by Placid sulphur, Zakynthos
On an off-season trip to Zakynthos, a Greek island famous for drunken British teenagers who also happen to be beautiful, we struck Sulfur Xigia beach on the east coast. We were first greeted by the smell of rotten eggs, due to its sulfur springs. Despite the smell, it’s amazing: the glistening turquoise waters are framed by the high cliffs, and the sulfur bubbles out from the seabed. Swimming at this beach is said to be good for the skin and generally therapeutic. There are other small coves nearby, connected by paths.
Lucas
Idyll of the island, Galicia, Spain
On the golden sands of Praia de Rodas You sit with the ocean in front and behind you, enjoying dreamy panoramic views. There are no cars or hotels. Booking in advance, we went camping overnight, which was a real treat. A hike to the old lighthouse is also great.
Melina
Walk the canyon, Mallorca
When I think of a beach trip in southern Europe, only one place comes to mind – the lonely Torrent in Paris on the northwest coast of the island. With beautifully clear waters, the dream beach is also unique as it is accessed via a narrow kilometre-long tunnel path (although there are ferry options during the summer). It’s a Unesco world heritage site, so the landscapes are absolutely stunning. And there are no lounges, umbrellas or water sports – come here on a weekday to avoid the mass tourism of the island, bring your own towels, and prepare for the sunset of a lifetime…
Colin Snoad
Tips from Guardian Travel readers
Every week we ask our readers for recommendations from their travels. A selection of tips will appear online and may be printed. To enter the latest competition visit the readers’ tips homepage
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Pick Picasso, Côte d’Azur, France
There is no sand (only pebbles), the pesky mouettes (seagulls) your sandwich might turn out to be awful and the price of lunch at the super chic beach club might bring tears to your eyes. But there is no beach in the world like it Paloma. Located on the Cap Ferrat peninsula, it still exudes the glamor of southern France. The turquoise seas shimmer, the air is scented with pine trees and the wonderful views stretch towards Cap-d’Ail and beyond. Picasso loved it here and named the beach after his daughter Paloma. He knew Paradise when he found it.
Mel Clarkson
Beach, bikes and boardwalk, Cinque Terre, Italy
LevantoA sandy beach is a walk from the village train station. After a dip and a spot of sun, enter the beautiful town and proceed focus and a delicious local ice cream, and wait for a glorious sunset over the bay (even better with an ice cream). We hired bikes and cycled through the old train tunnels to nearby Framura, where you can follow a boardwalk to beautiful and remote swimming spots.
Cim
Wandering over the dunes, Huelva, Spain
The beach is my favorite Matalasca southeast of Huelva. The actual beach stretches for at least five miles and is located within the parque national de Donana. Its distance means you can quickly walk to solitude, away from the crowds. I paraglided out the dunes and flew over them, rising on the rise of the geothermals, looking down on the wonderful Rancho Pichilin, an open-air fish restaurant run by a local fisherman and accessible only on foot through the dunes. It’s ramshackle but makes incredible fish dishes at reasonable prices.
Patrick Bastow
Fresh beach restaurant, Croatia
Mala Travna beach is a small pebble beach on the southern coast of Vis at the end of a rough track. We cycled down to eat at the Konoba Senko Karuza restaurant. Proprietor and well-known writer Senko Karuza serves local organic products including fish he caught and wine made by his family. Food is served slowly and you are allowed to jump off the rocks and swim between courses.
Elizabeth
Crete comes to mind, Greece
Sweetwater Bay (also known as Glykanera), on the south coast of Crete, between Loutro and Chora Sfakion, can only be reached on foot (an hour from either town) or by boat, due to the surrounding mountainous terrain . Despite this inaccessibility, there is a friendly little pub, perched on a rock by the sea and reached by a narrow bridge. The name comes from the fresh water springs that emerge on the beach. The pub’s enterprising owner has piloted a solar shower, which delivers streams of icy cold water. The isolation encourages some visitors to swim thin, but it is not mandatory.
Nigel Blandford
Stairway to heaven, Sardinia
The small stone beach Blood Harbor which is not far from Cala Gonone and is reached from the road by walking down many stone steps, accompanied by beautiful views of the Gulf of Orosei. It is a small paradise surrounded by cliffs. If you want to hike there is a path to Cala Lunaanother beautiful beach, four miles south.
Saliva
Winning tip: Caribbean-esque sand, Corsica
Nestled into the south-west corner of Corsica is the glorious remoteness Plage de Cupabia. Its incredibly clear, absurdly warm Caribbean waters are set in an unspoiled amphitheater of rocky coves and a stunning stretch of white sand. It is 15 miles north of Propriano down a winding semi-asphalt road. Despite capacious free parking there is only one tiny restaurant, Waïkiki, on the beach.
Kate Harris
