The simple trick to finding your family’s perfect beach
Natural beauty? Safe waters? Space to throw a Frisbee? Natalie Paris scores the 10 best beaches in the Med by the criteria that matter most
Picking a favourite beach is a tricky decision for anyone, but add children to the mix and you have a truly mammoth task on your hands. According to a recent survey, nearly half of us fancy a beach holiday this summer – but one family’s dream beach can be another’s idea of hell.
It pays to know your tribe. Does your gang hop between rocks, nets aloft, searching for critters? Do you shoot through the waves on bodyboards; splash safely in the shallows; glide serenely on paddleboards; or simply sprawl out on the sand with nothing but a good book?
Ask yourself this: will my children still need entertaining even after they have built a sandcastle big enough to be viewed from space? Or, if your family includes a recently potty-trained toddler, is it perhaps best to avoid going full-on Robinson Crusoe this year?
Fortunately, we have taken the hassle out of picking your perfect summer spot, rigorously scoring 10 of the Mediterranean’s best beaches, from Blue Flag favourites to top-ranking regulars.
Whether you are after buzzy or serene, a tiny beach shack or rows of upmarket outlets, dramatic waves or calm shallows, all you need to do is pick your family’s must-haves and don’t needs, check the scores – and prepare for your perfect beach break.
CALA EN PORTER MENORCA
NATURAL BEAUTY 7/10 Green-tufted headlands cradle a broad inlet of fluffy, white sand, though this is one of Menorca’s more developed coves.
TOWEL SPACE 7/10
There is more space here than in many of Menorca’s virgin coves. Half the deep beach is devoted to sunbeds, leaving the other half free for towels and games.
LOCAL AMENITIES 10/10 There is a beach café, a shop and a large car park. Find more restaurants up on the cliffs, with a cocktail bar, and a mini-train to do the climb in summer.
GENTLE WATERS 8/10
This long inlet is very sheltered and the Blue Flag beach slopes gently into calm water, making it a fun spot for young swimmers. Lifeguard in high season.
THINGS TO DO 4/10
Little fish flit beneath the cliffs, so snorkellers will be happy for hours. There’s a very small playground and football nets at the back of the beach, but little ones in need of more entertainment than that will be at a loose end.
The Hotel Playa Azul (00 34 971 377 421; sethotels.com) offers doubles from £72 per night. Jet2 ( jet2.com) flies from London to Menorca from £108 return
Covid rules All travellers (including those under 12) must fill in a Health Control Form (spth.gob.es). All travellers over 17 must show proof of being fully vaccinated or proof of recovery. Travellers aged 12-17 may either show proof of vaccination/recovery or a negative PCR taken within the past 72 hours. Travellers under 12 are exempt