5 European beaches worth visiting this autumn

The beaches of France during summer's grand vacance are mobbed. Head to Italy’s umbrella-lined lidos for August’s Ferragosto festival and you’ll jostle with locals for trattoria tables. And, traditionally, Spain's shorelines swell with visitors into early fall. Combine all of this with Europe’s record high temps and bursting beach attendance across the continent and the 2023 season has seen a resurrection like never before.

There’s no denying the daydream that is having Europe’s sandy paradises to yourself. So hitch a ride during the autumn months where you can catch the “golden hour” of beach season: the special time when waters are still warm enough for swimming and ever-enduring sunlight grants an extension for your suntan well into November.

Ahead, we pulled together five beaches—from the Atlantic to the Adriatic—where you can absorb some 11th-hour sunshine.

While there are warmer places to be in Italy in the fall, Tuscany delivers an extended sunny season. Sunbathers will enjoy beaches protected by the mighty Apennines and a food and wine season that comes alive in the fall (think: truffles from San Miniato; bisteca from Valdichiana; seasonal autumn seafood like calamari, octopus, sea urchin, and tuna; and Super-Tuscan wines). In recent years, Forte Dei Marmi has become one of Italy’s chicest beach destinations with miles of stylish beach clubs. Venture an hour south to the lesser-visited Super Tuscan Coast, where the famed red wines of Bolgheri are nurtured at iconic wineries like Le Macchiole. Sip at the source in the Le Macchiole tasting room or pair with plates of red mullet, apple, and foie gras at the rustic beachside restaurant La Pineta in Marina Di Bibbona. This Michelin-starred spot is nestled under a strand of pines directly on the beach—perfect for recovering from the sun.

Bed down at Hotel Byron, a 29-room boutique hotel built into an 20th-century villa that once hosted Lord Byron. Today, the hotel in Forte Dei Marmi is adorned with contemporary art pieces and offers spacious soundproofed rooms featuring balconies with Tyrrhenian views.

The brash wild child of Spain's Balearic Islands is also a mountainous nature paradise with high-end resorts, beachside restaurants, and 300 days of sunshine (on average). The dance parties the island is famed for don’t stop altogether once autumn hits, but they do dwindle—as do the crowds and prices, making relaxed beach days a bit easier. Head to the northwest coast to bohemian Benirras Beach, near San Miguel, for beautiful sunsets; coarse, rocky sand; and Sunday evening drum circles. For more energy, plan a trip to the remote Ses Selinas, known for its electronic dance music, powdery sand, and water with a high salt content—ideal for post dance-floor float sessions. Another great option is Pou des Lleo beach, which is located in a secret cove shrouded by red cliffs. Northeast of Santa Eulalia, it's a favorite for scuba divers and snorkelers, given the clarity of water.

Can’t decide on one beach? Hop on a six-hour, beach-hopping cruise on a double-decker, glass-bottomed catamaran with free paddleboards and snorkel gear. Book a room at the 162-room W Ibiza in Santa Eulalia, where a DJ spins for guests sprawling on the pool deck while the adults-only rooftop infinity pool has a more serene vibe.

St. Tropez thumps all summer long with its famous beach clubs, but come September, the crowds thin and this charming medieval town chills out. Best of all, the sun and sea remain. The town still hosts a number of events, like the sailing regatta classic Les Voiles de St Tropez, which takes place in September and October.

In recent years, the nearby beach clubs in Ramatuelle (Cheval Blanc and Nikki Beach to name a few) have transformed themselves from sandy party areas into plastic-free places strictly limiting light and noise pollution in order to protect the area’s sea daffodils and dunes. Bunk down at the famous Byblos Hotel, which stays open through the end of October when rates plummet.

The Med isn’t the only place with sunny beaches. Throughout November, Portugal’s arid Algarve and its rust-colored beaches have between six and eight hours of sun per day and an average water temperature of 65 degrees—a great mix for an autumnal beach vacation. While the area has become famous for golf courses, such as the 18-hole Boavista designed by Howard Swan, its wineries are often unfairly overshadowed by the Douro Valley wines up north. Stop by the family-owned Morgado do Quintão in Lagoa, whic produces an excellent array of wines from indigenous grapes like Crato Branco and Negra Mole.

For a bit more adventure, follow the surfers to Sagres, where Atlantic swells roll in from September to November. And spend the night at the sea-kissed Martinhal Beach Resort & Hotel, a constellation of timber-wrapped, oceanfront cubist blocks.

Dalmatia remains warm and sunny as the fog begins its migration across the rest of Croatia come fall. With an average of 2,665 hours of sunshine each year, this walled city is a safe bet for a shoulder-season beach break. There are several beaches, but one standout (and the best bet for families) is Copacabana Beach, which dangles off the edge of the peninsula. The activities are seemingly never-ending: waterslides, paraglides, jet skis, waterpolo, windsurfing, water-skiing, surfing, canoeing, and diving all promise to entertain both kids and adults.

Half-day sea-kayaking trips can be arranged with Adriatic Kayak Tours or you can embark on longer excursions to the Elafiti, an archipelago of 13 islands due north of the city. Book a room at the elegant Villa Orsula, which peeks through bougainvillea and features views up the entire coast. Don’t forget to book a table at its restaurant, Victoria, where you can feast on platters of plump oysters from the nearby Ston and chilled bottles of Dalmatian pošip (bubbly).