Europe's Most Instagrammed Beaches
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When it comes to photogenic beaches, Europe is hard to beat. From family-friendly beaches in the U.K. to lively hot spots in Greece and Spain to tranquil shores in Italy, the continent is chock-full of places begging for their close-up.
But which beaches are the most camera-ready?
We analyzed Instagram hashtags to answer that very question. Here are Europe's most picturesque beaches, including a spectacular destination that has accumulated almost 2 million posts on Instagram.
35. Iztuzu Beach, Dalyan, Turkey
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Number of Instagram posts: 24,515
Often referred to as "Turtle Beach," Iztuzu Beach is a narrow spit of land that is one of the main breeding grounds for loggerhead sea turtles in the Mediterranean.
34. Spiaggia Capriccioli, Sardinia, Italy
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Number of Instagram posts: 24,673
Travelers love the shallow and calm waters at this smaller beach that's sheltered from the wind.
33. Porthmeor Beach, St. Ives, U.K.
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Number of Instagram posts: 24,699
Beachgoers can find beautifully polished sea glass along the shores of Porthmeor Beach.
32. Weymouth Beach, Weymouth, U.K.
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Number of Instagram posts: 25,772
These coastal waters are so popular that King George III was known to visit them.
31. Oludeniz Beach, Oludeniz, Turkey
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Number of Instagram posts: 31,260
Aerial shots of Oludeniz Beach are common, with several hang-gliding companies offering adventure in the sky.
30. Cala Goloritze, Sardinia, Italy
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Number of Instagram posts: 32,559
The cliff above this beach stands at about 470 feet, creating a dramatic landscape for the perfect backdrop.
29. Playa de las Catedrales, Ribadeo, Spain
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Number of Instagram posts: 35,248
Literally translated as "Beach of the Cathedrals," this spot is famous for its towering arches and many caves.
28. Porthcurno Beach, Porthcurno, U.K.
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Number of Instagram posts: 37,418
Dogs are welcome at this idyllic beach that provides the perfect sunset photo-op.
27. Tropea Beach, Tropea, Italy
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Number of Instagram posts: 38,000
Tropea Beach features beautiful, sugary-white sand and is known as one of the cleanest and best in Italy.
26. Playa de Ses Illetes, Formentera, Spain
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Number of Instagram posts: 39,593
One reason this destination south of Ibiza might be so popular? It's one of Europe's top nude beaches.
25. Elafonissi Beach, Elafonissi, Greece
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Number of Instagram posts: 39,679
Amateur photographers can't resist snapping photos of this beach's unique pink sand.
24. Ploumanac'h, Brittany, France
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Number of Instagram posts: 40,293
This former fishing village is known for its pink granite cliffs that are particularly popular among bird watchers.
23. Myrtos Beach, Kefalonia, Greece
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Number of Instagram posts: 42,001
Another beach with a dramatic landscape, Myrtos Beach lies between two mountains: Agia Dynati and Kalon Oros.
22. Butterfly Valley, Fethiye, Turkey
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Number of Instagram posts: 43,728
Butterfly Valley is home to some of Europe's best lookout spots — and, as advertised, some 100 species of butterflies.
21. Fig Tree Bay, Protaras, Cyprus
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Number of Instagram posts: 45,139
This beach, renowned for its clean, crystal-clear waters, is named for the fig trees found near its coast.
20. Zlatni Rat, Brac, Croatia
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Number of Instagram posts: 47,081
Instead of fine sand, Zlatni Rat boasts a romantic rocky shore.
19. Punta Prosciutto, Puglia, Italy
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Number of Instagram posts: 55,408
This beach is often packed with sun-seekers — but its white-sand shores, surrounding sand dunes and photogenic nature make the crowds worth it.
18. Falesia Beach, Olhos de Agua, Portugal
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Number of Instagram posts: 57,290
Falesia is flanked by spectacular red cliffs demanding to be photographed.
17. Playa de las Canteras, Gran Canaria, Spain
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Number of Instagram posts: 58,914
Surfers of all skill levels flock to Playa de las Canteras, which offers classes and camps to wave-riders.
16. Playa de la Concha, San Sebastian, Spain
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Number of Instagram posts: 59,253
Dramatic iron sculptures distinguish this beautiful beach, named for the shell-shaped bay it's tucked into.
15. Cala Salada, Ibiza, Spain
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Number of Instagram posts: 60,869
In between jumping into Cala Salada's shallow, swimmable waters, beach-goers like to lounge on and explore the surrounding rocky cliffs.
14. Pampelonne Beach, St. Tropez, France
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Pampelonne BeachNumber of Instagram posts: 64,281
The rich and famous — from Jane Fonda and Claudia Schiffer to Johnny Halliday and Elton John — have been frequenting this south of France stunner since the '50s.
13. Balos Beach, Crete, Greece
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Number of Instagram posts: 65,389
With sunsets like this, is it any wonder tens of thousands of Instagrammers have shared photos of Balos?
12. Kleopatra Beach, Alanya, Turkey
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Number of Instagram posts: 65,449
Kleopatra Beach is known for its fine silky sand...and the clear waters of the Mediterranean Sea beyond it.
11. Navagio Bay, Zakynthos, Greece
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Number of Instagram posts: 66,258
The nickname for this beach boasting an old ship washed up on its shore? "Shipwreck Beach," naturally.
10. Praia de Rocha, Algarve, Portugal
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Number of Instagram posts: 86,119
The Fort of Catarina, a medieval structure designed to protect locals against pirates and privateers, is one of the most photographed attractions at Praia de Rocha.
9. Reynisfjara, Vik, Iceland
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Number of Instagram posts: 86,482
Black sand and rocky sea stacks make travelers reach for their iPhone cameras at this rugged beach.
8. Barceloneta Beach, Barcelona, Spain
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Number of Instagram posts: 86,503
Sunsets at Barceloneta Beach are spectacular enough to make even the most well-traveled Instagram followers envious.
7. La Pelosa Beach, Stintino, Italy
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Number of Instagram posts: 88,567
La Pelosa Beach, known for its calm, clear water, is a great spot for daring cliff jumpers.
6. Bournemouth Beach, Bournemouth, U.K.
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Number of Instagram posts: 124,684
Many Instagrammers choose to focus their shots on Bournemouth Beach's distinctive, colorful beach shacks.
5. Playa d'en Bossa Beach, Ibiza, Spain
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Number of Instagram posts: 138,385
As you'd expect of one of Ibiza's most popular beaches, this destination is packed with happening oceanside bars and lounges.
4. Nissi Beach, Ayia Napa, Cyprus
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Number of Instagram posts: 203,336
Locals and tourists find their bliss at Nissi, where DJs often spin tunes and water sports and lounging are popular.
3. Durdle Door Beach, Dorset, U.K.
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Number of Instagram posts: 204,390
Durdle Door Beach's magnificent ocean arch features prominently in many Instagram posts.
2. Brighton Beach, Brighton, U.K.
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Number of Instagram posts: 763,562
Families love Brighton Beach, an idyllic locale with a fun-filled seaside pier.
1. Positano, Salerno, Italy
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Number of Instagram posts: 1,864,695
Positano has warranted more than twice as many Instagram photos as the second beach on this list. And with its romantic seaside cliffs, colorful sand umbrellas and patented Italian charm, it's easy to see why.