My 5 Favorite Beaches in Europe for a Perfect Summer Escape

Plage Centrale, Capbreton, France

The warm rays of the sun on your skin, a soft breeze carrying the scent of the ocean, the hot sand under your feet. Are you at the beach yet?

Everyone who knows me will tell you I’m very much a beach girl. After traveling the world for the last five years, I’ve come up with a list of my top five favorite beaches in Europe — the ones I could always come back to.

So, sit back, grab a cocktail (or a summery drink 🍹), and travel with me to these little slices of paradise.

🐚 Paradise Bay Beach, Malta

Paradise Bay is one of Malta’s hidden jewels. I first discovered it in 2008, just a few months after the island joined the Eurozone.

Tucked away in the northern part of the island, this small beach is everything you’d expect from a Mediterranean dream: soft white sand, crystal-clear water, and panoramic views of Gozo.

A single beach restaurant offers sunbeds, kayaks, and snorkeling gear. While it was still quiet in 2008, its popularity has grown — so get there early, especially on weekends. The beach is small and fills up quickly, but it’s never overwhelming.

You’ll need to walk the last few meters down from the parking lot — but the view is worth every step.

🌅 Praia do Amado, Algarve, Portugal

Praia do Amado is my favorite beach in Portugal’s Algarve region.Nestled between golden cliffs and turquoise water, it’s small but incredibly peaceful. You can rent a sun lounger for just a few euros or simply lay your towel down on the soft sand.

A cozy beach restaurant serves fresh fish, salads, and pasta at a very reasonable price — but the real charm lies in its simplicity: few people, stunning views, and the sound of the ocean.

Don’t miss the cliff walk above the beach, with pathways offering breathtaking views of this wild, natural coastline.

🌊 Plage Centrale de Capbreton, France

The small town of Capbreton, in the southwest of France, is known for its surf culture and laid-back charm. Just next door, Hossegor hosts one of the world’s most prestigious surfing events each year.

Plage Centrale is the town’s main beach — wide, lively, and just a short stroll from the center. Its small lighthouse and distant views of the Pyrenees make it one of France’s most iconic coastal spots.

Join the locals before sunset: grab a drink, sit on the sand, and watch surfers ride the last waves as the sky turns pink and gold over the Atlantic. Pure magic.

🪸 La Grotta Beach Bar, Corfu, Greece

The last two beaches are both on the island of Corfu — because honestly, I couldn’t choose just one.

La Grotta Beach Bar is located near Paleokastritsa, on the island’s northwestern coast. Accessible only through the bar itself, this spot isn’t your typical beach. You go down a set of stairs carved into the cliff and dive straight into some of the most beautiful water I’ve ever seen — a mix of turquoise, deep blue, and crystalline clarity.

The bar serves delicious food and drinks, but the real luxury here is the view: pine-covered hills, the sound of waves on rocks, and the feeling of floating in paradise.

☀️ Engagement Bay, Corfu, Greece

Engagement Bay is a small, secluded spot far from the crowds. There are no beach clubs or amenities here — just nature, calm, and the sound of the sea.

Spread your towel on the rocks, dip into the clear water, or rest on the small wooden pontoon used by local boats. With a mask and snorkel, you’ll be able to explore the underwater world, and on clear days, you can even see the Albanian coastline in the distance.

It’s the kind of place where time slows down, where you can reconnect — to yourself, to the land, and to the water.

Picture 1: Plage Centrale Capbreton, France, 2: Praia do Amado, Portugal; 3: Engagement Bay, Greece; 4: View from La Grotta Bar, Greece

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Put down your drink and take a deep breath. Imagine yourself standing on a white-sand beach — maybe in Malta, France, Greece, or Portugal.

I hope you enjoyed traveling to these little European paradises with me. May they inspire you to visit a place that makes you feel alive, grounded, and free.

As always, I’ll be back in two weeks with another piece on travel, wellness, and slow living.✨

Happy travels,

Elodie