Rank 1
Platja de Ponent
Benidorm offers lively beach energy, 77°F air, 78°F sea and sunbeds from $7.
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Europe's Top Beaches 2026
Discover Europe's Top Beaches 2026
In 2026, we hit the road again and checked 75 beaches across Europe - from buzzy hotspots to hidden favorites. This year's list got a refresh, so you'll find new, trending beach destinations alongside under-the-radar gems. The goal remains: helping you find the sweet spot between sunny temps, crystal-clear water, and wallet-friendly prices.
Whether you're resetting on the sand with an iced coffee or a classic Spritz, we'll show you where your vacation budget goes the furthest. From sunbeds and gelato to the price of a summer stay, you'll see where you can find 100% BEACH MODE - without blowing your budget.
And with Omio, you can compare great-value routes by train, bus, flight, or ferry and get straight to your dream beach. Let's go - sun, sea, and summer vibes are calling.
75European beaches checked
51Blue Flag beaches in the study
$1.50Cheapest ice cream near the beach
$53Lowest hotel night found
Top Beaches Revealed
These five beaches lead the 2026 ranking by combining strong value with the kind of summer experience travellers look for: fair prices, good ratings, beach-day comfort and realistic ways to get there.
Rank 2
Playa de Rodas
Galicia brings unspoilt scenery, relaxed volume and hotel stays around $99.
Travel to Vigo
Rank 3
Buljarica Beach
Petrovac is one of the strongest value picks, with gelato from $1.50.
Ferries around Montenegro
Rank 4
Rimini Beach
Classic Adriatic beach life with gelato from $2.20 and strong infrastructure.
Travel to Rimini
Rank 5
Trassenheide Beach
Usedom proves a Baltic beach break can be affordable, calm and highly rated.
Travel to GermanyEurope's Top Beaches 2026: top 15
Start with the top 15 for a quick view of the best overall value. The full 75-beach table is available below in the expandable ranking.
🔷 Blue Flag beach⚪ No Blue Flag
| Rank | Blue Flag | Beach | Hotel | Sun lounger | Ice cream | Sea | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 🔷 | Platja de PonentBenidorm • Spain | $117 | $7 | $2.00 | 78°F | 4.7 |
| 2 | 🔷 | Playa de RodasIllas Cíes • Spain | $99 | N/a | $2.80 | 72°F | 4.7 |
| 3 | 🔷 | Buljarica BeachPetrovac • Montenegro | $88 | $23 | $1.50 | 78°F | 4.4 |
| 4 | 🔷 | Rimini BeachRimini • Italy | $132 | $14 | $2.20 | 79°F | 4.4 |
| 5 | 🔷 | Trassenheide BeachUsedom • Germany | $123 | $18 | $2.70 | 67°F | 4.8 |
| 6 | 🔷 | Porto Selvaggio BeachBari • Italy | $123 | N/a | $2.70 | 78°F | 4.6 |
| 7 | 🔷 | Côte des BasquesBiarritz • France | $170 | $18 | $2.80 | 73°F | 4.7 |
| 8 | 🔷 | Punta RataBrela • Croatia | $117 | $9 | $2.80 | 76°F | 4.6 |
| 9 | 🔷 | Plage des GollandièresÎle de Ré • France | $187 | $18 | $2.90 | 69°F | 4.6 |
| 10 | ⚪ | Caminia BeachCaminia • Italy | $94 | $23 | $2.30 | 78°F | 4.7 |
| 11 | 🔷 | Fig Tree BayProtaras • Cyprus | $95 | $14 | $2.60 | 80°F | 4.7 |
| 12 | 🔷 | Mogren BeachBudva • Montenegro | $111 | $29 | $2.00 | 78°F | 4.2 |
| 13 | ⚪ | Gjipe BeachIliaz • Albania | $53 | N/a | $1.50 | 78°F | 4.3 |
| 14 | 🔷 | Łebie BeachŁeba • Poland | $78 | $6 | $1.80 | 65°F | 4.6 |
| 15 | ⚪ | Cala Corsara BeachSardinia • Italy | $120 | N/a | $2.50 | 77°F | 4.8 |
How to read this: the ranking combines travel-relevant value signals such as hotel prices, food and drink costs, beach comfort, Blue Flag status, temperatures, visitor volume and ratings.
