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Telegraph
29-05-2025
- General
- Telegraph
Portugal's 15 greatest beaches
Portugal does beaches better than anywhere. Golden coves framed by limestone rocks in the south, endless stretches of white sands fringed by turquoise ocean in Alentejo and breezy, windswept surf-centric swathes on the western Algarve and above Lisbon. Even in the north, there are 75 blue flag coastal beaches and nine inland blue flag beaches, contributing to the country's total of 444 this year. And goodness, aren't they loved by the Portuguese? Nothing comes between them and a trip to the praia. The moment the sun comes out, the locals turn beachwards. Families bed into the fine sand for hours on end, refreshing themselves with the typical bolo de berlim doughnuts. Locals have their favourite beaches, but for visitors, here is a guide to where best to find yours. Praia de Princesa, Costa da Capariça Best for weekend sunset parties Hugely popular with chic Lisbonites, this beach (easily accessible from the capital) is a great spot to watch the sunset, glass in hand, to the beat of live music. The go-to, eponymous, beach club allows you to eat dishes such as shrimps and fish with rice whilst digging your toes into the sand. To your right and left lie dazzling white sands and neighbouring beaches such as Praia da Morena, where the ocean causes small lagoons in the sand to create perfect paddling conditions for children. Princesa thrums with a carefree, summer vibe and an almost tangible appreciation for la vida Portuguesa. Insider tip Book a beach bed, possible by the hour, to enjoy a siesta after lunch, accompanied by the lull of the waves. How to get there Buses from various points in Lisbon, including Marques de Pombal, go to the little town of Capariça. An Uber will probably cost around €20 for the 20-minute drive. Where to stay nearby Palacio Principe Real (00351 913 301 403) has double rooms from £464, including breakfast. Praia dos Galapinhos, Arrabida Best for unspoilt natural beauty Set against the dramatic backdrop of the Arrábida Natural Park, with its abundance of green forest, this tiny beach has won awards for its natural beauty. The coves in this region are trickier to reach than many others in the country, Galapinhos especially, resulting in fewer crowds and more tranquillity. Although the entrance to the beach is rocky, the crystal waters are wonderful to swim in. There are sun loungers provided and thatched parasols if you want to spend the day and a small bar to quench your thirst. Insider tip The diaphanous waters make this ideal for snorkelling. How to get there It is about 45 minutes from Lisbon over the Vasco da Gama bridge, but from any direction, the best place to park is at Praia do Figueirinho, from where you can take a free shuttle bus (10 minutes) along the coast and then walk down the winding stairway to the beach. Where to stay nearby Hotel Casa Palmela (00351 265 249 650) has double rooms from £182, including breakfast. Praia de Benagil, Central Algarve Best for photographs Postcard-pretty and indeed gracing many of the postcards for sale in the Algarve, this beach is memorable for its neighbouring huge cave with a natural skylight, accessible only by boat, kayak or paddleboard. The latter two are available to rent on the beach. Swimmers should be aware that the sea floor goes from shallow to very deep quite suddenly. The old fishing village of Benagil makes for a nice wander when you want a break from the beach. Insider tip The Seven Hanging Valleys trail takes you along the top of this beach. How to get there About 15 minutes drive from Lagoa; park at the top of the cliffs and walk down the steep hill to the beach. Where to stay nearby Vila Alba Resort (00351 282 380 700) has double rooms from £173, including breakfast. Praia de Odeceixe, Western Algarve Best for activities Selected as one of the seven natural wonders of Portugal for its surrounding cliffs, the beauty of this horseshoe-shaped beach is protected by its location in a natural park. The Seixe River forms the natural border between the Algarve and the Alentejo and meets the Atlantic on the beach. The river sides offer safe swimming for children and are popular with kayakers. The ocean here is popular with surfers and bodyboarders, and there are a couple of surf schools which offer classes and equipment rental. Alternatively, enjoy beach volleyball. Insider tip Otters have been spotted in and around the rivers. How to get there Very easily accessible from the main road, the beach lies about 3km from Odeceixe village; parking is available above the beach. Where to stay nearby Amaria Hotel (00351 910 333 555) has double rooms from £261, including breakfast. Praia de Dona Ana, Western Algarve Best for shelter and shade Protected by high cliffs in the Ponte da Piedade headland, this lovely beach, where golden sands perfectly match the honeyed strata of the