Whether it's Playa, Plage, or Praia: How to Plan an Epic European Beach Adventure with Kids
When thinking about a European vacation, images of famous art and historic architecture come to mind. Perhaps some velvety cheese paired with a lovely wine.
Beach time may not be high on your list, but it should be. From Denmark to France to Portugal to Greece, Europe has some of the most amazingly Instagram-worthy beach experiences you could imagine — and even more that must be seen to be believed.
But the entire European beach experience is a bit different from what you’ll find in the US, and you’ll need to shift your mindset and plan a bit differently to unlock some of the most unforgettable sun and sand that you’ll ever find.
This post will help you know what to expect and how to plan your time in the sun from the chilly coasts of Ireland to the sun-drenched southern shores of Crete. Here are our recommendations for the best beaches for kids in Europe.
Check out our posts on Corsica and Crete for more beach-related tips:
Crete:
Tip #1: Prepare for the Terrain
From California to the Gulf of Mexico to the eastern seaboard, your typical American beach is going to be miles of wide, soft sands with lots of parking.
In Europe, what is considered a “beach” has wildly different styles of terrain.
While some beaches are miles long and have plenty of parking, there are just as many that can only be accessed after a mile hike down a dirt trail to get to a beach 100 meters wide — and it could be packed with people.
As a rule of thumb, the harder it is to get to, the more pristine and uncrowded a beach will be. Plage de l'Ostriconi in Corsica, France has only one signpost that you can easily miss driving down the road. There is no parking, just pull your car over to the shoulder and then get out and hike an easy but leafy trail about a half mile that includes traversing a small swamp. Your reward is a pristine beach that even in August will be relatively uncrowded, with water as clear as glass and gentle grade into the lagoon that makes playing in the water extra safe for toddlers.
There are some Florida-style beaches in parts of France and Greece — Falassarna Beach in Crete, Greece is a particularly easy-in, ample parking beach. But part of the charm in much of Europe is that smaller beaches offer different experiences. One beach might be a glitzy dance club feel while right around the cove is a quiet little nook that you can have all to yourself.
Narrow beaches with high cliffs are some of our favorites because the scenery can be stunning— and our middle child loves nothing more than climbing rocks and then jumping off into the water. Mrs. AK is less than thrilled by his passion.
Lastly, it’s not uncommon to find beaches that are mostly pebbles or rocks with little-to-no sand. For example, the famous beaches of Nice, France have virtually no sand and are all pebbles that while picturesque, hurt little feet that aren’t in flips or water shoes.
Don’t forget to account for the weather and water temperatures as well. Beaches in Ireland are wetsuit-worthy all summer long. By contrast, we’ve been on beaches in Sicily and Greece where the sirocco winds are whipping straight up from Africa — which feels like being on a beach in nearly 100-degree heat with a hair dryer blowing in your face.
Tip #2 Chose the "Scenes" Most Appropriate For Your Family
Because of the wide variety of beach conditions, you should research and determine if you want to rent beach chairs and an umbrella or set up your own little space on the sand. Most every beach of a decent size and/or prestige will have scores of chairs and umbrellas available for rent.
The typical setup is two chairs and an umbrella for anywhere between 5 and 20 Euros depending upon the popularity of the beach. Many of these operations are typically controlled by a beachside restaurant and will have waiters roving the beach area for food and drink orders. If you enjoy a little bit of pampering on the sands, this is definitely for you.
During high season (peaking in July and August), some beaches are so fully packed that up to 80% of the available sand space is taken up by chairs and you have little choice but to rent. Plus popular beaches will require advance reservations for chairs plus an umbrella so book ahead of time if possible. We have been disappointed to drive two hours to a well-regarded beach spot only to be told that all of the chairs were rented and the only spots open to throw down a towel were already overrun.
Also, be aware that Europeans often have a different idea of personal space than Americans —which you’ll see on the beaches as well. It’s not uncommon to have someone set up their towel just a foot from yours if the beach is crowded that day — which is another reason to opt for the chairs plus umbrella if available.
Lastly, some beaches are out-and-out party scenes. Paradise Beach in Mykonos, Greece is well known for a bass-thumping good time from about noon until 3 am. While it is super fun without kids, it would be far from relaxing to have kids in tow.