Toasty sea or cooler dips - what’s your vibe?
In summer, the sea can get seriously warm, especially later in the season. At 80°F, like at Agia Agathi on Rhodes or the famous Fig Tree Bay in Cyprus, a “cool dip” can feel like a challenge.
If you prefer it fresher, France’s beaches are a better match, with water temperatures around 72-75°F. A standout is Côte des Basques in Biarritz on the Atlantic. And in Sardinia and the Balearic Islands, the sea sits at a pleasant 77°F - perfect for jumping in and staying cool on hot summer days.
80°F
Toasty sea
Agia Agathi on Rhodes and Fig Tree Bay in Cyprus.
72-75°F
Cooler dips
France’s beaches, including Côte des Basques in Biarritz.
77°F
Sweet spot
Sardinia and the Balearic Islands for warm-but-refreshing swims.
Cooler summer escapes
Coolcation: top beaches without the heat
Melting in the heat? No, thanks. The sweet spot is 66-72°F - not too hot, not too cool. You’ll find those feel-good summer temps especially in France: Île de Ré on the Bay of Biscay brings laid-back Atlantic vibes, Marseille adds Mediterranean charm, and Corsica serves up wild, unspoilt nature. The water still stays pleasantly swimmable at 68°F and above - perfect for a dip without the heat overload.
If you love Spain but want to skip the scorcher days, Galicia on the Atlantic is your go-to. And for a breezier summer beach break, the Dutch coast is another great option.
What travellers should know
Beach costs
Budget beaches are not only in one region
Strong value appears across Spain, Montenegro, Italy, Germany and Poland. The best picks mix low everyday costs with practical travel access.
Hotel prices
Summer stays can still be affordable
Lisbon and Petrovac both show hotel nights around $88, while Calabria, Corfu, Milos and Rhodes remain under $115 in the study.
Crowd feel
Choose buzz or calm before booking
Some travellers want beach bars and atmosphere; others want space. The ranking labels each beach as relaxed, lively, busy or packed.
Coolcation
Northern and Atlantic beaches stand out
France's Atlantic coast, Galicia, the Dutch coast and Baltic beaches can be better fits for travellers who want summer without extreme heat.
Blue Flag
Clean water is a major quality signal
51 of the 75 analyzed beaches hold Blue Flag status for the 2025/26 season, including Playa de Palma, Cefalù, Aiguablava and Matala.
Plan the trip
Compare the full route, not just the beach
Omio helps travellers compare trains, buses, flights and ferries so they can balance price, duration, arrival point and onward local transport.
Small beach treats
Gelato check: more scoops for less money
Vanilla, strawberry, cookie dough: ice cream is the essence snack of summer. Discover top destinations for a great deal cone:
- Petrovac, Montenegro$1.50
- Łeba, Poland$1.80
- Benidorm, Spain$2
- Rimini, Italy and Almería, Spain$2.20
- Lisbon, Portugal$2.30
In gelato’s homeland, Italy, you’ll typically pay between $2.20 in Rimini and $2.90 in Sicily. Even on the Amalfi Coast, a scoop comes in at around $2.70 - still great value for the real deal. France sits at a similar level in places like La Seyne-sur-Mer (around $2.70), while in Monaco gelato can reach $5.60 per scoop. Which flavor are you going for?
Beach stay value
What a beachside hotel room costs this summer
A spontaneous trip to the sea? No problem, if you know where to look. Lisbon is a pleasant surprise at around $88 per night in peak summer, while in Italy you can still find great value in Caminia, a hidden gem in Calabria, with nights from $94. Along the eastern Adriatic coast - think Montenegro, Croatia, and Albania - comfortable double rooms often come in at under $88.