limestone rocks, is ideal for windy days and offers calm, beautifully turquoise waters. It is one of the largest beaches along this part of the coast, but its popularity means it can get crowded in the summer months. The ocean is cold here, even on hot days, due to much if it being in shade, making it wonderfully refreshing. Insider tip Deck chairs, parasols and sun shades can be hired and there is a small restaurant on the beach for light meals. How to get there 10 minutes by car from Lagos; reached by a steep set of steps down the cliff face. Where to stay nearby Palmares Beach House Hotel (00351 282 249 880) has double rooms from £249, including breakfast. Praia da Norté, Nazaré, Silver Coast Best for surfing One of the most traditional fishing villages in Portugal, the older women in Nazaré still dress in the region's typical seven skirts as they sell their families' catch in the local fish market or arrange horse mackerel on nets to salt-dry. But on the northern side of town is Praia do Norté, where the highest ever wave was surfed by Sebastian Steudtner in 2020. Since then, he has surfed a 93.7-foot wave here, breaking his own record. A pilgrimage site for surfers, particularly in winter for the wild, magnificent waves, the beach is overlooked by a 16th-century fortress. Insider tip Make time for the nearby Sanctuary of Our Lady of Nazaré, an impressive church which dates back to the 14 th century. How to get there It is a little over an hour from Lisbon and easily found north of Nazaré town. Where to stay nearby Noah's Surf House (00351 261 936 366) has double rooms from £240, including breakfast. Praia da Marinha, Central Algarve Best for a romantic setting The setting for the famous Arcos Naturais – a double arch in the limestone rocks, eroded by rainwater and winter storms at the edge of the beach, which look like a heart – makes this a popular spot for proposals. It gets very crowded in the summer due, not only to its Instagram fame, but also because of its clear and calm waters, making it ideal for snorkelling and swimming. The sand here is wonderfully golden and fine, but much of it disappears at high tide. Insider tip Leave mid-afternoon before the scramble for taxi pick-ups. How to get there Offering limited spaces, the car park fills up very quickly; the police are known to close the road to prevent illegal parking. Get a taxi instead. Where to stay nearby Tivoli Carvoeiro Algarve (00351 282 351 100) has double rooms from £278, including breakfast. Praia do Guincho, Lisbon coast Best for kite-surfing Set within the Serra de Sintra Natural Park, this beach has been protected from any major development creating a pristine environment less than half an hour from the centre of Lisbon. A destination for the hardy, and not for children, the sea here rarely gets above 21C and strong sea winds, although less in summer, make this more suited to kite-surfing and surfing than swimming or picnicking. It is renowned for its immense waves and, along its 750-metre shoreline, you can feel the power of the Atlantic Ocean. Insider tip If you prefer to look at the beach from the comfort of a good restaurant, the Michelin-starred Fortaleza do Guincho offers the spectacular taste of the Atlantic. How to get there There is limited public transport from Lisbon; hire car or a taxi (20 minutes). Where to stay nearby Fortaleza do Guincho (00351 214 870 491) has double rooms from £280, including breakfast. Praia do Barril, Eastern Algarve Best for a sense of place This beach is one of the finest in the eastern Algarve, but also stands as a powerful memorial of the region's vanished tuna fishing heritage. Most notable is the cemetery of anchors that lie rusting on the beach, commemorating the lost maritime skills and fishing community that once defined this area. The soft sands and calm ocean are typical of the eastern Algarve. The little train that transports visitors to the beach is a real standout feature; it chugs along the rail track between the mainland and the beach, taking children on what was once a lifeline for fishermen. Insider tip The unspoiled dune ecosystem of the Ria Formosa Natural Park, which stretches behind the beach, is worth exploring for its diverse plant and bird life. How to get there The beach is on the Ilha de Tavira and is connected to the mainland by a footbridge from Pedras d'El Rei village; either walk through the dunes or hop aboard the train. Where to stay nearby Pousada Convento Tavira (00351 281 249 800) has double rooms from £239, including breakfast. Praia de Moledo, Northern Portugal Best for windsurfing Famous since the beginning of the 20 th century as a seaside resort, Praia de Moledo has long been the go-to beach for dignitaries and politicians, who prefer its natural beauty to the hotter climes down south. It is also popular with windsurfers, especially in the summer. Just in front of the wide beach is a small rocky island that can be visited