With the arrival of the sun and the heat something in our body asks us to leave the city and go on a pilgrimage to look for the nearest beach, and our body is wise! So, nothing better than a guide to the best coasts in Spain, Italy and Portugal to choose from, right?
Take note of this guide with the best coastlines, villages and beaches not to be missed during your visit. It will be worth every mile you travel to find them and your fellow travellers will be eternally grateful when you recommend these places to them in turn.
Don't think twice and get ready for summer on some of the best coasts of southern Europe:
1. Salento coast, Italy
Administratively speaking, the Salento Peninsula is in the Puglia region of Italy, although it is much better known as the ‘heel of the boot’. Bathed by the Adriatic Sea to the north, the Ionian Sea to the south and located off the coast of Albania, this peninsula preserves an almost intact coastline.
Which corners of the Salento coast can’t you miss? To begin with, Lecce, one of the most beautiful cities of Italian art whose historic centre hides so many churches that many know this city as ‘the Florence of the South’; then you must go to Gallipoli, an essential visit to the coast of the Ionian Sea in a village built on a small island connected by a bridge whose name in Greek is ‘the beautiful city’; to finish this list of ‘musts’, you cannot miss Polignano a Mare, located 10 minutes from Bari and the place where you can enjoy the most romantic sunsets in all of Italy.
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2. Costa Brava, Spain
For its beaches and crystal-clear waters, the Costa Brava is the most visited coast in Catalonia in Spain. Part of its charm is due to the small coves, hidden among leafy vegetation, which allow you to have total contact with nature.
It's impossible to take in all the splendour that the Costa Brava has in store in a short time, so don't deprive yourself of it and take several days to admire all its beauty. During these days there are several "must see" sites: take delight in following Salvador Dalí's footprints in Figueres and Cadaqués; stroll around the city of Girona if you are a fan of Game of Thrones, since several key scenes from recent seasons have been filmed there; and if you want to discover a great beach, don't miss Cala Pola, in Tossa de Mar, with 70 metres of authentic natural beauty.
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3. Alentejo Coast, Portugal
From the south of Setúbal to the Algarve region, lies one of the best surprises in Portugal and one of the least known coasts in southern Europe: the Alentejo Coast, possibly the best preserved coastal stretch of the Iberian Peninsula.
Almost the entire coastline includes the "Parque Natural do Sudoeste Alentejano e Costa Vicentina" (Southwest Alentejano and Vicentine Coast Natural Park) and is worth a visit for its incredible wild beaches and the charm of small fishing villages. An example of its sandy beaches would be Praia Zambujeira do Mar with its rocky outcrops and its sunsets. To live the tradition of the area we recommend Porto Covo, a beautiful seaside village whose white and blue houses are waiting to appear on your Instagram.
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4. Amalfi Coast, Italy
In the Gulf of Salerno, in the south of Naples by the waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea, lies the spectacular Amalfi Coast, a summer destination for celebrities from all over the world. This area perfectly combines nature, beaches and Italian culture, and its most iconic image is the green terraces suspended above the bright blue sea.
The list of essentials on the Amalfi Coast is not short. You have to get to know Sorrento, its cliffs and that aspect of a typical Italian village that has not yet become a city. Also, escape with a good camera to Positano and its colourful houses that make it one of the most beautiful villages in Italy. Let yourself fall for Ravello, a town that has been stuck in time and where you will enjoy some amazing views. Last but not least, have a delicious limoncello in Amalfi.
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5. Mariña Lucense, Spain
Whether because of its geographical isolation or lack of promotion, Mariña Lucense is one of the best kept secrets in Spain. It goes from estuary to estuary, from Ribadeo, the natural border between Galicia and Asturias, to O Barqueiro, which separates the provinces of Lugo and A Coruña.
Among its 62 miles you have very good beaches, such as A Rapadoira, in Foz, an example of urban beach and with all the services at your disposal, or like the beaches of Barreiros, reminiscent of the rocky formations of the Algarve. If we’re talking about rock formations, we can’t miss the spectacular As Catedrais beach, one of the most famous beaches in Spain.
If you want to walk around a Galician village, don’t miss Viveiro, a seaside village whose walls have even withstood pirates and the passage of centuries. For a gastronomic route, try Burela, as it is the main port of the Cantabrian Sea, offering finger-licking fish and seafood.
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