Tip #3 Consider a Boat Trip for a Remote Experience
For a truly unforgettable beach day, consider hiring a boat with a captain to take you to otherwise inaccessible beaches. All across the Mediterranean and Portugal’s Algarve, you will find tour operators and boat captains offering up half-day or full-day swimming and beach trips. This is the only way to get to hundreds of remote beaches and hidden coves. Your captain will simply motor up close to shore then you hop in. While he bobs just offshore, you’ll have an hour of private beach time for just you and the family. We’ve done this a few times and it’s simply a magical bucket list type of experience.
That said, as a bucket-list experience, it can get pricey. Packaged boat tours can be found for less than $100 but these are going to be large boats with perhaps 100 people onboard. A private boat will set you back a few hundred dollars to a thousand dollars depending on location, time of year, duration of outing, and type of boat. It’s really up to you to determine how much of a splurge you want.
Tip #4 Plan Carefully
Plot out your itinerary in advance and research your beaches of choice. There are seemingly limitless YouTube and Insta videos chock-full of tips, as well as blogs devoted to rating beaches. Check into parking, accessibility, sand conditions, wind conditions, restaurant/bar/bathroom facilities, sunbed/umbrella rental, and water sports options.
Also, check with locals. Many will happily recommend their favorite options or give you the scoop on ones to avoid.
Tip #5 Get the Right Gear
While it’s hard to give up precious baggage space for beach gear, there are a few essentials that should be brought from home for convenience:
Water shoes — whether the beach is rocky/pebbly, you plan to do some rock climbing, or the sand is simply super hot, bringing a solid pair of water shoes for all is essential. Here are our favorites:
Beach blanket — even if you plan to rent chairs and an umbrella at each stop, it’s nice to have a big, foldable beach blanket to allow the kids to spread out with toys, etc. This option is quick-drying and can be folded into a tiny pouch. Bonus it has spikes to keep it in place.
Sunglasses and hats — the sun is hot and blinding off the water, sand, and rocks. Don’t forget to bring hats and sunglasses for all.
Scout Beach bag — pack a beach bag that can accommodate all your gear (towels, snacks, water shoes, etc.) This one is lightweight, expansive, and can be cleaned easily.
Snorkel masks with integrated breathing system — these masks were an amazing choice for our kids when they were younger and couldn’t use a traditional snorkel.
Waterproof Phone Pouch -- save your phones from water and sand.
And this might sound silly, but it’s not a terrible idea to bring some beach towel clips. Several of the beaches we have visited have been excessively windy — clips or ties can help save you the hassle of your items blowing away, and your subsequent sprint to retrieve them.
Tip #6 Check Out Our Favorite Beaches:
Elafonissi, Falassarna and Damnoni Beaches, Western Crete
Crete is blessed with countless stunning beaches. These are some of our favorites.
Palombaggia Beach, Corsica
Shockingly clear and beautiful water along with white sand, restaurants, and evergreen trees make this a lovely spot in southeast Corsica.
Plage du Grand Sperone, Corsica
Lovely, calm, crystal clear waters in a protected cove. Accessing this beach requires a bit of a walk, but it's easy and can be navigated with small kids. Park at Piage de Piantarella and follow the crowds. There are a couple beaches in between, so pick your favorite. There's also a great beach bar at Piage de Piantarella to grab a drink or a bite either before or after beach time.
Îles Lavezzi, Corsica
Accessible by ferry or private boat from Bonifacio, this rugged set of uninhabited islets makes a fun day trip for snorkeling, swimming, and sunbathing. No facilities, so bring your food, drinks, and gear.
Praia da Rocha Baixinha, Algarve, Portugal
Backed by inspiring cliffs, this expansive golden-sandy beach should be on any Algarve vacation list.
Praia dos Três Castelos, Algarve, Portugal
Soft sandy beach with dramatic rock formations to explore.
Praia do Camilo, Algarve, Portugal
A sandy cove sheltered by dramatic ochre-colored rocks. Accessible via a steep staircase and just outside of Lagos.
Nice, France
For a chic beach day, you cannot go wrong on the pebbled beaches of Nice. Grab a chair and umbrella set up, and enjoy people-watching as well as the surf. Water shoes are a must for this pebbly beach, but the wow factor of a day on the French Riviera can't be beaten.
For more tips on Corsica. https://www.andiamokiddo.com/post/11-core-tips-for-corsica
For more tips on Crete.
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