Greek islands don’t have to be expensive either: Corfu, Milos, and Rhodes are all under $115. And in Spain, you’ll find strong value too - Andalusia averages around $109 per night, while Mallorca comes in at between $164-$173.
$88-$94Best-value stays in Lisbon and Caminia
Under $115Corfu, Milos and Rhodes island stays
$322-$374Splurge spots: Ibiza, St. Tropez and Mykonos
Beach drinks index
Aperitivo & Frappé - where your drink budget stretches
Same beach mood, different receipt. The Algarve is the value pick, while Mallorca shows the island premium most clearly.
Algarve
Best-value Spritz spot in the beach drinks check.
Spain
A useful mid-point for comparing beach bars.
Mallorca
Premium island feeling, premium glass.
$2-$4 for iced coffee in Greece, while Italy often comes in around $3.
Full Europe's Top Beaches 2026 ranking
🔷 Blue Flag beach⚪ No Blue Flag
| Rank | Blue Flag | Beach | Volume | Hotel | Sun lounger | Ice cream | Iced coffee | Spritz | Air | Sea | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 🔷 | Platja de PonentBenidorm • Spain | Lively | $117 | $7 | $2.00 | $2.20 | $8.40 | 77°F | 78°F | 4.7 |
| 2 | 🔷 | Playa de RodasIllas Cíes • Spain | Relaxed | $99 | N/a | $2.80 | $3.70 | $7.60 | 71°F | 72°F | 4.7 |
| 3 | 🔷 | Buljarica BeachPetrovac • Montenegro | Lively | $88 | $23 | $1.50 | $2.30 | $6.00 | 79°F | 78°F | 4.4 |
| 4 | 🔷 | Rimini BeachRimini • Italy | Lively | $132 | $14 | $2.20 | $2.70 | $8.30 | 75°F | 79°F | 4.4 |
| 5 | 🔷 | Trassenheide BeachUsedom • Germany | Lively | $123 | $18 | $2.70 | $4.00 | $8.70 | 65°F | 67°F | 4.8 |
| 6 | 🔷 | Porto Selvaggio BeachBari • Italy | Lively | $123 | N/a | $2.70 | $2.60 | $8.70 | 77°F | 78°F | 4.6 |
| 7 | 🔷 | Côte des BasquesBiarritz • France | Lively | $170 | $18 | $2.80 | $4.30 | $9.20 | 71°F | 73°F | 4.7 |
| 8 | 🔷 | Punta RataBrela • Croatia | Lively | $117 | $9 | $2.80 | $3.00 | $8.00 | 77°F | 76°F | 4.6 |
| 9 | 🔷 | Plage des GollandièresÎle de Ré • France | Relaxed | $187 | $18 | $2.90 | $3.70 | $8.10 | 67°F | 69°F | 4.6 |
| 10 | ⚪ | Caminia BeachCaminia • Italy | Lively | $94 | $23 | $2.30 | $2.60 | $6.90 | 77°F | 78°F | 4.7 |
| 11 | 🔷 | Fig Tree BayProtaras • Cyprus | Lively | $95 | $14 | $2.60 | $4.20 | $7.40 | 81°F | 80°F | 4.7 |
| 12 | 🔷 | Mogren BeachBudva • Montenegro | Lively | $111 | $29 | $2.00 | $2.30 | $6.30 | 79°F | 78°F | 4.2 |
