Author: Adrian Perez

Coastal areas and big cities have never been a good match. Normally, in the big cities close to the coast, there are ports that are an entry point for ships carrying many different kinds of goods. 

But this does not mean that there are no cities where we can set up our parasols and towels to enjoy the sea and the sun’s rays. 

Get your Havaianas flip-flops ready, and don’t forget your sunscreen, we’re going to the beach!

Today we want to show you some of the best urban beaches to visit in Europe, so you can spend your holidays in 2022 between buildings and sand.

1- Las Canteras Beach, Spain

Our first beach on the list is in the city of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, in the Canary Islands. 

Chosen this year as one of the 15 best beaches on the continent according to the Traveller’s Choice ranking, organised by the Trip Advisor website, Las Canteras is one of the most renowned urban beaches.

More than 3 kilometres long, its yellow sand stretches along the bay that dominates the northern part of the city of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. It is an ideal beach to visit with the family and enjoy playing games on the beach.

Looking towards the sea, behind us there is a promenade with hundreds of bars and restaurants. Even if we were just to stroll by the sea, a visit to Las Canteras would be a unique experience.

On calm days there are crystal clear waters that are perfect for a swim. However, most of the time you will find waves that are perfect for water sports such as bodyboarding or surfing. Without a doubt, a beach to visit more than once.

2- Cabedelo do Douro Beach, Portugal

From the Canary Islands we move to the Portuguese city of Porto to discover its most representative beach. 

Its name comes from the fact that it is located next to the mouth of the Douro River, which runs through the centre of the city of Oporto a few hundred metres back.

Its extensive white sandy area is the perfect place to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of the city centre. On its promenade, the beach has showers, bars and beach bars that extend the range of services offered by this magnificent beach. 

With calm waters, the best thing to do is to take a refreshing dip in the Atlantic Ocean, then return to your towel on the sand and enjoy the sun’s rays.

After spending the day at the beach, we can go to the city centre to enjoy monuments such as the Oporto Cathedral, stroll through neighbourhoods such as Do Barredo or visit incredible places such as the Lello e Irmão bookshop.

If you want to pack light, you can try the You Malta Mix Sandals, which are ideal for a stroll around the city.

3- Plage Castel, France

The capital of France’s Côte d’Azur is called Nice. Here we find an imposing old city, with historic buildings to walk around.

The St. Nicholas Cathedral, which looks very much like the one in Moscow, is another of the city’s highlights. It is rare to see such an orthodox building in France.

And after seeing these places, there is nothing better to do than to go straight to the Plage Castel, in the middle of Nice’s seafront avenue. There you will find a beach of small pebbles, where you will find services such as parasols, sun loungers, deckchairs, deckchairs and showers. 

It is also a good place to go to a French restaurant where you can try some of the catches that have been made nearby, right in the heart of the Mediterranean.

The beach is named after a nearby medieval castle on a hill, which you can climb if you want the best views of the city of Nice. 

Don’t forget to protect yourself from the sun with good sunglasses, and remember that to counteract the walk, there’s nothing better than a dip in the turquoise waters that bathe the beach of the castle.

4- Bagno Sirena, Italy

We now move on to the vibrant city of Naples. In the heart of the city centre, in the western part of the Bay of Naples, is the small but charming beach of Bagno Sirena.

Being so close to the buildings, not only does it make for an incredible postcard view, but it also has all the amenities you’d expect from a beach.

We suggest you lie on the yellow sand and enjoy the turquoise water lapping at the shore from time to time. But if there is one thing that stands out about Bagno Sirena, it is the landscape.

You will see the city of Naples in front of you, with the gigantic volcano Vesuvius in the background. Don’t forget to take a photograph of this incredible spot.

After an intense day at the beach, don’t forget to bring your espadrilles so you can be comfortable and visit iconic places in the city such as Spaccanapoli Street, see the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta or eat what, according to the Neapolitans, is the best pizza in Italy.

5- Bačvice Beach, Croatia

This list could not be complete without one of the best beach countries in the whole Mediterranean, Croatia. In this case, we visit one of the best urban beaches in Europe more unknown.

Located in the city of Split, in the south of the Balkan country, this beach is a reference for the inhabitants of the city. There we will see many young people, who spend almost all their summer time in the crystal clear Adriatic Sea.

Although it is a very small coastal area, only a few hundred metres long, the beach is perfect for children, as it has showers, children’s play areas, umbrellas and sun loungers for rent and bars and restaurants all around. 

You can also rent pedal boats to explore the area around the beach.

