Skip the crowds: Europe’s best hidden coastal towns
Think the Amalfi Coast is the peak of seaside perfection? Here are six towns that say otherwise. Untouched, unhurried and far from the usual tourist trail, these shoreline gems offer the real European summer – no crowds, no clichés, no Instagram déjà vu…
02/06/2026
Words: Josephine Price
Europe’s coastline is vast, varied and, if you know where to look, blissfully quiet. With more than 40,000 miles, stretching from wild Atlantic swells to the charming Mediterranean and the glittering Aegean, the choice is almost overwhelming. And yet the most famous stretches fill with crowds every August. But beyond the big hitters lies a different Europe entirely: wild peninsulas, working harbours and whitewashed towns that have been quietly perfecting the art of coastal summers for centuries.
1. Cadaqués, Spain
Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dalí, Henri Matisse, Marcel Duchamp: the roll call of artists who have passed through Cadaqués or called it home is impressive. This small, whitewashed fishing town has provided an inspiring retreat for visionaries for hundreds of years. Perched on the rocky coastline of the Cap de Creus peninsula on the Costa Brava two hours north of Barcelona, it’s just as atmospheric today and serenity-seeking creatives still flock here. There’s plenty to feed the artistic soul, from the Salvador Dalí House-Museum to the vibrant local galleries.
Where to stay: Casa Nereta is a beautiful bolthole for those looking to dive into the town’s artistic background. The house, once owned by Surrealist painter Joan Ponç, is well located for trips to Dalí’s house nearby.
Rugged Cadaqués – also opening image (Raquel Guiu/Tiny Atlas x Kintzing); Spiaggia di Cala Rossa beach on the island of Ortigia in Syracuse (Elina Nilsson/Tiny Atlas x Kintzing)
2. Syracuse, Sicily
Sicily might be one of the Mediterranean’s finest islands, and Syracuse, on its southeastern coast, is one of its highlights. Visit the former citadel of Ortigia to explore its Greek architectural masterpieces. Food is central to life here, so get stuck in and graze on fresh swordfish and arancini in the labyrinthine streets of Ortigia or linger over lunch in a sunshine-drenched piazza.
Where to stay: Looking out over the Porto Piccolo and the Gulf of Ortigia, the luxury Ortea Palace Hotel is housed in the former post office building, dating back to the 1920s.
3. Olhãu, Portugal
This town may only be 15 minutes from Faro International Airport, but it doesn’t attract the crowds that flock to other parts of this shimmering coastline. As a working fishing port, there’s no shortage of activity and the markets and restaurants bustle with those interested in great food. Nearby, Ria Formosa Nature Park and its islands are an open-air playground, with plenty of opportunities for kayaking, birdwatching and swimming in the picturesque lagoons.
Where to stay: The nine-bedroom Casa Rosa is a smart spot in town with a pint-sized pool, pretty courtyard and terrace to relax in.
A canal in Sète, aka the ‘Venice of Languedoc’ (Getty Images)
4. Sète, France
This Mediterranean town is France’s answer to Venice. Sitting on the Thau peninsula, there’s charm by the bucketload, but without the bucket-and-spade filled stretches of the French coastline. Here, rich maritime history and strong culinary traditions – the town goes all out for truffle and oyster festivals – make this a coastal spot that goes beyond the beach. Make sure to make time for the Musée de la Mer, plus nearby Le Grau-du-Roi and Aigues-Mortes are well worth day trips.
Where to stay: The Grand Hôtel is an atmospheric 19th-century Haussman building sitting proudly on the Canal Royal with 39 rooms and a central light-filled courtyard.
5. Ouranoupoli, Greece
If you’re in the market for the complete beach holiday package that Greece does so well – incredible cuisine, heaps of history, bright beaches and crystalline waters – Halkidiki is a good place to head for fewer crowds. This three-pronged peninsula region is full of mystical monasteries, soaring mountains, beautiful beaches and rugged charm. Nestled on the third peninsula, famed for Mount Athos and its monasteries, Ouranoupoli is an ancient city with a fishing harbour and bright white beaches.
Where to stay: Nearby Eagles Resort is a good base to explore the region and sink into the luxury resort state of mind.
The Byzantine Tower of Ouranoupolis on the Athos peninsula in Halkidiki (Getty Images); Getaria’s picturesque fishing harbour (Alamy)
6. Getaria, the Basque Country
The Basque Country is an autonomous region and foodie paradise, straddling the border between France and Spain on the coast of the Bay of Biscay. It's filled with world-famous destinations, from Bilbao with its gleaming Guggenheim to San Sebastián with its warren of culinary creativity. Getaria, however, is a quiet spot among the big hitters. This fishing town, encircled by vineyards, mountains and the sea, is home to an award-winning anchovy boutique, restaurants cooking up the catch of the day on outdoor grills and the Cristóbal Balenciaga Museum, which details the life of one of the region’s most famous fashionable residents. Tucked in between two beaches, there are plenty of opportunities for post-lunch dips.
Where to stay: Saiaz Getaria is a contemporary hideaway in a restored Gothic house. Expect sea views and a terrace overlooking the Bay of Biscay.
From the anchovy-scented harbours of the Basque Country to the Greek-influenced streets of Syracuse, Europe’s lesser-known coastline destinations reward those willing to look a little further. British Airways flies direct to Barcelona, Faro, Toulon, Montpellier, Thessaloniki, Catania and Bilbao.
