The tick list for a beach holiday in Europe is simple: seaside and restaurants walkable, no car required, airport nearby. But finding a boutique hotel that fits the bill isn’t always so straightforward. So, we’ve done the legwork for you. Our tip? Book early!
1 Pino di Loto, Syros, Greece
The sea views from this six-suite hideaway are impossibly romantic; this is what Greek-island dreams are made of. Pino di Loto is set just a short walk from the pretty fishing village of Kini, where there’s a lovely sandy beach and some sensational seaside restaurants. If you want to explore further afield, you can take boats out to gorgeous, secluded bays, ideal for swimming and snorkelling.
Perfect for: Romantic breaks.
Get there: Fly via Athens into Syros (domestic flights only), or fly to Mykonos / Athens and take a ferry. Taxis are cheap on the island, so no need for a car.
Rooms from: £123
2 Skiathos Holidays, Skiathos, Greece
The great location, simple styling and under-the-radar vibe of the seafront villas and suites at Skiathos Holidays make them a hot choice for family summer holidays on the beach. Vromolimnos beach is footsteps away, there are two good tavernas 5 minutes’ walk away (Porto Paradiso and Taverna Stathis), and there’s easy access to the bus route to Skiathos Town and the beaches of the south coast.
Perfect for: Families (all ages), couples, groups.
Get there: Skiathos Airport (8km away) has direct flights from the UK and elsewhere throughout high season and is served by year-round flights from Athens.
Rooms from: £68
3 Casita Casita Lindos, Rhodes, Greece
Where better for a car-free holiday than car-free Lindos on the island of Rhodes? Stay at Casita Casita, a boho-chic retreating hiding away among olives groves and wild gardens, just outside the heart of town. Swing in hammocks, cool off in the pool, stroll five mins to the beach, dine in town (500m away). Bliss.
Perfect for: Couples.
Get there: Fly into Rhodes (50km), or catch the ferry from Athens. The hotel can arrange transfers from the airport/port, or you can jump in a taxi.
Rooms from: £167
4 Azur Hotel, Med Coast, Turkey
For a beach retreat on a budget, this is your answer. Azur Hotel is a collection of cabins and villas nestling in colourful gardens on Turkey’s Mediterranean coast. Cirali beach, where the water is blue and dazzling as sapphire, is a two-minute walk away. Take a snorkel or stroll down at nighttime to see the illuminations of the phosphorescence. You’ll also find Azur’s sister restaurant, Azur Aida, here, so you can come for dinner if you fancy a change of scenery. Back at the hotel, slip into a hammock strung up in the trees and feel your woes melt away.
Perfect for: Families. The huge lawned gardens are safe for playing, the pool has a shallow end for kids, and the beach will be a hit.
Get there: Fly to Antalya (80km / 1 hour), then take an airport transfer to the hotel.
Rooms from: £66
5 The Positano Hideaways, Amalfi Coast, Italy
Finding a lovely apartment on the Amalfi Coast is no mean feat, which is why The Positano Hideaways sell like hotcakes. These five apartments (sleeping 2-10) cling to the cliff edge, each enjoying a bougainvillea-framed view of picturesque Positano and the cobalt-blue Med. You get a shared pool and access to a secret beach. Positano’s artisan shops and restaurants are a 10-minute stroll away, and boat trips from the harbour leave for Capri, Amalfi and Sorrento daily.
Perfect for: Couples, families (not toddlers), groups.
Get there: Fly into Naples (55km), catch the train to Sorrento, then take a taxi or bus to Positano.
Rooms from: £275
6 Villa Rosmarino, Liguria, Italy
Villa Rosmarino oozes grandeur. It stands majestically above the enchanting fishing village of Camogli, on the Italian Riviera, among a fragrant garden of rosemary, lavender, magnolia, lemon, tangerine and grapefruit. The private collection of paintings, photographs, furniture, art and design books give it an exclusive feel inside. Down below, there’s a lovely pebbly beach and some fantastic restaurants. Explore other gems along this beautiful coast by rail – trains here are excellent.
Perfect for: Couples.
Get there: Genoa (30km) is the closest airport, or you can fly into Pisa (150km) or Milan (199km). Catch the train to the villa from any of these airports.