In the city of Split, the best thing to do is to stroll around the historic centre, where most of the monuments are located.

One of them is the Diocletian’s Palace, which served as a military fortress since Roman times, so it holds within its walls centuries of history.

6- La Concha Beach, Spain

If we are talking about urban beaches in Europe, we cannot omit La Concha beach in San Sebastian.

The Basque coastline has some great yellow sandy beaches, but none has the beauty of La Concha. Perhaps because of its landscape, as it seems to be embraced by the entire bay of the same name. 

In front, we have the island of Santa Clara, perfectly situated between the Urgull and Igueldo mountains.

There is no shortage of services on the beach, especially in the summer season. There are sunshades and sun loungers for hire, showers, lifeguards and boats for hire to explore the bay.

Just behind is the promenade, which runs along the 1400 metres of beach, and where you will find buildings that are very representative of San Sebastian’s Belle Époque. 

Today, excellent bars and restaurants line the promenade, perfect for relaxing while contemplating one of the best urban beaches in Europe.

To the east of La Concha beach is the old quarter of San Sebastian, which you must visit if you are in the city. 

There you should see buildings such as the Buen Pastor cathedral, or the basilica of Santa María del Coro. In the Plaza de la Constitución square you can sample the rich Basque gastronomy, where pintxos are the king of the menu.

Most of the urban beaches have many services, so you won’t have to worry about anything. Bring your beach bag, your favourite swimming costume and let your only worry be sunbathing.

7- Camden Beach, Great Britain

The city of London, despite being miles from the coast, also has its own beach. An artificial beach, but one of the best urban beaches in Europe.

Above all because of its location, in the heart of the bustling Candem Town. This beach is only open in summer, when the weather is fine. Have you ever thought about wearing your bikinis in the middle of London?

In the small space of the beach there are all kinds of elements that transport us to Caribbean beaches: palm trees, sand, sun loungers, parasols and even hammocks, to enjoy the beach in the middle of one of the largest cities in the world.

In total, the space occupied by the beach between the shops and street food stalls in Candem is 900 m2, in which up to 150 tonnes of sand are deposited.

After leaving the small oasis, we can take the opportunity to visit both Candem Town and other parts of the city of London. Big Ben, Hyde Park and the British Museum are perfect places to complete our visit to the British capital.

8- La Barceloneta, Spain

We finish our list of urban beaches in Europe with La Barceloneta. Anyone who has been to Barcelona and has not set foot on the yellow sand of this legendary beach may have to reconsider returning to the city.

And not because of the beauty of the beach, but because of the great atmosphere that surrounds it. There are plenty of trendy bars and restaurants in the areas surrounding the beach, and there is a youthful air about the place that can’t be beaten.

The beach is 420 metres long and has all the necessary facilities such as showers, umbrellas and sun loungers. 

It is also common in the summer season to find sports areas for beach volleyball and beach football. The other option is to rent a paddle surf and paddle along the waters of the Mediterranean to get a good view of the city.

When we finish our day at the beach, we can go and visit different places in Barcelona such as the Sagrada Familia, the Gothic Quarter or the Ramblas, to spend an amazing day in the Catalan capital.

 

 

In Greek mythology there was a place where virtuous souls went. It was called the Fortunate Isles, and according to historians, it corresponded to the islands we know today as the Canary Islands. 

Today we want to take you to some of its most outstanding coastal areas, getting to know the best beaches of the Canary Islands, one for each island. Let’s go there!

1- Las Conchas Beach, La Graciosa

We begin our tour of the best Canarian beaches on the smallest island of all, La Graciosa. And you may ask, since when has La Graciosa been considered an island? Well, it was in June 2008 when the Senate approved a motion that considered La Graciosa as the eighth island.

But let’s get to the point, and that is that an essential place to visit is the beach of Las Conchas. To get there you have to go on foot or by bike to the northwest of the island, 5 kilometers from Caleta de Sebo, the island’s main population center.

There you will find a completely unspoilt landscape where you will not see a single building. The tranquility of the 610-meter-long beach of Las Conchas is unequaled. 

You can lie on the yellow sand, dive into the turquoise waters (as long as there are not too many waves) or simply admire the incredible scenery of the beach. You can also slip on your Havaianas flip-flops and take a stroll along this paradise on earth.

2- Papagayo Beach, Lanzarote

We now come to the neighbouring town of La Graciosa, Lanzarote. On this island the volcanic nature of the Canary Islands is felt more than anywhere else, as evidenced by the Timanfaya National Park, where there are more than 25 volcanoes.

