As we head into the height of summer here in Europe, vacationers will be descending en masse on the beaches across the southern regions of the continent…
From the cool waters and crashing surf of the Atlantic, to the clear, warm Mediterranean Sea, Europe has some truly stunning beaches.
But there’s a select group of beaches that stand out above all others…
Known as Blue Flag beaches, these are some of the cleanest, safest, and most environmentally friendly beaches in the world.
Levante beach in Alicante is one of hundreds of pristine Blue Flag beaches on Spain’s breathtaking Mediterranean coast.
Created in 1987, the Blue Flag program provides a global standard for beach quality.
The idea for the organization came from a project carried out by French schoolchildren in the 1980s. Hundreds of children wrote messages including their name and local beach and placed them inside plastic bottles. The bottles were then dropped in the middle of the ocean. They washed up along various coastlines, highlighting the impact littering has on communities across the world.
The status is awarded by the Copenhagen-based nongovernmental group Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) to beaches that meet the organization’s high standards of environmental management and safety.
A Blue Flag beach will have lifeguards on duty, clean water, and usually nearby amenities for beachgoers to enjoy.
Today, the Blue Flag program has spread to nearly 50 countries worldwide and become a recognized eco-label for beaches and marinas. The prestigious Blue Flag is a guarantee of quality. You might not know it, but when you think about a great beach, you’re often thinking about a Blue Flag beach.
That’s why Blue Flag beaches are some of the most popular in Europe. But living close to a stunning Blue Flag beach can be far less expensive than you might think.
Recently, my team has been researching real estate near some of Europe’s most stunning Blue Flag beaches. Here’s some listings they uncovered… (Note: we haven’t visited these properties or done any due diligence on them.)
A Studio Steps from the Beach on Spain’s Costa Blanca for €84,900
For centuries, Torrevieja was a simple fishing village and center for salt production (collected from local lagoons). Today this city on Spain’s Costa Blanca is a favored destination for vacationers from the U.K., Scandinavia, Germany, and Ireland, many of whom own second homes here, as do many Spaniards. The unique microclimate means that winters are mild and dry with lots of sunshine.
With the international airport in Alicante just 40 minutes away, Torrevieja is also easy to get to. And you’ll find plenty to do, including waterfront restaurants, shopping, and nightlife. Simply strolling down the boardwalk on a pleasant late afternoon can be a joy.
Torrevieja has several Blue Flag beaches, including Playa del Cura, Playa Los Locos, and Playa de la Mata.
My team found this studio apartment for sale in the Higuera, Torrevieja, less than a third of a mile from the Blue Flag Playa de la Mata beach.
The apartment features a south-facing terrace with unobstructed views, a spacious living room connected to a fully furnished and equipped kitchen, and a bathroom with a bathtub. It’s part of a community with amenities including spacious garden areas and a swimming pool for residents. It’s listed at €84,900 ($91,200).
This studio apartment with a south facing terrace is just a short distance from the Blue Flag Playa de la Mata beach. Listing here.
Historic Three-Bedroom Home Near the “Venice of Portugal” for €150,000
Aveiro is a city about 48 miles south of Porto in Portugal. It sits along the Atlantic coast and is known for its canals, Art Nouveau architecture, and colorful boats called moliceiros that resemble gondolas.
Although Aveiro is often referred to as the “Venice of Portugal,” it sees nothing like the tourist traffic that passes through Venice. It’s a small city, with a relaxed pace of life, but the bright lights of Lisbon and Porto are just a one and two-hour drive away, respectively.
Portugal currently has 398 beaches with Blue Flag status and 48 of these are in the central region.
My team found this historic three-bedroom fixer-upper in the town of Estarreja, just 20 minutes from downtown Aveiro and a 15-minute drive from Torreira beach. It’s priced at €150,000 ($160,900).
The ground floor has a spacious living room, kitchen, and bathroom. The floor above has three bedrooms and an additional living room. As well as the main house, there’s another building outside included in the price, which could be transformed to provide more living space. Also outside, there’s parking space for several cars and a small patio.
This three-bedroom fixer-upper comes with plenty of space and potential. Plus it’s near the beach and the historic town of Aveiro, known for its gondola-like boats. It’s priced at €150,000. Listing here.
Cozy Two-Bedroom Condo in Southern Italy for Just €85,000
Italy is home to some of the most stunning beaches in Europe, including 458 Blue Flag beaches. And some of the best beaches in Italy are to be found in Campania, a region in southern Italy known for its rich history, stunning coastline, and vibrant culture.
Along Campania’s coastline, where the mountains meet the sparkling Tyrrhenian Sea, you’ll find beautiful beaches, hidden inlets, and tranquil bays. This spectacular region includes the famous Amalfi Coast. As of 2024, there are 19 Blue Flag beaches in Campania.
This cozy two-bed condo is in the town of Castelnuovo Cilento and listed for €85,000 ($92,552). Around six miles from the coast, the condo is close enough to enjoy the beach and all the amenities, but far enough away to offer a quiet lifestyle.
It’s on the second floor and consists of a small living room, kitchen, two bedrooms, and a bathroom. The property also has a parking space and its own independent heating system.
Set in the historic region of Campania on the Amalfi Coast, this cozy two-bed condo is listed for €85,000. Listing here.
Three-Bedroom Villa in Southern France for €244,000
Once known as the “poor man’s Provence” the Languedoc region of southern France is now a popular tourist and expat destination.
The Languedoc’s Mediterranean coast is part of France’s sunbelt, and its long sandy beaches are still uncrowded. It’s also home to more than 40 Blue Flag beaches.
Inland you’ll find wild mountain ranges, dramatic gorges, and stunning hill towns that many Francophiles will tell you are more authentically French than what you’ll find in over-touristed and over-priced Provence. Real estate here is more affordable than in nearby Provence and along the French Riviera.
My team found this charming three-bed villa in the village of Saint Laurent de la Salanque. It’s a 10-minute drive to the coast allowing easy access to the region’s Mediterranean beaches.
The villa has three bedrooms, one of which has a private terrace, across 1,103 square feet of living space. It also includes two garages and a spacious garden. It’s priced at €244,000 ($261,200).
This charming three-bed villa is a short drive from the Mediterranean in the Languedoc region of France. Listing here.
Ronan McMahon, Founder, Overseas Dream Home & Real Estate Trend Alert
P.S. For more listings of affordable overseas dream homes, click here to follow our Your Cheap Dream Home Instagram account.
