11 Dramatic Places On Europe’s Coast You Have To Visit

There’s nothing quite like a jagged, beautiful and dramatic coast! Something about it just inspires fear and awe in a strange mix. There are definitely a whole lot of beautiful places to visit in Europe but the coast, with the Atlantic Ocean constantly hammering away at it, is easily one of the most dramatic places to visit in Europe.

1.) IRELAND WILD ATLANTIC WAY

The clue is in the name really. If the Wild didn’t give you the hint you needed, the fact that this coast is all down the Atlantic side of Ireland certainly lets you know how ruggedly beautiful this place is.

This drive is actually really long and let’s face it, you’re in Ireland so you’ll end up finding so many reasons to keep stopping in cute little towns and villages in addition to seeing this dramatically beautiful part of the Island of Ireland.

2.) THE FAROE ISLANDS

It’s seriously one dramatic sight after the other at every turn here! The Faroe Islands are utterly incredible and one of those places that will leave you so blown away by how beautiful it really is!

Moreover, the Faroe Islands is also one of the few places in the world where you can see the Northern Lights (it’s only about 1 hour away from Mainland Europe) and it’s home to those beautiful clowns of the sea – puffins! (I’m so obsessed with these cute birds).

3.) THE SOUTH (AND WEST) OF PORTUGAL

When it comes to dramatic places in Europe, Portugal’s southern coast feels like it trumps almost every other destination on here as a sunny holiday destination.

Additionally, dramatic coasts in Europe aren’t typically places you’d go on beach holidays – that tends to be more the calmer, more sheltered coasts yet Portugal somehow manages to have not only the sunshine you’d want from such a holiday but also the rough, rugged beauty you’d expect from a coast that’s been chipped away at by the Atlantic Ocean.

4.) LOFOTEN, NORWAY

Truth be told, this shouldn’t be just Lofoten but all of Western Norway (check out this perfect road trip planner for Norway here, if I do say so myself 😄). Lofoten, however, does have one of the most stunning landscapes in all of Norway, carved by ice over time and absolutely breathtaking to look at.

Essentially, if you’re headed anywhere in Norway that’s near a fjord (i.e. Western Norway), you’re pretty much guaranteed to have some pretty epic views.

5.) CINQUE TERRE, ITALY

This feels like a bit of an odd addition to the list but these colourful Italian houses on the edge of cliffs (Manarola, Riomaggiore and I guess, Vernazza, are the spots to visit to see these) look like the stuff of Italian fairy tales.

I think the secret is partly to visit outside of peak periods, not necessarily looking to be based smack in the centre of everything (you’d probably end up staying in ridiculously over-priced accommodation anyway) and actually spending some quality time just relaxing and soaking up the view instead of fleeting around.

6.) ANTRIM COAST, NORTHERN IRELAND

Arguably the most important and most famous attraction here is the Giant’s Causeway – a series of basalt columns formed by an ancient volcano many, many years ago! (I think they’re formed when a volcano erupts and cools very quickly).

Suffice to say, this part of Ireland is truly unique and is one spot that you absolutely have to see in Northern Ireland.

7.) DURDLE DOOR AND OLD HARRY ROCKS, THE UK

This coastline in the South West of England is one for the postcards. Durdle Door is an arch (ergo the “door” part of the name) created over time and situated right next to a beautiful cove and beach, making it the perfect spot to visit on warm summer days.

Not too far from Durdle Door is Old Harry Rocks, a series of rock formations, carved away at by the ocean and now proclaimed a UNESCO World Heritage site. It’s close proximity to Durdle Door (it’s about a 35-minute drive) makes them a perfect combo to visit together.

8.) THE WHITE CLIFFS OF DOVER & SEVEN SISTERS

These are such an emblem of English-ness, being the first things you’d see as you arrived on the boats from France that they’ve gone from just being a dramatic coastline you have to visit in Europe to be a “Welcome Home” symbol of sorts.

The White Cliffs of Dover actually feel very familiar if you’ve been to places like Durdle Door and Old Harry Rocks but don’t let that stop you, they’re so worth visiting in and of themselves and with Dover Castle and quite a few beautiful beaches dotted around, you’ll find your day(s) filled here when you visit.

9.) GREENLAND

This is one of those places, like the Faroe Islands, that is pretty dramatic everywhere you look! The coastline is defined by not just the ‘carving’ done to it over the year by the Atlantic Ocean but also by the ice both on land and dotted all around this incredible (and incredibly cold) island.

10.) ICELAND

I feel like Iceland doesn’t even need for me to start to explain how dramatic it is, point out sights to see or why you should visit. 🙂

It’s just, very quickly become one of those places in the world that everyone want to visit and rightly so. We’ve had such an amazing time every time we’ve visited Iceland and wouldn’t happily return to Iceland without a moment’s hesitation.

11.) MALTA’S (NOW COLLAPSED) AZURE WINDOW

Gasps of horror could almost be heard across the globe when it was announced that Malta’s Azure Window has collapsed. This iconic spot in Malta had attracted visitors far and wide to marvel at it but don’t let the collapse of the window stop you – this whole area of Malta is actually incredibly beautiful and every bit one of the most dramatic places you have to visit in Europe!

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