Praia de Monte Clérigo in Portugal has been named the best beach in Europe for 2026, giving the Algarve’s wilder western coastline a major boost as travelers look beyond the continent’s busiest resort areas.
The ranking, released by European Best Destinations, praised Monte Clérigo for its authenticity, natural setting and understated sense of luxury.
Located on the Costa Vicentina at Portugal’s southwestern edge, Monte Clérigo sits within the Southwest Alentejo and Vicentine Coast Natural Park. That location gives the beach a different profile from more developed Algarve resorts. Instead of large hotel strips and dense beach clubs, visitors find open scenery, Atlantic waves, coastal walking routes and a village-like atmosphere shaped by nature rather than mass tourism.
The ranking process considered factors including natural beauty, accessibility, beach services and overall atmosphere. European Best Destinations first longlisted beaches across multiple countries before narrowing the selection to 30 finalists, which were then evaluated by an international panel of travelers. Monte Clérigo’s win suggests that Europe’s best beaches are not necessarily the most famous, but the ones that combine scenery, value and a strong sense of place.
Affordability also appears to have played a role in its appeal. Accommodation around Monte Clérigo is reported to be significantly cheaper than in better-known Portuguese beach destinations, making it attractive for travelers who want an Atlantic summer escape without the highest Algarve prices. The result fits a broader 2026 travel pattern, where visitors are increasingly comparing cost, crowd levels and local character before booking.
Greece performed especially strongly in the ranking. Voutoumi Beach on Antipaxos took second place and was also named the most beautiful beach in Europe, helped by its clear waters, white pebbles and green hills. Fteri Beach on Kefalonia ranked third, while Elafonisi Beach in Crete came fourth. Rovinia Beach in Corfu placed eighth, and Paleokastritsa Beach, also in Corfu, completed the top 10.
Italy’s Bogliasco Beach, near Genoa, ranked fifth, while Spain’s Cala Mesquida in Mallorca came sixth. Norway also made an unusual but notable appearance, with Kvalvika Beach in the Lofoten archipelago ranking seventh. Accessible only by hiking, the remote beach was recognized for its secluded and pristine setting. Turkey’s Kaputaş Beach ranked ninth, adding another accolade after its inclusion in the World’s 50 Best Beaches ranking earlier this year.
Spain’s presence in the list also comes during a strong year for the country’s coastline. Spain’s 2026 Blue Flag record confirms its global lead in clean, safe and well-managed beaches.
As highlighted in Spain’s 10 Blue Flag Beaches for 2026, the country’s best certified beaches show the range of its coast, from island coves and urban beaches to protected natural stretches.
Monte Clérigo’s win captures a wider shift in beach travel. Travelers still want beauty, sun and sea, but they are also looking for places that feel less crowded, more local and more connected to the landscape around them.
