The beachionary blog

Discover the Most Gorgeous Alternative Beaches in Europe

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Tuerreddda - Photo by Flickr user 1la

Beachionary was invited by CheapFlights.co.uk to write a blog post by selecting eight alternative beaches in Europe. They are beaches ideal for all those travelling in Europe this summer but who want to avoid the crowds and explore natural, unspoilt destinations. So, we put together this list of less heard of, “hidden” coastal treasures! Pick one that suits your taste and start packing!  


1. Tuerredda - Sardinia | Italy

Tuerredda beach is one of the most beautiful and unique beaches in Italy. It’s unique for its thin white sand that feels like chalk and its crystalline turquoise waters. It looks like a beach in Caribbean Sea but it’s located just 3 Km away from Teulada in the south part of Sardinia.  Get some exercise by swimming across towards the small “Isla Tuerredda”, a tiny island just off the middle of the beach.  Don’t forget your snorkeling mask!

2. Cala Rajá -  Andalusia | Spain

Cala Rajá is an isolated beach located at Cabo de Gata-Nijar Natural Park near the city Almería. The access to the beach is quite difficult since you have to walk for quite some distance but those who attempt it will be rewarded by its shallow light blue waters and the sense of tranquillity you feel. An ideal destination for those seeking to relax and enjoy the sea.

3. Livadaki Beach - Folegandros | Greece

Livadaki beach is a secluded little cove on the island of Folegandros. It is one of those well hidden secret beaches that many islands in Greece have on offer! Access to the beach is only possible by boat from port Agali or on foot if you fancy taking the trail from the village of Ano Meria. The surrounding hills protect the waters from strong winds. There are no facilities on the beach so don’t forget to bring water, food and your umbrella for shade!   

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Egremni Beach - Photo by Flickr user constant progression

4. Egremni Beach -  Lefkada,  Ionian Islands | Greece

Lefkada’s Porto Katsiki is one of the best beaches in the world but it is certainly not the only marvellous beach on the island. Egremni beach, situated in the south west of Lefkada, is more remote but just as beautiful. It is accessible by boat and, since recently, by car, if you don’t mind the 350 steps from the road level down to the beach. It is more than 2.5 Km long and therefore it can never get too crowded. The light blue clear waters, the approximately 150 metres of high cliffs and the breathtaking sunset give a heavenly feeling.   

5. Porthcurno Beach - Cornwall, England | United Kingdom

Who said that there are no beautiful beaches in the UK? It’s not the Mediterranean but the beauty of Porthcurno in South Cornwall is just extraordinary! The light blue waters and the sand mixed with white crushed sea shells make this bay a unique place to visit. The best way to explore the area is through the South West Coast Path with a one day walk that starts at Porthgwarra and finishes at the beach of Porthcurno.

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Playa Papagayo - Photo by Flickr user lbadura

6. Playa Papagayo - Lanzarote, Canary Islands | Spain  

Playa Papagayo is located in the southern part of Lanzarote island, in the Canarias. Playa Papagayo is a sandy beach with calm waters of unspoiled natural beauty. The volcanic origins of Lanzarote island are evident in the colour of the sand and the scenery. Even though it is possible to meet some nudists in this beach, most of them visit other nearby less popular beaches such as Playa Mujeres  or Playa del Pozo.

7. Brela - Splitsko-Dalmatinska | Croatia

Brela Beach is the main beach of Brela, a small town in Splitsko Dalmatinska region,  also known as the “Perl of Makarska Riviera”! The pine trees and the crystal clear waters compose a genuine Mediterranean scenery. Apart from the main beach of the town, there are also smaller beaches to explore, such as Berulija and Punta Rata. The beach, covered with small pebbles and in some with parts sand, is awarded with Blue Flag for the quality of the water. You can either bring your beach umbrellas or find shade under the pine trees while you buy refreshments and food from the bars/restaurants close by.

8. Praia da Bordeira - Faro | Portugal

Praia da Bordeira is a vast beach as long as 3 kilometres. It is located on the west side of the Algarve coast in Faro and is popular among surfers but also worth a visit if you want to enjoy sun and sea away from Faro’s crowded beaches. The beach can be accessed by car just after the small village of Carrapateira but before going there make sure that you bring food and drinks with you.

 

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6 Weird And Wonderful Beaches In The World

 

Zlatni

 

Hello beach boys and girls!

We always find it exciting when we discover truly unique and wonderful beaches to show you. This time, we have carefully selected for you 6 beaches and coastal sights, with unique characteristics that make them a must-see!

(Clicking on each name will redirect you to the beach page)

1.  Zlatni Rat - Splitsko-Dalmatinska | Croatia

Zlatni Rat or Golden Horn is a golden sandy strip of land like no other. Located near Bol, on the island of Brač, this beach does resemble a golden horn in the sea that can reach 634metres long. What is really spectacular though is the fact that the shape of this beach changes depending on the tide, the currents and the wind!

