What’s better than a brilliant beach? A brilliant beach club, of course. One where you can soak up the sunshine alongside Michelin-worthy food, sip on bottomless bottles of chilled rosé and soak in hypnotic beats from some of the world’s finest DJs. But with new clubs opening ever year, it can be hard to know where to focus your sand-side attentions.
Here’s our pick of the hottest European beach clubs to see and be seen in this season — both old and new.
Scorpios, Bodrum, Turkey
Bodrum has suddenly shot up on our must-visit lists. Alongside the opening of the swish new MAXX Royal Resort this summer, comes the first Turkish branch of Mykonos beach club favourite Scorpios. Just like the Greek original it’ll focus not just on dining, socialising and great music but wellbeing, too. Expect a unique Ritual Space designed to bring people together in ‘transcendent’ experiences that fuse the likes of art, dance and mindfulness.
Lucia Cannes, France
From the minds behind the iconic Nikki Beach brand comes this new restaurant and ‘Bain de Soleil’ spot on Cannes’ palm-lined La Croisette waterfront. Come for the tuna crudo à la Niçoise or runner bean and asparagus salad, served up in the maximalist space. And stay for the full-service beach loungers, where you can settle in for the afternoon with a frosty bottle of Provençal rosé.
The Peligoni Club, Zakynthos, Greece
Family-friendly Peligoni has been going since 1989 and has a lot to show for it: its bountiful facilities range from tennis courts to kayaks, spa treatment rooms to villas. Access is sold as a weekly membership, which ensures a community-like feel where faces become familiar and possibly new friendships are forged. Visit during half-term or one of the regular Guest Chef Series or PACE Wellness Weeks for extra on-tap activities.
Dune, Marbella
Opened at the tail-end of summer 2023, this new club nestled among drifts of sweeping white sand in El Rosario comes with a polished boho vibe. Views roll out to sparkling sea and large tables fit for groups are cluttered with an array of colourful eats: tiger prawn tacos with mango and red onion, or burrata with tomatoes, orange and mint. Sit back and let lunch roll into dinner.
Yellow Fish, Ibiza
Ibiza is one of the world capitals of beach clubbing. And the scene has diversified that little bit more with the addition of this fresh spot in the W Ibiza hotel at Santa Eulalia. Sun loungers with bottle service are exclusively reserved for hotel guests, who can order at will from a dedicated sangria menu (this is Spain, after all). Meanwhile, live DJs do their thing until sunset hour and beyond.
NAMMOS, Cannes, France
Hailing from Mykonos, glitzy NAMMOS is a splash-out spot where corks pop on bottles of fizz from the early afternoon onwards. This May a new branch — coddled by tamarisk trees and palms overlooking the Esterel and Lérins Islands — is opening doors in Cannes. The location is prime: at Palm Beach, a rejuvenated 1920’s destination that will also play host to the Riviera’s first waterfront saltwater pool, a private members’ club and the first Zuma restaurant in France.
Cone Club, Sardinia, Italy
Whether you arrive via the rugged hillscapes of north east Sardinia, or via the private jetty in your own yacht, two-year-old Cone Club is a welcome hideaway that pairs active daytime water sports or low-key lounger time with after-dark hedonism. Sundowner hour is a major draw, so arrive early to bag a prime spot with your margarita and get ready for a firey sunset show.
Byblos Beach Ramatuelle, St Tropez, France
The beach-side extension of one of St Tropez’s most exclusive hotels, Byblos — where Mick Jagger had his wedding to Bianca in 1971 — this club attracts a sophisticated set to the Pampelonne beachfront thanks to its top-notch service. Long lazy lunches are made with locally sourced farm-to-fork produce, but if you fancy a change of scene when hunger strikes, one of the area’s most legendary restaurants, Le Club 55, is also just next door.
Amante, Ibiza, Spain
Nestled in a rocky cliff on Ibiza’s south coast, above a lick of golden sands lapped by turquoise waves, Amante comes with one of the most spectacular settings of any beach club. Though the food is equally swoon-worthy; choose from a lunch of monkfish with prawn croquettes, white gazpacho with coconut or tomato tart with goat’s cheese and shisho.
La Cabane, Marbella, Spain
Outfitted lavishly with blue and white Dolce & Gabbana prints and featuring food conceived by Michelin-awarded chef Dani García, the recently opened La Cabane doesn’t do things by halves. Life revolves around the glassy pool, where designer cabanas, sunbeds and parasols are accompanied by DJ sessions and shows. Don’t miss the Dolci Room, either, an onsite patisserie dishing up magnificently crafted desserts and sweets.
Hula Hula, Hvar, Croatia
The Croatian island of Hvar turns into party central in the summer months and it’s in no small part thanks to beach clubs like Hula Hula. Join the thrum of the crowd come golden hour, sipping fruity cocktails on the rocky lounger-lined coast as the sun slips below the horizon beyond. Or come for the day, enjoying chilled tunes and making the most of the al fresco massage pavilion.
La Guérite, Cannes
An oldie but a goodie, La Guérite has been serving up an exclusive atmosphere and the charm of the Med on the Riviera island of Sainte-Marguerite, near Cannes, since 1902. Arrive via the shuttle boat from Port Canto — that is, if you aren’t planning on rocking up via your own yacht, as many of the high-profile guests do. Order up lemon-drenched fish dishes from chef Yiannis Kioroglou before a doze on the parasol-studded beachfront.
JackieO’, Mykonos, Greece
For 10 years JackieO’ Beach Club has been helping people to live the high life on Super Paradise Beach, welcoming everyone from fun-seeking families to couples from the morning hours until midnight. And it’s especially beloved by the holidaying LGBTQ+ community. The 7pm drag queen show around the pool area, which draws queens from the USA, UK and elsewhere, is the stuff of local legend.
Conca del Sogno, Amalfi, Italy
The chic Amalfi Coast is home to some enviable hideaways, but time and (time) again those in the know retreat to Conca del Sogno. Primely placed between Sorrento and Positano, it’s perfect for indulgent seafood lunches and A-lister spotting. On sunny days the view over sparkling Tyrrhenian Sea, fringed by rocky cliffs, is nothing short of sublime.
Hotel Tresanton Beach Club, Cornwall
A fabulous beach club, in the UK? You bet. In the chic Cornish yacht town of St Mawes, Polizzi Collection favourite Hotel Tresanton brings the Med to Britain with multi-tiered terraces, striped parasols and neat rows of loungers. You can descend straight into the waters for a dip or sprawl out with fresh juices and nibbles like grilled prawns with aioli. Just keep your fingers crossed for the sun.
The EDITION Bodrum, Turkey
With weekly beach parties, headliner DJs and the sleek style that the EDITION hotels are known for, this scene-y club has everything you could want in a sun-drenched party spot. It’s set right on Bodrum’s white sand beach, but also has a magnificent infinity pool overlooking the photogenic curve of the bay. You needn’t stay in the hotel to visit it, but if you do you get access early, from 10am. That’s just about the perfect time for a celebratory holiday Bellini, don’t you think?
