View from above on Adriatic sea coastline and Mogren beach in Montenegro (Image: Farion_O via Getty Images)
With many people still scrambling to arrange a last-minute summer getaway, the question of where to head remains very much on the agenda. If you’re in that position, you’ll be pleased to learn that Europe’s ‘best beach’ has just been revealed.
Travel insurance specialists at Quotezone.co.uk assessed ten beaches across popular European holiday destinations, rating them on sea and air temperature, five-star reviews, accommodation costs, local drink prices and distance from the nearest airport.
And the winner? None other than Mogren Beach in Montenegro. It narrowly pipped Nissi Beach in Cyprus to the top spot, with second place going to the Cypriot favourite, while other notable entries included Irakli Beach in Bulgaria, Italy’s La Pelosa Beach and Britain’s very own Bournemouth Beach.
Mogren Beach is an enormously popular, stunning twin shoreline nestled beneath striking sandstone cliffs just to the west of Budva’s Old Town in Montenegro.
Widely regarded as one of the jewels of the Budva Riviera, it is distinctively divided into two separate coves — Mogren I and Mogren II — linked by a charming wooden footbridge and a narrow natural stone tunnel hewn into the cliffside.
Nissi beach in Cyprus came second in the research (Image: Balate Dorin via Getty Images)
The destination offers an ideal combination of rugged natural splendour, crystal-clear turquoise waters, and easy access to historic attractions.
The beach enjoys considerable popularity online, with numerous visitors flocking to TikTok to showcase its breathtaking surroundings. Montenegro also stands out for its affordability, boasting some of the lowest overall prices.
A three-day stay in Budva, the area surrounding Mogren Beach, comes in at just under £195, while a draught beer can be picked up for less than £1.50.
Nissi Beach in Cyprus, which previously topped the rankings, claims second place this year, continuing to score impressively for its turquoise waters and exceptionally warm conditions, with sea temperatures averaging over 27°C in summer and air temperatures climbing to nearly 29°C.
While the destination remains a firm favourite with holidaymakers owing to its vibrant resort atmosphere and golden sands, steeper costs — averaging £318.85 for a three-day stay — see it ranked behind Montenegro.
Irakli Beach in Bulgaria also made it onto the list (Image: Evgeni Dinev Photography via Getty Images)
Third on the list is Playa de Maspalomas in Gran Canaria, Spain, which distinguishes itself through strong review scores and dependable year-round sunshine. The destination boasts over 5,000 five-star reviews, and average July air temperatures of 27.8°C.
Bulgaria’s Irakli Beach takes fourth place, providing one of the most wallet-friendly beach experiences in the index. A three-day stay in the local area averages just over £216, while a draught beer costs a mere £0.88 — the cheapest in the entire ranking.
Notably, several of Europe’s most frequented beach destinations find themselves sitting in the middle of the index. Greece’s Elafonissi Beach sits in fifth place, with Portugal’s Praia da Falésia claiming sixth, Croatia’s Zlatni Rat securing seventh and Italy’s La Pelosa Beach taking eighth – all boasting stunning landscapes and considerable tourist popularity, though each pushed lower in the rankings by considerations including expense and overall worth.
Numerous Britons continue to choose coastal breaks closer to home, with Bournemouth Beach maintaining its status as a favoured destination for UK holidaymakers.
While Bournemouth Beach provides picturesque seaside vistas and a traditional pier brimming with family entertainment, cooler average sea and air temperatures of 17.2°C and 17.5°C respectively position it ninth in the rankings.
Completing the list is France’s Plage de Palombaggia in Corsica, primarily owing to elevated beverage and lodging expenses, with a three-day hotel stay during peak season setting travellers back a substantial £603.
Helen Rolph, travel insurance expert at Quotezone.co.uk said: “Europe offers an incredible variety of beach destinations, but travellers are increasingly looking for places that balance great weather, beautiful scenery and good value for money.
“Our 2026 European Beach Index compares ten of the continent’s most popular beaches across key holiday factors, including temperature, visitor reviews, local costs and how easy they are to reach.
“This year’s results show Montenegro leading the way, with Mogren Beach outperforming many of Europe’s more established destinations thanks to its warm conditions, striking Adriatic coastline and some of the lowest overall costs.
“Cyprus and Spain continue to perform strongly with consistently high temperatures and excellent visitor ratings, but higher demand and holiday costs mean they sit just behind Montenegro in this year’s index. In many cases, popularity could be pushing up prices, making them less desirable for a budget-friendly trip.”
She added: “As travellers finalise their summer holiday plans, we recommend looking beyond the most obvious hotspots, as some of Europe’s lesser-known destinations may be offering some of the best all-round beach experiences.”
You can check out the complete 2026 European Beach Index online.
This story originally appeared on Express.co.uk
