The Best Five Beaches in Europe
Biarritz Beach-French Riviera, France
During the 1960s surfing took France by storm. Today Biarritz Beach on the French Riviera is the surf capital of France. Every July the best surfers in the world come to Biarritz Beach for the surf festival. Biarritz Beach is made up of hundreds of miles of golden sands. In the past Biarritz Beach was overshadowed by other beaches on the French Riviera, but is now one of the most popular places to visit in France.
During the 19th century, Napoleon III built his wife Empress Eugenia a royal palace on Biarritz Beach. Empress Eugenia was one of the first people to make going to the beach and swimming fashionable. Before the 19th century if you swam in the ocean it was often believed you practiced witchcraft, a crime punishable by hanging. Today, the royal palace is called the Hotel Du Palair and now accommodates guests in lavish suites. The city of Biarritz overlooks the beautiful golden beach and the Atlantic Ocean.
Carlton Beach-Cannes, France
Carlton Beach is located in the middle of La Croisette. It costs $350 a day to bask in the sun and sands of Carlton Beach. Carlton Beach is known for being a club of the rich and famous. Unlike other beaches in France, the Carlton Beach is only 100 feet wide by 300 feet long, and the sands are freshly delivered each year from a nearby beach. Carlton Beach offers several luxury hotels and a wide range of water sports including surfing and kite sailing. The rich and famous love to sunbathe and swim at Carlton Beach because it is quiet and secluded.
Brighton Beach-Liverpool, England
Brighton Beach is located on the southern Sussex coast of England and is one of the most popular and largest seaside localities in England. Like Coney Island in Brooklyn, New York Brighton Beach offers entertainment for the entire family. Brighton beach has several piers but the main attraction is the Brighton Beach Pier. This pier opened in May of 1899 and now offers 24 hour entertainment. Whether you are looking for music, bars, or dancing Brighton Beach has it all.
There are hundreds of hostels and luxury hotels to stay in at Brighton Beach. Brighton Beach has some of the best nightlife in England and has been dubbed a lovers retreat in recent years. Every year in August there is a Gay and Lesbian Pride parade starting at Brighton Beach and ending in the center of the city.
Tarifa Beach, Spain
Tarifa Beach is located on the southernmost point of Spain, facing the Moroccan coast, on the Straight of Gibraltar. Because Tarifa Beach is known as one of the windiest beaches in Spain it is perfect for kite surfing. During the day the winds can get up to 60 miles per hour. It is said that the winds make people anxious after a few days because it is constant wind that never stops. The wind travels in two directions and only changes at sunrise and sunset. You can only spend about a week at Tarifa Beach before you start to get the jitters, so it is best to make it a short trip if you aren’t surfing.
Although Tarifa Beach has traditionally been a surfer beach, many people are going there now not for the surfing but for the sun. Since it is so windy on this beach it feels easier to bear the hot sun. Just remember the sun rises in the east and sets in the west on Tarifa Beach, so turn around and face the opposite direction in the afternoon. Tarifa Beach has miles of gorgeous white sands, stylish surf shops, and lots of biking trails for the cycling enthusiast.
Kefalonia Beach-Karadavos, Greece
With its turquoise blue waters and white sands it is no doubt that Kefalonia Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Kefalonia is best reached by boat and with 7 marinas it is easily accessible. There are no mooring fees at Kefalonia marinas so feel free to stay as long as you want. Kefalonia is made up of hundreds of outlets that are only reachable by boat. Kefalonia beach is quite secluded, even with its many beaches and is fairly well-liked by the rich and famous for this reason. Nicole Kidman and Madonna have been spotted on Kefalonia Beach numerous times.
Right outside of Kefalonia Beach is Viscardo Village which has been kept in its original state since it was first built in the late 17th century. The village is filled with street cafÃ?©s and restaurants. Cycling enthusiasts will love biking in this town, and photographers love it because of its history and beauty. The movie “Captain Corelli’s Mandolin” was filmed in the Village of Viscardo.
Over 90 Beaches make up Karadavos, Greece but only one is considered the gem of the island. Paravise the Greek word for paradise is the name the Greek chose to name their secret island. Paravise Beach blooms for three months during the late spring and become blanketed in a carpet of red flowers. Paravise can only be reached by boat and has no land access because of the mooring walls around the island.
