These 4 undiscovered beach destinations are Europe’s best-kept secrets

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

Amid ugly crowds and anti-tourism protests in hugely popular destinations, many of us now feel like we’re sifting through an atlas with a magnifying glass, hunting for places without hordes of holidaymakers and happy locals without megaphones.

That’s why we at Travel Off Path have put together an original list by our expert team of globetrotters, revealing four of Europe’s best-kept secret beach getaways that feel truly undiscovered to the masses.

Here are Travel Off Path’s top four overlooked European beach vacations worth exploring:

4) Deauville, France: a beach within reach of Paris 🇫🇷

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

But the truth is, you don’t have to travel to Marseille or Nice for an unforgettable beach holiday on the beautiful coast of France.

While we all know Paris doesn’t have a beach, and there were controversies during the Olympics over whether the Siene is swimmable at all, perhaps France’s most overlooked coastal town is only a roughly 2 hour train ride away from the country’s most iconic city.

Deauville features storybook promenades and timeless coastal elegance, without the madness of the Riviera.

Best of all, it’s affordable – a word not often uttered after a Paris adventure, unless you are on a croissant-only diet.

Score elegant boutique hotels with double-digit rates versus some four-digit hotels with commas across the street.

Just know that the coasts of Normandy can be very, shall we say, “Euro”. Don’t say we didn’t warn your eyes…

3) Quarteira, Portugal: the Algarve’s affordable luxury retreat 🇵🇹

Think you know the Algarve? Think again!

It’s not just Albufeira, Faro and Lagos. In between there are countless beautiful towns.

But we stand by our claim that Quarteira is the place to be; a place where you can spend your money without feeling like spending too much money.

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

That said, Quarteira may have one of the most golden, crowd-free beaches in Portugal, but it’s not just the moment you capture a perfect sunset without another tourist in sight that’s tattooed in my mind.

It’s the sensational kitchen I had – and it didn’t cost much money either. When hunger strikes, head to the beach Teixeira for decadent wine to watch a fiery sunset and then end your evening Social for the meal of a lifetime (heartburn may apply).

2) Jurmala, Latvia: the perfect addition to Europe’s trendiest city🇱🇻

If you were to guess the trendiest city in Europe, what would come to mind?

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

I had the pleasure of visiting this winter. Although it’s not exactly beach weather at the moment, if I wasn’t mesmerized by what could possibly be Europe’s most underrated Christmas market, along with Riga’s enormous Central Market, I would have been by the sea in nearby Jurmala if it were spring or summer.

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

Kick back at a waterfront café, treat yourself to a historic spa house or book a sea-view room at one of the many affordable hotels as the beach season quietly gets underway.

1) East Frisian Islands: Wait, Germany has beaches?! 🇩🇪

Recently Featured By Conde Nastthe East Frisian Islands are undoubtedly the biggest surprise you should visit in spring.

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

All the while we could have swapped our lederhosen for swimwear to relax along the scenic North Sea.

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

Comprised of seven separate islands, these little-known North Sea outposts are among Europe’s least known coastlines, yet perhaps the most relaxing, given the lack of footprints and wide open space.

Conde Nast aimed for car-free Correct as the most unique, but we say further Langeoog And Spiekeroog deserve just as much attention – and let’s face it: they’re more fun to say.

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

Excuse me while my Icelandic PTSD kicks in…

Sam Sears

Sam, our lead writer and San Diego-based journalist, has visited 36 countries and written more than 1,000 articles with an emphasis on sharing his own travel experiences and highlighting lesser-known gems.