by boat. On its stands a fortress, built as a convent in the 15 th century and transformed into a coastal defence post in the 18 th century. Insider tip Be warned, in summer the sea water temperature is chilly (15C to 17C). How to get there An hour north of Porto; parking nearby. There also a train service to Caminha and a bus service from there to Moledo. Where to stay nearby Casa da Eira (00351 939 470 998) has double room cottages from £80, including breakfast. Praia da Arrifana, Western Algarve Best for bodyboarding A year-round favourite with bodyboarders and surfers, Arrifana beach offers the best of the windswept western Algarve, with its golden sands and rugged orange and black sandstone cliffs. Popular also for watching the sun set across the Atlantic, this large expanse of beach never gets too crowded. However, at high tide much of the sand disappears, so time your visit well. Above the beach, there is a fortress, which dates back to the 17th century and offers a wonderful view over the beach. Insider tip Lunch at the excellent little restaurant at the entrance to the beach on octopus with the local sweet potatoes or the typical goose barnacles. How to get there Praia da Arrifana is well signposted and easily reached from the town of Aljezur; park at the top of the cliffs. Where to stay nearby Herdade Quinta Natura (00351 282 048 175) has double rooms from £118, including breakfast. Praia do Pego, Comporta Best for beach clubs Praia do Pego is hard to take in one swoop, with its white sands stretching as far as the eye can see. Four kilometres of pristine beach, washed by gentle, foam-flecked, turquoise waters, meet everyone's idea of a perfect beach. If you can prise yourself off the warm sands, there are some great beach clubs here too: Praia na Comporta, designed by Philippe Starck, offers his vision of a beach cottage; at JNĉQUOI, designed by Vincent van Duysen, you can feast on lobster hot dogs, or blinis with caviar whilst watching the waves roll in. Insider tip It might still be summer, but the chic shops in Comporta are the best place to do your Christmas shopping. How to get there 30 minutes off the main motorway between Lisbon and the Algarve. Where to stay Quinta das Comporta (00351 265 112 390) has double rooms from £679, including breakfast. Praia de Cacela Velha, Eastern Algarve Best for children One of the loveliest beaches in the Algarve runs down to the Ria Formosa Natural Park from the tiny town of Cacelha Velha. Here the streets are named after poets and, in the shade of the ancient church, you can eat local oysters at wooden tables. The beach is accessed either by boat from the side of the beach known as Fábrica or on foot at low tide across lagoons and natural pools, which are perfect for children to paddle in. Insiders tip The boat has no schedule, but is run in the summer by local fishermen who will take you across for €1.50/£1.26. How to get there Park in the few spots next to the restaurants at Sitio da Fabrica and take a boat across. Where to stay nearby Casas de Quinta da Cima (00351 966 912 743) has double rooms from £415, including breakfast. Praia dos Caneiros, Central Algarve Best for lunch with a view Caneiros is not too big nor too small, with a big rock just out at sea pleasingly framed by the cliffs that curve around the sand and out to sea. The lighthouse above was once the home of the lighthouse keeper who started the beach restaurant, Reis das Prais – long my favourite in the Algarve. Book a table next to the open windows and order the catch of the day, carabineiros or scarlet shrimps and some crisp white wine. Insider tip Beach parties are held here in the summer and there are regular live music events at the restaurant on the beach. How to get there From the town of Ferragudo, Praia dos Caneiros is well signposted; park in the overflow up the road from the beach.. Where to stay Caneiros Luxury House & Suites (00351 282 426 241) has double rooms from £262 (two-night minimum stay), including breakfast. Praia do Cabadelo, Northern Portugal Best for entertainment Not only is this beach great for sports, from surfing to windsurfing and wing foiling, with instructors and equipment available at the FeelViana Watersports Centre, but it is also good for partying. The bars around the edge of the beach offer a vibrant nightlife until the early hours of the morning. Semi-circular in shape, the beach is surrounded by pine forests and dunes and is a favourite of the inhabitants from nearby towns like Viana do Castelo and Ponte de Lima. Insider tip Browse the many jewellery shops in Viana do Castelo for their emblematic 'heart of Viana'. Crafted in filigree gold, it has become as much a symbol of Portugal as of this town. How to get there Arrive by ferry from Viana do Castelo. The crossing takes five minutes and goes every 30 minutes. Where to stay Carmo's Boutique Hotel (00351 910 587 558) has double rooms from £239, including breakfast.
