Thesprotia beaches draw thousands as Montenegro tops European beach rankings

On Sunday, the beaches of Thesprotia in western Greece were packed with thousands of visitors, filling parking areas and boosting beach‑side shops and bars. Popular spots such as Syvotos, Perdika, Plataria, Drepano and Makrygialika saw a surge of families and young groups, signalling a strong start to the summer tourism season and providing a positive outlook for the local economy.

At the same time, the European Beach Index 2026 released by Quotezone co. uk ranked Mogren Beach in Montenegro as the best beach in Europe. The index evaluated ten beaches on factors such as sea‑ and air temperature, visitor ratings, cost of accommodation and proximity to airports. Montenegro topped the list, while Cyprus’s Nissi Beach placed second, Spain’s Playa de Maspalomas third, Bulgaria’s Irakli fourth, and Greece’s Elafonisi fifth. The ranking highlights Montenegro’s low holiday costs and favorable climate as key advantages.

Together, the high visitor numbers in Thesprotia and the new European beach rankings underline shifting tourist preferences across southern Europe, with both established Greek destinations and emerging spots like Montenegro gaining attention.