The most underrated beaches in Europe for escaping the crowds

The days of Hvar being underrated are long gone (if those days ever existed at all), but Croatia’s most popular island remains peaceful outside of the main population centres. The completion of the Pitve-Zavala tunnel opened up the southern stretch of the island, making Hvar’s best sands more accessible than ever before. Zavala is one such spot, a small fishing village that stretches from the sea into the hills, and the beach found at the former is one of the finest on the island. What Zavala lacks in amenities, it makes up for in natural beauty (which might be the understatement of the year). It is also the launching spot for excursions on neighbouring Šćedro, a practically uninhabited island that offers some of Croatia’s best swimming.

Pembrokeshire’s Skrinkle Haven is half beach, half cove, but all completely amazing. The experience is particularly inspiring at low tide, when Skrinkle Haven can be accessed through Church Doors Cove, a beautiful rock formation that you have almost certainly seen on your favourite photo-sharing social network. Skrinkle Haven is Pembrokeshire at its secluded best, all romantic views and serene relaxation, with some of the best coastal walks in Wales found in the surrounding areas. The beach is two hours west of Cardiff, and there is a bus stop relatively nearby.

If you want to get technical, Gulpiyuri is more of a flooded sinkhole than a classic beach, but let’s not split hairs with this one. This is a place where sand meets water, and if that isn’t a beach, what is? Located 10 miles west of Llanes (itself 55 miles west of Santander) in the north of Spain, Gulpiyuri is often referred to as the smallest beach in the world, so you might want to get there early. It ‘stretches’ just 40 metres, and the setting is accentuated by the almost constant sound of waves weaving through its tunnels. An undeniably romantic spot.

Germany’s islands don’t get anywhere near as much attention as they deserve, but that means more delights for those who make the trip to the great north. The North Frisian Islands are a treasure trove of curiosity and charm, and the sweeping sands of the Kniepsand Beach (which takes up the entire shore of the island) are the perfect place to while away the day in tranquil contemplation. It is that sort of place. Just be ready for plenty of wind, which makes it the perfect place for kitesurfing. To get to Amrum, take a ferry from Dagebüll, a small village 40 miles west of Flensburg, not far from the border with Denmark.

The beaches of Albania are starting to build some serious traction in tourist circles, but there are plenty of quiet spots that are still swimming in authentic charm. Filikuri Bay (3 miles from Himarë, south of Vlorë) is one such place, a jaw-dropping stretch of sand backed by cliffs with nearby coves to explore. You won’t find any amenities here (bring plenty of food and water), just the confidence of Albanian nature and the gentle lapping of the Ionian Sea. The beach can only be accessed by boat, unless cliff-hiking is your thing.

Despite a down-to-earth reputation, Iceland sure does love to show off its natural beauty. The beaches this far north are of a more rugged variety than the ones you’ll find in France, Greece, Spain, and the rest, but the south can keep its golden sands. In Iceland, black sand and pebbles rule the roost. Djúpalónssandur is one such black-pebble spot and is the very definition of dramatic coastal aesthetics. It is known by some as the Black Lava Pearl Beach, which should tell you plenty. As you might assume, the scenery of Djúpalónssandur is backed up with mysterious tales of shipwrecks and mythical beings, but that just adds to the magic.

In truth, you could throw a dart at a map of Greece and find yourself a picture-perfect beach. No matter which island you visit, you’re going to enjoy no shortage of sun, sea, and sand. We’ll go with Katafygi for this exercise, a gorgeous Peloponnese destination that remains somewhat off the radar of most visitors. Surrounded by imposing cliffs, the beach is more of a natural collection of platforms that are perfect for gazing at the sea and working on that tan. The nearby cave (also called Katafygi) is one of Greece’s largest.

Plage Notre Dame is straight out of a dream. If you close your eyes and imagine the perfect beach, there’s a decent chance you’ll conjure up an image of this stunning stretch of sea on the island of Porquerolles. The island is car-free and as peaceful as France gets,  a gorgeous place packed with olive groves and vineyards, and the white sand and cerulean waters of Notre Dama are the cherry on top of a most delicious cake. We can only assume that Belinda Carlisle was talking about this beach when singing about heaven being a place on earth.