We think choosing a holiday destination is pretty much as fun as going on the holiday itself -- althoughthat’s not to say it’s easy. But, one back and forth you won’t need to havewith your holiday partner is whether to go on a cultural city break or laid-backbeach holiday...at least not after seeing our list of Europe’s best citybeaches. Read on to discover where you can traipse sand through cathedrals, alternatecocktails and beach volleyball, and party in the UK’s ‘London-By-The-Sea.'

Hotels in this story

Price Dates

Hotel Neri Relais & Chateaux

Amstel Botel

Altis Belém Hotel & Spa

Hotel Bellevue Dubrovnik

Barcelona

The Catalan city of

Barcelona is a prime European hot spot, thanks in no small part to its urban

beach. Because if there’s one thing better than being able to eat tapas and go

dancing till the early hours, then it’s having a sandy beach to head to for

some rest and relaxation the next day. In between the late nights and lazy days, there’s the Sagrada Familia cathedral to explore, the

crazy hustle of La Rambla to negotiate and, of course, the Museu Picasso to get your fill of stunning artwork.

With the beach so

close to the heart of the city, it is easy to reach from most locations. We

would recommend the Gothic Quarter where a stay in the upscale Hotel Neri

Relais & Chateaux is the perfect base from which to explore — once you’ve

torn yourself away from its gorgeous rooftop garden, that is.

Amsterdam

Head to the urban beach after cycling around the Jordaan neighborhood

Besides its meandering canal system, beautiful architecture, world-class

museums and, ahem, famous “café culture,” Amsterdam has urban beaches. Often

overlooked due to the city’s numerous other attractions, the beaches are an open

secret among Amsterdammers who would rather stay in the city during summer. For

outdoor cocktails, volleyball, and a pool party atmosphere, the beach at Strand

West is best. However, you can’t swim there so if a dip is a must, you’d be best heading to Ijburg Strand where the vibe is bohemian and swimming

is A-OK. And if being by the water is your thing then why not stay on the water? The Amstel Botel is a floating concept hotel that will literally rock you to sleep.

Lisbon

Perched on a hilltop

overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, Lisbon is a city of contradictions. Considering that it’s steadfastly

traditional yet forward thinking, it’s a surprise that its ancient cobbled

streets don’t vibrate by night to the sound of the city’s warehouse clubs.

There is a lot to see in

the old town but when you’re done with exploring the quaint streets, head to

one of the sandy beaches on the outskirts of Lisbon. The waves at Praia De

Guincho make it popular with surfers but if you’d rather hang ten from the edge

of your towel than the edge of a surfboard, there’s plenty of space on the sprawling

sandy beach for that too. Bear in mind that some beaches are around a 25-minute

car ride from the centre of Lisbon so if you prefer immediate views of the

water, then the modern boutique Altis Belem Hotel & Spa on the edge of the

Tagus river would be an ideal place to stay.

Brighton

Peter Sigrist via Flickr

If 25-minute car rides to the beach don’t gel with your idea of a city-beach

break, then the myriad appeals of Brighton on England’s south coast might.

Nicknamed ‘London-By-The-Sea’ with good reason, here everything is within walking

distance. Ageing hippies, artists, and musicians

(Nick Cave is a resident) are at the vibrant heart of the place and when the

sun comes out it seems like the entire population heads for the beach. With

miles of coastline available, to avoid the crowds the insider tip to is to head

towards the shore from the city’s Kemp Town neighbourhood. Just beware the

nudist beach in the area — you’ll know it by the nudity on display!

Dubrovnik

A Mediterranean

lifestyle abounds in the Eastern European city of Dubrovnik and if you’ve never

visited then you’re in for an eye-opening treat. Surely there’s nobody left in

Europe who hasn’t been told emphatically by friends that they need to visit Croatia! Dubrovnik has the

best of what the country has to offer. The slow pace of life makes this the

most relaxed city-beach break of all and with the Adriatic Sea lapping at its shore,

it has some serious beach game. The sparkling blue sea isn’t quite enough to

keep you from the sights you’ll find in the Old Town, but it’s a close run

thing. Make the most of the Dalmatian coast and choose accommodation with an

ocean view, like the Hotel Bellevue Dubrovnik with its stunning cliffside

location and private cove.