Not is never too early to start thinking about summer holidays and if your passion is the crystal clear sea, to help you find the right destination, perhaps even a little outside the usual routes, the Guardian takes care of it with a new list of “secret” beaches.
From Greece to Andalusia in Spain via France and Istria in Croatia without forgetting the Italian coast, here’s what the travel experts of the British newspaper recommend. Certain, Defining the Ionian coast of Salento as “secret” is a gamble, as well as the beautiful Sperlonga well known to the inhabitants of Lazio and Campania. But after all, in the English newspaper he speaks to his compatriots and perhaps for them Trapani is also waiting to be discovered.
Secret Beaches: The Seyshelles of Greece
One of the best value destinations for 2024, is the Seychelles beach on the island of Ikaria renowned for the longevity of its inhabitants. Dotted with spectacular coves, the beach is located twenty minutes from the capital, Agios Kirikos. «Call a Greek beach naming an archipelago in the Indian Ocean might be considered arrogance – writes the Guardian – but with its white sand, pale pebbles and brilliant turquoise waters the Seychelles’ version of Ikaria does not disappoint.”
Skala Eressos, Lesbos
Still in Greece, Skala Eressos beach with its dark sand lapped by the blue sea, it is certainly the best on the southern coast of Lesbos. Several hours’ drive from the island’s capital, Mytilene, Eressos was the birthplace of the poet Sappho in the 7th century BC. The “secret” beach is rarely crowded and there is plenty of cheap accommodation.
The natural park of Arrábida, Portugal
The Arrábida Natural Park it is located between the coastal cities of Setúbal and Sesimbra 40 minutes from Lisbon. Here the mountains descend to the beaches of Praia do Creiro, Praia dos Coelhos and the splendid Praia dos Galapinhos (pictured). Here you can alternate horseback riding, excursions in protected areas and visits to local wineries.
Praia de Galapinhos, Setúbal, région de Lisbonne, Portugal / Praia Galapinhos, Setúbal, Lisbon area, Portugal.
El Rompido, Huelva, Andalusia
The eastern stretch of Huelva’s coast is wild and isolated, populated by few people. About half an hour west of the city El Rompido beach is a small seaside resort perfectly organized with beaches shaded by pine trees and the possibility of splendid boat trips. If El Rompido had had a starred chef, it would have been at the top of the list of the best beaches in Spain a year ago. This is not the case, and perhaps better.
Calblanque, Murcia, Spain
For decades tourists have flocked to Murcia to enjoy the holiday resorts of the Costa Cálida and the Mar Menor lagoon. Today, Murcia is a destination that doesn’t offer much in the way of entertainment or mobile phone reception. But on the beaches there is no discussion: the best, the most secret and the wildest are located in the southwest, after the dirt road ends near Playa Larga.
The secret beaches of Île d’Yeu in France
As the crowds descend on the Île de Ré, the experts head towards one of the France’s lesser-known western secret islands, Île d’Yeu. Just six miles long and two and a half miles wide, it can be reached by passenger ferry from Saint-Gilles Croix de Vie or Fromentine on the Vendée coast. Its beaches are quiet coves of golden sand, and none are more idyllic than the Plage des Sabias. The beach is great for kayaking or paddleboarding and is a short walk from Le Vieux Chateau, a partially ruined fort that dates back to the 14th century.
Sveta Caterina, Istria, Croatia
Salsa enthusiasts descend on Rovinj every year in June for the Croatia Summer Salsa festival, which in 2024 celebrates 20 years of filling the port with outdoor stages and dancing. But about 10 minutes by boat is the small island of Sveta Katarina, so close and yet a world away. There is only one hotel behind which is a pebble beach with a special, relaxed atmosphere. A forest path leads to more secluded stretches of rocky coast, with loungers under the pines. It feels like an island retreat away from the crowds.
The Ionian coast of Salento, Puglia
The best beaches in Puglia are located on the Ionian coast: an idyllic stretch that is even called the “Maldives” of Salento, near the town of Pescoluse. To the north is the fortified city of Gallipoli with a spectacular “free” sandy beach in the historic center of the island. Not really a secret for the many Italians who flock to the region every year, but certainly a unique natural spectacle.
Sperlonga, Lazio
Sperlonga beach, halfway between Naples and Rome, offers a spectacular sunset over the sea every time. The fine, golden sand and the crystal-clear, warm water contrast with the rugged promontory which flows into the sea just before the beach, while the characteristic seaside village of Sperlonga, with its sixteenth-century tower, rests on a small hill that drops sheer into the water. Little frequented because, explains the Guardian «Romans like to keep this jewel for themselves».
Trapani, Sicily
Trapani is one of the oldest cities in Italy, dating back 3,000 years and its name derives from the Greek drepanonmeaning sickle, which describes it perfectly its 2 1/2 miles of sand, with clear water. The beach at Piazza Vittorio Emanuele is sandy and free, as is Spiaggia Tipa, further east, and there is a cable car up the hill to Erice. Trapani is connected by train to Palermo, about 60 miles away, but those arriving by rental car can also explore the beaches of San Vito lo Capo, the ancient salt pans of Mozia, and Marsala.
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