The Best Hidden Beaches in Europe: Escape the Crowds

When you think of Mediterranean beaches, you might imagine bustling sands crowded with colorful umbrellas and loungers filled with sunbathers. I know I used to feel this way! I still do, in some cases — plenty of beaches in the Med live up to this image. That said, you can still find secluded beaches in Southern Europe, even in places you assume would be packed to the gills. Here's how to find your own piece of beach and seaside paradise when you cruise to Europe.

1. Spain

Hidden Beach Highlights in Spain

● Cala Jugadores, Costa Brava: A secluded cove near Cadaques with dramatic cliffs, cobalt-blue waters and almost no crowds

● Cala Varques, Mallorca: A peaceful beach reached by a scenic hike, perfect for those seeking quiet and natural beauty.

● Cala Macarelleta, Menorca: A stunning turquoise bay surrounded by pine trees and limestone cliffs, ideal for a tranquil escape.

If you've ever been to Barcelona or Malaga in the summer, the thought of a secluded beach escape in Spain can seem as crazy as the Sagrada Familia ever being finished. There are plenty of Spanish beaches without any towels on them, just waiting for you to put yours down. All you need is a day or two to travel away from where the crowds are, and an hour or two to reach the hidden spots.

One of the best places to find secret beaches in Spain is Costa Brava, which is surprisingly close to Barcelona — just two hours by car, or slightly more using local buses or trains. Head to Cadaques to sit down for lunch or pick up some snacks to take with you, then set your GPS for Cala Jugadores, where the party vibes of La Barceloneta feel as far away as Madrid or Bilbao.

The rocky cliffs and coves may seem inhospitable to beachgoing at first sight, but the contrast of their muted sands with the electric cobalt of the water invites you to stay. You won't likely see many other sunbathers; there are plenty of expensive yachts out in the bay.

Another place in Spain to find the best Mediterranean beaches: the islands of Mallorca and Menorca. These are part of the Balearic Islands, the same island chain as party capital Ibiza; they tend to be a lot less packed, particularly during "shoulder" months like June and September. Most beaches outside of larger cities are relatively quiet.

Choices like Mallorca's Cala Varques and Menorca's Cala Macarelleta are particularly good ones for tranquility-minded beachgoers. While both require short hikes to reach from their parking areas, the moment you see the sparkling turquoise waters through clearings in the pine-lined paths, you'll get a second wind that will power you all the way to paradise.

2. The French and Italian Rivieras

Hidden Beach Highlights on the French and Italian Rivieras

● Èze-sur-Mer Beach, France: A peaceful pebble beach below Èze village, known for its crystal-clear waters and quiet setting.

● Calanque d’En-Vau, near Marseille: A dramatic cove surrounded by limestone cliffs, with emerald waters perfect for swimming.

● Plage de la Moune, Saint-Tropez: A tucked-away stretch near the glamour of Saint-Tropez, ideal for a serene escape.

● Ficajola Creek and Nonza Beach, Corsica: Remote beaches featuring striking scenery, from orange-hued cliffs to black volcanic sands.

● Varigotti Beach, Italian Riviera: A colorful coastal gem near the French border, framed by pastel houses and calm waters.

● Cala Goloritze, Sardinia: A UNESCO-listed cove reached by hike, famous for its white limestone cliffs and sapphire sea.

● Isola di Stromboli, Aeolian Islands: A volcanic island beach paradise offering unmatched seclusion and dramatic landscapes.

I'll admit it: The crowded coast of Nice, France, is home to some of my favorite beaches in the world. Despite this, I'd be lying if I didn't also acknowledge how wonderful it is to get off the beaten path of the Côte d'Azur. Luckily, you don't need to go far to find some of the least crowded beaches in this region.

One of my favorite beaches is actually about halfway between Nice and Monaco. While all the tours are at the mountaintop citadel of Èze village, I recommend you hike down to Èze-sur-Mer Beach. On account of its hard-to-reach location, it’s often totally quiet. As is the case in Nice, much of this beach is pebbly rather than sandy, which is why the waters are so perfectly clear.

This isn’t to say that all of France's hidden beaches are on the French Riviera, even if Calanque d'En-Vau near Marseilles and Plage de la Moune in upmarket Saint-Tropez feel much further from civilization than they are. While Calanque d'En-Vau's deep emerald waters are only a short drive from Marseille's Old Quarter, Plage de la Moune is actually mere steps from Saint-Tropez's much busier sands.

