Seriously Amazing Europe Beach Towns | MojoTravels

Seriously Amazing Europe Beach Towns Slip on your shorts and grab the sunscreen, it’s time to hit the beach. Welcome to MojoTravels, and today we’re counting down our top ten picks for Seriously Amazing Europe Beach Towns. For this video, we’re looking at towns and their surrounding areas that offer a little something more than the typical sun and sand (as great as those are). These are destinations with great histories, welcoming atmospheres, and fun activities for all the family. We’re also limiting ourselves to one location per nation. #10: Ostend, Belgium Following huge investments to renew the city, Ostend is currently at an all time high. With an annual arts festival transforming the city with installations and murals, this quaint resort has a particularly bohemian feel. Nicknamed ‘queen of the coast’, the area’s architecture was devastated during the Second World War, meaning that surviving landmarks like the famous Wellington Racecourse stand out as the jewels in the queen’s crown. During the summer, the almost 5 mile-long beach accommodates throngs of visitors with a cluster of beach bars offering music and, of course, Belgian beer. #9: Lagos, Portugal Our star pick from Portugal’s beautiful Algarve region, Lagos is easily accessible from all of the country’s major cities. A hike along the iconic red cliffs will live long in your memory, offering perfect photo opportunities, from the marina down to the craggy tunnels that cut right through the limestone. If you’ve still got some energy, swap land for water and jump into a kayak, taking a relaxed guided tour of coves and coastline. #8: St Ives, UK Whilst the UK can’t always guarantee the warmer climates of mainland Europe, it can definitely compete when it comes to family-friendly resorts and superb cultural offerings. The tiny fishing town of St. Ives in Cornwall is one of the most important arts spots in all of Europe, a centre for abstract and modern painting and sculpture. Most famously associated with Barbara Hepworth, visitors can walk around her private sculpture garden and studio, and even visit the recently renovated Tate gallery. With intimate sheltered coves and choppy waves, St. Ives is a surfer’s paradise, and an ideal place to learn for younger thrill-seekers. #7: Saranda, Albania Not too far off the coast of Corfu is the delightful region of Saranda. With an average of three-hundred sunny days a year, there’s nowhere better to build up your holiday tan. With a seemingly infinite coastline, the matter of the region’s best beach is a topic of fierce local debate. Whether you prefer the quiet, meditative vibe of a beach at the foot of a monastery, or the buzz of café life, there’s something for everyone. Away from the sand, visitors can make a short trip to the ancient town of Butrint, a UNESCO World Heritage site, inhabited since prehistoric times. #6: Kaş, Turkey Offering some of the best scuba diving experiences in all of Europe thanks to the grandeur and high salt content of its water, Kaş, like much of Turkey, is a meeting ground for the Middle East and Europe. It’s not just natural beauty and relaxation on offer here. You’ll get a sense of the area’s heritage wherever you roam, including at historical sites like the castle in the nearby town of Simena (Kaleköy in Turkish), not to mention the ancient ruins of the half-submerged part of Simena, destroyed by an earthquake millennia ago. This isn’t your average beach resort area. #5: Rovinj, Croatia Almost untouched since the eighteenth century, Rovinj is a unique medieval town, where Italian is the official recognised second language. Having been ruled by the Venetians for over five centuries, the architectural influences are clear to see – from the cobbled streets to the terracotta rooftops, up to the unmissable baroque church of St. Euphemia, proudly dominating the skyline. You can head from the old town to both rocky swimming waters and more inviting pebbly beaches. In summer, the average water temperature is a pleasant 75 degrees Fahrenheit. There’s a distinctly Italian influence to the local cuisine too! #4: Cagliari, Italy The capital of the island of Sardinia, Cagliari has been fought over consistently for centuries. After a few days exploring the area, it’ll be easy to understand exactly why! From the turquoise sea to the sprawling beaches and lush natural beauty, the region invites attention. Locals live a healthy lifestyle, feasting on slow cooked delicacies like artichokes and clams. Along the beach, it’s common to find a wide variety of sporting action – you may be invited to join in a game of volleyball, or to take a ride on a sailboat. Less active visitors might prefer to grab some bargains at the Sunday flea market, or check out the wonderful National Art Gallery. #3: Volos, Greece A true hidden gem, Volos isn’t likely to remain lesser-known for long. With a location on of Greece’s most dazzling coastlines, Volos and its surroundings have everything you could hope for in a beach escape: rich cultural heritage, delicious food and a safe, friendly atmosphere. A short wander away from the water could have you stumble across a Byzantine castle, or apartment blocks decorated by some of the best graffiti artists in the world. When eating out, why not ‘do as the locals do’ and simply trust the chef to bring you a selection of the freshest seafood of the day. #2: Cádiz, Spain One of the most ancient cities in Spain, Cádiz, nicknamed tacita de plata (or, the silver cup), boasts imposing fortresses, spooky catacombs and the oldest Roman amphitheater in the country. But along with this storied past, the town is vibrant with life. You’ll feast like royalty at one of the local chiringuitos – beach bars offering drinks on the sand and a diversity of entertainment. The location is picture perfect, and even stood in for Havana during the filming of “Die Another Day” – remember that famous shot of Halle Berry in the orange bikini? But Cádiz is for everyone. #1: Toulon, France Boasting the warmest, sunniest climate in mainland France, the port of Toulon captures the essence of summer. A major naval base since Roman times, Toulon is a relatively affordable alternative to the likes of Cannes and Monaco, retaining all the charm and culture of the western Riviera. With superb public transport links, you can leave the car at home and pop back and forth as you please between the stylish old town and the roughly thirty miles of sandy coastline. And if you’re feeling cultural, you’ll be pleased to know that most museums in the region are free. So whether you intend on lounging in the sun or taking in the sights, Toulon is the place to be.