If someone asked you what beach they should visit in Europe, where would you tell them to go?

There are so many that come to mind, from iconic destinations like Spain, the Greek Islands, and the French Riviera to up-and-coming getaways like Albania.

No matter where travelers choose to go for an epic beach vacation in Europe, it’s hard to find a place that misses the mark.

That being said, there is one unsuspecting place that will rock your socks off with its flawless beaches and stunning scenery.

Of course, less crowds in summer makes it even more alluring. TimeOut recently released their favorite beaches in Scotland – that’s right, Scotland.

Somehow Luskentyre Sands has slipped through the cracks all these years, but it truly rivals the Caribbean.

Scotland Is So Much More Than Castles And Kilts

Tucked away from the hustle and bustle of London is yet another stunning U.K. destination.

View of a beach in Scotland

That would be Scotland, a breathtaking place jam-packed with fascinating history, incredible castles, and gorgeous beaches, sometimes overshadowed by Europe’s endless sunny beach getaways.

Despite being overlooked, more Americans are beginning to jet off to Scotland to explore more of what this beautiful nation has to offer.

While inland Scotland is well worth a visit in its own right, with beautiful, timeless cities like Edinburgh and Glasgow, the coastline is gaining more attention.

Beyond intriguing Viking folklore, distant sounds of bagpipes, and grown men still rocking the questionable kilt look lies a truly astonishing beach that should top your travel wishlist.

Male tourist on Luskentyre Sands beach

Scotland’s Best Kept Secret

Secrets are hard to keep, but Scotland has done an excellent job.

One key reasons being it’s held so close to the vest is it’s not as easy to reach as many other notable European getaways, or the Caribbean for that matter.

Luskentyre Sands has remained strictly a local’s favorite hideaway, keeping the majestic blue waters and white sand beaches to themselves.

Who can blame them? Overtourism is legitimately affecting many European counterparts, so why risk it?

Parasailing in Luskentyre Sands

That being said, Luskentyre Sands isn’t going to change much overnight. While some destinations fully embrace tourism and even build new airports to showcase lesser known destinations, that’s not the case here.

Luskentyre Sands is located in the Hebrides on the Isle of Harris, just across from the more popular Isle of Skye.

This beach, as it stands today, is for locals to enjoy and true adventurers who are willing to take a long journey to paradise.

Flawless Beaches All To Yourself

Few tourists at Luskentyre Sands

In a day and age where people run to the internet to whine and complain about something as simple as a cup of coffee, it’s nearly impossible to find a perfect rating anywhere, especially with over 1,000 reviews.

Maybe there’s hope for the world after all…

Nonetheless, Luskentyre Sands holds a perfect 5/5 rating on TripAdvisor. Recent visitors were left gobsmacked by the mesmerizing blue waters, the sense of tranquility, and the stunning views.

Quite literally, the beauty of this beach is that it’s all natural and not curated for tourists.

Sure, there are fun things to do like hiking, swimming, cycling, and exploring the picturesque sand dunes, but there are definitely not any all-inclusive resorts anywhere in sight.

Wildflowers and blue water of Luskentyre Sands

Despite this, a visit here is the ultimate place to relax, with miles of open space, which is a rarity for European beaches.

Even in the heat of summer, beachgoers will have no troubles at all finding a space to lounge around.

No All-Inclusive Resorts, But What About Charming Bed And Breakfasts?

Even as adrenaline rushes through every traveler’s veins as we are so excited to see the world, we all hit a wall and need a place to rest our heads at night.

Finding a hotel around Luskentyre Sands is a slim picking, but is it the rest of the Isle of Harris? Not so much.

There are ample places to stay, ranging from local inns to vacation rentals.

But hey, you’ve made it this far, so why not go for more of an authentic stay at a delightful Bed and Breakfast?

Cottage on Isle of Harris

Not only are the beaches flawless, the Flodabay Farm also holds a perfect 5.0 rating on Google, making for the perfect authentic seaside stay with a local feel, yet offering all the modern amenities you need.

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