Another not-so-secret French idyll to flock to if you're seeking a silent swim is Corsica, accessible by Nice or Marseille by ferry. While the ideal way to explore Corsica (as they call it in French) is to rent a car and stop wherever you spot sand and no people, you could alternatively make a beeline for spots like Ficajola Creek in Piana. This requires a long hike to reach, and you can look forward to Cap Corse's Nonza Beach, whose black sands will have you feeling like you're on the moon.

You can employ a similar strategy when it comes to seeking out Mediterranean beaches in Italy. On the Italian Riviera itself, many of the most incredible beaches are actually near the French border. While most people are waiting in line to dip their toes into the water at Cinque Terre, you can have the sands of Varigotti Beach all to yourself, whose backdrop is a pastel-painted town.

Of course, as is the case with France and Spain, you could also just abandon the mainland. Head to Sardinia and make haste for Cala Goloritze (whose unique "stone forest" landscape is accessible only by hiking) or the castaway La Maddalena archipelago. You could also choose the truly secluded Isola di Stromboli, which seems so remote it'll make you feel like a castaway (it's accessible by ferry from Naples).

3. Croatia and Albania

Hidden Beach Highlights in Croatia and Albania

● Saplunara Beach, Mljet Island, Croatia: A peaceful sandy bay on a remote isthmus, perfect for travelers seeking quiet and natural beauty.

● Ropa Beach, Mljet Island, Croatia: A rocky, crystal-clear cove ideal for swimming and snorkeling far from the crowds.

● Palase Beach, Albania: A pristine stretch of white sand accessed through a coastal national park, offering untouched Mediterranean charm.

● Shpella Lukove, Albania: A tranquil, lesser-known beach surrounded by small coastal villages and a relaxed, authentic atmosphere.

If you've been to Croatia in recent years on a Dalmatian cruise, you might not associate the country with secret beaches. Croatia has exploded in popularity, thanks to its increasing commonness as a cruise destination and stunning coastal cities like Split and Dubrovnik. While no crowd can fully dim the excitement of walking through the places where "Game of Thrones" was filmed, city beaches along the Dalmatian Coast can be surprisingly crowded.

As is the case elsewhere along the Med, you can find more private places to swim if you know where to look — Mljet Island is a great place to begin. On its eastern end, you find Saplunara Beach, whose soft sands sit on an isolated isthmus that most tourists don't bother visiting. Another awesome Mljet beach is Ropa Beach on the south-central coast. Its lack of sand makes the deep, clear waters better for swimming than for sunbathing.

When you want to find secluded beaches without as much effort or expense, head a bit further south along the Balkan Peninsula to Albania. While the tourism infrastructure isn't quite as built up as it is in Croatia, the quality and exclusiveness of the beaches more than make up for any lack of creature comforts. Palase Beach's powdery sands require you to hike through a coastal national park, while Shpella Lukove's relaxed vibe mirrors those of the small villages near it.

4. The Greek Islands

Hidden Beach Highlights in the Greek Islands

● Kokkini Paralia (Red Beach), Santorini: A striking crimson-sand beach framed by volcanic cliffs, offering a surreal and secluded escape.

● Bali Beach, Crete: A quiet cove with calm, turquoise waters, perfect for a relaxing swim away from the crowds.

● Panormos Beach, Crete: A peaceful beach near a quaint fishing village, ideal for a laid-back Greek island experience.

● Kos Island Beaches: Lesser-known stretches of pale, chalky sand and fluorescent blue water, surrounded by dramatic limestone cliffs.

Speaking of Greece, I want you to try and jettison your image of the country's islands as tourist-filled party hubs where the only sand you see is what's left in your bag after a day at the beach. While it can indeed be hard to find a quiet spot to swim on islands like Mykonos, the reality is that many tourists head to the same places when they visit the Greek Islands. If you venture even a bit off the tourist trail, you may be surprised by how exclusive what you find feels.

Would you believe, for example, that some of the least-crowded beaches in Greece are on the popular island of Santorini? It might not seem possible as you're waiting for sunset with the masses in Oia or departing from your cruise ship in Skala, but just you wait and see.

