Beach holiday destinations off the beaten track for summer, Photo credit: Filip Kruchlik
17 off the beaten track beach holiday destinations for summer
Summer is officially here! Fancy a beach holiday but want to stay away from the crowds (me too)? Here’s 17 alternative summer beach holiday destinations that Skyscanner has rounded-up for you!
1. Skåne, Sweden
The first off the beaten track beach holiday destination is Skåne in southern Sweden. You can expect clean and well-maintained near the town, and chances are you shouldn’t have any trouble finding a space to lay out your sun towel. Skyscanner’s favourites include Falsterbo beach and Skanör beach.
Fly to: Gothenburg
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Where to stay?
2. Yvonand, Switzerland
Next off the beaten track beach holiday destination which is also one of the most beautiful beaches in Europe can be found in Switzerland. A stretch of sand on a lake, you’ll find plenty of room to lay out your sun towel. The lake is also a great option for anyone considering a cheap holiday in Switzerland.
3. Queens, New York, US
Rockaway Beach, Queens, New York City, Photo credit: Urielevy, Wikipedia, Under CC BY-SA 4.0
Rockaway Beach in Queens, New York City, is where locals flock to for the great surf, friendly atmosphere and the concession stand-filled boardwalk.
Fly to: New York
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Where to stay in Rockaway Beach?
4. Macau
Fourth in the off beaten track beach holiday destination is Macau. It is an autonomous region on the south coast of China just a 30-minute ferry ride from Hong Kong. Macau’s beaches are deserted and lined with palm trees and they are all easily accessible. You can head to Cheoc Van Beach, which has great facilities, including changing rooms and toilets.
Fly to: Macau
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Where to stay in Macau?
5. Ayvalik, Turkey
Next, lets head to Ayvalik, a seaside town on Turkey’s northwestern Aegean coast. It is home to some of the best beaches in Turkey and a great alternative to more crowded resort areas like Bodrum. In addition, the crystal clear and usually shallow water make Ayvalik ideal for children. It is also one of Europe’s cheapest beach destinations, making it a great option for a low cost sunny holiday.
Fly to: Istanbul
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Where to stay in Ayvalik?
6. Lisbon, Portugal
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Praia da Ursa, Lisbon, Portugal, Photo credit: Rosino, Wikipedia, Under CC BY-SA 2.0
Some of Europe’s best beaches are in Lisbon and you’ll be delighted to know that this hasn’t been caught up with most visitors to Portugal yet. A large number of beaches in Lisbon are easily accessible from the city centre, either via a bus or a short train journey. Skyscanner recommends Praia da Ursa on the Atlantic west coast, just north of Cabo da Roca, with two towering sea stacks at either end of the beach. And if you want to take a break from the beach life, there’s plenty to see and do in Lisbon, too.
Fly to: Lisbon
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7. Playa de las Galgas, Tenerife
Playa de las Galgas, Tenerife, Photo credit: TripAdvisor
A great alternative to Tenerife’s busier beaches and visited mainly by locals is Playa de las Galgas. The vast majority of tourists make a beeline for the Costa Adeje’s most popular beaches, such as Fañabé and Torviscas. This means that you’ll likely have this beautiful Canary Islands beach entirely to yourself.
Fly to: Tenerife
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Where to stay in Tenerife?
8. Manama, Bahrain
Manama, Bahrain
A great beach holiday destination, this beach is close to some of Bahrain’s best hotels, including the Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain. And although it’s a great place to catch some rays, Bahrain is also a fantastic diving destination. What’s more, local laws state that if you find a pearl, it’s yours to keep.
Fly to: Bahrain
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9. Ryde, Isle of Wight, UK
Want a beach holiday destination that is off the beaten track? Head to Ryde this summer and discover some of UK’s best beaches on the Isle of Wight. Skyscanner recommends Appley beach, a locals’ hidden gem. It’s easy to get to – simply look for Appley Tower, a gothic structure built in 1875.
10. Cayo Costa State Park, Fort Myers US
Cayo Costa State Park, Fort Myers US, Photo credit: VISIT FLORIDA
This beautiful beach destination is located along the Gulf of Mexico just west of Fort Myers. Cayo Costa State Park is accessible only by boat and is served by a public ferry from nearby Pine Island. The state park in Cayo Costa is home to unique vegetation and gorgeous beaches. It is also a great place for camping, swimming, shelling and fishing.
Fly to: Fort Myers
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11. Pwll Du Bay (or Pwlldu Bay), Gower, Wales
Pwll Du Bay, Gower, Wales, Photo credit: Gav 2000, Wikipedia, Under CC BY-SA 3.0
If you’re looking for a beautiful alternative beach in Wales, Pwll Du Bay is a great option. It is one of the more remote beaches and is not easily accessible by car but there are three narrow footpaths leading down to the beach.
12. Perhentian, Malaysia
Perhentian, Malaysia, Photo credit: Tourism Malaysia
Thailand has some of the best beaches in Asia and they can also be incredibly crowded. Skyscanner recommends Malaysia’s Perhentian Islands as an alternative beach holiday destination. What can you expect? Fantastic diving and breathtakingly-beautiful beaches. Getting to the Perhentian Islands is easy – simply jump on a ferry in either Kuala Terengganu or Kota Bharu, on the mainland. Both destinations are serviced by regular flights from Kuala Lumpur. Check out 25 must visit in Malaysia.
Fly to: Kuala Lumpur
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Where to stay in Perhentian?
13. The Gili Islands, Indonesia
The Gili Islands, Indonesia, Photo credit: kolibri5
The next destination is fabulously secluded and there are no cars on any of The Gili Islands (Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno and Gili Air). It is easily accessible from the mainland. What to expect? Beautiful beaches and lots of wildlife.
Fly to: Bali
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14. Isle of Arran, Scotland
Isle of Arran, Scotland, Photo credit: Sophia Hilmar
If you prefer your beaches wild and rugged, head to Arran, the seventh largest Scottish island. The most spectacular section of coastline can be found near Kildonan, which is where you’ll find Silver Sands, which Skyscanner reckons must rank as one of Scotland’s most beautiful beaches. A campsite nearby provides a great option for a cheap holiday in the UK. Check out some of the best beaches in Scotland.
Where to stay near Kildonan?
15. Iki Island, Japan
Saruiwa (monkey rock) of Iki island, Japan, Photo credit: Asanagi, Wikipedia Under CC0 1.0
Often overlooked, Japan has some of the most beautiful beaches in Asia too. The beaches on Iki Island are easily accessible from Nagasaki. You can plan a day trip or stay at one of the hotels which have sprung up in recent years.
Fly to: Nagasaki
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16. Juist, Germany
Juist, Germany, Photo credit: Julie May @ Pixabay
One of Germany’s East Fresian islands, Juist, is a great option for a cheap beach holiday, with hotel prices significantly lower than those in popular beach resorts in Greece and Spain. The island is easily reachable from Baltrum on the mainland via ferry and is dominated by Wattenmeer National Park.
Fly to: Groningen
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17. Cheung Chau Island, Hong Kong
Cheung Chau Island, Hong Kong, Photo credit: Man77, Wikipedia, Under CC BY-SA 3.0
Small it may be, but the island of Cheung Chau packs a powerful punch when it comes to attractions. Aside from its annual explosion of Bun Festival fun, Cheung Chau’s temples, seafood restaurants, beaches — and even a pirate’s hideout — make it an interesting getaway all year round.
Bun Scrambling Competition, Photo credit: Tksteven, Wikipedia, Under CC BY-SA 3.0
Fly to: Hong Kong
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Where to stay near Cheung Chau?
Reference: Skyscanner
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