After two years of constant travel restrictions, people are desperate to book a flight to their next destination to start catching up and this summer will be their busiest yet. But where should you go first on your summer trip?
Holidu, search engine for holiday rentals, has compiled a list of European countries famous for their beaches, which are must-sees in the summer of 2022! After analyzing Google searches over the past 12 months and Instagram hashtags, this ranking shows the countries that are most popular for their beaches.
Greece loan to Dimitris Kyriakakis via unsplash
1st place Greece – 5.4 thousand Google searches per month | 142,000+ hashtags on instagram
This year, Greece has become the most popular European country for travelers looking for a beach holiday. With 5,400 searches per month and 142,000 hashtags on Instagram, Greece is the clear winner. With so many islands to choose from, be it Crete, Naxos or Mykonos, you are sure to find stunning beaches with crystal clear waters. Make sure Greece is at the top of your list of places you won’t want to miss this year!
Greece loan to Heidi Kaden via unsplash
2nd place Italy – 5.4 thousand Google searches per month | 71k+ hashtags on instagram
Italy is a dream destination not only for gourmets, but also for beach lovers! Relax by the stunning blue waters of the Amalfi Coast and dine on pizza and pasta to your heart’s content. Italy is also a country with some of the world’s most cultural heritage sites, so you won’t want to miss this stunning gem on your travels this summer.
Italy loan to Mike L. via unsplash
3rd place Portugal – 3.6k Google searches per month | 61 000+ hashtags on instagram
In third place with 3,600 Google searches per month and more than 61,000 Instagram hashtags is Portugal. Head to Praia do Portinho da Arrábida if you’re looking for some relaxation to soak up the sun and swim. A country with over 948 km of Atlantic coastline, so there are plenty of options. Portugal is also known for its surfing, so be sure to visit one of the most famous Praia do Norte beaches to admire or dare to ride its giant waves.
Portugal loan to Dan Gold via unsplash
4th place France – 3.6 thousand Google searches per month | 42 000+ hashtags on instagram
Ranked fourth with 3.6K monthly Google searches and over 42K Instagram hashtags, France is one of your must-see beach destinations this summer. Be sure to check out the stunning blue waters of the French Riviera to the south, the enchanting dunes to the north, and the natural splendor of the Silver Coast landscape. Grab your swimsuit and head to France for the summer of your dreams!
France Oscar Nord loan via unsplash
5th Ireland – 880 Google searches per month | 42 000+ hashtags on instagram
Ireland has over 3,000 km of coastline and over 100 beaches. Try surfing at Bundoran or sit back and relax at Glanlem Beach. It is known for being located on the Gulf Stream, making it one of the warmest beaches on the Emerald Isle. Ireland, with 880 monthly Google searches and over 42k Instagram hashtags, is a unique beach find.
Ireland loan to Sumita Chinchane via unsplash
6th place Spain – 8.1 thousand Google searches per month | 29.9k+ IG hashtags
Spain is the sixth most popular country in Europe this year! This may well be due to its sun-drenched beaches, clear waters and rich history. Spain has over 3,000 stunning beaches, including the paradise island of Mallorca, which has over 200 of them. So get ready to eat tapas to your heart’s content, grab some sangria and head to the beach.
7th place Croatia – 5.4 thousand Google searches per month | 26,000+ hashtags on instagram
You won’t want to miss these unique beach finds in Croatia. Taking its place on our list of the most popular European destinations for a beach holiday in 2022, Croatia deserves it! Whether you want to visit Banje Beach in Dubrovnik or Znjan Beach, the biggest one in Split, you will definitely find the best one for you!
Croatia loan to Hans Jurgen via unsplash
8. Malta – 6.6k Google searches per month | 16,000+ hashtags on instagram
Malta may be small, but there are many reasons why it is a favorite for travelers looking for beaches this year! This stretch of islands scores 6,600 in monthly Google searches and over 16,000 hashtags on Instagram. Malta not only has stunning beaches with breathtaking turquoise waters, but is also dotted with coves and rocky shores that are perfect for cliff jumping. Malta is also a diver’s dream with unique diving sites, caves and shipwrecks.
Malta loan to Calin Stan via unsplash
9. Netherlands – 480 searches per year | 18.9k+ IG hashtags
Next up is the Netherlands! This country has much more to offer than just beautiful windmills and mesmerizing tulip farms. Head to Scheveningen Beach in Zuid Holland, one of the most popular destinations, which has its own pier, lots of quaint shops and impressive beach bars. You can also explore more remote beaches, sand dunes and national parks.
Netherlands loan to David Stamm via unsplash
10. Poland – 1.6k Google searches per month | 16.5k+ IG hashtags
Last but not least, Poland ranks last in the top ten most popular countries in Europe for beaches for summer 2022. Every month we receive 1.6k search queries on Google and more than 16.5k hashtags on Instagram. If you’re looking for a pristine golden sandy beach, check out Świnoujście, which has even received a Blue Flag. Don’t miss all the Baltic beaches that Poland has to offer!
Poland loan to Krzysztof Kowalik via unsplash
Methodology:
All European countries were considered for this study. The UK has been excluded to have a rating not based on stay. The rankings were then compiled using the average number of monthly Google searches over the past 12 months for each of the country names combined with the keyword “beaches”, then the Instagram hashtags for that keyword and its variations were added to determine which European countries were the most popular and sought after by travelers in search of beaches.
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