Must see top 10 European beaches

1. Best for British romance
We're so spoilt for choice in the British Isles with some truly beautiful beaches so it was tough to pick just one, but we've plumped for Camber Sands. Why? Well, as romantic beaches go, it's hard to beat Camber, which has several miles of beautiful golden sand, and endless secluded spots to curl up together and canoodle in the marram grass...
East Sussex

2. Best for surfing
If you've always fancied learning how to make like a surfer, but don't want to risk erratic waves or cold water, then Portugal is the place to be, boasting over 500 miles of coastline with warm and relatively reliable waves. Head down to the Peniche peninsula, about 90 minutes' drive from Lisbon (unbelievably just a couple of hours' flight from the UK), which has gorgeous golden beaches and a host of surf schools.
Visit Portugal

3. Best for families
Tired of fighting for space on well-known child-friendly beaches? Try taking a trip to Denmark, which is surrounded by gloriously clean white sand beaches with fairly shallow water – perfect for little ones. Take the car and travel overnight by ferry to Esbjerg which is just an hour away from Legoland, and a ten-minute ferry journey from Fanø, a little island with some absolutely wonderful beaches which are usually blissfully peaceful!
DFDS Seaways

4. Best for stunning views
OK, so when you think of Iceland, beaches don't usually spring to mind, which is why Reynisfjara beach is such a gem. If you're looking to spend the day splashing around in the sea, pick another beach! No matter how sunny it gets (and summer temperatures can reach 20°C) the sea will be relatively chilly, but the attraction of this black volcanic sand-and-pebble beach is the view. So bring a sweater and don't forget your camera. To one side of the beach are amazing basalt columns that rise up from the shoreline like a church organ's pipes, and to the other is a stunning rock arch and one of Iceland's largest glaciers.
Visit Iceland

5. Best for car-free quiet
Visit the south of France to experience a little-known French summer secret, the Iles d’Hyères, three small islands in the Mediterranean sea, around 50 miles off the coast of St Tropez. Leave your car on the mainland and take the ferry over the Ile de Port-Cros, a protected National Park with a sprinkling of hidden coves and clear waters. Sandy beaches, shady trees and no honking horns or car fumes. Bliss!
Hyeres Les Palmiers

6. Best for pretending you're in the Caribbean
If you really don't fancy a long-haul flight but desperately want to experience crystal-clear waters, dazzling white sand and a taste of the good life, then why not go to Corsica? The beach at Palombaggia is famous for its incredibly clear water which is a real pleasure to swim in. Enjoy fabulous French cuisine on the beach, under the shade of the pine trees, watching the sun sparkle on the sea.
Visit Corsica

7. Best for foodies
San Sebastian in the Spanish Basque country is blessed with an almost perfect crescent-shaped beach, La Concha, right in the heart of this bustling city. The Concha beach is a glorious mix of families, morning-after-the-night-before party types resting behind huge sunglasses, and locals popping by for a swift lunchtime paddle. Best of all, it's seconds away from the Parte Vieja, where you'll find all the best (and most delicious) pintxos bars, the Basque version of tapas. Mmmmm.
San Sebastian Turismo

8. Best for glamorous beach babes
If you feel like some high-maintenance beach shenanigans, head to Croatia to the stylish island of Hvar. Croatia is blessed with clear waters which stay warm all summer long and the beaches are shaded with fragrant pine trees. You can hire anything from a basic sun-bed for one, to a whole private pontoon for six, with a 'baldachini' - a chiffon-draped four poster bed at the Bonj Les Bains beach club, where you might spot stars like Nicky Hilton and Kevin Spacey.
Suncani hvar hotels

9. Best for scuba divers
Sometimes the best fun to be had at the beach is in the water. One of the best scuba dives, possibly in the world, not just Europe, is the very unusual Zenobia in Cyprus. Head to Larnaca, which has four scrupulously clean Blue Flag beaches, and go a little out of town to McKenzie beach to escape the crowds. The Zenobia was a huge ferry which sank on its maiden voyage. The submerged ferry is around 1.5km from shore and starts at 15m and descends to 45m. There are some superb swim-throughs and the visibility is great.
Discover Larnaca

10. Best for sand
Did you know that Europe has a desert? You can find it in Almeria, southern Spain, and if it looks familiar, it's because 'Lawrence of Arabia' was filmed there, along with endless spaghetti westerns. The beach at nearby Monsul has wind-rippled dunes and a sea that is warm enough to swim in year-round. It can get incredibly hot here, so make sure that you stay out of the sun at noon and keep your skin protected.
Almeria