The 15 Best Secret Beaches in Europe

"Just about a mile south of the Old Town, this calm pebble-and-sand beach overlooks Lokrum island and offers distant views of Dubrovnik’s packed harbor while feeling a world away from the crowds. Access requires either a short bus ride or a hike to a cliff-top church followed by more than 150 steps down, but the payoff is a tranquil shoreline with a small restaurant to refresh you after the descent." - Julia Buckley Julia Buckley Julia Buckley is a journalist who’s been writing about Italy for more than 15 years. Born in the U.K. and inexplicably drawn to Italy from childhood, she discovered her hidden Italian heritage by chance while studying at Oxford University. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines