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As part of the shift towards ‘coolcations’, beaches are becoming increasingly popular for winter trips.
ADVERTISEMENTIn 2024, much of Europe sweltered during record-hot summers, prompting some holidaymakers to postpone their trips to cooler months.As part of this shift towards ‘coolcations’ – shoulder season and winter breaks or those in cool countries – beaches have found renewed appreciation as cold weather attractions. Whether taking cold water dips and blustery, bracing walks is a long-standing passion or something you fancy trying for the first time in 2025, here are 11 stretches of sand which look truly glorious in winter.Admire a surreal black landscape at Stokksnes beach, IcelandStokksnes beach, on the Icelandic peninsula of the same name, is a stretch of coastline which undergoes a breathtaking transformation in winter. This is not only due to the backdrop of snow-capped mountains, but because of the way the jet-black sand clashes with the bright white chunks of glacier ice scattered across the beach. You’ll also find numerous weird and wonderful rock formations here, many topped with wigs of frozen moss.Try wild camping at Kvalvika, NorwayThis rugged beach is located on Moskenesøy, one of Norway’s Lofoten Islands. You’ll find it near the northern tip of the island and it’s only accessible on foot, which makes it the ideal spot for anyone seeking some crowd-free time out. It’s also a popular camping spot – pitch your tent on the grassy turf behind the golden sands and ward off the winter chill by building a fire with the driftwood which washes up here. Unless that is, you visit in February, when you’re probably better off staying in one of the fisherman’s cabins available to rent – since temperatures can regularly plummet to -3°C.Have a chilly dip at Downings Beach, IrelandThis Donegal beach is known for its clear water – hence its Blue Flag designation. It’s a prime place to give cold water immersion therapy a go, but probably best to stick to dry land during the winter months if you’re a beginner. The stretch of sand is found on the Rosguill Peninsula and it’s a magnet for photographers – nothing beats staring over the water to watch the sun sink behind the jagged silhouettes of the Derryveagh Mountains. It’s also just a short walk from The Singing Pub, a cosy inn where you can warm up by the roaring fire, with a pint of Guinness sipped beneath low-slung beams.Lounge on the lakeside Vinterplayan in NorwayAway from the coastline, Norway’s Lake Storsjön is a draw during the colder months. The area known as Vinterplayan (winter beach) fills with families keen to make the most of winter sun. ADVERTISEMENTDeckchairs (and blankets) are provided free of charge, and when it’s time to warm up, you can head to the lakeside Vinterbadet, to relax in the sauna, soothe aches and pains in the wood-fired hot tub and (optionally) finish with a cold plunge into the lake’s icy waters.Wander dykes and dunes on Langeoog Island, GermanyThe entire Langeoog Island, one of the East Frisian islands found off Germany’s Lower Saxon North Sea coast, is a brilliant spot for winter beach walks, although the star of the show is the 14-kilometre stretch of sand which streaks down one side. It’s a place which feels both wild and ancient, shaped by deep dykes, mudflats, towering dunes and wildlife-filled salt marshes. It looks ethereal in winter when chunks of ice wash ashore and the towering snow-dusted sand dunes provide vantage points for the photographers who come here to snap birds like eider ducks, greylag geese and snow buntings.ADVERTISEMENTFind a surfing paradise on Praia do Guincho, PortugalFor surfing fanatics, this Cascais beach is a prime winter spot. The huge breaks rolling in from the Atlantic have made it a renowned place to catch waves. Even if you don’t take to the water, there are wind-sculpted sand dunes to enjoy with hardly any crowds, despite the fact it had a starring role in James Bond film On Her Majesty’s Secret Service.Go nature spotting on Hiddensee Beach, GermanyHiddensee Beach, on a tiny island just off the coast of Germany’s Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania coastline, was the inspiration for various artists, including William Turner. It’s a Baltic beauty which looks surreal during the winter months when towering waves pummel the beach. ADVERTISEMENTTake the time to explore the wider Pomerania Lagoon Area National Park – the island is at the heart of this nature reserve, famous for its ancient forests and salt marshes. Keep an eye out for the wildlife, including cranes – 60,000 arrive here every autumn.Visit the volcanic Nogales beach on the Canary IslandsThis black sand beach on La Palma is a popular starting point for hikes across the island’s volcanic landscape, although you’d be forgiven for staying put to watch as the frothing white waves roll over the black sand. Located on La Palma’s northern coastline and only accessible via a short, steep path, it rarely gets crowded. Head to the raised viewpoint near the southern end to snap the best photos.Go fossil hunting at Compton Bay, Isle of WightCompton Bay, on the UK’s tiny Isle of Wight – a 28-minute ferry ride to Southampton – is a string of several beaches. ADVERTISEMENTThey are a magnet for fossil hunters, many of whom come here during the winter months when blustery winds reveal ancient fossils once wedged deep inside rapidly eroding cliffs. After a stroll along its sands, head to Brook Beach – a continuation of Compton Bay – to check out the fossilised dinosaur footprint.Inhale the scent of pine on Praia do Pego beach, PortugalBreathe in the scent of winter on this Portuguese beach, an endless stretch of golden sand with a backdrop of pine trees. It’s a short walk from the village of Comporta, where you can satisfy hunger pangs at cosy cafés such as Almo where the steak tartare with smoked carrots with roasted almond cream is a popular winter warmer. ADVERTISEMENTBring a pair of binoculars and keep an eye out for the dolphins which are often spotted frolicking in the surf.Warm up on Praia de Vilamoura, PortugalIf a cobweb-busting coastal breeze is a little too extreme for your winter beach break, head to Praia de Vilamoura in the Algarve where the mercury hovers around 20°C during the winter months. The beach is home to spectacular geological features, many of which cast beautiful shadows as the sun makes its early departure. Opt for a stroll along the boardwalk before heading to Vilamoura Marina (Portugal’s largest) to gawp at the super yachts.ADVERTISEMENT