The Guardian
19-05-2025
- The Guardian
Our perfect slice of Portugal: a family holiday on ‘the best beach in the world'
'I declare this the best beach in the world,' my youngest son shouts, leaping from a three-metre-high dune on to the soft, golden sand. We've come to Praia de Monte Clérigo to watch the sun sink into the sea, and stumble upon a bay ripe for play with a babbling brook, rock pools, gentle swell, towering cliffs and rolling dunes. As I gaze across to colourful fishers' cottages circling a simple beach bar, I can't help but agree; this could indeed be the world's best beach. 'Why's it so empty?' my son asks. It's a good question, given the beauty of our surroundings, but we soon realise that having the place to ourselves is a common occurance on our slow adventure exploring Portugal's least-populated coastline. Between the busy resorts of the Algarve and Alentejo's stark Atlantic coast, Portugal's south-west corner offers a happy medium that's ideal for families. The jagged coastline creates sheltered bays between long sweeping sands, and the 81-mile (130km) Vicentine Coast natural park keeps development in check. Villages and towns cling to the most hospitable coves, or line rivers as they meander through cork forests and wetlands down to the sea. Long-distance hiking routes, such as the Fisherman's Trail and the Historical Way, provide plenty of opportunities to explore on bike or foot and help to keep a good food and drink scene afloat. Even in the Easter holidays, we often have beaches, footpaths and roads to ourselves. Rather than stay in an apartment on the coast, we opt for a family-run B&B called Muxima, a few miles inland from Praia de Monte Clérigo. Our hope is that our boys, aged nine and 11, will roam free on the large plot while we read and sip local wine in the sun. It's clear we're on to a winner within minutes of our arrival. 'Would you like to see my katana?' Jackson, the 12-year-old son of owners Paula and Jelle, asks as we carry our bags to our room. 'What, a real one?' our oldest pipes up, as both boys follow Jackson off into the long grass. Before I can ask what a katana is (it's a samurai sword), the kids are off. Thankfully, it isn't a real one. It doesn't take long to settle in while the boys play. Our family suite sits at the end of one of two farmhouses restored in the style of traditional taipa buildings (made from a mixture of compacted soil and straw), with natural pigment plaster. With a double bedroom, huge shower, living area with bunk beds, a dining table and a compact kitchen, it has everything we need for lazy evenings and long lie-ins. Muxima's seven rooms are similar in feel but vary in size. Deep red and ochre walls, straw light fittings and ceramic lamps make the dark interior feel more like north Africa than Portugal – perhaps a nod to the region's history and our proximity to the continent. In the local town, Aljezur, surviving castle ramparts date back to Arab rule in the 10th century – the whole area was under Moorish rule until the mid-13th century. 'Let's go and swim with the frogs,' the oldest bellows, racing back towards our room. 'I counted 18, but there are probably more!' It's not the most enticing invite, but Muxima's natural swimming pool beckons, frogs and all. After a bracing dip, we laze about on the pool deck and watch swifts dance above eucalyptus trees. The boys enthusiastically show us the chickens, rope swing and the start of a two-mile forest trail where they spotted a grass snake earlier. Little gaggles of children are everywhere, all mucking in together. We chat with other guests in the communal living room, home to games and an honesty bar (filled with local, natural wines). A couple of families are regulars and use Muxima as a base to explore hiking trails and surf when the conditions are right. They tip us off about the mosquitoes, which are particularly bad this year due to a damp spring. But before we start to worry, Paula hands us some handmade natural citronella oil. Even the insect repellent is kind to the land here. Muxima's eco ethos permeates everything from the homemade ginger cake, muesli and freshly laid eggs at its daily vegetarian breakfast buffets (the only meal on offer) to handmade soaps and nice little touches such as keyrings made by local artists. Converted by a Portuguese couple in 2011, Muxima has been run by Paula and Jelle (both Dutch) since 2019 to share their love of the wild with guests. Days drift by with a pleasingly repetitive pattern, and between unrushed moments we find plenty to explore nearby. Itching to get in the waves, we spend the first morning at Praia da Arrifana, a popular bodyboarding and surfing spot. We hire bodyboards for €10 a day, and exhaust ourselves in time for a big lunch of cataplana de marisco (seafood stew) and burgers at clifftop restaurant O Paulo. On our second day, the sky turns grey, so we try a local hike. The four-mile circular Praia da Amoreira trail has butterflies, kingfishers and a river beach. Back in Aljezur, Arte Bianca's loaded pizzas reward our hiking efforts. Blue skies and high winds beckon us to Europe's most south-westerly tip the next day. So, we drive 40 minutes south to shout into the wild Atlantic