Vacation without flight chaos: These beaches can be reached quickly by car

On the beach on summer vacation – but how is that supposed to work in view of skyrocketing flight prices and chaotic conditions at many airports, overcrowded trains and increasing corona numbers? Almost all that remains is the car as a means of transport.

However, you don’t have to drive too far to get to fantastic beach destinations. We show the most beautiful beaches that can be reached by car – from Germany to Poland and the Netherlands to Croatia.

Croatia: Dream vacation in Istria

It is the largest peninsula on the northern Adriatic and can be reached relatively quickly: Istria. For example, it is 545 kilometers from Munich to the romantic fishing village of Novigrad. The old town, surrounded by a historic city wall, is located in the north of the peninsula, on the west coast. Bays and bathing spots are lined up here along the crystal-clear sea. One of the most beautiful and at the same time most popular beaches in Novigrad is Plaza Maestral, which is located just south of the old town. The white pebble beach was laid out in the shape of a sickle, which together with the turquoise-blue color of the sea creates a dream beach ambience.

• Hotel tip: Just behind the beach is the hotel “Aminess Maestral”, a 4-star hotel with indoor and outdoor pools and a perfect location for the sea and the old town.

On the other side of the Croatian peninsula, the small resort town of Rabac stands out, not far from the Ucka mountain range. This beach destination is 580 kilometers from Munich. Here on the east coast, white pebble beaches slope gently into the sea – perfect for families with children.

Active vacationers will find numerous sports and leisure opportunities around the beaches, which have been awarded the European quality seal “Blue Flag” and have lifeguard posts. Girandella Beach with its small, sheltered pebble bays is considered one of the most beautiful beaches.

• Hotel tip: Guests of the 4-star Girandella Valamar Collection Resort hotel, which is suitable for families and couples as well as luxury vacationers, have direct access to the beach.

Poland: sandy paradise on the Baltic Sea coast

The most beautiful beach in the country is also located in the north-west of Poland: Świnoujście. In German it is called Swinemünde and should be familiar to every Usedom vacationer. Because the Baltic Sea resort of the same name with its historic villas in seaside resort architecture is right on the German border. It is around 230 kilometers from Berlin. The insider tip beach of the summer is three kilometers long, has fine sand and is getting wider every year. This comes from the sand that is being removed from other places on the island of Usedom, is settling here and making the coastline ever wider.

From the Dünenweg, which is also wheelchair accessible, you have a great view of the Usedom Bay and the imperial baths of Ahlbeck and Heringsdorf. The extremely clean, non-smoking beach has showers and changing rooms, is monitored by lifeguards and is dog-free. Ideal for families with small children, sandcastle architects and beach walkers.

• Hotel tip: The 5-star hotel Hilton Świnoujście Resort & Spa is located in the first row of the beach, directly on the beach promenade, with a dream view of the Baltic Sea and an adventure pool for children.

Netherlands: anchoring, swimming and chilling in the most beautiful part of the North Sea

In the southwest of Holland lies the province of Zeeland, on the border with Belgium. Its name sounds like music to the ears of beach lovers, as it is home to a number of islands, peninsulas and the country’s most beautiful beaches. golden yellow. More than 650 kilometers long. Family, natural and water sports beaches on the North Sea. Well-known beach resorts are, for example, Renesse, Veere or Vlissingen on the Walcheren peninsula. It is around 280 kilometers from Düsseldorf to Vlissingen.

There is a real city beach here – you can walk from the boulevard to the bathing beach. It is four kilometers long, 70 meters wide, has fine sand and has been awarded the “Blue Flag” for decades. Attention: When the tide changes, a strong current can develop. In this phase, the beach cafés and beach bars are the hippest place. Or the Veerse Meer, around 18 kilometers to the north. An inland body of water with salt water, 13 islets and the insider tip beach Veerse Gatdam. Cyclists, sailors and nature lovers will find paradisiacal conditions here.

• Hotel tip: The Fletcher Hotel-Restaurant Het Veerse Meer (4 stars) near Arnemuiden is somewhat secluded, but right on the water and surrounded by fields.

Germany: California style on the North Sea

St. Peter-Ording is considered the surfer’s paradise in the north, and the atmosphere in Germany’s largest seaside resort is correspondingly casual. The North Frisian community is around 150 kilometers northwest of Hamburg. Its sandy beach on the North Sea is twelve kilometers long, up to one kilometer wide and lined with dykes, shifting dunes and seal banks. And it is in the midst of the Unesco World Heritage Site of the Wadden Sea.

Extensive dunes and a fresh breeze convey an uplifting feeling of freedom and there is enough space for everyone: bathers, nature lovers and sports enthusiasts. More than 1000 beach chairs are ready to relax and chill. Characteristic of the long beach are the stilt houses erected on high stilts, the so-called poison booths, where there are cafes, restaurants, sanitary facilities and playground equipment for children. The newer hotels here look like East Coast beach houses — with white wood porches and shutters, light gray wood facades, and dedicated parking for surfer vans.

• Hotel tip: The “Beach Motel” is located directly on the driveway to the main beach and attracts as “the first lifestyle motel on the North Sea coast” with a casual surfer image.

Germany: Fine Baltic Sea sand in the Bay of Lübeck

It is also called the “southwest corner” of the Baltic Sea: the Bay of Lübeck. There are so many beaches here that two hands are not enough to count – from Timmendorfer Strand, via Niendorf, Sierksdorf, to the Baltic Sea resort of Grömitz, the Haffkrug sandy beach, the Dahme sports beach and the Kellenhusen family beach.

Or Neustadt in Holstein, where the promenade stretches from the soft sandy beach to the harbour. Many boats anchor there, which leave right next to the beach – a great sight from the cozy beach bars. The pier offers diving boards and a slide. Even dogs are allowed in the direction of Pelzerhaken. Neustadt is around 30 kilometers from Lübeck.

• Hotel tip: The 4-star hotel “Arborea Marina Resort Neustadt” is located at the marina with its own beach, where yoga and campfire evenings also take place; There is a children’s pool for children, in case the little ones should have had enough of the salt water on the Baltic Sea beach.