These Are 12 of the Most Beautiful White Sand Beaches in Europe

From spotting the Northern Lights in Iceland and sailing through the Norwegian fjords to walking along Dubrovnik’s ancient walls and climbing up to the Acropolis in Athens, Europe is a fascinating continent with endless things to see and do. However, did you know Europe’s also home to some of the best white sand beaches in the world? If not, you’ve landed in the right place.

Across Europe, you’ll find beautiful beaches with soft white sand, inviting waters, and plenty of sunshine, perfect for a beach vacation. To get you dreaming of a European vacation, here are 12 white sand beaches in Europe that offer just that.

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Spiaggia La Pelosa, Sardinia

Having mentioned Sardinia, including one of the island’s white sand beaches on our list seems only fitting. Spiaggia La Pelosa is a gorgeous hidden gem in the island’s north. Here, you’ll be greeted with soft white sand, warm turquoise waters, and impressive views of a shallow lagoon.

Spend your time at the beach getting your feet wet in the Caribbean-blue waters, walking along the soft sand, and tucking into Italian food at a nearby restaurant. Alternatively, thrill-seekers can kayak around the bay, jump on a boat trip, or hike towards Torre della Pelosa, a 16th-century stone tower on a small island built to defend the island from invasion.

Travel Tips

Rent Water Bikes: Explore the crystal-clear waters by renting a water bike at Escursi for €20 ($22) per hour.
Try Sardinian Cuisine: Head to Ristorante L’Ancora Porticciolo for prosecco, culurgiones, seada, and mirto.

Luskentyre Beach, Isle of Harris, Scotland

Scotland is better known for its historic cities, ancient castles, and rugged landscapes. However, it’s also home to some of the most spectacular European beaches, Luskentyre being one of them. Located on the Isle of Harris in the Outer Hebrides, this beach boasts miles of undisturbed white sand, beautiful green-blue waters, and stunning hillside surroundings.

Admittedly, the weather isn’t always great in Luskentyre, but when it is, there are few better places to be. Better yet, the beach’s remote location increases the chances of having it all to yourself, which isn’t uncommon unless you count the wild ponies who often wander along the sand.

Travel Tips

Explore Nearby Harris Distillery: After the beach, visit Harris Distillery in Tarbert to taste locally made gin and whisky.
Bring Cash for Local Shops: Some shops around the Isle of Harris may not accept cards.

Kynance Cove, Cornwall, England

Another beach in the United Kingdom with abundant white sand and crystalline turquoise waters is Kynance Cove in Cornwall. Sitting on the world-famous Lizard Peninsular, this small, secluded beach offers locals and tourists an escape from the hustle and bustle.

When you’re not sitting on the rocks looking out to sea, walking around the headland, or sunbathing in the British sunshine, explore the beach’s coves and caves and swim in the naturally formed bathing pools. This stretch of beach can get busy in summer, so arrive early to secure your tiny slice of paradise before the crowds arrive.

Travel Tips

Explore the Caves at Low Tide: Visit the beach during low tide to explore the caves and rock pools without getting wet.
Park Early: The Kynance Cove parking lot fills up quickly during summer, so aim to arrive before 9 AM to secure a spot.

Elafonisi Beach, Crete, Greece

Elafonisi Beach in Crete is unique in that its color varies dramatically. While the beach consists predominantly of soft white sand, it also features a bright pink color. Situated approximately 3.1 miles (5 kilometers) from the island’s southernmost tip, this pink color is caused by thousands of Foraminifera shellfish that have left behind their reddish shells.

As expected, many tourists visit the beach to admire the impressive colors, but there is more to do. Elafonisi Beach also has a shallow lagoon with turquoise waters to swim in, and watersports are popular in the area. Popular activities in the lagoon include paddle boarding and windsurfing. Useful amenities at Elafonisi Beach include beach umbrellas, sun loungers, beach bars, and toilets.

Travel Tips

Try Paddleboarding: Rent a paddleboard for €15 ($16) per hour at the beach rental stations.
Visit Early: Arrive by 8 AM to avoid the midday crowds and find a quiet spot on the beach.

Marmari Beach, Kos, Greece

Mamari Beach is another famous white-sand beach in Greece. Located approximately 15 km (9.3 miles) from Kos City, this beach has a long stretch of pristine white sand, clear blue waters, and lovely coastal views.

The beach has plenty of sun loungers, umbrellas, and water sports facilities. Meanwhile, the waterfront has many traditional tavernas, restaurants, and resorts. The beach even has a small port for private boats. As a result, you can spend an entire vacation there. Popular water sports activities at Marmari Beach include sailing, windsurfing, and paddleboarding.

Travel Tips

Try Windsurfing: Book a 3-day, 5-hour beginner course for €160 ($165).
Book a Wine Tasting Tour: Explore the vineyards in Dodecanese for $56.97.

Cala Galdana Beach, Menorca, Spain

The Balearic island of Menorca in the Mediterranean Sea is famed for its family-friendly resorts, beautiful beaches, and turquoise waters. Cala Galdana is a fine example of what the island has to offer. This crescent-shaped beach is home to a long stretch of soft white sand, warm transparent waters, and a wide range of resorts.

🏨 Explore all your hotel options here

You’ll likely spend most of your days lying on a sun lounger under the sun, swimming in the sea, participating in watersports, or sitting back with a cocktail at one of the many beach bars. The southern side of the cove is also a popular snorkeling spot, so pack your snorkeling gear. Alongside the beach, you’ll also find several small shops selling souvenirs, beach toys, and ice creams.

Travel Tips

Book a Glass-Bottom Boat Trip: Visit secluded beaches and go snorkeling for $25.89.
Try Local Cuisine: Try paella and sangria at Sa Lluna.

