When most people dream about Europe, they picture ancient ruins, cobblestone streets, or café-lined piazzas. But let’s not forget what happens when those same cities meet the sea. From sun-bleached shores to rugged coastlines, Europe has some of the most stunning beaches on the planet.

Whether you’re chasing sun in the south or searching for solitude up north, these are the best beaches in Europe worth planning a trip around. And with Ship&Play, you can skip the heavy lifting – just ship your luggage ahead, and start vacationing the moment you land.

Best Beaches in Europe

1. Navagio Beach – Zakynthos, Greece

An iconic, tucked-away cove surrounded by towering cliffs and clear blue water. Famous for the shipwreck resting in the sand, and only reachable by boat, it’s the kind of place that feels like a secret – until you realize it’s everyone’s favorite.

2. Praia da Marinha – Algarve, Portugal

Cliffs like honeycomb, waves like glass. This beach is a stunner. You’ll find caves, arches, and some of the best snorkeling in Portugal just offshore.

3. Caló des Moro – Mallorca, Spain

Tiny but mighty, this jewel-toned inlet on Mallorca’s southeast coast takes a little effort to reach, but the reward is solitude, turquoise water, and one of the most Instagrammable swims of your life.

4. Plage de Palombaggia – Corsica, France

Pale sand, leaning pines, and warm, shallow waters – this beach is as laid-back as it is beautiful. Perfect for a lazy day (or three) of floating, sipping, and completely forgetting what time it is.

5. Spiaggia dei Conigli – Lampedusa, Italy

Located on a remote island south of Sicily, Rabbit Beach is a sanctuary for loggerhead turtles and beach lovers alike. The journey there feels like an adventure. The arrival? Pure magic.

6. Zlatni Rat – Brač, Croatia

Shaped like a golden arrow pointing into the Adriatic, this beach shifts with the wind and currents. It’s postcard-perfect from above and electric with activity below – windsurfers, swimmers, sunbathers, and more.

7. Reynisfjara – Vík, Iceland

Europe’s most dramatic beach doesn’t come with a sunburn. Instead, picture black volcanic sand, roaring waves, and towering basalt columns straight out of Norse mythology. Chilling, in the best way.

8. Elafonissi Beach – Crete, Greece

Pink sand, shallow lagoons, and warm breezes make this one of Crete’s most surreal landscapes and one of the best beaches in Europe. It’s technically a sandbar you can walk across to reach a tiny island. But it feels like stepping into another world.

9. Dune du Pilat – Arcachon, France

At the edge of a pine forest and the Atlantic sits Europe’s tallest sand dune. Climb to the top, then run down into a stretch of golden beach below. Equal parts natural wonder and giant adult sandbox.

10. Playa de Ses Illetes – Formentera, Spain

Just a short ferry from Ibiza, this beach feels like a well-kept secret. Powdery white sand and water so clear it looks filtered. It’s Caribbean-level beauty, minus the long-haul flight.

11. Balos Lagoon – Crete, Greece

Balos is where the mountains meet the sea in a shallow, swirling blend of turquoise, blue, and white. It’s one of those places that looks even better in real life than it does online.

12. Kvalvika Beach – Lofoten Islands, Norway

Reachable only by hike, this remote stretch of golden sand is surrounded by jagged peaks and icy water. Brave a dip if you’re bold. Or just stand and take in the beauty.

13. Sarakiniko Beach – Milos, Greece

No sand here – just smooth white rock that looks like the surface of the moon. Dive off the ledges into neon blue water or stretch out on sun-warmed stone. It’s like nowhere else on Earth.

14. Nissi Beach – Ayia Napa, Cyprus

It’s got the party vibes, sure, but also the softest sand and shallow, swimmable waters. Great for groups and families, Nissi delivers fun-in-the-sun energy without sacrificing scenery.

15. Praia da Adraga – Sintra, Portugal

Less crowded than nearby Praia das Maçãs, Adraga is all misty cliffs and crashing waves. Ideal for contemplative walks, barefoot wandering, and snapping moody coastal photos that make your friends jealous.

So whether you’re heading to a sun-drenched Greek isle or a windswept Nordic cove, let Ship&Play carry the load. We’ll get your bags there safely and on time, so you can travel lighter, move freer, and start relaxing the moment your toes hit the sand.