In terms of coastline, the best beach on Lanzarote is Papagayo. 

Located in the south of the island, it is 120 metres long and only 50 metres wide, so it is considered a small beach. 

The most impressive thing about it is neither the crystal clear water nor the fine yellow sand, but the landscape formed by the cliffs that enclose it to form a small bay.

The beach appears to tourists as a haven of peace, where you can go to relax, alternating between lying on a towel and going into the Atlantic Ocean to cool off.

It should be noted that this beach is part of an even larger group of beaches, also called Papagayo beaches. 

In its list there are other very famous beaches in the south of Lanzarote such as Playa Mujeres, Playa de la Cruz or Playa Puerto Muelas, which we can also visit to complement our protagonist.

3- Sotavento Beach, Fuerteventura

Fuerteventura is home to some of the best beaches in the Canary Islands. It is very difficult to choose just one, but the one we have chosen for you is one of the most spectacular.

Sotavento beach is located in the south of Fuerteventura, on the Jandía peninsula. Its yellow sand stretches for more than a kilometre. It is the perfect place to look for a remote corner where you can have the beach practically to yourself. Around Sotavento you won’t see any buildings that hide the landscape.

Sotavento also impresses with its landscape. When the tide goes out, a sand bar can be seen just beyond the shore, forming a small lagoon where a swim is a must.

Its name is no coincidence, as the beach is also perfect for sports such as windsurfing and kitesurfing. You’ll see kites and sails everywhere in the water.

If you’re going for a walk on the beach, in our accessories section you’ll find everything you need to enjoy a great day at the beach.

4- Las Canteras Beach, Gran Canaria

The only urban beach on our list is Las Canteras, a yellow sandy beach in the north of the city of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.

Elected this year 2022 as one of the best beaches in Europe according to the Tripadvisor platform, it is a must-see on the island of Gran Canaria.

With a length of 3 kilometres, in its waters we can take a refreshing swim while admiring a seafront avenue brimming with life.

There are plenty of bars and restaurants where you can eat or have a drink after a day at the beach. 

If you are going to visit this beach, don’t forget to bring sandals so that you can alternate between strolling along the beach and enjoying the terraces in the area.

One of the most popular sports in Las Canteras is surfing. You’ll see dozens of boards in the water, with people of all levels waiting for the next wave. Very close to the Alfredo Kraus auditorium is the perfect spot to watch the surfers in action.

On the sand you can play beach volleyball, catch some of the sunshine that is often present in these latitudes or just sit and watch the Atlantic Ocean. 

We can also enjoy all kinds of games on the beach. And all this just a few metres from one of the most iconic cities of the Canary Islands, where the offer is extended with places like Vegueta or Triana.

This beach is also famous for being an ideal place to run on the beach.

5- Benijo Beach, Tenerife

If a moment ago we were in the city, we would move on to one of the wildest beaches in the Canary Islands. And we also change sand, as yellow turns to black on the western islands.

On the island of Tenerife, if there is one beach that offers a unique landscape, it is Benijo. Located very close to the village of Taganana, in the northwest of the island, reaching it is a real privilege. 

You will cross the Anaga massif, an area of lush laurel forests and large mountains that in just a few hundred metres turn into beaches.

In Benijo you have to be very careful when bathing, as the waters in the north of the island tend to have a strong current and waves. Nevertheless, many Tenerife locals come here to spend an unbeatable day of leisure on the sand.

But if there is one thing Benijo beach lends itself to, it is photography. It is not unusual to see large cameras pointing from the black sand towards the rock that rises imposingly in front of the coast. In the distance, also impressive, are the famous rocks of Anaga, symbol of this particular area of the island.

6- Playa del Inglés, La Gomera

We arrive at the third smallest island of the archipelago. La Gomera and its ravines offer unique viewpoints, where we can appreciate the volcanic origin of the islands.

From there we move on to the Garajonay National Park, where the vegetation covers the central area forming a forest that looks like something out of a fairy tale.

But we are talking about the best beaches in the Canary Islands, and to get to know one of them we must go down from the peaks to the village of Valle Gran Rey.

There you will find the Playa del Inglés beach, a black sandy redoubt where bathing is a unique experience. 

So as not to take you by surprise, you should know that this is a nudist beach, which is mainly frequented by Germans. Valle Gran Rey is the Little Germany of the island of La Gomera.

Just behind it rises the cliff of La Merica, more than 700 metres above sea level, but very close to the sea. Being located in the west of the island, the best thing to do is to wait for sunset to see the sun set directly into the sea.

