We all crave those idyllic beach escapes, but the allure of popular European coastlines can often lead to overwhelming crowds and a bit of stress. While many sandy shores attract throngs of tourists, Wizz Air has discovered a collection of hidden gems that promise a more tranquil retreat.
For those in the UK seeking spacious shores, Camber Sands in East Sussex stands out as the second least crowded beach in Europe, just a short one-hour train ride from London. To determine the most and least congested beaches, Wizz Air analyzed data from over 50 European countries, focusing on their most popular coastlines. They employed a unique formula that calculated the beach area, divided it by the size of a beach towel, and then factored in the average daily visitor count. This method provided a clear picture of how much space each beach can offer per person.
Camber Sands, with its sprawling nearly five-mile stretch of sand, boasts an impressive 61.1 beach towels per individual. Visitors can enjoy the stunning landscape while relishing ample room to lounge, stroll along the shore, or engage in water sports. With its pristine scenery, rolling sand dunes, and inviting blue waters, Camber Sands has seen a surge in interest, particularly on TikTok, with searches skyrocketing by 174% in the past year, totaling 73,000 queries. Unlike many of Europe’s famed coastal retreats, Camber Sands is conveniently located for Brits, with direct trains from London St. Pancras to Rye, the nearest station, taking just over an hour.
Here’s a breakdown of the top 10 least crowded beaches in Europe:
| Rank | Beach | City | Country | Towel Space per Person |
|—|—|—|—|—|
| 1 | Beach of Durrës | Durrës | Albania | 64.5 |
| 2 | Camber Sands | East Sussex | England | 61.1 |
| 3 | Zlatni Rat Beach (Golden Horn) | Bol/Brac | Croatia | 54.1 |
| 4 | Borsh Beach | Borsh | Albania | 43.0 |
| 5 | Plage de Pampelonne | Ramatuelle | France | 33.8 |
| 6 | Brighton Beach | Brighton | England | 27.0 |
| 7 | Praia da Falésia | Algarve | Portugal | 24.3 |
| 8 | Mogren Beach | Budva | Montenegro | 20.1 |
| 9 | Nissi Beach | Ayia Napa | Cyprus | 19.3 |
| 10 | Playa d’en Bossa | Ibiza | Spain | 17.0 |
Camber Sands isn’t the only English beach featured in Wizz Air’s top 10 least crowded shores. Brighton, also located in East Sussex, takes the 6th spot and is easily accessible with several direct trains from the capital, reaching the coast in under an hour. With ample space for 27 beach towels per person, Brighton visitors can comfortably explore the iconic pier, relax on the pebbled beach, and savor a variety of delicious food options.
