Travel with a small 't'
Hidden Gems: Secret Seaside Escapes In Europe
Slide Nr 1Late summer is the perfect time to experience even busy seaside resorts in their quiet season. However, for those who really want to go off the beaten track, it’s an opportunity for a blissful beach escape without the crowds. With travel restrictions still changing and evolving, we have selected a range of destinations, all within Europe, that keep international travel to a minimum. These lesser-known coastal boltholes are perfect for a late summer getaway or weekend break. If you’re feeling more adventurous and willing to travel further afield, check out our lists of small seaside escapes in the Americas and across Asia and the Pacific.
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Travel with a small 't'
Hidden Gems: Secret Seaside Escapes In Europe.
Slide Nr 3Sesimbra, Portugal – Only a short drive from Lisbon, Sesimbra is well known to locals, but barely registers on the travel itineraries of visitors from abroad. The town, protected by a rocky bay encircling a beautiful beach, offers the bustle of a fishing port, complete with seafood restaurants and a promenade, topped off with a restored medieval castle. Nearby Arrábida Natural Park holds even more stunning beaches in store, along with hiking trails and the opportunity to spot protected species. [Photo: Juntas/Wikimedia Commons]
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Travel with a small 't'
Hidden Gems: Secret Seaside Escapes In Europe.
Slide Nr 4Lindisfarne, England – The Holy Island of Lindisfarne is mainly known for the Celtic Christian heritage hinted at by its name, as well as a Viking raid in the year 793 which reverberated across Europe at the time. However, it is also a perfect location for a quick seaside escape. Accessible via causeway at low tide, you get that island feeling once the tide rises. Its only village may be small, but offers a plethora of local delicacies, ranging from fortified wine and fresh crab or lobster to aromatic roasted coffee.
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Travel with a small 't'
Hidden Gems: Secret Seaside Escapes In Europe.
Slide Nr 5Giglio, Italy – Despite, or maybe because of, the popularity of inland Tuscany, its coastal stretch remains largely ignored by international travellers. La Maremma is home to long stretches of white sand, bordered by fragrant pine forests, as well as an archipelago of islands offering a distinctive Mediterranean flair. The seven islands, including Giglio and the more well-known Elba and Montecristo, are just a short ferry ride from the mainland. Motorised traffic is restricted in summer, and the small island offers everything from culture and history to scuba diving and, of course, endless beaches.
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Travel with a small 't'
Hidden Gems: Secret Seaside Escapes In Europe.
Slide Nr 6Vis, Croatia – The Dalmatian coast is strewn with a sheer endless supply of islands, so the most underrated one is hard to single out by objective criteria. Vis is the inhabited Croatian island that lies the furthest from the coast; it only opened to visitors in 1989, and it still has a small population and little traffic. Those willing to explore will find secluded beaches, excellent local wine and even some Mamma Mia filming locations. [Photo: dronepicr/Wikimedia Commons]
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Travel with a small 't'
Hidden Gems: Secret Seaside Escapes In Europe.
Slide Nr 11Ksamil, Albania – Albania’s Ionian Coast looks like something straight out of the Caribbean. White sand, sparkling clear water in hues of blue, green and turquoise. The only thing that’s missing is the long flight and exorbitant price tag. Ksamil is the name for the village, peninsula and surrounding islands in the country’s South, less than an hour from the Greek border. The surrounding Butrint National Park also takes in wetlands, lakes and lagoons, as well as thousands of plant and animal species.
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Travel with a small 't'
Hidden Gems: Secret Seaside Escapes In Europe.
Slide Nr 12Giruliai, Lithuania – Lithuania has a short coastline, but a beautiful one that offers a lot of variety on a stretch of just under 100 kilometres. Hence, calling any seaside resort or beach there undiscovered is probably pushing the truth, but Giruliai beach just outside the city of Klaipėda is less well-known than some of the other resorts like Palanga or Nida. Several things set this beach apart: the path through the dunes and a small forested area give it a feeling of seclusion; a World War II bunker adds historical interest; and the fact that it’s a nudist beach may split opinions, but is part of a long-standing tradition all along the Baltic. [Photo: Tomas Laurinavicius/Wikimedia Commons]
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Travel with a small 't'
Hidden Gems: Secret Seaside Escapes In Europe.
Slide Nr 15Cíes Islands, Spain – This archipelago made up of three islands is protected as part of the Galician Atlantic Islands National Park. With visitor numbers limited to 2,200 a day, no cars, no hotels (accommodation is camping only) and few restaurants, the people who end up there are a self-selecting, nature-loving bunch. There is pretty much no entertainment outside the ample distractions offered by nature itself, so hikers, swimmers, bird watchers and snorkellers will be in their element. The campsite closes at the end of summer, but the ferry runs longer, weather permitting, so a day visit is still possible.
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Travel with a small 't'
Hidden Gems: Secret Seaside Escapes In Europe.
Slide Nr 16Port-Vendres, France – Once again, there is no such thing as a secret beach in the South of France, but compared to the busy Côte d’Azur, the Côte Vermeille further to the west is a veritable haven of peace and quiet. The closer you get to the Spanish border, the fewer foreign tourists, so this is the perfect region for a shoulder-season holiday. The busy fishing port of Port-Vendres is an excellent base, but nearby Plage de Paulilles is the place to be if you want to explore nature with a side of heritage, minus the crowds (if you come out of season).
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