'Golden sands meld into the clear turquoise sea': readers' favourite beaches in Europe

Forty miles east of Palermo, Sicily's coastal town of Cefalù boasts a stunning half-moon beach of golden sands seamlessly merging into the crystal-clear turquoise sea. The historic town centre is filled with charming streets lined with ancient stones in a distinctive diamond pattern, leading up to a lively square serving delicious Italian cuisine.

The nearby Norman cathedral features striking twin towers and breathtaking Byzantine mosaics. Visitors can enjoy great food, take in the rich history and relax on Cefalù's stunning beach.

For those seeking tranquility, the Algarve coast offers a serene stretch of coastline near Lagos. Watching Atlantic rollers crash against the shore is an exhilarating experience, while strolling along the promenade at San Lorenzo Beach provides a relaxing atmosphere.

The Fourni islands in northern Greece are often overlooked but offer numerous hidden gems. Petrokopio beach boasts ancient marble quarries and stunning white stones, while Kampi's picturesque setting makes for a perfect spot to unwind.

For those looking for a serene getaway in the Baltic Sea, Riga's stretch of coastline is an ideal destination. With its vast pine forest-covered area, visitors can enjoy long walks along the shoreline and take in the sounds of nature.
 
Cefalù is so underrated lol 🤷‍♀️ i mean dont get me wrong its not a secret spot or anything but have you ever been to the Fourni islands? its like theyre hidden gems or something 🌊 thats where youre gonna find the best beaches and history. cefalus is cool and all but ive had better experiences in greece lol Riga sounds lovely tho id love to visit sometime and just chill by the pine forest 🌲🏖️
 
I'm totally obsessed with Cefalù, you know? The way they've preserved that ancient architecture is insane 🤯. I feel like I could get lost in those streets forever, just wandering up to the square and grabbing a slice of pizza or gelato whenever I want. And the beach is just... wow, the turquoise water is so inviting 😍. But what's really cool about Cefalù is that it's not as touristy as some other places in Sicily, so you can actually get a taste of local life there. I've been meaning to check out the Fourni islands too, I've heard they're super off the beaten path...
 
OMG, I am literally daydreaming about Cefalù right now 🌊! The combination of that gorgeous half-moon beach and historic town centre is giving me major Harry Potter vibes (you know, the part where they're all like "I'm off to find my true home" 😏). I think it's so underrated as a tourist destination - who wouldn't want to explore ancient stones and Byzantine mosaics while soaking up some sun? 🌴👏

And can we talk about the Fourni islands for a sec? I need to know more about Petrokopio beach... those ancient marble quarries sound like a total treasure trove 🧐! And the Algarve coast is calling my name - watching Atlantic rollers crash against the shore sounds so thrilling 🌊🏄‍♀️.

I'm also super intrigued by Riga's stretch of coastline... pine forests and nature sounds are like, my ultimate relaxation goals 😴. Where do you guys think we should plan our next mini-vacation? 🤔
 
omg i just found out about these gorgeous beaches in sicily & greece 🌴🏖️ i need to book a trip ASAP! cefalù's beach is literally stunning, and who wouldn't want to try that yummy italian food? 😋 but i'm also super curious about the fourni islands - ancient marble quarries on petrokopio beach sound like an adventure 🤩 and have you seen those photos of kampi's setting in greece? so peaceful! 🌊 meanwhile, i've been reading about the algarve coast & it sounds like an amazing spot to relax too... but riga's baltic coastline is calling my name - pine forests, long walks along the shore... can't wait to explore! 💚🌸
 
You know what I think? The Mediterranean region is like a never-ending treasure chest when it comes to beach destinations 🏖️. From Sicily's golden sands to Greece's Fourni islands, there's just something about the crystal-clear waters that makes you wanna dive right in and soak up some sun ☀️.

And have you noticed how each of these places has its own unique charm? Cefalù's historic centre with ancient stones, Lagos's Atlantic rollers crashing against the shore... it's like they're all showcasing their own special brand of Mediterranean magic ✨.
 
I've been thinking, why do we always have to choose between tranquility and adventure when it comes to vacations? Can't we just mix both, you know? Like, I wanna relax on a beach with crystal-clear waters, but also want to explore ancient ruins and try all the local food 🌴🏖️. Cefalù's beach looks amazing btw, have anyone been there? And those Fourni islands in Greece seem so underrated... I need to add them to my bucket list ASAP 😊. Meanwhile, Riga's coastline sounds like a perfect spot for some peaceful walks and nature vibes 🌲💆‍♀️.
 
I just got back from a crazy road trip with my mates to the beach 🏖️🚗 and we were talking about how much we love finding those hidden gems on Google Maps 😂. Like, have you guys ever seen those amazing beaches in Croatia that look like they're straight out of a postcard? 🤯 I swear, every time I scroll through Instagram, there's another one popping up! Anyway, it made me think about how many times we click 'not interested' on touristy posts just because they remind us of boring old summer holidays at the seaside 🌞...
 
I'm so down for some beachy vibes this summer! I mean, Cefalù's half-moon beach looks like a dream come true - who wouldn't want to relax on those golden sands with crystal-clear water? And have you seen that Norman cathedral? The twin towers and Byzantine mosaics are straight out of a history book!

But let's be real, the Fourni islands might get overlooked but they're hiding some amazing gems! I mean, Petrokopio beach with ancient marble quarries is like something from a fantasy novel. And Kampi's picturesque setting? Perfect spot to chill.

And Riga's coastline in the Baltic Sea sounds so peaceful - all that pine forest-covered area and nature sounds... it's like a relaxing vacation just waiting to happen!
 
OMG u gotta check out Cefalù's beach 🏖️ it's like heaven on earth! I'm talking crystal clear water, golden sand, and these ancient stones everywhere... it's so Instagrammable 😂 I went there last year and I swear it was my fave trip of the summer. And don't even get me started on the food - those Italian pastas are to die for 🍝👌

I also love the Algarve coast, especially San Lorenzo Beach... it's so chill and relaxing 🌴 I spent an entire day there just soaking up the sun and listening to the waves. And have u ever heard of Riga? It's this hidden gem on the Baltic Sea that's literally a nature lover's paradise 🌲🏞️ They have these huge pine forests that go right down to the shore... it's like nowhere else on earth!
 
Cefalù's beach is like a supermodel - all the Italians are raving about it 🤩 But seriously, have you been to San Lorenzo Beach? I mean, the Algarve coast is amazing too, but Lagos gets no love 😂 I went to Petrokopio beach and those ancient marble quarries were so cool! 🤯 And Riga's coastline is all like "oh, it's just pine trees" 🌲 but trust me, the views are stunning at sunset 💫
 
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