These 4 Undiscovered Beach Destinations Are Europe’s Best Kept Secrets

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There’s a smorgasbord of reasons why some of Europe’s most iconic beach destinations have given travelers pause before officially making plans.

Between unsightly crowds and anti-tourism protests in hugely popular destinations, many of us now feel like we’re scouring an atlas with a magnifying glass, hunting for places without hordes of vacationers and happy locals without megaphones.

As such, we at Travel Off Path have compiled an original list by our expert team of globetrotters, revealing 4 of Europe’s best-kept secret beach getaways that feel truly undiscovered to the masses.

Here are Travel Off Path’s top 4 overlooked European beach escapes worth discovering:

4) Deauville, France: A Beach Within Reach Of Paris 🇫🇷

Twist your real (or nonexistent) mustache and say “Côte d’Azur”, and you’ll feel like you’re in vacation mode already.

But the truth is you don’t have to venture down to Marseille or Nice for an unforgettable beach vacay on the gorgeous shores of France.

While we all know Paris doesn’t have a beach, and there was controversy during the Olympics if the Siene is even swimmable, perhaps France’s most overlooked coastal escape is just a roughly 2-hour train ride away from the country’s most iconic city.

Deauville boasts storybook boardwalks and timeless seaside elegance without the Riviera frenzy.

Best of all, it’s affordable — a word not often uttered after a Parisian adventure unless you’re on a croissant-only diet.

Score elegant boutique hotels with double-digit rates versus some quadruple-digit with commas on the opposite coast.

Just know Normandy’s shores can be very, let’s say, “Euro”. Don’t say we didn’t warn your eyeballs…

3) Quarteira, Portugal: The Algarve’s Affordable Luxury Hideaway 🇵🇹

Think you know the Algarve? Think again!

It’s not just Albufeira, Faro, and Lagos. There are numerous delightful towns sandwiched in between.

But we stand by our claim that Quarteira is the place to be — a place you can splurge without feeling like splurging.

I stayed at 5-star Hilton Vilamoura As Cascatas Golf Resort & Spa and loved every second, whether it was sangria by the pitcher at the pool, free shuttle to the vibrant marina or insanely reasonable prices.

That said, Quarteira arguably has some of the most golden, crowd-free beaches in Portugal, but it’s not just the moment of capturing a picture-perfect sunset without another tourist in sight that’s tattooed in my mind’s eye.

It’s the sensational cuisine I had too — and that didn’t break the bank either. When hunger strikes, make your way to beachfront Teixeira for decadent wine to watch a fiery sunset and then cap off your night at Social for a meal of a lifetime (heartburn may apply).

2) Jurmala, Latvia: The Perfect Add-On To Europe’s Trendiest City🇱🇻

If you were to guess Europe’s trendiest city, what comes to mind?

Well, we’ve crunched the numbers and happen to know it’s Riga, often dubbed ‘Paris of the Baltics’.

I had the pleasure of visiting this winter. Though, it’s not exactly beach weather right now, if I wasn’t mesmerized by what could possibly be Europe’s most underrated Christmas market — along with Riga’s massive Central Market — I’d be seaside in nearby Jurmala had I come spring or summer.

This Baltic stunner pairs Old World charm with an easy escape to wide, spacious beaches largely tightlipped by locals, so you won’t find Aussie backpackers or rowdy crowds for the most part as Jurmala is more known as a wellness destination.

Kick back at a waterfront cafe, treat yourself at historic spa house, or book a sea-view room at one of many affordable hotels as beach season quietly kicks into gear.

1) East Frisian Islands: Wait, Germany Has Beaches?! 🇩🇪

Recently highlighted by Conde Nast, the East Frisian Islands are undoubtedly the biggest surprise must-visit for spring.

First of all, travelers may have been doing Germany all wrong by hopping around Bavarian villages and Berlin’s weirdo parties.

All along, we could’ve swapped our lederhosen for swimwear to unwind along the scenic North Sea.

The East Frisian Islands are a far cry from Munich and every other notable German name we’ve added to our wishlist.

Consisting of 7 separate islands, these unknown North Sea outposts are some of Europe’s least-known shorelines, yet arguably the most relaxing considering the lack of footprints and wide-open space.

Conde Nast honed in on car-free Juist as the most unique, but we say on Langeoog and Spiekeroog deserve equal attention — and let’s be honest — they’re more fun to say.

I mean, who wouldn’t want to visit the historic site of Drinkeldodenkarkhof?

Excuse me while my Iceland PTSD kicks in…

Sam Sears

Sam, our Lead Writer & Journalist based in San Diego has visited 36 countries and written over 1000 articles with a focus on sharing his own travel experiences and shining a light on lesser-known gems.

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