One beach isn't enough. Seven beaches here invite you to sunbathe or cool off in the waves. Of all the world's cities, Barcelona has registered the biggest growth in tourism in the past three decades - from 1.7 million overnight stays in 1990 to 17 million in 2016.

This coastal city in the Basque Country also boasts several beaches. The best-known is on La Concha Bay. The bay is shell-shaped, which gives it its name: "concha" means shell. Sunbathers will enjoy the sandy beach there, which is more than 40 meters wide. Surfers head to Zurriola Beach, with its lively vibe and excellent waves.

The sea nestles up to the southern French city of Nice in a gentle curve. The fashionable Promenade des Anglais runs along the coastline, making the most of it. The beachside promenade is seven kilometers long. The Baie des Anges (Bay of Angels) looks tempting, though lying on its tiny pebbles to sunbathe for any length of time is less than comfortable.

When temperatures climb above 30 degrees Celsius in the summer, the nearest place to cool off is the Plage des Catalans. The beach is an easy stroll from the Vieux Port. Like many beaches in France, an entry fee is required. The numerous beaches in the larger and smaller rocky coves near the city are both free of charge and more popular.

The beach at Trouville is one of the loveliest in Normandy, and not only because the sand there is especially fine. Trouville was one of France's first seaside resorts. In the 19th century a wooden promenade was constructed there for tourists and many lavish seafront mansions were built.

In the Hague, it's no problem getting from the city center to the beach in 15 minutes. The district of Scheveningen has developed over time from a small fishing village into the largest seaside resort in the Netherlands. It's no wonder, with this beach: three kilometers in length with a promenade, pier, and the historically listed Kurhaus Hotel.

A former royal summer residence, port city and seaside resort: the Belgian city of Ostend is all of those. Nine kilometers of sandy beach guarantee carefree days at the seaside. It's only a hop, skip and a jump into the city, the nearest brasserie, the Mu.ZEE ( short for "Art Museum at the Sea), or the casino - and that can even be managed in flip flops.

Lots of small towns and a beach for every town: Camogli in Liguria is representative of the Italian attitude to life along Italy's coasts. A brief jaunt to the seaside with a towel over your shoulder during your lunch break. In the evenings romantics are drawn to the cliffs and the jetties. The lights from the town sparkle, the moon shines, and music wafts through the air. Bellissima!

Quickly buy an ice cream and then board a vaporetto, a water bus. Venice's beach lies on an island, the Lido. It takes a mere ten minutes to get from the Piazza San Marco to the beach. The seaside holiday in Europe is said to have originated here in the 19th century. The Lido became a byword for glamour and luxury - and remains so today.

Dubrovnik in Croatia, with its medieval town center, is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful cities on the Adriatic coast. The entire old town has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979. Banje Beach lies right below the old city wall. It can be reached via a stone stairway. From the beach, you can enjoy a magnificent view of the city's skyline.

It doesn't always have to be the sea. A river does the trick as well: The Elbe beach below the district of Övelgönne is Hamburg residents' Copacabana. In the summer, this is the place to be, right across from the harbor. Watch the huge container ships arriving and leaving - take a cooling dip in between - and if you've planned ahead, go to the Elbphilharmonie in the evening.