The closer we get to summer, the more we talk about vacations and travel. And as befits such a topic, the best beaches to spend the summer on are at the center of the conversation. The British newspaper The Guardian wanted to put an end to this discussion once and for all and recently compiled a list of the “40 best beaches in Europe”.
The list was compiled by the newspaper’s travel journalists and is largely made up of exotic and far-flung beaches – the kind of beaches that spring to mind when you think of white sand and crystal clear waters: they are located on the Greek islands, in southern Italy and eastern Spain… However, this monopoly of the Mediterranean countries is broken by the presence of a single German beach. And that is none other than…
The Baltic seaside resort of Sellin
It should come as no surprise: surely most of you have heard of or even been to this iconic beach on the Baltic Sea island of Rügen. Among other features that make up this idyllic spot, the Guardian journalists highlight the “sweeping golden sands punctuated by classic German beach chairs “. Together with the long pier and the pavilion from the beginning of the 20th century, this creates the dreamlike picture that defines this place.
Recently, this top European resort has also become the venue for open-air festivals and concerts in high season, attracting both families and young people. In addition, Sellin has a number of other attractions not mentioned in this article, such as beautiful villas – many of which serve as accommodation – and an amber museum.
But the island of Rügen as a whole is actually a German landmark: For one thing, its nature park has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In addition, up to six million people spend their vacation here every year. Even a hundred years ago, it was a popular tourist destination – so much so that a monumental vacation resort was built there during the Nazi era , but never completed.
The price range for a weekend in Sellin varies greatly. In July, they can range from 150 to over 300 euros per night for a couple. In itself, however, this is not too much if you want to visit one of the best beaches in Europe.