Best Rocky Coves in Europe

We rank the 21 rocky coves in Europe. Playa de las Catedrales (Spain) comes first with 4.8 / 5, followed by Baia di Ieranto, Benagil Cove.

The sea reaches about 23 degrees C in season, and most of these beaches are at their best from June to September. 5 of the 21 have easy access, and 12 are hidden gems.

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1Playa de las Catedrales

Ribadeo, Galicia · 4.8 / 5 · Moderate access · about 18 °C

A Galician coast of towering cliffs carved by the Atlantic into giant arches and caves, walkable only when the tide goes out.

2Baia di Ieranto

Massa Lubrense, Campania · 4.7 / 5 · Challenging access · about 24 °C

A secluded cove on the Sorrentine peninsula, set between steep rocky headlands with deep turquoise water and a rugged, unspoilt shoreline.

3Benagil Cove

Algarve, Portugal · 4.7 / 5 · Moderate access · about 22 °C

A small cove leading to a sea cave with a skylight in its roof — best seen by kayak or paddleboard.

4Cala d'Hort

Sant Josep, Ibiza · 4.7 / 5 · Easy access · about 24 °C

A small, beautifully framed cove in south-west Ibiza where the dramatic rock of Es Vedra rises from the sea just offshore.

5Sarakiniko

Milos, Greece · 4.7 / 5 · Easy access · about 24 °C

A lunar shoreline of smooth white volcanic rock sculpted by wind and sea, with deep clear water for swimming from the rocks.

6Cala degli Inglesi

San Domino, Tremiti Islands · 4.6 / 5 · Moderate access · about 24 °C

A rocky cove on San Domino in the Tremiti Islands, with clear blue water and a rugged shoreline.

7Calanque de Sugiton

Marseille, Calanques, France · 4.6 / 5 · Challenging access · about 20 °C

A small rocky cove set between limestone cliffs in the Calanques National Park, reached on foot from Marseille.

8Kavourotrypes Beach

Sithonia, Halkidiki · 4.6 / 5 · Easy access · about 24 °C

A string of small coves on the east coast of Sithonia, also known as Orange Beach.

9Kleftiko

Milos, Cyclades, Greece · 4.6 / 5 · Challenging access · about 24 °C

A cluster of white rock arches, caves and sheltered coves on the south-west coast of Milos, once used as a pirate hideout.

10Praia da Marinha

Algarve, Portugal · 4.6 / 5 · Moderate access · about 22 °C

Dramatic golden limestone arches frame this hidden gem on the Algarve coast — one of the most beautiful beaches in all of Portugal.

11Praia Dona Ana

Lagos, Algarve, Portugal · 4.6 / 5 · Easy access · about 21 °C

Golden cliffs, sea stacks and a sheltered turquoise cove, a short walk from Lagos town.

12Blue Lagoon

Comino, Malta · 4.5 / 5 · Moderate access · about 25 °C

A sheltered bay of vivid turquoise water between Comino and the islet of Cominotto.

13Cala Deia

Deia, Mallorca · 4.5 / 5 · Moderate access · about 24 °C

A tiny pebble and rock cove at the end of a narrow valley below the village of Deia, with very clear water and a fishing-hut feel.

14St Peter's Pool

Marsaxlokk, Malta · 4.5 / 5 · Moderate access · about 24 °C

A natural rock pool on the Delimara peninsula, with clear water, pale limestone ledges and no sand.

15Anthony Quinn Bay

Rhodes, Dodecanese · 4.4 / 5 · Easy access · about 23 °C

A small, sheltered bay of clear turquoise water enclosed by pine-covered rocks near Faliraki on Rhodes.

16Cala Rossa

Favignana, Egadi Islands, Sicily · 4.4 / 5 · Moderate access · about 25 °C

A rocky cove on the island of Favignana in the Egadi Islands, with pale tufa cliffs and clear turquoise water.

17Pinizule Beach

Premantura, Istria, Croatia · 4.4 / 5 · Moderate access · about 23 °C

A small rocky cove on the Istrian coast with clear water, flat stone slabs and pine trees reaching down to the shore.

18Porto Selvaggio

Puglia · 4.4 / 5 · Challenging access · about 25 °C

A rocky cove in a regional park on the Salento coast, with pine woods and turquoise water.

19Xigia Beach

Zakynthos, Ionian Islands · 4.3 / 5 · Moderate access · about 24 °C

A small sandy and rocky cove on the north-east coast of Zakynthos, known for its sulphur springs, cloudy-turquoise water and pale cliffs.

20Zukovica Beach

Montenegro coast · 4.2 / 5 · Moderate access · about 24 °C

A small cove on the Montenegrin coast with a narrow shore of pebbles and rocks, wooded slopes behind and clear water.

21Suluci Beach

Dubrovnik, Croatia · 4.0 / 5 · Moderate access · about 23 °C

A small rocky cove right beside the old town of Dubrovnik, with deep clear water and views of the walls.

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How we picked these beaches

Included when the shoreline is mostly of this type, then ranked by our editorial score. See how we rate beaches for the full method.

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More lists

• Best Sandy Beaches in Europe
• Best Pebble Beaches in Europe
• Best Sandy Beaches in Greece
• Best Pebble Beaches in Greece
• Best Rocky Coves in Greece
• Best Sandy Beaches in Spain
• Best Pebble Beaches in Spain
• Best Sandy Beaches in Italy

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