Spain and Portugal, Maybe France too?

Portugal and Spain are a great combination, and they both offer a wealth of beautiful, hidden-gem type beaches. Do a google search as well as a search of this board about the Algarve region in Portugal. It's filled with beautiful and secluded beaches, as well as more resort-type situations.

"Beachy", eh? Just be aware that the "beach experience" in Europe is not anything like what most Americans think of as their beach fantasy. When most Americans envision a great beach, they think of Hawaii, Mexico or maybe even southern California: broad expanses of white, fine, sugary sand, with plenty of room to spread out that anyone can just claim. European beaches are generally not like that. Most are either pebbles or more coarse, darker sand; few are as wide/flat as you might expect; and many (most?) require you to pay for a chair of some sort or just a spot. Many also tend to be a lot more crowded than you might expect. Now, you can indeed find beaches that have nice sand, and some that are not lined with chaise lounges crowded shoulder-to-shoulder with nekkid northern European sunbathers basting themselves, but don't count on finding that easily, especially in July/August (especially August) which is vacation time for Europeans, and many of them will be there at the beach - expect crowds.

Beaches in Europe certainly have their charms, but I think a lot of Americans who go expecting a "beach vacation"end up disappointed, because they had conjured up some fantasy mashup that looked like Maui but also featured pasta and wine served by Fabio at the waterside. My advice is, if you want a "beach vacation" go someplace that has world-class beaches. If you want to go to Europe, and maybe enjoy a few pleasant hours by the sea, then go to Europe. But don't confuse the two - they're quite different experiences.

That said, Spain and Portugal are wonderful, filled with many more top sights & experiences than most Americans expect. It will be quite hot (too hot for some of us) in many places during July/August, though. I'd go in September if I could.

Good luck, have fun.

We were in Spain and Portugal from August 18 through September 8. Went to the beach on weekdays to avoid some of the crowds.

Barcelona was so hot we almost had to go to the beach. It was crowded (duh).

Donastia was great - beach and water - although still crowded (with Spaniards on vacation, I am told).

A variety of beaches in Galicia were also quite lovely. As we went further south, the ocean became colder.

Still enjoyed the beach near Porto (more rocky, near a restaurant called Shis - which was a great, and pricy, dining experience).

Had a lovely time at the beach at Cascais outside Lisbon, but did not go in the water - too cold!; we did have a light lunch on the balcony at the Hotel Albatroz - not to be missed.

Thank you everyone for your help. David, don't worry, my fiance and I are not the "typical" Americans, and we have been to European beaches before. We were in Italy for the entire month of August in 2008 and the beaches were great. I am not under the illusion that Maui beaches can be found in Europe, nor is that what I want. I want Spanish beaches full of life and people. Thanks anyway.

Don't forget the Algarve in Portugal- Salema-small sleepy town with a beautiful beach -