Vibrant Seafronts & Balmy Beaches: Europe’s Top 3 Summer Holiday Destinations
Author: Rebecca Bailey
.
Posted: 1 August 2024
From charming Atlantic fishing towns to the vibrant and picturesque coastal landscapes of the Mediterranean, Europe is undoubtedly beautiful. Despite summer typically being an expensive and congested time of year to travel, there is perhaps no more beautiful time to experience the continent.
Though there are dozens of stunning destinations across Europe, this list comprises the three ultimate destination choices for holiday-goers dreaming of beautiful scenery, delicious cuisine, and a unique and unforgettable experience.
Read on to discover your next holiday destination, along with recommendations for gorgeous four- and five-star hotels, traditional restaurants, and impressive local attractions to write home about.
Cascais, Portugal
Cascais is a quaint and charming fishing town situated on the west coast of Portugal: the perfect destination for travellers looking for the best of both worlds. It offers both a quintessential Portuguese small-town experience and the opportunity to explore the bustling, intricate beauty of the nation’s capital, Lisbon, located just a short coastal journey away.
Weather 24–26°c during summer with 0–2 days of rain per month.
Airports Humberto Delgado Airport, 35 minutes from Cascais, with flights from Ryanair, EasyJet, and British Airways.
Find UK government travel guidance for Portugal here.
Hotels
Casa Vela
Perfect for travellers looking for a quiet and relaxing atmosphere, this peaceful guesthouse is centrally located near the Bay of Cascais.
The bedrooms are beautifully decorated with exuberant colour, welcome ample natural sunlight, and are embraced by the hotel’s stunning floral gardens.
The Pergola
Tradition and architectural magnificence are at the heart of this awe-inspiring boutique hotel.
Once an antique family home, this hotel holds the charm and spirit of Portugal in abundance, contrasted by exquisite contemporary décor: a perfect harmony between tradition and modernity.
Villa Itália
Once home to the last king of Italy, Umberto II, this impressive hotel is the perfect escape for holidaymakers looking for breathtaking views, luxurious décor, and a true five-star experience.
This hotel is recognised for its excellence and quality as part of the Conde Nast collection of Leading Hotels of the World.
Restaurants
Furnas do Guincho
Look no further for an unsurpassable and immersive seafood dining experience. This high-end restaurant is situated right on the cliff’s edge, overlooking sensational views of the Atlantic Ocean.
Furnas do Guincho is a master of fresh, authentic cuisine and impeccable service.
Fortaleza do Guincho
This spectacular Michelin Star seafood restaurant takes luxury and fine dining to the next level.
Originally founded on French creative brilliance, Portuguese influence has become increasingly prominent at this calming and picturesque seafront restaurant.
Cantinho do Avillez
Jose Avillez is one of Portugal’s most renowned chefs, dedicated to championing Portuguese gastronomy.
Quintessential Portuguese cuisine and impressive flavours make this Cascais-based restaurant the perfect choice for travellers looking for cultural immersion and delectable local cuisine.
Monte Mar
This seafront seafood restaurant expertly combines the sounds and flavours of the sea into a phenomenal Portuguese dining experience.
The restaurant has a relaxing, peaceful atmosphere and serves an impressive range of richly flavoured and brilliantly fresh cuisine.
La Contessa
Situated on a quaint and cobbled traditional Portuguese street, this charming restaurant is not to be missed.
The restaurant is a homage to a 1950s Italian countess who inspired a specialist range of exquisite dishes with vibrant colours, reminiscent of a Vittore Carpaccio painting.
Baia do Peixe
Translating to fish bay, this scenic seafood restaurant carefully crafts a romantic, relaxing atmosphere, perfect for those travelling and dining with a special someone.
Baia do Peixe is well-known in Cascais for exceptional service and delicious, fresh, responsibly-sourced dishes.
Attractions
Museu Condes de Castro Guimaraes
Built in the late 19th century, this former aristocratic residence is now a Gothic Revival castle and museum surrounded by breathtaking views of Cascais.
This fascinating museum displays a decorative art collection, archaeological finds, and an illuminated manuscript, dating back to 1505, depicting Lisbon before the Great Earthquake.
Casa das Historias Paula Rego
This iconic red building, with architecture inspired by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Eduardo Souto de Moura, is home to the museum of Paula Rego, an internationally-acclaimed Portuguese artist raised in Cascais.
The gallery features surrealist paintings representing social realities, influenced by Rego’s Portuguese culture.
Duna da Cresmina
Cascais and its surrounding dune system is intricately embellished with a beautiful array of fragile flora and fauna. This nature interpretation centre was built not only to protect Cascais’ fascinating wildlife, but to enlighten the public on its beauty and significance.
A café with incredible panoramic views is located onsite with a diverse menu.
Boca do Inferno
Translating to hell’s mouth, this unique and fascinating sea arch and cliff formation, located just a 40-minute walk northwest of Cascais, is perplexing and alluring all at once.
In stark contrast to the serene beaches of Cascais, the sheer force of the Atlantic Ocean on this coastal chasm makes for an unbelievable spectacle and earns the location its dramatic name.
Parque Marechal Carmona
This beautifully lawned park is adorned with lush green pine and palm trees, duck ponds and peacocks, culturally-significant sculptures, and the Condes de Castro Guimaraes Museum.
Whether you prefer to bask in the sun or relax in the summer shade, the park and its pleasant, romantic atmosphere is the perfect place to unwind after a busy day of sightseeing.
Pena Palace, Sintra
This intricate Romanticist castle stands impressively in the mountains above the town of Sintra on the beautiful Portuguese Riviera. It makes for a perfect day trip from Cascais.
With its vibrantly-painted turrets and terraces, lush fern gardens, mythological statues, and elaborate interior restored to the former glory of 1910, this palace is one of the most magnificent in the world.
Sorrento, Italy
This stunning Mediterranean town is a breathtaking holiday spot in southwestern Italy on the Neapolitan Riviera. Sorrento is best known for its plunging panoramic cliffs, vibrant scenery, and fascinating links to ancient mythology.
This idyllic town is extremely well-situated, offering travellers the opportunity to experience the bliss of the Gulf of Naples and the Amalfi Coast, visit Mount Vesuvius and the ruins of Pompeii, and adventure through the island of Capri and the famous Blue Grotto, one of Europe’s most awe-inspiring natural wonders.
Weather 31-34°c during summer with 0–1 days of rain per month.
Airports Napoli Capodichino, 60 minutes from Sorrento, with flights from Jet2 and British Airways.
Find UK government travel guidance for Italy here.
Hotels
Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria
Sitting confidently on the rocky Sorrento coastline and boasting staggering seascape views of the Gulf of Naples and Mount Vesuvius, this exquisite five-star hotel is an inviting, blissful retreat.
As a Leading Hotel of the World, this is an excellent choice for travellers with a taste for luxury.
Bellevue Syrene
Nestled between the rocks and the sea, this serene five-star hotel is rooted in tradition and timelessly beautiful.
The hotel’s atmosphere and scenery is astonishing, with traditional ornate Roman interior décor and tranquil white terraces overlooking the cerulean waves and passing ships.
Maison la Minervetta
With striking modern naval-themed décor and breathtaking views of the Gulf of Naples and Mount Vesuvius, this unique, colourful hotel is abundant in personality and charm.
Being situated just outside of the heart of Sorrento, this hotel offers a perfect blend of practicality and tranquility.
Restaurants
Trattoria Da Emilia
With its tranquil waterfront location and plentiful servings of traditional, home-cooked Italian dishes, this family-run restaurant is a must-visit.
This enchanting restaurant has passed from generation to generation since 1947, delivering fantastic flavours and an unmissable atmosphere.
O’Parrucchiano La Favorita
An intimate, unique dining experience awaits at this classical Italian restaurant. Guests dine in an enchanting garden, shaded by citrus trees and embraced by charming 19th century architecture.
