Where are the best beaches in Europe?

The best beaches in Europe should not be confused with the most famous or popular. Beaches in Europe vary widely and can be composed of anything from sand, pebble, stones, or even rock. Mention rocks in Italy/Stones in Riviera/sand otherwise/: Riviera: Antibes, Villefrance or Beaulieu, Menton, Larvotto Beach in Monaco, Biarritz, Spain:San Sebastian’s La Concha; Portugal Algarve like Lagos; Greece like Kos, Ios, Rhodes(not Crete)-mention Santorini pretty but beaches not great, has Parissa

The Foundation for Environmental Education in Europe following international surveys, issues yearly ratings for clean, safe, environmentally friendly beaches and awards its coveted ‘blue flag’ to those exceeding standards. France for example, had 288 ‘blue flag’ beaches awarded in 2002, down 32% from the 425 issued in 2001. See www.blueflag.org

People rarely think of hitting the beaches in Britain for a tan, however there are some amazing and often overlooked spots. Check out the site run by the Marine Conservation Society at www.goodbeachguide.co.uk

Almost all beaches in Europe are topless optional by the way. It’s not considered a real big deal in general.  But nudity however is still quite marginalized and not very mainstream (especially within the catholic countries). Some countries like France are generally less conservative than others like Portugal. For example, since 1994 Portugal has 15 beaches where nudity is tolerated but only 3 official nude beaches (in Meco, Sesimba, and Bela Vista respectively).  For more info on Europe’s nude beaches, visit www.

See www.discovery.com- for travel channel’s best listed beaches