Croatia · Europe
Hvar is Croatia's answer to the French Riviera — minus the attitude and roughly half the price. The old town is a postcard of Venetian-era stone buildings, a 13th-century fortress, and a marble square that doubles as an open-air cafe every evening. But the real draw is the water. Rent a small boat (no license needed for under 15 horsepower) and explore the Pakleni Islands, a scattered archipelago of pine-covered islets with hidden swimming coves and the occasional beachside restaurant grilling fresh catch. The island's interior is covered in lavender fields that bloom purple in June and July, and the local wine — particularly Plavac Mali reds — is criminally underrated. Dubrovnik gets the crowds, but Hvar gets the lifestyle right.
From Saint-Tropez's golden sand to Croatia's glass-clear Adriatic and Portugal's cliff-backed Atlantic shores — the definitive guide to Europe's best clothing-optional beaches, with practical info on getting there, what to bring, and when to visit.
Read more about this
Madeira's volcanic coast delivers dramatic natural swimming pools, black-sand coves, and Europe's best coastal drives, while Porto Santo's 9-km golden beach offers the sandy relaxation Madeira's cliffs don't. Together they make one of the Atlantic's most complete beach destinations.
Read more about this
The Albanian Riviera runs along the Ionian Sea with turquoise water, limestone canyon beaches, and Mediterranean prices from another era. Seafood dinners for €10, beachfront rooms from €30, and beach bars where cocktails cost €3-4.
Read more about this
Volcanic rock pools, imported Moroccan sand, and year-round 18-23°C water — madeira beaches redefine the concept entirely. Add 2,500 km of levada hiking trails through UNESCO laurel forest and Portugal's most dramatic coastal scenery.
Read more about this
Box jellyfish in Australia, man-of-war in the Atlantic, mauve stingers in the Mediterranean -- here's how to identify the jellyfish in your water, what actually treats a sting (hot water, not urine), and when to get to a hospital.
Read more about this
A guide to Santorini's beaches covering the dramatic Red Beach, developed Kamari and Perissa black sand strips, the lunar landscape of Vlychada, Amoudi Bay's caldera swimming, and the volcanic hot springs, with practical tips on access, Ancient Thera, and why Assyrtiko wine matters.
Read more about this