The Best European Beach Breaks for Summer 2021

In our recent survey, we found that more than half of you chose a European beach break as one of your favourite holiday types, and why not? Sun, sea, sand - it’s exactly what we need after the stress of 2020!

If you’re looking ahead to your 2021 European beach holiday, we’ve rounded up some of the best destinations for your next trip…

Where to fly to: Larnaca

What to do there: Why have one beach when you can have 27? Ayia Napa is about more than just nightlife, though there’s plenty of that to enjoy too!

Fourteen of Ayia Napa’s beaches have the blue flag award - more than any other resort in Europe, so you’re guaranteed a beautiful, clean and relaxing break.

As well as beaches and nightlife, Ayia Napa has two marine museums and a sculpture park,  as well as a fantastic waterpark for families.

Book a trip to Ayia Napa

Where to fly to: Malta

What to do there: A trip to Malta is more than just a beach break - it’s also an area of incredible beauty with 3 UNESCO World heritage sites.

Malta’s best beaches are along the Northern and Western shorelines, so if it’s beautiful beaches you’re after, these are the best areas to stay in. 

Don’t miss Valletta, Malta’s capital city. The whole city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it’s the best place to visit for museums and tourist attractions.

Fancy more than just the beach? There are loads of opportunities for hiking, snorkeling and diving, or you can take a day trip to the beautiful island of Gozo.

Book a trip to Malta

Where to fly to: Lanzarote

What to do there: Lanzarote doesn’t just have 10 miles of beaches, but a stunning landscape of mountains and volcanoes. The most popular beaches are in the resorts of Playa Blanca, Puerto del Carmen and Costa Teguise but there are plenty of quieter, more secluded beaches to explore too.

Looking for some family-friendly fun? There are four waterparks to explore which are perfect for a break from the beach. Having a more grown up trip? Lanzarote has plenty of bars and a great nightlife scene.

Book a trip to Lanzarote

Where to fly to: Ibiza

What to do there: Ibiza is the perfect combination of stunning views and fantastic nightlife, with warm temperatures all throughout the year

There are plenty of beaches to choose from, from the quiet and secluded to the busy and popular,. Fancy a hike? Get the best views of the island from the top of Sa Talaia.

Don’t miss a trip to the beautiful old town for the fantastic restaurants, hidden gems and of course, some of the best clubs in the world.

Book a trip to Ibiza

Where to fly to?  Spilt or Dubrovnik

What to do there: Fancy somewhere a bit different? Hvar, an island off the coast of Croatia, is often rated in the top 10 most beautiful islands in the world.

No only does it have plenty of beach and blue sky, it’s also home to some incredible red wines too. 

For a bit of culture, visit historic St Stephen’s cathedral and get the best views from Hvar fort, or take a day trip to many of the other smaller islands nearby.

Book a trip to Split or Dubrovnik

Where to fly to: Faro airport

What to do there: Algarve is the most popular place in Portugal for tourism, so it’s the perfect place for a beach break.

There are dozens of beaches to explore and a range of resorts, from the budget friendly to the exclusive and upmarket. If you’re looking for a family break, choose central Algrave for its theme parks and waterparks which are bound to keep the kids entertained!

Be sure to visit Lagos old town for a real taste of Portugal, with museums and a tourist centre, as well as the gorgeous Igreja de Santo António.

Book a trip to Algarve

Where to fly to:  Chania 

What to do there: Mountainous Crete is the largest of the Greek Islands and has some of the best beaches in Europe (and Elafonisi Beach regularly being named one of the best).

When you’ve finished trying to capture the perfect picture of the pink and white sand of Elafonisi Beach, you can enjoy Rethymon Old Town, one of the best preserved medieval cities in Greece.

With Crete’s fascinating history, there’s plenty to explore if you’re into archaeology and it’s mountainous landscape makes it perfect for hiking. Looking for more of a beach break? As well as Elafonisi Beach,  Falassarna beach - actually 5 separate beaches - is also often considered one of the best beaches in the world.

Book a trip to Crete

We've got loads of destinations for you to try on your next trip, whatever your holiday style.