Luxury Beach Holidays in Europe

Europe’s coastlines court the affection of the Mediterranean, the Ionian, the Aegean and the Atlantic, and its beaches are as diverse as its cultures.

The sun-soaked Greek islands scattered across the Aegean are blessed with chalk-white coves and charming fishing villages, and ouzo-clear waters perfect for sailing and SUPing, from the hidden sea caves of Crete to the balmy lapis lazuli seas around Paros and Santorini. Portugal's Algarve is a perennial favorite for its accessible sandy beaches, family-friendly resorts and 300 days of sunshine a year, while Spain's Golden Mile in Marbella is a prime exponent of the good life – home to golden sands, chi-chi restaurants and bars, and year-round summer vibes. And Italy has it all: sensational food, art, architecture, history – as well as fabulous beaches which throng with locals in summer, from Puglia to Sicily.