| 13 | ⚪ | Gjipe BeachIliaz • Albania | Lively | $53 | N/a | $1.50 | $2.80 | $5.70 | 78°F | 78°F | 4.3 |
| 14 | 🔷 | Łebie BeachŁeba • Poland | Busy | $78 | $6 | $1.80 | $3.70 | $8.20 | 64°F | 65°F | 4.6 |
| 15 | ⚪ | Cala Corsara BeachSardinia • Italy | Lively | $120 | N/a | $2.50 | $2.90 | $8.30 | 76°F | 77°F | 4.8 |
| 16 | ⚪ | Veleka BeachSinemorets • Bulgaria | Lively | $60 | N/a | $2.10 | $3.00 | $5.80 | 79°F | 76°F | 4.7 |
| 17 | 🔷 | Ghiaie BeachElba • Italy | Busy | $97 | $23 | $2.70 | $3.20 | $8.40 | 74°F | 75°F | 4.5 |
| 18 | 🔷 | Sant'Angelo BeachIschia • Italy | Lively | $164 | $29 | $2.70 | $2.50 | $9.20 | 77°F | 78°F | 4.5 |
| 19 | 🔷 | Plage de PalombaggiaCorse • France | Lively | $140 | $29 | $2.80 | $5.00 | $10.80 | 71°F | 73°F | 4.6 |
| 20 | ⚪ | Playa de MónsulAlmería • Spain | Busy | $111 | N/a | $2.20 | $2.70 | $7.50 | 76°F | 76°F | 4.7 |
| 21 | 🔷 | Praia da MataLisbon • Portugal | Busy | $88 | $18 | $2.30 | $3.30 | $7.50 | 75°F | 69°F | 4.5 |
| 22 | 🔷 | Platja d'AiguablavaCosta Brava • Spain | Lively | $126 | $14 | $2.70 | $3.40 | $7.80 | 74°F | 75°F | 4.3 |
| 23 | 🔷 | Kühlungsborn BeachKühlungsborn • Germany | Lively | $181 | $19 | $3.20 | $4.00 | $8.30 | 65°F | 67°F | 4.7 |
| 24 | 🔷 | Zachodnia Radzikowo BeachKolobrzeg • Poland | Lively | $82 | $8 | $2.20 | $4.00 | $7.60 | 64°F | 65°F | 4.4 |
| 25 | ⚪ | Playa de BoloniaBolonia • Spain | Busy | $109 | N/a | $2.60 | $2.60 | $7.20 | 76°F | 76°F | 4.7 |
| 26 | 🔷 | Plage de Saint-LunaireSt. Lunaire • France | Lively | $134 | $18 | $3.00 | $3.70 | $8.90 | 65°F | 64°F | 4.7 |
| 27 | 🔷 | Plage de l'EspiguetteMontpellier • France | Lively | $111 | N/a | $3.00 | $5.10 | $10.20 | 70°F | 73°F | 4.4 |
| 28 | 🔷 | Plage des SablettesLa Seyne-sur-Mer • France | Lively | $205 | $23 | $2.70 | $4.40 | $8.90 | 71°F | 73°F | 4.4 |
| 29 | ⚪ | Passetto BeachAncona • Italy | Lively | $111 | $23 | $2.30 | $2.90 | $9.50 | 73°F | 76°F | 4.5 |
| 30 | ⚪ | Lori BeachKsamil • Albania | Lively | $58 | N/a | $1.80 | $2.20 | $6.10 | 78°F | 78°F | 4.1 |
| 31 | 🔷 | Matala BeachCrete • Greece | Busy | $152 | $8 | $2.90 | $1.90 | $9.10 | 80°F | 80°F | 4.5 |
| 32 | 🔷 | Falésia BeachAlbufeira • Portugal | Packed | $99 | $18 | $2.60 | $3.00 | $7.60 | 75°F | 69°F | 4.7 |
| 33 | 🔷 | Porthminster BeachSt. Ives • UK | Relaxed | $103 | $8 | $2.80 | $4.20 | $9.40 | 64°F | 63°F | 4.8 |
| 34 | 🔷 | Praia Da RochaPortimao • Portugal | Packed | $178 | $18 | $2.60 | $2.60 | $6.50 | 75°F | 69°F | 4.6 |
