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Europe is blessed when it comes to beaches, be them the wave-battered shores of Portugal’s Algarve or the tranquil coves along Greece’s 13,000 km of coast, but as sun-drenched holidays go, there are plenty of slept-on destinations, too.
Insurance comparison site Quotezone has developed a beach index which has assessed 10 beach destinations across some of Europe’s most sought-after spots and ranked them based on factors like air and sea temperature, the cost of accommodation and drinks, distance from the nearest airport and the average number of five-star reviews.
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So, based on this analysis comprising quality, convenience, and value, which beach destination claimed the top spot? Well, it was (dramatic drum roll, please) Mogren Beach in Budva, Montenegro!
That’s right – beating out Elafonissi Beach in Greece, Nissi Beach in Ayia Napa and Praia da Falesia in the Algarve, this stretch of sand stole the show not only thanks to its scenery, but also thanks to pleasant temperatures (an average of 25.5C in July) and reasonable prices: it’s third-cheapest on the list for beer, and cheapest overall for three-nights accommodation.
Other underrated spots which feature include Irakli Beach in Bulgaria, but other heavyweights that you might recognise include Zlatni Rat in Croatia and Plage de Palombaggia in Corsica. Scroll on for the full top 10.
These are Europe’s 10 best beach destinations for summer 2026
- Mogren Beach, Budva, Montenegro
- Nissi Beach, Ayia Napa, Cyprus
- Playa de Maspalomas, Gran Canaria, Spain
- Irakli Beach, Burgas, Bulgaria
- Elafonissi Beach, Crete, Greece
- Praia da Falesia, Algarve, Portugal
- Zlatni Rat, Brač, Croatia
- La Pelosa Beach, Sardinia, Italy
- Bournemouth Beach, Bournemouth, England
- Plage de Palombaggia, Corsica, France
🌞 Here are the best beaches in Europe, according to Time Out.
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