at Farol do Cabo de São Vicente and potter around the sleepy surf town of Sagres. By day four, we're itching to try some 'proper surfing', as the boys refer to it, and wake early to head out on our first of two lessons with Soul & Surf. Based near Lagos, on the southern coast (in a beautifully restored farmhouse where it's possible to stay for a full surfing retreat), they have plenty of options to choose from. Sign up to The Traveller Get travel inspiration, featured trips and local tips for your next break, as well as the latest deals from Guardian Holidays after newsletter promotion The instructors pick the location each morning depending on the conditions – so with a gentle offshore wind on the western coast, we spend each day at Praia da Bordeira, just over 20 minutes from our base by car and another frontrunner for the best-ever beach. 'OK, let's go catch some waves!' our instructor Bruno says after we've squeezed into wetsuits in the clifftop car park. Loaded with surfboards, we meander down a boardwalk and cross a stream on to the wild expanse of Bordeira. Locals catch green waves to one side while we kickstart our session in a calmer spot in the middle of the beach. Soul & Surf's responsible ethos dictates that we begin each surf lesson with a beach clean, before warm-up exercises and mindful breathwork. 'Surfing is about the mind and the body, and we cannot do it well unless we're relaxed,' Bruno says, perhaps clocking the boys' impatience to get in the water. They needn't have worried. Thanks to our expert tutor, we've all managed to stand up on our boards, albeit for mere moments, within the first hour. By the end of our second lesson, we're just about pumping (to make the board move faster) and steering. 'When are we going on our next surfing holiday?' the boys ask as we debrief over homemade energy bars and say goodbye to Bruno in the car park. Back at Muxima, the boys recount our surfing adventures to anyone who will listen. Alongside discovering a less-explored corner of a much-visited country, it's been a week of making new friends and learning new skills. We leave the next day pondering whether that's the recipe for family holiday happiness. Muxima's family suites for four from £202 a night B&B. Soul & Surf's private surf lessons from £60pp for two hours
The Guardian
14-05-2025
- General
- The Guardian
How to turn old bread into a classic Portuguese soup
Today's punchy and bright-green garlic and coriander soup is an intriguing Portuguese way to use up stale bread. The recipe is adapted from the traditional açorda of Alentejo, where it's thought of as the region's signature dish. Açorda is said to have been born from necessity, a waste-saving and resourceful soup that's transformed by olive oil, plentiful herbs and rich egg. I find this take on it particularly interesting because, instead of simmering the coriander, garlic and egg in hot broth, they are instead put in a bowl and the broth is poured over them. This enhances the powerful flavours of the garlic and coriander, and the whole lot is then ladled over stale bread. For a vegetarian version, just omit the fish. This is a chunky, fragrant and very flavourful soup. A fresh egg is gently cooked by the residual heat of the broth, and thickens the soup along with the bread, giving it a wonderful viscosity. Although a traditional Portuguese stock for açorda might be made with vegetables or bacalau (salt cod), in the spirit of this column, and because they are delicious and often free (or at least very cheap) from most fishmongers, I've chosen to make my version with cod's head. It's a humble cut, but deeply flavoured and ideal for stocks. Don't get me wrong, this is a delicious soup when it's vegetarian, but any omnivores who do add a cod's head will be rewarded by an extra-savoury, umami-rich and gelatinous fish broth. Serves 4–6 1kg cod's head, rinsed and gills removed1 bay leaf Vegetable scraps 5 eggs Salt and black pepper 100g bunch coriander4 garlic cloves, peeled100ml extra-virgin olive oil, plus extra to serve200g stale bread (for example, ciabatta, sourdough or pão alentejano), torn into pieces4 pieces of toast, to serve (optional) For a vegetarian take on this soup, simply omit the fish. Put the cleaned cod's head in a large saucepan with one and a half litres of water, the bay leaf and any vegetable scraps you have to hand. Bring to a boil, turn down the heat and simmer gently for 30 minutes, skimming off any foam that rises on the surface. After 25 minutes, drop in four unshelled eggs, cook for five minutes, then lift out the boiled eggs and the cod's head and put to one side. Strain the broth, then return it to the pan. Once the cod is cool enough to handle, pick off any good flakes of meat, add to the strained broth, season to taste and keep warm. Meanwhile, tear the stale bread into four bowls. Finely chop the coriander from stem to leaf, then put it in a large bowl. Finely chop the four garlic cloves, add to the coriander and pour in the extra-virgin olive oil. Crack in the remaining egg and beat until well combined. Pour the hot broth into the coriander bowl, stir, then ladle the soup over the torn bread and serve with the boiled eggs and optional toast on the side.
