7 Coolest Beaches to Visit This Summer 2024

However, there are still plenty of pristine beaches out there that have managed to hold onto their allure and haven’t been totally destroyed by over-tourism (YET).

To give you the best chance of experiencing the coolest beaches around the world before it’s too late, we’ve listed 7 of them that you have to visit this summer 2024!

France - Argelès-sur-Mer Beach, Argelès-sur-Mer

Lying on the border with Spain in the South of France is the serene Argelès-sur-Mer Beach, the main recreational point in the adorable town of Argelès-sur-Mer.

Argelès-sur-Mer Beach: where sunbathing meets the Pyrenees with a Mediterranean flair! © Getty Images

It gets a lot of attention for its amazing views of the rugged Pyrenees Mountains and extremely clean water; when you step into it, it’s almost like glass; it’s that clear. No wonder it has been awarded the European Blue Flag Award.

This spot actually has a whopping eight beaches, but locals like to refer to the whole 7km as Argelès-sur-Mer Beach. While you might find a good few people enjoying some windsurfing or sea kayaking when you’re here, the crowds tend to be dispersed, so you don’t really notice it.

The closest airport to Argelès-sur-Mer Beach is Aéroport Sud de France Perpignan , which is a 31.2 km drive away. As you touch down, you can take a taxi directly there, which costs between €65 and €80, and the journey is 26 minutes.

A cheaper alternative would be to take two buses, stopping at Tgv Station in Perpignan, and transfer to Perpignan—Bus Station Bd St Assiscle. The tickets cost €2. Then, you have to take a train to Argelès-sur-Mer, which costs €3. Overall, the journey should take an hour and 45 minutes between stopovers and changes.

Nicaragua, Las Peñitas Beach, Las Peñitas

Gazing upon the Pacific Ocean about 20 km from the city of Leon in Nicaragua is Las Peñitas Beach. The tiny hippie fishing village Las Peñitas has become a Mecca for surfers in recent years because of this 2 km long beach. You’ll soon realize why it has become such a hit with wave chasers when you see the intensity of the current, even when it’s not that windy.

In Nicaragua’s Las Peñitas, surfers conquer waves by day and sunsets steal the show by night © Getty Images

Like many beaches in Nicaragua, the beach in Las Peñitas has black sand due to the high volcanic activity. While this may initially turn some people off, it’s not as pebbly as your typical black sand beach. So, don’t worry; you’ll still be able to catch the rays without destroying your back on the grit.

Las Peñitas Beach is a must if you’re a sucker for a lovely sunset. Try to snag a seat outside of Restaurante SUA - Grill & Chill for an amazing view of the sun going down behind the Pacific with some drinks for as low as NIO 70 (€1.76).

When coming to Nicaragua, you’ll fly into Augusto C. Sandino International Airport in Managua. To reach Las Peñitas Beach, you can take one of the Express buses from Managua to Leon that depart from the UCA bus station at various times of the day. Tickets cost NIO 40 (€1.01), but beware, they’re not always air-conditioned, and they can be quite sweaty, so get that battery-powered pocket fan ready just in case.

This leg of the trip takes around 1.5 hours; then you need to hop on the bus from Leon to Las Peñitas Beach, which can be found at El Mercandito in the city center. It costs around NIO 36.98 (€0.93) per person, and the journey takes around 30 minutes. Bear in mind, since you’re a foreigner, the drivers might try to overcharge you, so keep an eye out for what the locals are paying.

Thailand, Thung Wua Laen Beach, Chumphon

Almost every beach in Thailand that has a bit of appeal seems to have been discovered, but Thung Wua Laen Beach in Chumphon on the Gulf of Thailand is the exception.

Thung Wua Laen Beach offers a tranquil escape with its soft sands, inviting waters, and a backdrop of serene natural beauty © Getty Images

You won’t see big boujee resorts or high-end restaurants at this gorgeous 2km stretch of sand; it’s quite underdeveloped, which adds to its enchantment. All that you’ll come across is a couple of local Thai restaurants, small guesthouses, and the beautiful Wat Thung Sai Thong Buddhist Temple. If you’re looking for somewhere to stay right by the beach, Baantalay Thungwualaen does great deals on well-appointed rooms for THB 1227.27 (€31) a night.

Thung Wua Laen Beach translates to ‘Running Bison Beach,’ which is rumored to have come from an ancient legend. When you walk down the beach, you’ll notice a statue of a bison to represent it; the ultimate spot for a photograph before you leave!

Luckily, many Thai tourists frequently visit Chumphon during their weekend holidays, and with popular demand, Air Asia runs a direct flight from the capital, Bangkok, once a day. As you land at Chumphon Airport , there are no public buses, only taxis, which cost on average between THB 277.13 (€7) and THB 395.89 (€10).

The Philippines, Alegria Beach, Siargao Island

The Philippines has a reputation for its picturesque shores , so it would be rude not to mention at least one. Alegria Beach on Siargao Island tops any of the country’s beaches; the funny thing is, most who come to Siargao Island don’t even venture up north to see this masterpiece. Instead, they stick to the more popular beaches in General Luna.

One of the many beautiful beaches the Philippines has to offer © Getty Images

So, what makes Alegria Beach so special? Maybe it’s the sprawling coconut trees towering over the ice-white sand or the azure-blue waters that look like they’ve been photoshopped. Trust us, Alergia Beach is one place you need to see with your own eyes to believe; it’s a pure paradise on the Philippine’s tear-shaped island.

