10 of the best ‘hidden gem’ beaches in Europe revealed

With the summer holiday season in full swing, many people are looking forward to their upcoming holiday, or may be planning a spontaneous trip away. A visit to the beach never goes amiss on a summer holiday, but crowded shores with no space to park your towel can ruin the moment.

This is why global car rental comparison and booking site DiscoverCars.com has put together a list of the top 10 beaches across different European destinations, shining a spotlight on the continent’s hidden paradises.

Praia de Mata, Portugal

In Costa de Caparica, Lisbon is a gorgeous dune-backed sandy beach that has free parking and several nearby cafes and restaurants. This beach stretches for miles and is accessible via a dirt road. Being so close to Lisbon, Praia de Mata is a great choice for travellers staying in the capital who are looking for a day trip. Car hire prices for a week in August come to £110.

Possidi Cape, Greece

Possidi Cape beach in Possidi village, Chalkidiki is a beautiful untouched beach that’s characterised by its crystal-clear waters that surround the white-sand peninsula. Because of its unspoilt landscape, there are no amenities on the beach, but there are small local tavernas nearby that serve fresh seafood. Car hire prices for a week in August come to £159.

Gjipe Beach, Albania

Nestled between the dramatic cliffsides of Gjipe Canyon is Gjipe beach, a hidden beach along the Albanian Riviera located between Himare and Dhermi. To get down to this pebble beach and explore the turquoise-blue waters, visitors may have to hike down a rocky canyon road which can take about 30 minutes. Parking is 2.5km away from the beach, and there are no amenities except for a few kiosks available during peak summer season. Car hire prices for a week in August come to £198.

Ramla Bay, Malta

Located on the island of Gozo is Ramla Bay, a red-sand beach with turquoise-blue waters that are perfect for swimming and snorkeling. This beach has basic amenities like toilets and rubbish bins, and there are umbrellas and sunbeds available to rent. Car hire prices come to £49 for a week in August.

Praia do Garajau, Portugal

On the coast of Madeira is a stunning pebble beach that boasts crystal-clear waters and incredible natural scenery. This hidden beach is located near the iconic Christ the King statue, and can be found under Miradouro do Cristo Rei – a breathtaking viewpoint. Visitors can access this beach via a cable car or by walking down a steep path. Car hire prices for a week in August come to £116.

Five more hidden beaches in Europe include:

Cala Banyalbufar, Mallorca, Spain.
Golden Beach, Karpaz Peninsula, Cyprus
Monti Russu, Sardinia, Italy
Beritnica Beach, Pag Island, Croatia
Playa de la Solapa, Fuerteventura, Spain
Aleksandrs Buraks, Head of Growth at DiscoverCars.com, comments:

“Going to the beach is one of the most popular and enjoyable activities on a summer holiday, but finding one that isn’t overrun with crowds and litter can sometimes be tricky. With many beautiful beaches to discover, we selected 10 hidden gems across Europe that may fly under the radar. If you do plan on visiting any of the beaches in our list, make sure to leave no trace by clearing up any litter before you leave.

“We found that it can be a little challenging to access some of the beaches, as a few require a bit of a hike to get to. However, the spectacular untouched landscapes and natural scenery make up for the time it can take to reach the shoreline. Whether you’re looking for crystal-clear waters and white sand, or a pebble beach and deep blue waves, our list has it all!”