

6. Falassarna Beach, Crete, Greece – rating 4.5 from 3,979 reviews
7. Nissi Beach, Ayia Napa, Cyprus – rating 4.5 from 7,696 reviews
8. Myrtos Beach, Kefalonia, Greece – rating 4.5 from 4,568 reviews
9. Playa de Maspalomas, Gran Canaria, Spain – rating 4.5 from 8,699 reviews
10. Black Sand Beach, Vik, Iceland – rating 4.5 from 4,124 reviews

Find out more about Tripadvisor’s Best of the Best Beaches in Europe on its Travelers’ Choice Awards page.