The Guardian
11-05-2025
- The Guardian
20 of Europe's best under-the-radar beaches
Surrounded by the unspoilt Sudoeste Alentejano and Costa Vicentina nature park, Odeceixe rolls out from the mouth of the River Seixe. It's a world away from the crowded Algarve beaches further south, and offers excellent surfing and bodyboarding, with the river shallows ideal for small children. Blue-flagged, with lifeguards in summer, the beach is overlooked by a village made up of little more than a handful of apartments around a tangle of streets. Settle in beneath the vivid parasols at Bar da Praia for platters of black pork chorizo, Portuguese clams or fresh oysters, and book a simple apartment at Casa Dorita (doubles from £69 B&B on most with fantastic sea views. On the eastern tip of densely forested Mljet island, Saplunara is one of Croatia's rare sandy bays, with three beaches: Velika, Mala and Blaca. About 10 miles (16km) from the port, there's little in the way of development beyond a scattering of holiday homes and simple apartments, run by local owners. The other big draw is Ante's Place, a waterfront restaurant specialising in classic Croatian dishes, with many ingredients sourced on the island, or from local fishers. Pine Tree apartments (from €178 B&B, two-night minimum stay) has six studios and one-bed apartments with kitchenette, private balconies and gorgeous sea views plus an infinity pool and decked terrace. Between Rostock and Stralsund, on Germany's Baltic coast, this nine-mile stretch of beach is backed by sand dunes and forest and forms part of Vorpommersche Boddenlandschaft national park. Artists have long been drawn by the light here – Ahrenshoop, the village at the end of the beach, is an artists' colony, so keep an eye out for workshops for visitors, and don't miss the art museum. Take traditional fish rolls from Fischkaten to the beach and enjoy the peace and quiet. Stay at Haus Nordlicht (doubles from €100, B&B), behind the dunes in Ahrenshoop. This family-run hotel has been going for over 100 years, and the sea views and warm welcome make it a special spot. Heligoland has changed hands many times throughout history, giving it a unique mix of European cultures. It's an island of two parts – the main island has high red cliffs and rocky shores, while its sandy sibling, Düne, which separated from the main island during a storm in 1721, has a pristine beach. Travel on a traditional oak Börte boat to Düne, where in summer you'll share the beach with colonies of seals. Heligoland youth hostel has dorm beds from €37, or you can camp on the beach from 1 May to 15 October (from €9). Enjoy hearty helpings of lobster soup or schnitzel at Weddigs Fischerstube. The ferry trip to Heligoland from Hamburg or Cuxhaven starts at €90 return. Bring a snorkel to make the most of the crystal-clear waters at Carataggio (also known as Tahiti beach), tucked away in a nature reserve. Accessible by boat or on foot – about 15 minutes along a well-marked path – the beach is popular with nudists. There are no facilities, so the best bet for lunch is Palombaggia, where Palm Beach is right on the sands and offers sharing platters of local cheeses and salamis, along with seafood and salads. Ranch Campo (doubles from €110 B&B) is a collection of stone-built cottages, surrounded by olive trees, with an alfresco restaurant serving classic Corsican dishes. Kabak is not the sort of place you stumble upon; the end point of a vertiginous 45-minute drive that skirts the mountains beyond Ölüdeniz, with a handful of yoga retreats, campsites and bohemian B&Bs set above and behind the virgin sweep of beach. It's worth coming just for the colour of the water – a deep, almost neon shade of azure, sandwiched between two russet-hued headlands, traversed by the long-distance walking trail, the Lycian Way. The chic Turan Hill Lounge (doubles from £123 half-board), set in lush gardens with daily yoga classes, is just five minutes' walk from the beach, so avoiding the half-hour scramble down (or shuttle bus run) from the hotels higher up. While tourists flock to the nearby sailing hub of Göcek, locals follow the twisty road down to İnlice beach and the simple wooden bungalows that sit behind the swathe of dark sand and shingle. There's plenty of space to park and a simple beach cafe, as well as sun beds and parasols to hire, but for a proper lunch (or early dinner) it's a 10-minute drive back to Göcek's restaurant-lined