Rooms from: £145
7 Nascar Hotel, Sardinia
Come to Nascar Hotel, on Sardinia’s east coast, for lazy beach days, scenic boat trips, mountain excursions, and some cracking food. You’re a mere 50 paces from the village beach of Santa Maria di Navarrese, flanked by pine forest, golden sands and crystal-clear water. Boat trips touring the magnificent Golfo di Orosei leave daily from the village.
Perfect for: Both families and couples will be very happy here.
Get there: Cagliari and Olbia airports are the closest, but they only receive seasonal flights. Alghero (227km away) receives year-round flights. Ideally, you’ll want to hire a car to get to Nascar, but you could book a taxi.
Rooms from: £145
8 Esplendido Hotel, Mallorca
It’s all about the view at Esplendido Hotel in picturesque Puerto Soller, on Mallorca’s northeast coast. Its rooms, terraces, pool and restaurant gaze out over a stunning horseshoe bay, with just a pedestrianised road separating you from a lovely sandy beach. The scenic harbour is awash with delectable fish restaurants and offers daily boat trips along the coast. If you’re feeling active, head inland to hike the dramatic mountains behind Soller, if not, retreat to the hotel’s indulgent spa.
Perfect for: Families love it here, so there’ll be lots of little ones for youngsters to play with.
Get there: Puerto Soller is a mere 30 mins (35km) from Mallorca’s airport in Palma. From here, you could take a taxi or hotel-arranged transfer, or there’s a scenic 1-hour train journey from Palma to Soller, and you can catch a taxi to the hotel for the last leg.
Rooms from: £124
9 Hotel Podstine, Hvar, Croatia
The location of Hotel Podstine is a winner: immersed in gardens at the back of secluded bay just along the coast from Hvar – walk into town along the sea path or catch the hotel minibus. Room balconies have stunning sea views, and you get a private bathing area on the rocky beach below. Go island-hopping on a taxi-boat or chartered yacht, then return for a splash in the pool and cocktails at one of two beach bars before heading into town for dinner.
Perfect for: Families with older kids, or couples wanting a quieter stay in Hvar.
Get there: Fly into Split, take a taxi to the port, then a ferry (1.5-2 hrs) or catamaran (50 mins) to Hvar. Once in Hvar Town, you can get to the hotel via the hotel minibus or a boat-taxi (the hotel has a small jetty).
Rooms from: £81
10 Convento, Algarve, Portugal
Talk about an easy beach holiday. Olhao is 15 mins from Faro Airport, is reachable by train, and is a taxi-boat ride from the stunning island beaches of the Algarve’s Ria Formosa. Better still, there’s a fabulous Moroccan-style hotel in the heart of the buzzy old town. Rooms at Convento are set around a pretty courtyard and are refreshingly affordable. Sip sundowners or dip in the pool on the rooftop, taste catch of the day at the local fish restaurants, and discover Caribbean-esque vibes on the island beaches.
Perfect for: Couples or friends.
Get there: Fly into Faro Airport (15km), take a taxi or bus to Faro’s Terminal Rodoviario, then catch the train to Olhao.
Rooms from: £85
11 Hotel Albatroz, Lisbon Coast, Portugal
Majestic Hotel Albatroz, in the lovely fishing town of Cascais, sits right on the beach. Regal facilities include a stunning clifftop pool and a panoramic bar and restaurant, all of which gaze out to sea. This coast is fabulous for watersports – windsurfing, paddleboarding, sailing, waterskiing – while the streets around the hotel are full of snazzy shops and restaurants. With the train station just a short stroll away, you could be in Lisbon in 40 minutes.
Perfect for: Couples, friends, families… all!
Get there: Fly into Lisbon (35km), then catch the train to Cais do Sodre station.
Rooms from: £128
12 Grand House, Algarve, Portugal
Stradling the River Guadiana, which marks the Portugal-Spain border, Grand House is an elegant 1920s hotel in Vila Real de Santo Antonio, offering azure views and classic beauty. It’s not technically on the beach, but there’s a corner of nearby Santo Antonio beach (2km), at the mouth of the river, reserved exclusively for Grand House guests. It’s part of their hip beach club, where you can feast on fresh seafood and sip glitzy cocktails while swinging in hammocks. For a change of scene, the popular beach at Praia Verde is also close by.
Perfect for: Primarily couples, but kids are welcome (there’s a family suite)
Get there: Fly into Faro (60km), then take an airport transfer, or catch the bus (the hotel is situated 200 metres from the bus stop), or take the train to Vila Real de Santo Antonio (40 mins).
Rooms from: £150