Time-to-travel

Europe also has beaches

Between visits to museums and historical monuments, explore the European coast with your children. They will love it.

By Luiz Maciel Filho

Many, perhaps most, European beaches are covered in pebbles and gravel instead of sand. And, in general, they have cooler water than in Brazil. Even so, there are plenty of options for those who want to enjoy the European summer by the sea on a trip with their children, with beautiful landscapes and plenty of sun. Especially in countries further south of the continent, such as Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, Greece and Croatia, where the sun only sets at 22:00 in July and August.

If the idea is to spend most of your trip by the sea, the beaches of the Algarve, in the south of Portugal, are excellent options – both for families looking for resorts with leisure and relaxation, as well as for those who would like to explore the region in a rental car.

For those who prioritize peace and quiet, it is worth mentioning the Pine Cliffs hotels, overlooking the Praia da Falésia, in Albufeira; the Tivoli Carvoeiro, on the Vale Covo beach, in Carvoeiro; and the Nau São Rafael Atlântico, on the São Rafael beach, also in Albufeira. They are all very comfortable resorts with a privileged view. For travelers who like to vary their scenery, the tip is to choose a city as a base – such as Faro, Albufeira, Lagos or Portimão… – and to make trips from there. In the Algarve, the distances are short, the sea is almost always calm, the coastal landscape is cut by beautiful cliffs and the people are as friendly as in the rest of the country.

Greece is another fantastic destination to enjoy the European summer on the coast. The best beaches in the country are on the islands, which are many and can even induce travelers to include several of them in their itinerary – which is not such a good idea. It’s better to choose two or three at most, and transfer between them and the mainland preferably by plane, because the boat crossings in the Aegean Sea can take a long time.

In addition to beaches that are reminiscent of the Caribbean, due to the combination of white sand and dazzling blue sea, the Greek islands are hospitable, offer good cuisine and invite you to relax. Before setting off towards the first one, set aside a day or two to discover the historical monuments of the capital Athens, a must-stop on any trip to Greece – your children will enjoy visiting the Parthenon and seeing the city from up high.

Among the most beautiful beaches on the Greek islands are those of Elafonissi, Lindos and Balos, in Rhodes; the Shipwreck beach, in Zakynthos (the one with a shipwreck stranded on the sand, which you’ve probably seen on postcards); the Balos beach, in Crete; the Red beach, in Santorini; Ornos, in Mykonos; and the Canal d’Amour, in Corfu. To experience the abundant summer sun on these islands, always take tours in the early morning or late afternoon and avoid long walks – hire transport to the beaches that are difficult to get to, such as the Shipwreck, which is only accessible by boat.

A less obvious destination – and which for the very same reason can prove to be the most pleasant surprise of a trip to Europe in the summer – is Croatia, bathed by the Adriatic. Years after hiding from the world as part of the former Yugoslavia, and overcoming the regional conflicts that have redrawn the map of the Balkans, Croatia welcomes visitors with genuine joy. Like Greece, it has a coastline dotted with almost a thousand islands, which require some planning by the traveler. The islands of Vis, Rogoznica, Brac, Brela and Paklena Otoci are the most popular – Brela has the beach of Punta Rata, which is considered one of the most beautiful in Europe. The town beach of Banje, in Dubrovnik, is another excellent choice. All of them combine white sand with fine gravel and are more than appropriate for family dips into the sea.

It is also very simple to combine seaside fun with other urban attractions, in order to satisfy the whole family in the European summer. There is always a more structured city close by – when the beach itself is not in one, such as Barcelona and San Sebastian, in Spain. The beaches of Arcachon Bay, on the Atlantic coast of France, for example, are about 50 km – or 40 minutes by car – from Bordeaux, which makes it possible to have a swim and also visit one of the city’s famous vineyards on the same day. To enjoy a good meal, you don’t have to leave the bay: the small towns are well stocked with delights, starting with the very fresh seafood. Andernos-les-Bains, Le Moulleau, Grand Corot and Bordeaux-Lac are great options to drop anchor in the Arcachon bay area.

It’s easy to fall in love with any of these French seaside towns when you’re traveling at the right time of year. French business owner Veronique Toulotte, who now lives in Brazil, has fond memories of Cassis beach, for example, which is much less famous than the popular Cannes, Nice and Saint-Tropez, which are also on the Mediterranean coast. “It’s a lovely place, not only for the beach, which is pebbled, but for the walks that it offers. You can take a boat to the Calanques [limestone cliffs] and take a train ride through the city. Furthermore, Cassis has a vineyard, Clos Sainte Magdeleine, which is by the sea and has great white and rosé wines to counter the heat,” she says.

Like Veronique, previous travel experiences, reported by friends, are always inspiring, justifying the most diverse itineraries along the coast of Europe. There are so many options that it’s difficult not to leave one of them behind. Sardinia, in Italy, for example, is going to be published in another article. Europe needs many travels. Plan yours too.

It’s good to remember that…
…European beaches do not usually have vendors. Bring a cooler with drinks and snacks.
…it’s worth putting your children’s favorite toys for the beach in a bag: balls and a bucket and spade to build sandcastles, etc.
…there are always bars and restaurants close to a beach, but entry is not always allowed in swimwear. Check before enter.
…on gravel or pebble beaches it is good to take mats and sneakers to guarantee more comfort.
…August is the hottest month in Europe and also when the beaches are the most crowded. Enjoying the July holidays is a Brazilian advantage.