Let’s say you’ve got some time on your hands — maybe a month, maybe more. You’re craving salty air, turquoise water, fresh seafood, a breeze that smells like freedom… and, importantly, you want it in many places.
If the idea of plotting one long, coast-hugging route through Europe lights you up, keep reading. There’s a way to string together a killer trip that’s equal parts adventure and beach nap, with a solid mix of culture, wine, small towns, boat days, and the kind of sunsets that make you text someone just to say “holy sh*t.”
This isn’t just about bouncing from beach to beach. It’s about stitching together an itinerary that flows — logistically and emotionally — with enough contrast to keep things interesting but not so much that you’re exhausted by Day 7.
Here’s how to do it, and where to go.
First, a Quick Route Overview
You’ll start in Portugal, head east along the southern coasts of Spain, France, and Italy, and then hop around the Adriatic — Montenegro, Croatia — before closing out in Greece.
The total distance (if you map it) is around 5,000 km, but you won’t be driving straight through. This kind of trip is meant to be meandering, loose, and peppered with boats, trains, and short flights when needed.
So let’s get into it — 15 places that deserve your attention and how they fit together.
1. Lagos, Portugal
Best for: dramatic cliffs, budget surf vibes, and great day trips
Start in the Algarve — it’s wild, a little rugged, and still relatively affordable. Lagos offers a good balance of backpacker energy and laid-back comfort. The beaches are stunning (Praia do Camilo is a stunner), and the coastline is riddled with sea caves and golden rock formations.
Don’t skip: A kayak tour through Ponta da Piedade, and a grilled sardine lunch at a beach bar with plastic chairs.
2. Tarifa, Spain
Best for: kite-surfing, Moroccan day trips, and feeling the edge of Europe
From Lagos, cross into Spain and head down to Tarifa — the southernmost tip of the continent. The vibe here is part hippie, part surfer, part Spanish tapas crawl. Africa’s just 14 km across the water. You can literally see the Rif Mountains on a clear day.
Pro tip: The ferry to Tangier is only 35 minutes, and makes for an epic bonus experience.
3. Nerja, Spain
Best for: cliffside beaches and tapas in tiny alleyways
Nerja is the softer, prettier cousin of the Costa del Sol. You’ll get the beach town fix without the mega-resorts. The Balcón de Europa lookout is stunning at sunset, and the coves (like Playa de Maro) are worth the hike down.
Heads-up: It’s a popular spot for Spanish families in summer, so it gets busy — but it doesn’t feel tourist-trappy.
4. Collioure, France
Best for: postcard-worthy charm and Catalan culture
Cross into France and follow the coast to Collioure, tucked into a little pocket of the Pyrénées-Orientales. Think pink buildings, a castle by the sea, and anchovies — lots of anchovies. The town’s also known for its art history — Matisse loved it here.
Good to know: There’s a train station in town, and it’s well connected to Perpignan if you’re heading further into France.
5. Cassis, France
Best for: the Calanques and boat-hopping between coves
Cassis is a jewel — no exaggeration. Tiny harbor, pastel houses, rosé flowing everywhere. But the real draw is the Calanques: steep limestone inlets filled with shockingly blue water. Hike or take a boat — both are excellent.
Lunch tip: Book a table at La Villa Madie if you’re feeling fancy, or grab street socca (chickpea pancake) for a casual bite.
6. Monterosso al Mare, Italy (Cinque Terre)
Best for: colorful cliffside villages and pesto-everything
The Cinque Terre gets a lot of press, and for good reason. Monterosso is the beachiest of the five, and makes a great base. You can swim, hike to Vernazza, and eat your way through the best focaccia you’ll ever try.
Warning: It gets crowded. Try to hit it midweek or shoulder season if you can.
7. Camogli, Italy
Best for: quieter charm and authentic Ligurian feels
Just down the coast from more-famous Portofino, Camogli has that same dramatic seaside beauty, minus the luxury yachts and celebrity vibes. It’s local, lived-in, and seriously photogenic.
Make time for: A ferry ride to San Fruttuoso — a tiny abbey on a private beach only accessible by boat or footpath.
8. Dubrovnik, Croatia
Best for: medieval drama and Adriatic bliss
Okay, this is where the trip shifts a bit. You’ll want to hop across to the Adriatic, and a short flight or ferry gets you into Dubrovnik. It’s touristy, yes. But walk the old city walls and tell me it’s not worth it.
