'Amber Sands': the best beaches in Europe without quarantine
It is one thing to have to navigate the plethora of different rules and regulations required for entry into Europe right now; it is quite another to have to worry about all that bother once you get there.
Travel to the Continent was supposed to become simpler this week, with the easing of quarantine rules for fully vaccinated travellers returning from amber list countries, but there remains a rich tapestry of guidance when it comes to hitting the beach.
While most countries continue to ask that masks be worn indoors, some require them to be donned outside, even for those visiting the coast, until you have reached your sun lounger.
Below we’ve handpicked a selection of the finest beaches Europe has to offer, in places where you don’t have to end up with cheeky tan lines (sorry Portugal).
Italy
What are the rules on beaches?
'Equipped' beaches have to leave 10 metres between umbrellas and guarantee a one-metre buffer between sunbathers. Elsewhere, local authorities are expected to appoint stewards to ensure that one-metre distancing and other rules are being respected on free-access beaches. Masks are not required, but no team games, such as football or volleyball, are permitted along the shore.
See the latest Covid restrictions in Italy here
Where is Italy's best beach?
Tropea, Calabria
Powder-white sand and transparent sea that could have been transported from the Caribbean. A -postcard-perfect jewel box of a village with lost-in-time alleyways and barely a tourist in sight. Even Italian insiders gasp when they see Tropea for the first time, its blue-sky views reaching all the way to Stromboli. The church of Santa Maria dell’Isola sits on an island to the left of the beach: climb sun bleached white stairs for a view of the Aeolian islands, and then head to the Norman-style duomo, a memento from one of the waves of invaders that made their way here.
The beach under the dramatic white cliff is deemed one of the most spectacular in the country by Italians, and the few foreigners who make the trek. The only time you may find other sunseekers is in August, when a wave of savvy Italians head south. Don’t miss the swordfish at Osteria del Pescatore (Via del Monte), or an aperitif with young well-heeled locals at Al Migliarese (Largo Migliarese).
Read more: The best beaches in Italy
Greece
What are the rules on beaches?
With sunbeds set at a regulation distance of 1.5 metres from each other, social distancing is the rule on Greek beaches. In practise, however, in more crowded resorts such as Mykonos the rules are rarely respected.
Mandatory mask wearing outdoors was scrapped on June 24, but even at the height of the pandemic very few people wore them at the beach.
See the latest Covid restrictions in Greece here
Where is Greece's best beach?
Kanali beach, Prezeva
Overlooking Kanali beach and the turquoise Ionian, Sesa hotel stands on the Greek mainland, close to Preveza and the island of Lefkada. It has just 10 rooms and a honeymoon suite, each themed around one of the elements that make up the hotel’s name: Sea, Earth, Sand and Air. With chic minimalist interiors, they all have sea views, and extras such as espresso machines. Out front, there’s a pebble beach with straw umbrellas, wooden sunbeds and a bar, plus a pool in the garden. The hotel restaurant serves creative Mediterranean dishes, such as pork fillet stuffed with spinach and sun-dried tomatoes, or sea bass with lemon risotto and asparagus. Being on the west coast, the sunsets are amazing too.
Read more: The best beach holidays in Greece
Spain
What are the rules on beaches?
Some of the more popular destinations monitor numbers on busy beaches with designated pitches for each group and teams to keep an eye on things. Rules vary according to each region but in general, you just have to keep the 1.5-metre distance and put your mask on if the promenade is busy or while queuing for ice creams or drinks. You do not have to wear masks when sunbathing or playing games on the sand or in the sea. Just follow the example of the people around you. In the Valencia region, which includes the Costa Blanca, groups on the beach must stick to a maximum of 10 people and in Benidorm only half the usual number of sunbeds are available.
See the latest Covid restrictions in Spain here
Where is Spain's best beach?
Zahara de los Atunes, Andalucia
On the Costa de la Luz on the Atlantic coast of Andalucia, this is a lovely little town with spectacular beaches attached. Although it is fairly popular with Spanish tourists in summer, few Britons know about it. Amuse yourself trawling around the many tapas bars (bluefin tuna is a local speciality).
With the attractive white towns of Tarifa and Vejer de la Frontera about half an hour away, and Cádiz and Jerez around an hour’s drive, Zahara suits people who aren’t keen on full-on resorts and like to sink into local life.
Read more: The most beautiful secret beaches in Spain
Turkey
What are the rules on beaches?
On most paid and hotel beaches you are required to wear your mask en-route to your (socially distanced) sun bed, and when going to the bathroom or café. Once at your lounger, or if you're going in the sea, you can remove it. Sanitising of sun beds usually takes place between users.
See the latest Covid restrictions in Turkey here
Where is Turkey's best beach?
?lüdeniz
Given that it has adorned Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism promotional posters and the covers of legions of guidebooks for at least three decades, no one could argue that the beautiful, pine-fringed and mountain-backed lagoon of ?lüdeniz (Dead Sea) is an unspoilt paradise. Yet despite the rampant development, the lagoon and its environs are still spectacular. There’s plenty to do, too, apart from swim in the azure waters of the lagoon or off the more prosaic adjacent beach) or take a boat to the pretty beach at Butterfly Valley.
Tucked away just behind the beach-front in the resort of ?lüdeniz, the Oyster Residences is a delightful, low-rise 26-room hotel set among lush vegetation with a pretty pool. Dalaman is the nearest airport.
Read more: The best beach holidays in Turkey
Malta
What are the rules on beaches?
On the beach, masks are merely recommended and, unsurprisingly, they aren’t worn (that would make an interesting sun tan, wouldn’t it?) Social distancing is meant to apply everywhere, including on the beach, but it is not a legal stipulation and in more crowded locations, and especially where the young party crowd gather, such as St George’s Bay in Paceville, it certainly isn’t happening. In reality, the beach experience feels much the same as in any other summer.
See the latest Covid restrictions in Malta here
Where is Malta's best beach?
The Blue Lagoon
Malta's top swimming spot, the luminous Blue Lagoon, lies between the tiny island of Comino and the even tinier cave-pitted islet of Cominotto just off the north coast of Malta. Most people daytrip here by boat, but stay at The Comino Hotel and you'll benefit from uncrowded early and late swims in the lagoon. And the swimming here is glorious – in perfectly transparent water above white sand, snorkelling over seaweed or at the entrance to caves. In summer the tiny amount of land becomes sardine-like and shade is at a premium so come prepared or visit with a boat that stays all day.
Read more: The best beaches in Malta