The menu is filled with delicious regional classics, carefully crafted flavour profiles, and freshly-sourced ingredients.
Ristorante Tasso
This elegant and traditional Italian restaurant is nestled in the heart of Sorrento, boasting an upscale ambience and varied menu offering.
It is a pizza and wine lover’s haven, serving mouth-watering wood-fired pizzas and offering an impressively robust wine selection.
Ristorante Il Buco
This sophisticated fine dining restaurant is known for its experimental, inventive approach to Italian dining. It boasts an impressive tasting menu with expertly-selected wine pairings.
Guests dine in a comforting and intimate atmosphere under a unique stone ceiling, surrounded by elegant décor.
Ristorante Bagni Sant’Anna
Serving freshly-caught seafood and crowd-pleasing Italian classics, this stunning restaurant on Sorrento’s pier boasts beautiful, serene views of Mount Vesuvius and the Gulf of Naples.
Bagni Sant’Anna would make an excellent choice for a romantic evening or special occasion.
Ristorante Museo Caruso
Vibrancy and sophistication are at the heart of Ristorante Museo Caruso, located in central Sorrento.
Embellished with vintage artsy décor, this unique restaurant serves an impressive array of refined and delicately composed Italian dishes, alongside an impressive selection of wines.
Attractions
Amalfi Coast Boat Tour
A holiday in beautiful Sorrento would not be complete without touring the serene, awe-inspiring stretch of coastline along Italy’s Sorrentine Penninsula.
Whether you opt for a group tour or something more intimate, these vibrant, inspiring scenic coastal landscapes are sure to take your breath away.
Limoncello Experience
Sorrento, if anything, is renowned for its rich and fragrant citruses.
Touring Sorrento’s vibrant citrus farms and experiencing the harvesting and creation of limoncello is a delightful, memorable way to discover the history and artistry behind this vivid, idyllic Italian town.
Ruins of Pompeii
Few places on earth can transport you almost 2,000 years back in time. Yet these hauntingly beautiful ruins do just that, making for one of the most captivating archaeological sites in the world.
Visit Pompeii on your trip to Sorrento to uncover an ancient Roman city suspended in time.
Capri Island
Take a short and stunningly scenic boat trip from Sorrento’s pier to reach the colourful island of Capri.
Dressed in dramatic sweeping cliffscapes and adorned with pastel-coloured fishing villages and coastal lemon groves, the island of Capri is entrancing and irresistable in every way.
Blue Grotto
Delve dauntlessly into the breathtaking Blue Grotto, also known as Grotta Azzurra, an alluring sea cave hidden away on the coast of Capri.
Reachable only by rowboat, the cave’s narrow mouth opens out into an astonishing radiance of sparkling cerulean waters.
Path of the Gods
This spectacular 4-hour hiking trail, also known as Sentiero degli Dei, is not for the feint of heart.
Beginning at Agerola, the trail follows a high-latitude coastal route of immense beauty, concluding in Positano, a quaint and charming pebbled town on the Amalfi Coast.
Biarritz, France
Situated in the very southwestern corner of France, Biarritz is an elegant and enchanting coastal town, distinguished by its flourishing natural landscape and lush hydrangeas. Once the holiday destination of European royalty, this vibrant French town is a true gem of the Atlantic coast, offering holidaymakers the perfect blend of relaxation, wonder, and luxury.
Weather 23-25°c with 8-10 days of rain per month.
Airports Biarritz Airport, 6 minutes from Biarritz, with flights from Ryanair and EasyJet.
Find UK government travel guidance for France here.
Hotels
Hotel du Palais
Hotel du Palais is a historic and beautifully restored palace, primely located on the Biarritz beachfront on the Côte Basque.
Once serving as a summer villa to Empress Eugénie of France, this luxury hotel is elegantly decorated and boasts uninterrupted, serene ocean views.
Regina Experimental
Sitting proudly on the town’s rocky coastline and overlooking the swashing waves of the Bay of Biarritz stands the Regina Experimental, an oustanding luxury five-star hotel.