| 35 | 🔷 | Barbati BeachCorfu • Greece | Lively | $99 | $18 | $2.80 | $3.70 | $10.80 | 80°F | 79°F | 4.5 |
| 36 | 🔷 | Playa de PalmaMallorca • Spain | Relaxed | $164 | $18 | $3.00 | $3.90 | $9.60 | 77°F | 78°F | 4.4 |
| 37 | 🔷 | Ambrela BeachPula • Croatia | Lively | $123 | $18 | $3.20 | $3.90 | $7.50 | 77°F | 76°F | 4.3 |
| 38 | ⚪ | Playa de Sotavento de JandíaFuerteventura • Spain | Lively | $129 | $14 | $2.80 | $2.70 | $8.10 | 79°F | 74°F | 4.8 |
| 39 | 🔷 | Timmendorf BeachTimmendorf • Germany | Lively | $234 | $18 | $3.20 | $3.90 | $8.50 | 65°F | 67°F | 4.6 |
| 40 | 🔷 | Cala AgullaMallorca • Spain | Busy | $173 | $18 | $3.20 | $3.40 | $9.50 | 77°F | 78°F | 4.5 |
| 41 | 🔷 | Warnemünde BeachWarnemünde • Germany | Packed | $187 | $18 | $2.70 | $3.90 | $9.40 | 65°F | 67°F | 4.7 |
| 42 | 🔷 | Playa de La ConchaLa Concha Bay • Spain | Packed | $144 | $14 | $2.30 | $3.40 | $7.60 | 74°F | 72°F | 4.7 |
| 43 | 🔷 | Mala BeachCap Mala • France | Relaxed | $164 | N/a | $3.20 | $5.60 | $12.40 | 72°F | 74°F | 4.5 |
| 44 | 🔷 | Woolacombe BeachWoolacombe • UK | Lively | $96 | $8 | $2.70 | $4.40 | $10.50 | 64°F | 62°F | 4.8 |
| 45 | ⚪ | DubajJarosławiec • Poland | Lively | $90 | $9 | $2.20 | $4.40 | $8.00 | 65°F | 65°F | 4.5 |
| 46 | 🔷 | Isola Bella BeachSicily • Italy | Lively | $199 | $23 | $2.90 | $3.60 | $10.40 | 78°F | 79°F | 4.4 |
| 47 | 🔷 | Zandvoort BeachZandvoort • Netherlands | Lively | $216 | $14 | $3.20 | $4.30 | $9.00 | 64°F | 64°F | 4.7 |
| 48 | 🔷 | Maiori BeachAmalfi Coast • Italy | Lively | $187 | $18 | $2.70 | $5.00 | $13.70 | 74°F | 75°F | 4.4 |
| 49 | 🔷 | Šunj BeachLopud • Croatia | Lively | $152 | $9 | $4.10 | $2.90 | $6.90 | 80°F | 76°F | 4.3 |
| 50 | 🔷 | Bredene BeachBredene • Belgium | Lively | $129 | $15 | $2.70 | $4.90 | $9.80 | 64°F | 65°F | 4.5 |
| 51 | ⚪ | Tsigrado BeachMilos • Greece | Lively | $109 | N/a | $3.20 | $4.20 | $8.90 | 80°F | 80°F | 4.6 |
| 52 | 🔷 | Playa de Ses IlletesFormentera • Spain | Lively | $281 | $29 | $3.50 | $4.70 | $13.00 | 77°F | 78°F | 4.8 |
| 53 | ⚪ | Cefalù BeachSicily • Italy | Busy | $181 | $23 | $3.00 | $3.30 | $8.30 | 78°F | 79°F | 4.6 |
| 54 | 🔷 | Playa de las AmericasTenerife • Spain | Packed | $120 | $7 | $2.70 | $2.90 | $8.00 | 79°F | 74°F | 4.4 |
| 55 | ⚪ | La Pelosa BeachSardinia • Italy | Packed | $152 | $23 | $2.60 | $3.00 | $8.80 | 76°F | 77°F | 4.5 |
