France · Europe
Nice doesn't do sand — the beaches are famously pebbly, and somehow that's part of the charm. The Promenade des Anglais curves along the Baie des Anges for seven kilometers, lined with blue chairs that have become the city's unofficial logo. Behind the promenade, the old town is a labyrinth of ochre buildings, flower markets, and socca stands selling those crispy chickpea crepes for three euros. Take the elevator up Castle Hill for a panoramic view that explains why painters from Matisse to Chagall set up shop here. Day trips to Villefranche-sur-Mer and Eze are twenty minutes by bus, and the train to Monaco takes thirty minutes. Nice is the rare Riviera destination where you don't need a yacht-sized budget — set menus at local bistros run 15-20 euros, and the free public beaches are just as blue as the private ones.
A guide to Corsica's best beaches, from the famous sands of Palombaggia and Santa Giulia in the south to the remote Desert des Agriates beaches of Saleccia and Lotu in the north, plus the Lavezzi Islands, west coast surf spots, and practical advice on ferries, driving, and Corsican food.
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Northern France's 1,000+ kilometers of coastline include chalk cliffs at Etretat, pink granite boulders in Brittany, D-Day landing beaches, and walled cities like Saint-Malo. Cooler water, fewer crowds, and the best seafood in France.
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Ten European nude beaches that are legal or long tolerated, from Cap d'Agde and Île du Levant to Croatia's FKK camps and Sylt, with 2026 entry fees and rules.
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Spain’s liveliest beach bars are Cafe Mambo and Cafe del Mar in Ibiza, Tumbao and Tangana in Tarifa, and Ocean Club in Marbella. Barcelona’s are cheapest but close earliest.
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Spain's cheapest beach coasts are the Costa Calida and Costa de Almeria. Travel in May, June or September, eat the menu del dia at about 14 euros, and skip 10-euro sunbeds on free public sand.
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Spain's hidden beaches: Gulpiyuri, Playa del Silencio, Praia das Catedrais, the Cies Islands, Cala Macarelleta, Los Muertos, Castell and Coll Baix. Three need permits or a shuttle.
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