Looking for a beach home outside of the usual tourist resorts where you can enjoy an authentic local lifestyle and glorious scenery? We’ve picked some gorgeous coastal spots across Europe that are a little off the beaten track, in the hope one might just tickle your fancy!
Alabaster Coast. Normandy I Image: Anna Kuzmenko via Shutterstock
France – Côte d’Albâtre
Location: France’s Alabaster Coast, named after its white chalk cliffs, is the northern section of Normandy’s coastline, running from Le Havre in the south as far as Le Tréport.
Highlights: Stunning cliffs and seascapes combined with the seductive lifestyle of ancient fishing villages won the hearts of Impressionist artists in the 19th Century. Wealthy Parisians soon followed and pockets of this coastline (also known as the Seine-Maritime) became hip summer hang-outs. Aside from the historic maritime city Le Havre, favourite seaside towns include Étretat, home to the famous cliffs, Fécamp, Saint-Valéry-en-Caux, Dieppe and Le Tréport. Off the coast, regional capital Rouen is a jewel with a medieval old town, while the many villages in the Seine Valley have a charm of their own.
Useful nuggets: Travel from the UK by car is a doddle, thanks to ferry services into Le Havre, Dieppe, Calais and Dunkirk, not forgetting the Eurotunnel into Calais. Prices in this corner of France are amongst some of the lowest in France, with average resale houses around €200,000.
Ring of Kerry I Image: D. Ribeiro via Shutterstock
Ireland – Ring of Kerry
Location: County Kerry, the south-west corner of Ireland
Highlights: Part of the famous Wild Atlantic Way, the Ring of Kerry tracks the breathtaking coastline of the Iveragh Peninsula. Killorglin, Kenmare and Killarney are the area’s three main towns, each offering an authentic Kerry lifestyle with bundles of colourful cultural events and easy access to the peninsula’s scenic attractions. On your doorstep are the Killarney National Park, Ireland’s highest mountain range at MacGillycuddy’s Reeks, untouched beaches and boat trips, castles and waterfalls.
Useful nuggets: Only this year, Ireland’s eighth and largest national park was designated in the area. The new IrelandPáirc Náisiúnta na Mara is primarily a marine park but includes the neighbouring Dingle Peninsula and the UNESCO Skellig Islands, located off Iveragh and used for movie sets including Star Wars!
Costa Maresme I Image: BearFotos via Shutterstock
Spain – Costa Maresme
Location: The 50-km stretch of coastline just north of Barcelona before the Costa Brava begins.
Highlights: A national park separates this urban coastline from the E-15 motorway serving the Costa Brava, which has kept it blissfully unspoilt. It runs from Montgat beach, about 10kms from the edge of Barcelona city to Malgrat de Mar, just south of Blanes. Essentially a string of small beachside towns, some with marinas, others built around fishing harbours, with shady old towns stretching inland towards forested hills. Originally a second home destination for Barcelonans and still today drawing tourist-escaping locals out of the city centre, they retain an old-fashioned feel. Particular gems include Arenys de Mar, Canet de Mar, Sant Pol de Mar and spa-town Caldes d’Estrac.
Useful nuggets: A train line along the coast makes these resorts very handy for Barcelona city centre, typically a 20-30 mins ride away, and the airport. Scenic trails are easily accessible in the mountain backdrop, where local vineyards produce excellent wine!
Nazare beach, a popular seaside resort on the Silver Coast I Image: HannaTor via Shutterstock
Portugal – Silver Coast
Location: Portugal’s western Atlantic seaboard, starting an hour north of Lisbon and running for around 150kms
Highlights: In contrast to the developed, touristy Algarve, the Silver Coast offers a rustic, Portuguese lifestyle, defined by a more seasonal climate, dramatic scenery and traditional communities. Dotted along its coastline of sweeping cliff-lined beaches are the historic fishing towns of Peniche and Nazaré, the bay town of São Martinho do Porto, beach resort Foz do Arelho, pretty Aveiro built around canals, and just inland, the spa town of Caldas da Rainha and medieval Óbidos. In between are sleepy villages where you hear Portuguese more than English! Golfers have a choice of half a dozen quality courses.
Useful nuggets: Comparative property prices remain 20-30 per cent cheaper than the Algarve. Off-plan detached homes are especially good value there. The cost of living is also very affordable. Typical transfers from Lisbon Airport are easy and between an hour and 90 minutes. Flights to Porto are an option for the northern Silver Coast.
Tonnara di Scopello, Province of Trapani I Image: Vadym Lavra via Shutterstock
Italy– Trapani Coast, Sicily
Location: The north-western corner of the Med’s largest island, Sicily.
Highlights As authentic as the Italian lifestyle gets, pick between the enchanting old port cities of Trapani and Marsala or desirable beach resorts built around old fishing towns, like San Vito Lo Capo and Castellammare del Golfo. For less-developed spots and real bargains, head to historic Mazara del Vallo in the south of the province and to small coastal spots like Tre Fontane, Triscin and Marinella di Seliunte.
Useful nuggets: Trapani ranks among Italy’s most affordable provinces. It’s also home to villages signed up to the €1 house scheme. Not forgetting Italy’s flat seven per cent tax rate for relocating foreign pensioners applies in Sicily!
Plaka, a popular village in the Apokoronas area of West Crete I Image: Jeanne Emmel via Shutterstock
Greece– Apokoronas Coast, Crete
Location: Western Crete, between the picturesque harbour cities of Chania and Rethymnon.
Highlights: Overlooked by the White Mountains and with lush green countryside rolling down to pretty beaches, Apokoronas is a scenic area of traditional fishing and farming villages. Popular coastal spots include Kalyves, Almyrida and Kokkino Horio. Inland, the area around Vamos, the district’s main town, is sought after. A few minutes inland, favourite villages include Stilos, Drapanos and Gavalochori.
Useful nuggets: Crete’s principal airport at Heraklion, the island’s capital city, is being upgraded. When it opens in 2027, it is slated to become Greece’s second-largest airport. International flights also land at Chania. Greece offers a flat seven per cent tax rate on pensions and income for foreign retirees.