waterfront; head to Mezegi in the marina for the best meze in town. The renovated İnlice Ünzile bungalows (doubles from £116 B&B on are basic but clean and the breakfast is excellent. Some stretches of Poland's Baltic coast can get busy, but that's rarely an issue on Najspokojniejsza Plaża. To find the beach, follow the coastal path from either Poddąbie or Dębina village and then take the steep path down the cliffs. Those who make the journey are rewarded with a wide, clean, sandy beach bordered by a beech forest. Stay in a cheery, yellow self-catering chalet at Domki Klif Dębina (sleep up to six, from 270 złoty/£54 a night), just outside the village, where you can wander through the woods and fire up the barbecue on the terrace. There are few restaurants in the area, but the deli and grill at 'u Lisa' swojskie jadło (homemade food at Lisa's) is worth a visit for grilled fish, pierogi (filled dumplings) and fish soup. In the southern province of Agrigento, this four-mile stretch of sand sits beneath the sixth-century Greek village of the same name. Park beneath the pine trees behind the beach, or walk down after a visit to the archaeological site. After a dip or a spot of snorkelling, head to Lido Garibaldi for fish couscous, fresh mussels or chargrilled octopus, served on a terrace directly above the water. Eraclea Minoa Village (doubles from €70 B&B), separated from the beach by lush woodland, offers shady camping, simple rooms and bungalows, with an on-site restaurant and kids' play area. The water in this quiet bay in the Parc Natural de s'Albufera des Grau stays shin-deep for some distance, making it safe for small children, while there are kayaks and paddleboards to hire for teens. The sandy beach curves for almost half a mile, with a footpath leading into the dunes and nature reserve behind, where it's possible to spot falcons, eagles and cormorants, with Balearic lizards skittering through the scrub. Stroll into the small whitewashed village for seafood on the terrace at Café Bar Es Moll and stay at Dos Palmeras (from £399 a week), a charming house with lush gardens, five minutes' drive from the beach. Craggy and quirky, a large central reef divides Estreta into two separate crescents, flanked by forested cliffs. A half-hour walk through pine woods from the car park at Castells beach, Estreta is a blissful place to swim but rocky underfoot, so bring water shoes, along with a parasol and snorkelling gear. In high summer, a pop-up bar sells drinks and snacks, but for a post- or pre-walk lunch, head back to La Fosca, the next beach along, where Waves offers fresh seafood, Catalan classics and crispy-based pizzas. A few minutes' drive inland, Mas Valenti (doubles from €99 B&B) is an imposing finca surrounded by lush grounds, with five elegant bedrooms and two cottages, and free bicycles available. North Zealand is known as the Danish Riviera, with pretty beach towns dotted all along the coast. An hour's drive from Copenhagen, Liseleje is a relaxed beach destination with sparkling blue-green water and miles of pristine sand. Have a swim, snooze in the dunes, then grab a burger from Haveje beach bar. A little further along the coast at Lynæs Surfcenter you can book a cosy wooden surf shack (from 1,000 kroner/£72 , for two B&B) to wake up with unrivalled sea views. A session in the on-site sauna followed by a dip in the sea is a gorgeous way to start, or end, the day. The centre also offers surfing courses, and you can rent paddleboards and kayaks. The fine white sand of Dueodde beach forms the southern tip of the island of Bornholm, with miles of quiet dunes, perfect for picnics and lazing in the sunshine, and wheelchair ramps offering access to the sand. Bornholm is famed for its pretty fishing villages and thriving culinary scene. Strandhotel Balka Søbad has rooms with kitchenettes (doubles from €140 B&B). Try traditional smoked fish on the terrace at Nexø Gamle Røgeri, where fishcakes and local craft beers prove an unbeatable combination. To avoid a flight from mainland Denmark, cross the Øresund Bridge to Sweden, then take a ferry from Ystad (Sweden) to Rønne on Bornholm (80 minutes). Sink your toes into miles of white sand at Skanör Havsbad, on the Falsterbo peninsula in south-west Sweden. The water here is shallow and calm, with lifeguards on duty in the summer, making it perfect for families. Candy-coloured beach huts are dotted along the dunes and there are views north