Pro tip: Stay just outside the walls for more affordable rooms and fewer cruise ship crowds.
9. Korčula, Croatia
Best for: wine country meets island time
From Dubrovnik, take a ferry to Korčula. It’s often called “Little Dubrovnik,” but with a more relaxed pace. Lots of good swimming spots and local Grk wine that you probably can’t find outside the island.
Rent a bike and cruise between vineyards and empty coves. You won’t regret it.
10. Hvar, Croatia
Best for: nightlife, lavender, and clear turquoise water
Hvar gets a party reputation, and yeah, there are clubs on yachts. But it’s also full of beauty and history — 13th-century walls, hilltop fortresses, and quieter spots like Stari Grad if you want peace.
Great idea: Charter a boat and spend a day in the Pakleni Islands — just offshore and basically made for picnics and snorkeling.
11. Kotor, Montenegro
Best for: dramatic fjord-like views and old-world atmosphere
Kotor’s bay feels almost Scandinavian in shape — steep mountains plunging into calm water — but the vibe is Mediterranean all the way. The old town is walkable, romantic, and full of stray cats and ancient stone.
Hike alert: The fortress trail above the town is worth the climb (but maybe not in full sun).
12. Sarandë, Albania
Best for: budget beach time and Ionian sea surprises
Albania’s coast is the real sleeper hit of the Balkans. Sarandë sits across from Corfu and has a similar feel — white pebbly beaches, blue water — at a fraction of the price. It’s still under the radar, but probably not for long.
Good detour: Visit Ksamil, about 30 minutes south — pristine water, almost absurdly clear.
13. Paxos, Greece
Best for: sleepy island life and the prettiest coves you’ve never heard of
Now you’re back in Greece — and Paxos is the kind of place where time seems to melt. No airport here; you take a boat from Corfu. It’s peaceful, small, and covered in olive trees.
Great beaches: Try Voutoumi on Antipaxos for water so clear it barely looks real.
14. Naxos, Greece
Best for: long sandy beaches and local Greek flavor
Naxos doesn’t try to impress you — which is exactly why it does. It’s bigger and less polished than neighboring islands, but the beaches go on forever. You can rent a car and find stretches of sand with nobody else around.
Fun fact: The island is known for its cheese, potatoes, and kitron (a lemony spirit).
15. Malta
Best for: limestone cliffs, history, and crystal-clear boat days
To cap off the trip with something totally different, jump down to Malta. It’s not part of the Greek island chain — it’s its own world entirely. English is widely spoken, and you’ll find Roman, Arab, and British influences all layered into one funky little country.
One of the best ways to explore? By boat.
If you’re looking for a proper day out on the water — caves, lagoons, snorkeling, private charters — check this. It’s a solid option, especially if you’re into the idea of seeing the Blue Lagoon or Comino without the typical ferry chaos.
Insider tip: Base yourself in Sliema or Valletta for walkability, good food, and easy ferry access.
Travel Logistics: How to Make It All Work
You’re probably thinking, “Okay but… how?” Fair. Here’s a rough breakdown of how to actually string this together:
| Leg | Suggested Transport |
| Portugal → Spain | Bus, train, or rental car |
| Spain → France | Train (RENFE & SNCF), or rental |
| France → Italy | Train or regional flights |
| Italy → Croatia | Ferry or short flight (Naples → Dubrovnik) |
| Croatia → Montenegro → Albania | Bus, rental car, or ferry |
| Albania → Greece | Bus or coastal ferry |
| Greece → Malta | Flight (via Athens or direct from Corfu in summer) |
A Eurail Pass can cover a lot of ground in the early parts of the trip. Once you hit the Balkans, you’ll rely more on buses and ferries.
When to Go
Late May to early July, or September. That sweet spot gives you warm weather without the full brunt of high-season pricing and crowds. August in Southern Europe is basically one long traffic jam (unless you’re into that).
Final Thought
There’s no one right way to do this. You might linger in Cassis because you fall in love with the rosé, or maybe you breeze through Dubrovnik and spend a week in sleepy Paxos instead.
The point isn’t to tick boxes — it’s to follow the coast, feel the rhythm of it, and let one view roll into the next.
And honestly? That next seaside espresso always tastes better when the one before it came with a view worth remembering.
