Why everyone’s talking about these offbeat beach escapes

Words: Alicia Miller

Tired of the same old beaches? Then it’s time to change it up. Whether you’re seeking a late springtime escape or an alternative place to stretch out your towel in high summer, choosing a spot beyond the usual big hitters promises a new holiday experience and fewer crowds. Look to these underrated coastal gems – with secret coves, hidden bays and empty stretches of sand – for an alternative beach escape that provides a refreshing shift from the norm. 

Tamuda Bay, Morocco

When it comes to early season sun, Morocco’s ray-kissed beaches are a natural fit, with many of them far less busy than their European counterparts. Tamuda Bay, set on the northeast coast around 90 minutes from Tangier, promises bleached white sands, low-density resorts and cultural treasures in Unesco-listed Tétouan, right next door. Head to golden Restinga beach for sparkling clear waters and tranquil Rifiyine for calm, family-friendly surf.

Where to stay: With a private beachfront, extensive medi-spa and rambling kids’ club, Royal Mansour Tamuda Bay makes an exclusive and plush resort base.

Jet off to Morocco 

Luštica peninsula, Montenegro

While Montenegro still remains under the radar for many British travellers, its beachy hubs Budva and Kotor still thrum with crowds in high-season summer. And yet just along the coast the Luštica peninsula, peppered with hidden coves and carpeted in rugged mountains, remains comparatively low key. Strike out from high-end hotel hub Luštica Bay to explore quieter sands such as wild and remote Arza, best reached by water taxi. 

Where to stay: Glam The Chedi Luštica Bay is backdropped by the Unesco-listed Boka Bay peaks and has a sparkling infinity pool.

Jet off to Montenegro

Ogliastra Coast, Sardinia

Rugged and dramatic, Sardinia’s central east coast is fringed by the Gennargentu massif and lapped by Tyrrhenian Sea. It’s a serene pocket untroubled by the crowds seen on the island’s north coast. Largely devoid of major resorts – and the corresponding holidaymakers – the vibe in Ogliastra is comparatively low key and nature-focused, with hiking trails and limestone caves sitting alongside pine tree-sheltered beaches. With some only accessible by boat, idyllic coves are low on amenities but high on atmosphere, featuring lucid blue waters and a mix of powder and bleached pebble shores.

Where to stay: Hotel La Bitta does resort comfort without pretence, with traditional clay-tiled rooms overlooking the sea and a secluded Blue Flag beach.

Jet off to Sardinia

Bornholm, Denmark

Denmark might not be the usual go-to for beach holidays but, with increasingly warm summers, plentiful sunshine and long days – plus more than a dozen beaches threaded along its coastline – this island in the Baltic Sea provides an attractive alternative. Soft dunes, a restaurant and ice-cream shop await at Boderne, while broad and white-sanded Dueodde is crowned with a lighthouse.

Where to stay: Perched next to Sandvig beach at Bornholm’s northern tip, The Falcon Hotel offers cycling, yoga and eclectic modern rooms.

Jet off to Denmark

Jekyll Island, Georgia, USA

Southeast from Atlanta on Georgia’s Atlantic Coast, this conservation-conscious barrier island provides a wilder kind of beach escape. Tidal marshes and guided ranger walks through maritime forest join classic resort draws such as tennis, golf and – of course – long strips of pristine sand. Nature lovers may be lucky enough to spot loggerhead turtles and bald eagles, who nest in the area. Visit in late spring, before the summer rush, and you’ll still enjoy temperatures in the mid-to-high 20°Cs.

Where to stay: Historic Jekyll Island Club Resort blends bygone elegance with modern essentials such as pools and bike rental. 

Jet off to Georgia