Las Salinas, Ibiza, Spain

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The party island of Ibiza is famous for its Main Strip, which is filled with nightclubs. It’s also known for its beautiful sandy beaches, calm blue waters, and authentic Spanish towns and villages. One of the best beaches on the island is Las Salinas, a gorgeous stretch of long white sand beach with turquoise waters bordered by lush pine woods.

This beach is almost one mile (1.5 kilometers) long and is perfect for relaxing before or after a heavy night of partying. However, thanks to the row of beach bars hidden in the woods behind the beach, you can also enjoy the party atmosphere here. If you want to stay near the beach, you’ll also find a few vacation resorts in the area.

Travel Tips

Explore Ses Salines Natural Park: Visit this vast park between Ibiza and Formentera, home to migrating birds and diverse marine habitats.
Visit Local Beach Bars: Enjoy sangria with lively music in Sa Trinxa.

Nissi Beach, Ayia Napa, Cyprus

The next white-sand beach we have for you is in Ayia Napa, along Cyprus’ southeast coast. Ayia Napa is a popular resort famed for its luxurious hotels, party atmosphere, and picture-perfect beaches. Nissi Beach is one of the resort’s most famous beaches and with good reason.

This beach, stretching 1,610 feet (500 meters), has inviting turquoise waters, powdery white sand, and Blue Flag status. Surrounded by lively beach bars, hotels, clubs, and watersport companies, this beach isn’t for solitude lovers, but it’s an excellent destination if you want everything in one place. Spend the day sunbathing, swimming, sipping cocktails in a beach bar, and partying in one of the beach clubs.

Travel Tips

Try Mediterranean Dishes: Visit Super S Restaurant for stifado, moussaka, and tzatziki.
Explore the Ayia Napa Coastline: Book a cruise to the Blue Lagoon, jump off the deck, and snorkel with fish and sea turtles for $31.07.

Oostende Strand, Ostend, Belgium

White Sand Beaches in Europe Plage d'Ostende, Ostend, Belgium — © Jeanjacques / Adobe Stock

If we asked you to think about Belgium, you’d likely imagine delicious Belgian chocolates, traditional Belgian waffles, and major cities filled with breathtaking architecture. What would you then think if we told you Belgium has several beautiful beaches? It does, and Oostende Strand in Ostend has a fantastic stretch of soft white sand.

This famous beach is located alongside Ostend, offering convenient access to amenities, hotels, and other attractions in the city. Here, you can enjoy a pleasant stroll along the boardwalk and sunbathe on the beach. Sailing enthusiasts might also be pleased to hear there are sailing clubs near the beach.

Travel Tips

Visit Sailing Clubs: Rent a sailing boat from one of the nearby clubs like the Royal North Sea Yacht Club.
Eat at Local Beach Cafes: Drop by La Siesta Oostende for tapas, patatas bravas, and gezelligheid.

Praia Ribeira do Cavalo, Arrábida Natural Park, Portugal

White Sand Beaches in Europe Praia Ribeira do Cavalo, Arrábida Natural Park, Portugal — © Luengo_ua / Adobe Stock

Beachgoers looking for a white sand beach that offers more seclusion should visit Praia Ribeira do Cavalo in Arrábida Natural Park. Approximately a one-hour drive from Lisbon, this mesmerizing beach has a glorious stretch of white, yellow, and even pinkish sand, creating a breathtaking scene for your Instagram feed.

In addition, Praia Ribeira do Cavalo has crystal-clear turquoise waters and a stunning hillside backdrop. Despite all those things, it’s the beach’s remote location that makes it so special. This beach is incredibly quiet, making it a true hidden gem. There aren’t even trash cans at the beach, never mind other amenities such as toilets, restaurants, and hotels.

Travel Tips

Pack Snacks and Water: Bring your own food and drinks, as there are no restaurants or shops at Praia Ribeira do Cavalo.
Take a Taxi Boat: Get a round-trip ticket from Sesimbra to the beach for €13 ($14).

Santa Giulia, Corsica, France

Sandwiched between Étang de Santa Giulia lagoon and the Tyrrhenian Sea, Santa Giulia is a beautiful resort town on Corsica Island in the Mediterranean Sea. Despite its proximity to Sardinia, Italy, the island is part of France. Santa Giulia has a crescent-shaped beach with glorious white sand, crystal-clear turquoise waters, and a lush pine tree forest.

The most obvious things to do at this beach are sunbathe and swim. However, Santa Giulia is also a popular scuba diving and snorkeling destination. If you’d prefer to keep your feet dry, kick back at a beachfront bar or restaurant and enjoy local cuisine and a cold beer. What’s not to like?

Travel Tips

Try Local Wine: Enjoy local wines and champagnes at La Festa.
Take a Windsurfing Lesson: Try a 1-hour private windsurfing lesson for €60 ($62).

Corralejo Beach, Fuerteventura, Canary Islands

Corralejo Beach in Fuerteventura is the final beach on this list of white-sand beaches in Europe. Corralejo is a small town along the island’s north coast, famous for its tall sand dunes and glorious beaches. The beach is split into several areas and extends approximately 6 miles (10 kilometers).

The beach’s southern end is a popular nudist spot, while the northern end is more family-friendly. At Corralejo, you can swim in the turquoise waters, rent a sun lounger and umbrella, walk the entire length of the beach, and relax at the beach bars. Other amenities at the beach include toilets, restaurants, and watersports centers.

Travel Tips

Visit the Sand Dunes: Explore the famous Corralejo Sand Dunes Natural Park to see the best sand dunes in the Canaries.
Try Local Cuisine: Head to La Vaca Azul for fresh seafood and wine with sunset views.