The 'best beach in Europe' with beautiful white sand and incredible clear water

A stunning beach that's already celebrated as among Europe's finest has now been recommended as an essential destination for Brits seeking swimmer-friendly waters.

Tropea in Italy is hardly a secret treasure, and it's easy to understand why it's been declared a must-visit place this summer. If you were to design the perfect postcard beach, Tropea in the Calabria region would meet every criteria - boasting pristine white sands and crystal clear water.

It also has spectacular scenery for those crucial social media shots.

This Blue Flag coastline costs nothing to access, though it does become rather crowded during peak summer periods due to its popularity among both residents and visitors. Regarding those tempting azure waters, you can rent pedalos locally for exploration, or participate in numerous boat excursions that navigate along Italy's remarkably picturesque shoreline.

Back on the powdery sands, sunbeds and parasols are available for hire, whilst numerous eateries and boutiques lie within easy walking distance. This magnificent beach currently holds eighth position amongst Europe's top 10 on Tripadvisor, according to visitor feedback.

One delighted tourist shared their experience on TripAdvisor, writing: "Wonderful place, always clean and clear water (so much so that you could see the fish). We rented a pedal boat to go a little 'offshore' and enjoy the enchanting sea of Tropea and we are not disappointed. Enchanted!"

Another visitor remarked: "The downside is the need to climb stairs from the city to the beach and back. But in Calabria, it's inevitable. Pros are much more: a beautiful coast, with bays and relatively low tourist occupancy, crystal clear water, a clean groomed beach, wonderful views and beautiful sunsets."

For those keen on a swim, you can expect water temperatures to hover around a balmy 26.3C, as per the latest findings from Iglu Cruise. Their specialists have even crowned Tropea as Italy's premier beach for taking the plunge and basking in the glorious sunshine.

The travel gurus elaborated: "Often regarded as one of the best beaches in Italy (according to Tripadvisor), Tropea Beach is another location where you can find warm sea temperatures that are perfect for swimming in the summer. Views from the beach are spectacular, with surrounding cliffs causing a natural barrier to the wind. If you're looking for azure blue waters and white sand, this might be the beach for you."

Tropea wasn't the only destination to garner acclaim; it ranked fifth overall, with Konyaaltı Plajları in Turkey clinching the top spot, thanks to its inviting average water temperatures of 27.8C.