Plage Notre-Dame, Porquerolles, France
Best beach in Europe for: a laid-back long weekend
There’s something decidedly glorious about bumping along a eucalyptus-lined dusty red dirt trail on a rented bicycle, knowing that certain things about Porquerolles—an island roughly nine kilometers long and two kilometers wide, off the coast of Hyères–never change, beginning with the pristine beaches. I’ve visited countless times over the past three decades and this favourite swimming spot, Plage Notre-Dame, remains a high Technicolor experience with a soundtrack of grinding cicadas. The ritual: you lock your bike on a weathered post, shaded by windswept umbrella pines, then pause to admire the perfect panoramic curved strip of fine quartz sand before scrambling down the rickety wooden stairs to find a place to unfurl your towel. Wading through the limpid shallows, it’s hard to imagine that you’re only a 15-minute ferry or water taxi-ride away from the overdeveloped French Riviera. And except for the swarm of day-trippers in high season, you’re on your own.
Porquerolles, a government-protected National Park, prohibits cars and smoking (except in the tiny village square, lined with cafés, where old-timers play pétanque). Bring snacks and plenty of water. There are no lifeguards, no sandwich stands, no sunbeds, and very little shade. Another option, once you’ve dried off, is to visit the nearby Villa Carmignac, a cutting-edge contemporary art museum, then lunch at their superb outdoor restaurant serving Provençal specialties and chilled island-grown rosé. Come back for a dip at sunset, when the palms turn black against an orange and fuchsia-streaked sky.
Where to stay: For a romantic break, book Le Mas du Langoustier or for a family-friendly stay, choose Hotel les Medes. —Lanie Goodman
Diamond Beach, Iceland
Best beach in Europe for: black sands and breathtaking beauty
Just a short hop from Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon there lies an unusual beach. There’s no glowing golden stretches, not a single bar blasting cheery music, row of humbug-striped deckchairs or crowd of surfers. You’re certainly not going to don your bikini. However, a quick stop here made the most memorable beach experience I’ve ever had. The highly volcanic earth gives this small strip of sand a charcoal hue; as if the contrast has been turned up on a photograph. All along the shoreline, bright, glimmering chunks of glacier from the nearby lagoon have washed up on the shore. The sight of hundreds of shining globes of ice reflecting a kaleidoscope of colors against inky dark sand as the light dipped below the sea is something I’ll never forget. Leave your beach bag and sunglasses at home and instead bring three jumpers and your thermals. However, as with most places in Iceland, the unique beauty of the spot will linger long in your mind.
Where to stay: Hotel Jökulsarlon has smart modern interiors and beautiful views over the mountains from most rooms, while being a stone’s throw from the beach. There’s also a nearby Fosshotel and, while I’ve not stayed, the one I did stay in near Rekjavik was perfectly lovely. —Charley Ward