to the Öresund Bridge. The far north end of the beach, Svanrevet, is a swimsuit-free zone. Refuel at Mike Arvblom Pizza, a welcoming spot with award-winning dishes. Stay at Kungshaga Gård (doubles from £90) just outside Höllviken in a simple self-catering apartment and, if you wish, meet the farm's alpacas, donkeys and horses. Guests can borrow bikes and there are barbecue facilities on site. A beach holiday within reach of the Arctic Circle? Yes, really. In winter, the main attractions in Lapland are dog-sledding and spotting the northern lights, but in summer you can swim, go fishing, hire a canoe and hike the wooded archipelago at your leisure. The midnight sun lasts for about 100 days in Bothnia Bay, giving you many hours a day to explore. Camp on the beach at Frevisören Camp & Resort (£29 a night) or in a two-person cabin (from £79, four-person also available). Explore Sámi culinary traditions by dining on wild salmon, elk or reindeer at the on-site restaurant. The Lista peninsula in southern Norway, where the wetlands meet sand dunes and the sea, is a haven for birdlife. Long, sandy beaches stretch from Lomsesanden to Lista lighthouse. Nordhasselvika is a beautiful curved bay that you'll often have all to yourself. There are no facilities, so stock up on delicious baked goods at Edgars Bakeri in Farsund on your way there. Stay nearby at Lista lighthouse apartments (from 1,500 kroner/£108), and get your own key to the 19th-century lighthouse. The two self-catering apartments sleep up to seven. Lista Bird Observatory (which has the highest number of bird species in Norway) is based here and lends binoculars to guests. There are two ways to reach Patmos's most picturesque beach: water taxi from the small port of Skala, or a 30-minute hike from Diakofti village. The lack of road access means it never gets overrun, and the family-run taverna on the beach offers succulent grilled chicken and feta-heaped salads. It's worth checking the weather, as the wind can make it unsafe to swim, and take a parasol as shady spots often get taken early by locals. Stay at Patmos Alykes (one-bed apartments from £89 room-only) in Diakofti – six comfortable studios with kitchenettes, opening on to a private stretch of beach. If Cretan beaches make you think of nose-to-tail loungers and faded parasols, this unspoilt stretch will come as a surprise. Tucked away on the quiet north-eastern coast near Mochlos, Tholos beach is a two-mile drive through olive groves from the village of Kavousi, with glorious mountain views once you're in the water. In high season, the Petros Kantina food truck serves up fresh souvlaki, or whiz back up to Kavousi for a cold Mythos and a classic Cretan spanakopita or fresh, garlicky shrimps at Ntakos. The Mochlos Blue (seven nights from £1,062 B&B), 15 minutes' drive away, is a blissful six-room retreat, within easy walking distance of Mochlos's taverna-lined harbour. Outside of the Netherlands, The Hague isn't well known as a beach destination – but, with seven miles of sandy coastline, it should be. Kijkduin is one of the quieter stretches, but the wide, clean beach is just a half-hour cycle from the city. Haagse Strandhuisjes' spacious beach houses (from €850 for a three-night break for a family of four) are right on the sand. Alternatively, camp just over the dunes at Vakantiepark Kijkduin (from €32 a night), where a range of safari tents and cabins is also available. There are lots of relaxed bars and little restaurants along the seafront – Beachclub Birds has a lovely terrace. The island of Texel is ringed by white sandy beaches and has more than 40 nature reserves, which is particularly impressive given the island is only 25 miles long. De Hors, in the south of the island, is a vast sandy plain where you can see new dunes forming. There are few amenities but plenty of space. It's a serene spot for birdwatching, hiking or leisurely picnics. Stay at Texel Yurts (from €200 a night, sleeps two) in the dunes at the Loodsmansduin campsite or find campgrounds and family-run B&Bs all over the island. Pick up supplies from one of Texel's farm shops. Travel to the island from Amsterdam by taking the train to Den Helder (1¼ hours), then the ferry to Texel (20 minutes). Once on the island, it's easy to explore by hiring a bike or hopping on the local bus service. Accommodation prices correct at time of going to press. These are low-season rates – prices may be higher in summer
