Søndervig, Denmark
Sun worshippers and sea divers have been drawn to Søndervig, known as the gateway to the North Sea, for over a century, drawn by its silvery-gold sands and grassy dunes. There are good facilities: mini golf, tennis, trampolines and Segways are all available near the beach, with some excellent seafood restaurants in town. The town’s biggest draw is its extraordinary sand sculpture festival, which runs from May to October, this year with a wild animal theme. Stay at Fjordgaarden, a stylish spa hotel a 10-minute drive (or regular bus service) from the beach.
Double rooms from £143 B&B; fjordgaarden.dk
Sola Strand, Norway
A 15-minute drive from Stavanger, this gem of a beach plays host to kiters and surfers on windy days, with families flocking to the wide stretch of sand when it’s calm. The only development is the golf course and hotel on the north side, with the dunes behind them supporting such a rich variety of birdlife that the entire beach is a protected area. Hikers can follow the five-mile trail through the Jæren Nature Reserve to Vigdel, a small, picturesque bay ideal for swimming. Stay at the Sola Strand Hotel, a low-rise, century-old establishment with a lively bar and restaurant right on the sand.
Double rooms from £124 B&B; solastrandhotel.no
Blokhus beach, Denmark
If you’re looking for a beach with a lively resort, Blokhus – on the west coast of Denmark – is the place to go. The beach is a real belt: over 100 metres wide, with sand dunes in the background, plenty of space for ball games and sand castle building, and excellent conditions for windsurfing and kitesurfing. The town has an almost English seaside atmosphere, with ice cream parlours, bucket and spade shops and a mini golf course. There’s also the Fårup Sommerland water park – one of Denmark’s biggest attractions – right on the doorstep. Strandhotellet has comfortable rooms – a bit small, but the restaurant is excellent and the staff are super friendly.
Double rooms from £172 B&B; strandhotellet-blokhus.dk
Sandhammaren, Sweden
An award-winning beach with more than a hint of the Caribbean, Sandhammaren lies on the southeastern tip of Skåne County, with powdery white sand and a nature reserve behind the beach, home to moose and a wide variety of birdlife. The 19th-century lighthouse is open for tours, there’s a kiosk for drinks and snacks, and a small café by the car park, but otherwise the beach is wonderfully unspoilt. Nearby Löderups Strandbad has a prime beachfront location with white clapboard cabins and simple but comfortable rooms.
Double rooms from £104 B&B; loderupsstrandbad.com
Hoddevik beach, Norway
Hoddevik is the kind of beach that opens brochure covers; white sands set against bottle-green fields, aquamarine waters lapping between two mountainous headlands. Just getting to Hoddevik is a spectacle; the road winds over a high mountain pass before dropping down to the beach, where neoprene-clad surfers bob in the waves. This is an adventure beach rather than a family one – the Stad Surfing school offers lessons for all levels (and it’s recommended that you don’t surf alone). Stad Hotell is 13km away, but it’s the best option short of camping, with sleek rooms and a spectacular waterfront setting.
Double rooms from £117 B&B; stadhotell.no
Sjøsanden, Norway
One of the few unspoilt beaches in Furulunden Nature Park on the southern tip of Norway, this 800m stretch of sand is separated from the town of Mandal by a thick strip of forest, with walking trails. Its southern location means a fairly mild climate (by Norwegian standards) and the beach slopes gently, making it ideal for young families. Mandal itself has a charming old town with cobbled streets and a wide range of cafés and restaurants, while Topcamp Sjøsanden has comfortable cabins, apartments and campsites.
From £118, sleeps four, topcamp.no
Yyteri Beach, Finland
Most Finns will agree that Yyteri’s 6km of pristine sandy beaches are the best in the country, with safe bathing areas, surfing areas and beach volleyball nets on the sand. Ideal for families, the beach is also popular with hikers on the Yyteri Nature Trail, which passes some of Europe’s highest dunes – and birdwatchers, who come for the wide variety of rare species found in the surrounding Bothnian Sea National Park. The Yyteri Hotel & Spa is just a stone’s throw from the beach, with stunning views from many of the rooms and especially the seventh-floor sauna suite.
Double rooms from £118 B&B; virkistyshotelli.fi
Tofta Beach, Gotland, Sweden
Stretching for 3km on the western side of Gotland, Sweden’s largest island, Tofta has little to offer other than a few cafés, a few basic campsites and a gorgeous, glistening stretch of Baltic Sea. Locals flock for windy strolls and lunch or sunset drinks at the trendy Tofta Beach House (toftabeachhouse.com), a striking piece of contemporary Scandinavian design right on the sand. Most visitors stay in Visby, which is connected to Tofta by a 20km flat cycle path (or a 20-minute drive), where the Kalk Hotel has spotlessly comfortable rooms.
Double rooms from £139 B&B, kalkhotel.se
Böda Sand, Sweden
Böda’s 20km-long sandy beach, which borders the northeastern tip of the island of Öland just off the east coast of Sweden, is a dream for families. The southern end, surrounded by low dunes and pine forests, has all the necessary facilities – showers, toilets and cafés – while the beach becomes quieter the further north you go. Böda Sand Beach Resort offers children’s activities, playgrounds and several dining options. Cabins are more comfortable than camping, but choose Type 4 or higher if you don’t want to sleep in bunk beds.
From £135, sleeps four; camping.se
Marielyst beach, Denmark
Part of the 10 km long beach along the southeast coast of Falster Island, Marielyst was once a favourite summer holiday destination for the Danish Royal Family. The calm sea and sandy shores remain an enduring favourite with families. Bring bikes and walking shoes for a walk in the Bøtø Nature Reserve or explore part of the Coast to Coast Cycle Path. Marielyst’s many cafés, restaurants and farm shops will provide ample fuel before or after your excursion. Stay at Hotel Nørrevang, a half-timbered, thatched house dating back to 1906, with a modern resort surrounding it.
Double rooms from £112 B&B; hotelnorrevang.dk.
• This article was modified on July 21, 2024. Tofta Beach and the island of Gotland are in Sweden, not Denmark as stated in an earlier version.