| 56 | ⚪ | Agia AgathiRhodos • Greece | Busy | $115 | $18 | $2.90 | $4.60 | $8.50 | 81°F | 80°F | 4.6 |
| 57 | ⚪ | Plage de la GravetteAntibes • France | Lively | $152 | N/a | $3.30 | $4.70 | $10.80 | 71°F | 73°F | 4.3 |
| 58 | ⚪ | Binz BeachRügen • Germany | Busy | $205 | $21 | $2.70 | $4.30 | $9.50 | 65°F | 67°F | 4.7 |
| 59 | 🔷 | Weymouth BeachWeymouth • UK | Busy | $83 | $8 | $3.00 | $5.30 | $9.60 | 63°F | 62°F | 4.7 |
| 60 | 🔷 | Scheveningen BeachDen Haag • Netherlands | Lively | $187 | $14 | $3.30 | $5.10 | $10.80 | 64°F | 64°F | 4.6 |
| 61 | 🔷 | Zlatni RatBrač • Croatia | Packed | $134 | $18 | $3.20 | $3.20 | $6.90 | 77°F | 76°F | 4.4 |
| 62 | ⚪ | NavagioZakynthos • Greece | Busy | $123 | N/a | $3.00 | $4.60 | $9.90 | 80°F | 79°F | 4.7 |
| 63 | 🔷 | WesterlandSylt • Germany | Lively | $251 | $20 | $3.40 | $4.20 | $8.90 | 63°F | 65°F | 4.6 |
| 64 | ⚪ | Plage des CatalansMarseille • France | Lively | $158 | $23 | $3.30 | $4.40 | $9.70 | 71°F | 73°F | 4 |
| 65 | 🔷 | Golden BayMalta • Malta | Packed | $205 | $25 | $3.30 | $3.90 | $7.80 | 79°F | 78°F | 4.3 |
| 66 | 🔷 | Rømø BeachRømø • Denmark | Relaxed | $199 | $21 | $4.20 | $5.40 | $11.20 | 63°F | 62°F | 4.9 |
| 67 | ⚪ | Bamburgh BeachBamburgh • UK | Relaxed | $108 | N/a | $2.80 | $4.90 | $7.40 | 61°F | 60°F | 4.9 |
| 68 | 🔷 | Løkken BeachJutland • Denmark | Lively | $146 | $21 | $3.70 | $6.10 | $12.20 | 63°F | 62°F | 4.7 |
| 69 | ⚪ | Gorleston-on-Sea BeachGreat Yarmouth • UK | Lively | $71 | $8 | $3.00 | $5.40 | $8.90 | 61°F | 61°F | 4.7 |
| 70 | ⚪ | NorddeichNorden • Germany | Packed | $181 | $12 | $2.90 | $4.10 | $9.60 | 63°F | 65°F | 4.4 |
| 71 | ⚪ | Cala BassaIbiza • Spain | Busy | $322 | $23 | $3.90 | $4.30 | $11.60 | 77°F | 78°F | 4.4 |
| 72 | ⚪ | Barmouth BeachBarmouth • UK | Busy | $90 | N/a | $3.30 | $5.00 | $10.50 | 62°F | 60°F | 4.7 |
| 73 | 🔷 | Ornos BeachMykonos • Greece | Lively | $351 | $35 | $4.40 | $5.50 | $18.70 | 80°F | 80°F | 4.3 |
| 74 | 🔷 | Plage du LarvottoMonaco • France | Lively | $398 | $39 | $5.60 | $8.10 | $19.50 | 72°F | 74°F | 4.5 |
| 75 | ⚪ | Plage de PampelonneSt. Tropez • France | Lively | $374 | $40 | $5.10 | $7.10 | $20.90 | 72°F | 74°F | 4.4 |
View methodology
This is the fourth edition of our Europe’s Top Beaches study. For 2026, we compiled and analyzed a refreshed list of 75 popular beaches across Europe to identify the best-value and overall top-performing beach destinations.
