In total, 15 wonderful European coastal towns were included in the ranking.
The resort town of Cavtat-Konavle on the Adriatic coast, considered the southernmost community in Croatia, has been recognized as the most elegant coastal resort in Europe to visit in 2026.
How the winner was determined
Experts from the travel portal European Best Destinations have explored more than 200 of Europe’s 2,000 coastal destinations, from glamorous Riviera resorts to time-honored secluded fishing villages.
To determine the most elegant coastal destinations in Europe, they combined two equally important perspectives: expert opinion and traveler feedback.
In particular, travel experts evaluated each finalist using three key criteria:
- Architecture and heritage: elegance of buildings, historical depth, and preservation of identity;
- Lifestyle and sophistication: quality of hospitality, gastronomy, boutique culture, atmosphere, and refinement;
- The beauty of the coast: visual harmony, nature, beaches, harbors, and overall aesthetic appeal.
The travel attractiveness rating was based on the opinions of tourists from 134 countries who marked their favorite vacation spots. Their assessment reflects:
- Global appeal;
- Emotional appeal;
- Popularity;
- User sentiment;
- Intention to visit/revisit.
Why was Tsavtat-Konavle recognized as the most elegant coastal resort?
This resort is a masterpiece of Adriatic beauty, where history, nature, and understated sophistication come together. It was previously awarded the title of the most exclusive vacation spot in Europe by European Best Destinations.
Located near the magical city of Dubrovnik, on the outskirts of the beautiful Konavle, Cavtata offers a timeless vacation filled with culture, peace, and sophistication.
Here, the Venetian-style architecture seamlessly transitions into a picturesque palm-lined promenade, providing a serene setting for luxurious yachts and traditional fishing boats. Meanwhile, the golden-hued sunsets paint the Adriatic Sea in a picture of tranquility and style.
15 of the most elegant coastal destinations in Europe
- Cavatat-Konavle. Croatia.
- Cassis, France.
- Capri, Italy.
- Llafranc, Spain.
- Lerici, Italy.
- Newquay, United Kingdom.
- Saint-Tropez, France.
- Patmos, Greece.
- Santa Margherita Ligure, Italy.
- Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, France.
- Portofino, Italy.
- Dinard, France.
- Camogli, Italy.
- Cadaques, Spain.
- Hydra, Greece.