#Index #show #Europes #beautiful #secluded #beach #holiday #spots
From the Turkish Riviera to the island of Ile de Ré, we have collected such places – a The Guardian with the help of – which, with their quiet and untouched environment, provide a true refuge after the daily robot work, and where sunbathing, sand, diving or just taking a nap is a real recharge. In addition to beautiful places, we also offer luxurious but affordable accommodations, where the guest really only needs to relax and focus on himself or his loved ones. It doesn’t hurt to make one thing clear at the beginning: if someone likes fish, they have an advantage!
1 – Asos, Kefalonia, Greece
There’s something quite special about small but perfectly shaped Assos – caramel and pink houses line the horseshoe-shaped bay, and Venetian ruins are scattered among the narrow alleys.
There are also two small beaches, but the real joy is renting a speedboat and exploring the small coves that line this part of the Kefalonian coast. On foot, you can follow the small path that leads to the ruins of the 16th century castle of Assos. There isn’t much to see, but the view is worth the walk.
2 – Akyaka, Turkey
One of Turkey’s “cittaslows” – slow cities that focus on nature and sustainability – Akyaka lies at the mouth of the Azmak River in the sparkling Gökova Bay. Behind the beach, a grid network of villa-lined streets is home to traditional lokantas (simple bistros) and cafes, and in the evenings, beachside restaurants set their tables on the sand.
From the small port, boats stream up the Azmak River, where fish restaurants line the leafy riverbanks and a shady footpath leads into the countryside. Akyaka is also Turkey’s kite-sailing and surfing center, and there are many surf schools on the long beach leading out of the city.
3 – Göltürkbükü, Turkey
If Turkey had a Saint-Tropez, it would be the glitzy meeting of the two villages of Gölköy and Türkbükü, with a newly created public beach and decked-out beach clubs that give off the feel of the Cote d’Azur. There’s plenty going on, but it’s still much quieter than the nearby town of Bodrum and has a particularly strong restaurant scene – Arnavutköy is especially recommended for a sumptuous fish-themed dinner.
Behind the beach, souvenir shops and designer boutiques are lined up side by side, small guesthouses stand next to five-star hotels, and the regular dolmus (public bus) offers the opportunity to explore other villages on the peninsula, including the unspoiled Gümüslük, where family fish restaurants can be found along the coast.
4 – Sibenik, Croatia
To say that Sibenik is a mini-Dubrovnik might be a bit of an exaggeration, but it has the same elegant Venetian architecture and terracotta-roofed houses – and far fewer crowds. This city was built for the trip: from the Riva, the seaside promenade, to the elegant cathedral through the tangled web of passages and alleys leading to the 11th-century St. Michael’s Fortress.
The blue-flag Banj beach is a 200-metre walk from the centre, with a restaurant and playground, and boat trips to the pristine waters of the Kornati archipelago.
5 – Cavtat, Croatia
One of Dalmatia’s most charming seaside towns, Cavtat’s terracotta-roofed houses are set around a small horseshoe-shaped bay with two wooded peninsulas stretching across the water towards Dubrovnik, some 21 kilometers away. Running parallel to the waterfront promenade are low-key cafes and restaurants – many of which have been run by the same families for decades – as well as terraces built on the water and small pebble coves with views of crystal clear water.
There are regular boat taxis to Dubrovnik and the nearby Elaphiti Islands, and there’s a nice walking circuit through the forest, with some simple beach bars perfect for a sunset dinner.
6 – Santa Maria di Castellabate, Campania, Italy
Away from the hustle and bustle of the nearby Amalfi Coast, Cilento is full of small seaside towns where faded palaces and fishermen’s cottages overlook pristine beaches. Santa Maria is one such place: fishing boats return early in the morning to supply the town’s restaurants, and fishermen mend their nets on the blue flag beaches.
You can spend the day lounging on the sand or exploring the hiking trails leading to the Cilento National Park, while the nearby archaeological sites of Paestum and Velia are great attractions for history buffs.
7 – La Flotte, Ile de Ré, France
Once an important sea fishing port, La Flotte is one of the prettiest villages on the Ile de Ré, with its tangle of alleyways running between classic Breton-style houses, its restaurant-lined waterfront and its still-significant port. Nearby Arnérault beach is the best choice for a lazy afternoon, the trees behind the beach offer shady spots for snoozing, changing cabins and washrooms – although the tides are very strong, so always check the times before you go.
You can also rent bikes to get to the charming Abbaye des Chateliers and have a daily picnic at the morning market – excellent cheeses, breads and cured meats await shoppers.
8 – Concarneau, Brittany, France
Concarneau is steeped in history, its beaches and working fishing fleet fill the town’s restaurants with the freshest seafood, and this is Brittany at its breezy, beautiful beauty. The two-part city’s 14th-century bastioned old town sits on a small island, and cobbled streets wind between houses to the bustling fishing port.
Plage des Sables Blancs – a long, unspoiled stretch of sandy beach – is a short walk from the city center and even has lifeguards to watch over those who venture into the water. The Fisheries Museum and Marinarium – the oldest marine biological station in the world – is a good choice for families in rainy weather.
9 – Fornells, Menorca, Spain
Fornells is not to be confused with Playa de Fornells – a newer development a few miles away. Fornells is one of Menorca’s most charming fishing villages, with a low-key palm-lined waterfront that has become a hub for fish restaurants, Caldereta de llagosta – lobster stew – is the most delicious dish that the locals recommend to anyone who loves scallops
In recent years, water sports have also become a hallmark, reliable winds create ideal conditions for surfing and kitesurfing, and on calmer days, rowing can be an activity for sports lovers. The town’s beach is small, but Cala Tirant offers a wide sandy beach with clear water on the other side of the hilltop.
10 – Llafranc, Girona, Spain
The overall picture of whitewashed houses, blue doors and small fishing boats rocking in the water lends Llafranc a pleasantly old atmosphere. Once the most glamorous place on the Costa Brava – attracting everyone from Ernest Hemingway and Salvador Dalí to Elizabeth Taylor and Sophia Loren – it has now become a quiet, family-friendly resort that only gets really busy in July and August.
The sheltered harbor is ideal for water sports including kayaking, sailing, diving and SUP, but the mile-long path around the pine-clad peak to Calella de Palafrugell is also ideal for walking. In addition, there are enough bars to keep the nightlife lively for the young – and of course the eternally young.
With this, we have reached the end of our virtual recommendation, we wish our readers a good viewing and pleasant daydreaming, and we hope that we have helped a little to choose the destination of this year’s (optionally next year’s) vacation.
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