In selecting the beaches, we prioritized established holiday regions and aimed for a balanced representation of countries and locations. For each beach, we collected data across the factors described below.
Blue Flag status
The “Blue Flag” is an internationally recognized eco-label for beaches, awarded annually to locations that meet strict environmental, safety, and quality criteria (run by the Foundation for Environmental Education). Beaches holding Blue Flag status for the 2025/26 season received 50 additional points in our overall scoring.
Hotel
This reflects the average cost of a double room for one night in August 2026. To represent typical price levels, outliers such as luxury 5-star hotels and higher-end properties were excluded. The data was provided via our platform partner Booking.com.
Visitor volume
To estimate expected crowding, we used the number of Google reviews as an indicator of popularity and likely visitor volume. Beaches were grouped into four categories: under 1,000 reviews = relaxed, 1,000–4,999 = lively, 5,000–9,999 = busy, and 10,000+ = packed. Review counts are not a real-time measure of visitor numbers; rather, they serve as a proxy for overall demand and help contextualise likely crowd levels and potential mass-tourism pressure.
Ice cream (per scoop/serving)
We manually researched the average price of a standard scoop/serving of ice cream. Sources included nearby vendor listings on Google Maps and Tripadvisor. Only venues close to the beach were considered, and we calculated an average across multiple locations.
Sunbed/beach chair
We manually researched the average daily rental price for a sunbed with umbrella or a traditional beach chair. Sources included rental providers’ websites as well as listings on Google Maps and Tripadvisor. We only collected these prices for beaches where sunbathing infrastructure is typical and rentals are available. In the ranking, this factor contributed 10% to the final result. Beaches without sunbed rentals received a fixed baseline of 3 points to avoid disadvantaging more natural beaches that still offer an attractive beach experience.
Iced coffee
We manually researched the average price of a local iced-coffee equivalent sold at beach-adjacent venues such as cafés, restaurants, or beach bars. Only locations close to the beach were considered, and we calculated an average across multiple venues.
Spritz
We manually researched the average price of a 200 ml glass of an Aperitivo Spritz (a mixed drink typically made with Prosecco, liqueur, and sparkling water) sold at beach-adjacent venues such as restaurants or beach bars. Only nearby venues were considered, and we calculated an average across multiple locations.
Air temperature
Average summer air temperature was calculated using mean temperatures for June, July, August, and September. Climate data was sourced from Climate-Data.org. We treated 19.0°C to 21.0°C as the optimal range, as excessive heat can reduce overall comfort. The further a beach’s temperature deviated from this range, the lower its score.
Water temperature
Average water temperature for July and August was sourced from Seatemperature.net and Seatemperature.org. Suitable water temperatures are a key indicator of how inviting and refreshing a beach is, and therefore contribute materially to overall attractiveness.
Visitor rating
All analyzed beaches have a listing on Google Maps, where visitors leave reviews and star ratings from 1 to 5. The visitor rating used in this study is the average Google Maps star rating.
Ranking calculation
To make results comparable across all beaches, we standardized the results for all factors - except sunbeds, air temperature, and Blue Flag status - onto a 0–100 points scale. For each factor, the best (or most affordable) beach received a score of 100, and the worst (or most expensive) beach received a score of 0. All other beaches were scored proportionally between 0 and 100.
The overall score was calculated as the sum of the standardized factor scores and then re-standardized onto a 0–100 scale to produce the final ranking. A standard normalisation formula was used throughout.
The research was conducted in April 2026. All amounts given in the original research are stated in euros and have been converted to US Dollars for this study. An exchange rate of 1 euro to 1.1693 USD was applied.
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