7- Los Nogales Beach, La Palma

LLa Palma is known as the beautiful island. Perhaps because of its mountains, its laurel forests, its volcanoes or, why not, its beaches.

The most recommended beach on the island is Nogales, located in the east of the island, next to the town of Puntallana. Its black sand stretches for more than 450 metres, and is perfect for spending some time away from civilization. It is ideal to lay out your beach towel and parasol and unwind.

Access to the beach is tricky. You have to walk down steep cliffs, which, despite the difficulty of the descent, look spectacular once you reach the beach.

The possibility of surfing on this beach becomes a reality on days when the sea is rougher. On the other hand, if the sea is calm, we can go swimming or snorkelling to discover the marine life that lives in these Atlantic waters.

After bathing, we can do many activities, as La Palma offers an almost unlimited range of activities. The Roque de los Muchachos, where some of the most important telescopes in the world are located; the Taburiente caldera and its trails; or the capital, Santa Cruz de la Palma, a very interesting historic town.

8- Verodal Beach, El Hierro

We finish our list on the westernmost island of the Canary Islands. And being the westernmost, we also go to its westernmost point, to visit the Verodal beach.

There the sand changes colour again. This time it is red, which is surprising at first sight. This tone is given by the volcanic rock that we find behind us, as the beach is located in front of large cliffs.

Care must be taken when bathing on this beach, as its location means that the currents are strong.

El Verodal is one of the best beaches in the Canary Islands to enjoy a unique environment, in what was once considered the end of the known world. Nothing beyond iron was discovered until 1492, when Columbus arrived with his caravels to America.

This is how we end our list of Canarian beaches, hoping that on your next holiday you will be able to visit some of them.

Snorkelling is one of the water sports on the rise. Perhaps it is because of its simplicity, since to practise it occasionally we only need a snorkel and a pair of diving goggles. 

If we want to make things a bit more interesting, we simply need to acquire some fins and have practised a bit of apnea, to be able to get a bit closer to what catches our attention underwater.

It is not only a sport that puts us in contact with nature. As it is mostly practised on the surface, it is very respectful of marine life. 

That’s why today we’d like to introduce you to some of the best snorkelling spots in Europe.

1- Cabo de Gata Natural Park, Spain

The first of our European snorkelling destinations is in southern Spain. The Cabo de Gata Natural Park, located in Almeria, is a destination with spectacular beaches and small coves where you can cool off almost any time of the year.

Of course, its crystal-clear waters are perfect for snorkelling. In places like the Plomo cove, the Sirenas reef or the Cabo de Gata lighthouse we can admire much of the Mediterranean fauna that populates the area. 

The rocky bottoms are home to species such as scorpion fish, bream, red mullet and cuttlefish.

Once you have finished snorkelling, you can grab your sandals or flip-flops and take a relaxing stroll along these dream beaches.

2- Berlengas Nature Reserve, Portugal

Neighbouring Portugal also has one of the best snorkelling sites in Europe. This is the Berlengas Islands, an archipelago of small islands with hundreds of marine species on their rocky seabed. 

The islands are located off the coast of Peniche, which in turn is only an hour’s drive from Lisbon.

This is also influenced by the fact that the area was declared a nature reserve in 1981. 

A spectacular area for snorkelling is around the fort of San Juan Bautista. While watching life under the sea, we will raise our heads and admire the incredible defensive fortress built in the 17th century.

At the bottom of the fort you will find all kinds of outstanding species. Anemones, fish, octopus and starfish. 

So get your snorkel and goggles ready to snorkel in one of the best destinations in Portugal.

3- Elba Island, Italy

In Italy there are kilometres and kilometres of Mediterranean coastline that combine incredible beaches and villages. But for good snorkelling we have to go to the island of Elba. It is located between the island of Corsica and the coast of Livorno.

Islets like d’Ortano or natural parks like Pianosa offer incredible marine fauna. 

Colourful corals, seahorses and much more. If you want to venture a little further, you should know that in Elba there are diving schools that can take you to two very curious places. If you like snorkelling, you can’t miss them.

The first is the Relitto Aereo light aircraft, which sank off the coast of Elba after a splashdown. The other is the cargo ship Relitto di Pomonte, which you can visit inside with all the necessary equipment.

As we have already seen, Italy is home to some of the best beaches in the Mediterranean.

4- Port-Cros National Park, France

The Port-Cros National Park, located off the French Riviera, is the reference point for snorkelling in France.