2.  Grotta Azzurra - Campania | Italy

The Grotta Azzura or Blue Grotto, located on Capri Island, is one of the most famous sea caves in the world. Blue Grotto, which was believed to have been used as Emperor Tiberius' nymphaeum, is unique for its magical blue reflections created by the light that enters the cave through an underwater opening right below the entrance! The cavity is 54 meters long but has a very narrow entrance. It can only be accessed by small rowing boats and the passengers must keep low when entering the cavity. The Grotta Azzurra is also home to an extraordinary selection of exotic marine life.

3.  Papakolea Green Sand Beach – Hawaii | United States

Papakolea Beach, located near the south end of Hawaii’s Big Island, is well known for its distinctive and almost unreal olive green sand! There is a good explanation for this. The green sand comes from Olivine, a common mineral that was surfaced due to the volcanic activity of the area. These stones were crushed into tiny fragments by the power of the ocean and were drifted ashore. The olivine grains mixed with black sand creates the olive green color of the beach that you won’t be able to find anywhere else.

4.  Hopewell Rocks - New Brunswick | Canada

The Hopewell Rocks are located in The Hopewell Rocks Ocean Tidal Exploration Site in New Brunswick. These spectacular rock formations eroded by the tides, are so popular that they have been given names like “Mother-in-Law”, “ET” and “Lover's Arch”! Visitors have the opportunity to paddle around the Bay of Fundy at high tide and have a closer look by walking on the ocean floor at low tide. Check the tide tables of the Park before visiting as high and low tide times vary each day.

5.  Playa Brava - Maldonado | Uruguay

Playa Brava is located in the famous resort area of Punta del Este, southeast of Maldonado. Playa Brava also goes by the name of Playa de los Dedos, “Beach of the Fingers” and, there is a good reason for that. First thing you notice once you set foot on that beach, is the eerie sight of five giant fingers emerging from the sand which is a sculpture of Chilean artist Mario Irarrázabal. La Mano "The Hand" that lies there since 1982, was sculpted in iron and cement and has become one of Punta del Este’s landmarks.

6.  Neck Beach - Tasmania | Australia

Bruny Island can be found off the south-eastern coast of Tasmania and consists of two islands. The isthmus is the long, narrow strip of land that connects North Bruny Island and South Bruny Island and separates the sea into Simpsons Bay in the western side and Adventure Bay in the eastern. Neck Beach is located in the eastern side of isthmus which is also known as “The Neck”. Best place to observe the area is from the Truganini Lookout, a timber stepped boardwalk that provides 360° stunning panoramic views of Bruny Island!

The list of course doesn’t end here. This is only a small sample of all the extraordinary places out there.

 

What is the most unusual beach you have ever come across?


The Beachionary Team

Photo By Flickr user Emich

 

Times' 20 Hottest beaches in Europe are now in Beachionary!

Just before 2010 goes away, we thought it's a good time to recall the 20 beaches that Sunday Times listed as the "hottest" ones for the year. You'll find a lot of them in France, some others in Spain, Portugal, Italy, Greece and Cyprus but there are few of them in countries you wouldn't imagine, like Lithuania, Germany and the Netherlands. The good news is that all of them are in Beachionary!! You can check where they are or tell us what you think, if you've been there, or even book your next summer holidays in one of them!

 So, here's the complete list:

  1. The sandy Plage Le Conguel  in Brittany, France 
  2. The beach in  Lac de Mondély in Midi-Pyrénées, France 
  3. The beaches at Collioure, a small town in Languedoc-Roussillon, France
    Plage de la Balette
    Plage du Boutique
    Plage de Port d'Avall
    Plage Boramar
    Plage St Vincent
    Plage Nord
  4. The isolated Plage de Piemanson  in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France
  5. The golden Plage de Notre Dame  in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France
  6. The crystal clear Palombaggia  beach in Corsica, France
  7. The rocky Cala d’Aiguafreda in Catalonia, Spain
  8. The famous Playa de la Concha in Basque Country, Spain
  9. The sandy Playa Las Salinas  in Balearic Islands, Spain
  10. The peaceful Platja Illetes in Balearic Islands, Spain
  11. The cove of La Grotta Azzurra in Campania, Italy
  12. The isolated Cala Luna in Sardinia, Italy
  13. The luxurious Bonj Les Bains in Splitsko-Dalmatinska, Croatia
  14. The famous Panormos in South Aegean, Greece
  15. The adventurous Papafrangas Cove in South Aegean, Greece
  16. The relaxing Polis beach in Paphos, Cyprus
  17. The beaches in Porto Santo island in Madeira, Portugal
    Quinta Palmeira 
    Praia do Cabeço 
    Praia das Pedras Pretas 
    Praia do Penedo
    Praia da Fontinha     
  18. The historical Palanga beach in Klaipėdos Apskritis, Lithuania
  19. The beaches in Sylt island in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany
    Sansibar    ,   Oase zur Sonne   and Fun-Beach Brandenburg

    20. The beaches in Terschelling dunes in Frisian Islands,Netherlands

Spathoek  Noordergronden


Do you agree with this list? If not, why don't you go to Beachionary.com and write reviews for your favorite ones? They may end up the hottest ones for 2011!

The Beachionary Team wishes you a Happy New Year!

Photo by Flickr user Abeeeer