Quiet European Beach Holidays in August

August is perhaps the busiest month of the year for European beach resorts, as schools are out for summer and work life slows down across the continent. Popular resorts are packed to the rafters and it can be hard to find a spot to lay your towel. If sharing the beach or the pool seems like an unnecessary hassle, check out these secret destinations that haven’t been discovered by the masses.

Head to the Budva Riviera in Montenegro to see the Adriatic coast without the crowds that descend on nearby Dubrovnik in Croatia. The two towns may be just two hours’ drive apart, but they couldn’t be more different in terms of atmosphere.

Think of beach holidays in Turkey and the mind likely wanders to Bodrum. However, elsewhere on the Turkish Aegean coast there are small seaside towns that have so far escaped the package tour operators. One of the best is Alacati, a sleepy little place with boutique hotels and narrow cobbled streets.

The Balearic Islands might be famed for raucous partying, but Binisafuller in Menorca couldn’t be more different. This idyllic little cove is just 30 minutes from the Menorcan capital of Mahon, but it feels like an island getaway with a few villas and wooden fishing boats the only sign of human presence.

While Sicily and Sardinia are perpetual favorites with tourists, the smaller island of Marettimo receives relatively few visitors. Come and stay for a week or two to get into the relaxed rhythm of island life.