Port-Cros belongs to the islands of Hyères, and as a national park it is home to a great deal of nature in the form of vegetation and terrestrial fauna.

But what interests us today is under the sea. And there is a spot on the map of the island that is unequalled for snorkelling: the beach of La Palud.

On its seabed, which is a mixture of sand and rocks, thousands of fish live around the algae that form extensive marine forests. This is helped by the fact that the beach area is not populated, as humans do not interfere with marine life.

The snorkelling route is clearly marked out in this area, with a circle from the beach to the islet du Rascas, returning via the bay of La Palud, which is almost always calm as it is protected by rock formations.

5- Cabrera Archipelago National Park, Spain

The Cabrera archipelago is one of the most fascinating natural sites in Spain. This is thanks to the fact that it was designated a National Park in 1991. 

There you can enjoy many activities related to the natural world, such as hiking and scuba diving. If you like walking, you can take a beach bag or any toiletry bag to keep all your belongings close at hand in a comfortable way.

In this part of the Balearic Islands, there is no fixed point for snorkelling, as you can go all over the island to find small coves and beaches where you can dive with your mask and snorkel. 

We must remember that 85% of the national park is marine, so there are some areas known as integral reserves that we will not be able to access.

If we embark on one of the speedboats, we will reach other parts of the archipelago such as Conejera island or the small islets surrounding the main island, Cabrera. 

There, snorkelling on the rocky seabed is a marvellous experience, as the marine fauna will fill your retina with thousands of colours that can only be seen in this place.

6- Lake Walchen, Germany

In the German Alps, almost on the Austrian border, lies Lake Walchen. At 75 kilometres long, it is a summer destination for many of the inhabitants of Bavaria, as many water sports such as paddle surfing, kayaking and kite surfing can be practised there.

Another of these is snorkelling, although we must remember that the lake is formed by glaciers, so its waters are very cold. 

To combat this, the best thing to do is to hire a wetsuit, goggles and snorkel.

The best spot to visit for snorkelling is the north of the lake, where rocky walls are formed with different layers of sediments that are worth admiring. 

As for the marine life in the lake, you may come across some species such as trout or perch, although the really special thing about the place is the scenery. Snorkelling surrounded by incredible green mountains that match the blue of the lake is not something you can do every day.

Don’t let the water temperature fool you, in summer the sun is strong, so it is always advisable to wear a cap or sunglasses.

7-  Sponge Island, Greece

The Dodecanese archipelago in Greece has some spots that are still untouched by tourism. Rather than the overcrowded Santorini, Crete or Mykonos, we prefer to go snorkelling in the beautiful Kalymnos.

Also known as the island of sponges, along its coastline we can see this type of marine life for miles. The collection and processing of these porifera is typical on the island. 

They are then exported to different parts of the world, because the sponges of Kalymnos are world famous.

Between its beaches and mountains there is also room for other activities. Hiking, cultural visits to villages and, above all, climbing. Climbing has become very popular in recent years, as the walls of Kalymnos are considered to be ideal for this sport.

8- Punta de Cinc Sous, Spain

Our list returns to Spain to visit Costa Brava. This is where a curious snorkelling spot is located.

Next to the town of l’Escala, in the province of Girona, is the Cinc Sous point. This spot, like the many kilometres of coastline in this area, is home to different Mediterranean species of fish, coral and algae.

But then, what sets Cinc Sous apart? The main attraction of this spot is that under its waters, at a depth of barely 8 metres, there is a sunken ship. This is the Cotentin wreck, which sank in these waters in 1963. 

Although it was dynamited, today we can see some of its pieces, making it one of the best places for snorkelling in Europe.

9-  Brijuni National Park, Croatia

We end our list in Croatia. This Balkan country, which has some of the best beaches on the Adriatic Sea, is also a great place for snorkelling.

In this case we visited the Brijuni National Park, located in front of the city of Pula, on the Istrian coast. The natural environment there is unbeatable, the result of the years that the place has been a national park.

Its seabed is excessively rich, as fish and molluscs live among algae that, thanks to protection, have come to create large marine forests.

But if there is one popular snorkelling spot on the island, it is the underwater remains of a Roman villa. 

The exact spot is the bay of Verige, where with fins, snorkel and goggles, we can admire centuries of history while refreshing ourselves in Mediterranean waters. 

It’s also an ideal place to enjoy a stroll and the good weather, so comfortable espadrilles will come in handy.

Without a doubt, the perfect experience to end this route through the best snorkelling spots in Europe.