The hotel’s preserved neo-Basque architecture seamlessly blends with its modern, naval-inspired interior décor.
Hotel Le Garage
Once an auto repair shop for classic cars, Hotel Le Garage is now an eccentric luxury beachfront hotel with breathtaking views of the ocean and the Lighthouse of Biarritz.
The hotel is adorned with intricate avant-garde décor and enjoys an elegant, high-end ambience.
Restaurants
Olatua
Refreshingly scenic and relaxed, this comptemporary-style restarant offers a variety of small plates and sharing boards, perfect for a casual midday meal or family lunch.
Olatua take great pride in their fresh, locally-sourced produce and breathtaking ocean views.
Jack the Cockerel
If you’re looking for an American dining experience with a charming French twist, look no further.
Situated a short distance down the coast from Hotel du Palais, this is a classy and elegant French restaurant with American influence and a comforting, casual atmosphere.
Restaurant La Petite Plage
With its distinctive rattan furnishings and sandy floors, this surprising boutique restaurant serves innovative French cuisine alongside fantastic views of Port Vieux Beach.
Visit at nightfall to unwind on the terrace as the sun sets over Biarritz, accompanied by delightful live music.
Chateau Brindos
Brindos Lake and Chateau is a stunning, quintessentially French hotel and restaurant with breathtaking panoramic views of the tranquil blue waters and lush greenery that surrounds it.
Brindos’ gourmet restaurant has a high-end, convivial atmosphere and an esteemed menu.
Le Transat
With a peaceful atmosphere and rooftop location overlooking spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean, Le Transat is renowned for its Basque Country-inspired cuisine centred around fresh, locally-sourced produce.
The sky bar offers an excellent wine list and delicious cocktails.
Relais de la Poste
A proud double-Michelin star establishment, this intimate, upscale restaurant creates unparalleled flavours using local, high-quality ingredients.
The gastronomy pays homage to the produce of les Landes, including foie gras, Chalosse beef, and salmon from the Adour River.
Attractions
Villa Belza
A mysterious neo-Medieval mansion steeped in fascinating legend, Villa Belza was built in 1865 to serve as the Emperor and Empress’ summer villa.
Biarritz’s locals enjoy telling ghost stories about revenants and witchcraft ceremonies that supposedly occurred here during the 19th century.
Chapelle Imperiale
Located near Villa Belza and built in 1865, Chapelle Imperiale served as the Emperor and Empress’ place of worship during the 19th century.
This ornate, vibrant building bursts with architectural flourish, showcasing a mix of Romanesque-Byzantine and Hispano-Moorish styles.
Cite de l’Ocean
This state-of-the-art museum opened in 2011 with the intention of raising awareness of oceanic issues and their wider impact.
Perfect for families, visitors can discover the ocean in an immersive, experimental way through unique, interactive activities and water sports.
Lac de Mouriscot
Biarritz is renowned for its flourishing natural landscape and lush hydrangeas. Lac de Mouriscot showcases this beauty impeccably.
With a peaceful and refreshing ambience and uninterrupted lakeside views, this tranquil park is the perfect place to bask in the sun and unwind.
Musee de la Mer
First opened in art deco style in 1933, this fascinating and explorative aquarium set on the rocky coastal cliffs of central Biarritz is a truly must-see attraction, especially for families.
The museum was renovated in 1992 to create space for a new collection of marine animals.
Rocher de la Vierge
At the end of Pointe Atalaye, a footbridge leads to the Rock of the Virgin Mary, an iconic Biarritz landmark. It is an important reminder of the town’s maritime past and the beliefs and values of mutual aid in the Basque Country.
The rock’s impressive views extend as far as the Pyrenees and the Spanish coast.
Looking for a vibrant and charming balmy break rich with beauty and ancient history? Consider a Grecian getaway for your next summer escape. To get inspired, read our top tips on Making the Most of Your Holiday to Greece.