Beaches in Europe
Ramla Beach is not only the largest sandy beach on Gozo, it's also the most popular. The wide beach is set in rather unspoilt bay with golden-reddish sand and is flanked by rocks and boulders on either side. There are a few beach cafes, a ice cream van, and a strange white statue of Virgin Mary erected in 1881 in commemoration of a local shipwreck.
In a Mediterranean country where most of the coastline is taken up by marinas for luxury yachts, even the smallest beach is highly appreciated. Not only is Larvotto Beach very popular in summer, it's the only beach in Monaco, as Monte Carlo Beach actually lies inside France. Larvotto Beach is long and narrow with pebblestone instead of sand, but the water is as aqua marine as elsewhere on the Riviera. However, the most spectacular about Larvotto Beach is be the backdrop of Monte Carlo's stacked luxury apartments.
The coastal town of Budva is famous for two very different things. Its historic walled town, and the beaches surrounding it. The closes ones are Mogren beach and Slovenska beach. Mogren, west of the walled old town, is actually two connecting beaches. Slovenska on the other hand is a 1500m long stretch of sand and pebbles thats curves along the bay. The narrow beach is lined cafes, bars and open air discotheques that are base for huge parties that attract partygoers from all over Balkan. Budva is Montenegro's equivalent to Cancun in Mexico.
You will be hard pressed to find a more dramatic setting for a beach. Enveloped on both sides by jagged mountains with waterfalls gushing down the sheer walls. The crescent shaped sandy beach is wide with a few houses at both ends. If it wasn't for freaking cold water, it would have been perfect.
A stunning beach with soft white sand and crystal blue water. It's squeezed in by mountains on one side and there are big boulders in the shallow water. However, the parking lot gets filled quickly, since several hikes start from here.
The white sand beach at Ramberg is long with crystal clear water. A campground is taking up some of the space at the front, but there is a parking lot with toilets on the side. The rolling waves attract arctic surfers. Ramberg Beach is very close to Flakstad, which has a fine red wooden church.
The tiny island of Sommarøy is located about an hour drive from Tromsø (bridges all the way). It's locally known for its white sandy beaches and turquoise water. The mesmerized color is normally something you find in an atoll in the South Pacific, but the water temperature will quickly remind you that you are north of the Arctic Circle.
The posh seaside town north of Gdansk is a strange mix of tacky holiday kitsch along with fine dining and sophisticated clubs. You only need to walk a few streets away from the nice beach promenade before the houses are a bit less elegant and less immaculate. Out of season, Sopot can feel a bit deserted with closed restaurants and empty beaches, but it's never dead.
Słowiński National Park is known for its huge, shifting sand dunes. At the highest the dunes are up till 40 meters above sea level. The stretch is the longest in Europe and every year the wind moves the dunes about 10 metres further east. The national park is not just sand, but also includes saltwater lakes and is home to many bird species. There are parking lots, trails and observation towers throughout the park.
One of the real cool things about Barcelona is you can mix city sightseeing with beach vacation. The once dilapidated harbour area Barceloneta was transformed into a vibrant beachfront for the Olympics in 1992. A long beach followed by an equal long promenade for walking, bicycling, and roller-skating. Many of the side streets in the old working class neighbourhood have bars or small restaurants. At the far end at Vila Olimpica there are upscale clubs and more restaurants.