In terms of amenities at Alegria Beach, there’s not a whole pile there, just a few little hut shops and sometimes a couple of locals singing karaoke from their own microphones (yeah, you read that right). Be warned, there’s a small entry fee of PHP 20 (€0.32) to access Alegria Beach and an additional PHP 20 (€0.32) if you need to park a scooter.

Reaching Siargao can be tricky since it’s a small island in the far east of the Philippines, but there are some direct flights from Mactan-Cebu International Airport, which only take around an hour. When you get to Sayak Airport in Siargao, take a tourist shuttle to General Luna, which costs around PHP 375 (€5.92). From there, you can either hire a moped by yourself for 600 PHP (€9.48) per day (provided you can drive one) or pay a tuk-tuk driver PHP 1200 (€18.95) for the whole day to take you to as many places as you want for the day.

Italy, Stairs of the Turks, Sicily

The beaches at the Stairs of the Turks in Sicily’s Agrigento province are like something from a postcard.

The Stairs of the Turks in Sicily, Italy, defy gravity with their limestone steps cascading down to the sparkling Mediterranean © Getty Images

Overlooking the Strait of Sicily, the Stair of the Turks is characterized by dramatic, weirdly shaped white-colored cliffs and two golden powdered beaches. It got its name from the land formations that were made into the shape of a massive staircase through the movement of water and wind.

Don’t be frightened of the steep walk down to the beaches; there’s a sloped path and steps, but the steps are the safer bet unless you fancy a fall. When you get there, you can use a couple of changing rooms to change into your swimwear for a dip.

Getting to Stairs of the Turks involves taking a train from Palermo Airport (which you can fly into) to Agrigento Centrale, which lasts three and a half hours and costs €15.90. Then you’ll have to take a cab from Agrigento Centrale to Stairs of the Turks; prices start at around €24, and the journey is only 16 minutes long.

Sri Lanka, Hiriketiya Beach, Matara

Hiriketiya Beach is nestled on Sri Lanka’s renowned south coast. Believe us when we say this beach is as exotic as it gets, with the bending coconut palms, thick tropical greenery, and golden-hued sand.

Hiriketiya Beach in Matara, Sri Lanka, where surfboards are passports and coconut trees whisper secrets to the sea © Getty Images

Compared to some of the other big-name beaches in Sri Lanka, Hiriketiya Beach is less about partying and more about relaxation. You’ll find a couple of yoga shops (classes start at LKR 3000 (€9.09) at Salthouse Hiriketiya), cute cafes like Taboo, and nice little traditional guesthouses, including Dots Bay House, where rooms are priced at LKR 15174.83 (€46) per night.

The current here is strong, so beware when you’re out there, but if you’d like to try your hand at some surfing to tackle the big waves, classes start at around LKR 4000 (€12.13). After a surf, there’s nothing more satisfying than a cocktail for around LKR 1520.78 (€4.61) at the famous Smoke & Bitters tiki-style bar.

The journey to Hiriketiya Beach will start with a flight to Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport. Since there’s no direct public transport link to the beach itself, you’ll have to travel to Matara from Colombo Fort by train first, which costs LKR 1400 (€4.24) and takes around 3 hours.

Then, you’ll need to transfer to Matara bus station and hop on a local bus to Dickwella; tickets cost around LKR 109 (€0.33), and the journey lasts around 1 hour.

When you get to Dickwella, Hiriketiya Beach is around a half-hour’s walk from there. If you’re tight on time, plenty of tuk-tuks will be around offering to take you there. You should expect to pay around a couple of euros for a one-way trip (between LKR 989.66 (€3) and LKR 1649.44 (€5)), but it depends on the driver. Usually, they’re open for negotiation, so be prepared for some haggling.

Morocco, Agadir Beach, Agadir

Agadir Beach is arguably Morocco’s most famous beach, and for good reason. It offers 10 kilometers of unspoiled coastline washed by the Atlantic Ocean, and it’s nowhere near as hot as some of the country’s other beaches, thanks to the mighty Atlantic gales that surge across the sea.

You’re guaranteed to have a camel photobomb your beach selfies © Getty Images

Fortunately, Agadir Beach is gifted with 300 sunny days per year, so there’s a good chance you’ll be taking advantage of one of the many sun loungers available. Prices start at around MAD 35 (€3.28), and you can use the bed for the whole day. Ladies, don’t worry; wearing bathing suits on the beach is allowed even though Morocco is an Islamic country. Just be mindful to cover up once you leave the beach to respect local customs.

One of the great things about Agadir Beach is that you can experience the best of both worlds. On the one hand, the southern section of the shore is very quiet and has a real untouched vibe to it, whereas up around the Secteur Touristique, it’s a full hive of activity with a boardwalk surrounded by cozy cafes, restaurants, and bars. If you want to sample some delicious Moroccan mint tea, there’s a cafe called Chaayé Paani Agadir, which is a must. Settle down for a cup or two for only MAD 30 (€2.81) and soak up the incredible seaside vistas.

Unlike some of the other beaches on this list, the trip to Agadir is straightforward as the city’s airport, Agadir Al-Massira International Airport , is served by many direct flight networks throughout Europe. The Aerobus from the airport drops you off at the Valley of Birds, which is only a 5-minute walk from the beach. Tickets can be bought from the bus driver or the booth at the airport, and they only cost MAD 50 (€4.68)

Plan Your Visit to One of These Beaches in the Summer of 2024!

Summer 2024 is well and truly here; you better plan your visit to one of these beaches before it’s too late! Whether it’s the far-flung coasts of Southeast Asia or the volcanic waterfronts of Central America, there’s a world of beaches out there to enjoy on your vacation that is just a short flight away!