One of these places is less crowded than mainstream beaches in Perissa and Kamari and seems downright otherworldly. As you make your way down to the sands of southern Santorini's "Red Beach," which is known among locals by its Greek name Kokkini Paralia, you might feel like you've found an ocean on Mars, instead of amid the Mediterranean.

For other amazing Mediterranean beaches in Greece, you can, of course, venture further afield. The coastline of Kos island, in particular, is stunning — limestone from the cliffs that rise behind its fluorescent waters has crumbled over the centuries into sand that's almost chalky. Crete, likewise, is home to some very private-feeling beaches, including Bali Beach and Panormos Beach, the latter of which sits near a charming fishing village of the same name.

If you don't have the time or inclination to venture far from tourist areas, consider booking a late summer cruise in September. You’ll enjoy more popular beaches when the summer partiers have returned home to work and study.

5. The Eastern Mediterranean

Hidden Beach Highlights in the Eastern Mediterranean

● Glyki Nero Beach, Cyprus: A tranquil bay near Ayia Napa, with secluded sea caves you can swim to for true privacy.

● Sirens Beach, Cyprus: A soft-sand haven that feels completely deserted despite being easily accessible from town.

● Kidrak Beach, Turkey: A quiet, scenic stretch near the famous Öludeniz Blue Lagoon, offering the same turquoise beauty without the crowds.

● Cirali Beach, Turkey: A remote white-sand beach near the ancient ruins of Olympos, reached by a steep coastal road.

● Caesarea Beach, Israel: A hidden coastal gem beside ancient Roman ruins, blending history and untouched beauty.

● Palm Island Nature Reserves, Lebanon: Peaceful, protected beaches just off Tripoli, ideal for a serene island day trip.

● Tabarka and Barkoukech Beaches, Tunisia: Wild, unspoiled coastlines with powdery sands and a true off-the-map feel.

If you've got the time and curiosity, why not head even deeper into the Mediterranean? Cyprus, a tiny island that punches way above its weight, is a fantastic choice. In fact, you can cruise directly to Ayia Napa, from which the seemingly private beaches like Glyki Nero and Sirens Beach are easy to reach. Keep in mind that while sandy Sirens Beach feels legitimately deserted, you'll achieve real seclusion at Glyki Nero only amid the "sea caves" you have to swim to.

The journey to reach Cyprus might take longer than for more typical beach destinations in the Med. The reward you find once you get there is so amazing, you might wonder if what you see before you is even real.

Indeed, it might surprise you to learn that some of the best beaches in the Mediterranean are technically outside of mainland Europe. Turkey is a great example of this. While the powdery sands that rise out of the Öludeniz Blue Lagoon are anything but off-the-beaten-path, many beaches not far from popular Turkish coastal cities like Fethiye and Antalya feel almost abandoned.

Kidrak Beach, whose water and sand are the same color as you find in Öludeniz, feels hours away from its more popular sister beach, despite being less than a mile down the road. Cirali Beach near Antalya, on the other hand, requires a long drive down an impossibly steep road, so it's no wonder that its perfectly white sands are as empty as they are, despite the ruins of nearby Olympos being a stone's throw away.

If you're feeling more adventurous, you could even head to Israel, where the beaches just off the Roman ruins of Caesarea seem like they haven't been touched since at least the time of the last emperors. Lebanon, too, offers amazing beaches, namely the Palm Island Nature Reserves, accessible via an easy boat trip from the city of Tripoli.

While most of Egypt's best beaches aren’t on the Med (they’re on the Red Sea), tiny Tunisia boasts some amazing, quiet coastlines. This includes Tabarka and Barkoukech Beaches, whose sugary sands look as if no one has ever walked along them.

Pick a Mediterranean Paradise: European Beaches Are Calling Your Name

Mediterranean beaches are often packed and rowdy, but they don't have to be. You can explore the Med via Europe cruises or use your own itinerary, as long as you travel mindfully to avoid crowds and manifest serenity. Choose underrated destinations like Albania or lesser-visited Greek Isles, or go off the beaten path in busy destinations in Spain, Italy and France.

Make a point of hitting the beach early in the morning before crowds arrive or late in the season after they've departed. Life's a beach in the Mediterranean, no matter where you find the one that's perfect for you.