UNEXPECTED BEACHES

The best artificial urban beaches in Europe 

Being away from the coast does not have to be an obstacle to enjoy a good beach day. Many large cities have created fantastic artificial beaches in the very center.And they have nothing to envy to the best beaches in the world! Beach bars, sunbeds, tanned bodies lying in the sun, palm trees and even umbrellas ... nothing is missing in these urban beaches that reached by metro, and are perfect for a dip, make friends or dream that you are in a island across the world.

Paris-Plage: holiday along the Seine

Every year since 2002, Paris transforms into a summer destination and some of the roads around the Seine Trocan become pedestrian areas and become a beach where there are plenty of sun loungers, parasols and palm trees .
The first beach were opened in Paris three miles of shore Louvre to Pont de Sully, in the historic center. And that continues every year, tons of outdoor activities, beach, playground and sun loungers to relax by the river.

But now there are other areas such as the beach in Le Bassin de la Villette from Ledoux Rotunda (Jaurès Metro) to the former Magasins Généraux (rue de Crimée), where the springs become a real feast to enjoy the water, a nautical base with rowing, canoeing, kayaking, etc.

Nottingham Riviera: the UK's largest urban beach

To build the UK's largest urban beach had to carry more than 300 tons of sand to the Old Market Square. But the result is worth it: a real beach in the heart of the city of Nottingham. There are many games for children, sun beds and a perfect environment for the British train before traveling to the Mediterranean beaches (or to be comforted if you can not).

Københavns Havnebad Islands Brygge (Copenhagen): Nordic bars

In Copenhagen, the beach is not far away (eg from Orbaek is a few miles from the capital). But even without leaving the city you can enjoy an almost Mediterranean atmosphere snack bar: the Danes have become a spring of an old industrial area into a vibrant seaside resort in which brings together nearly 600 people. There are games, barbecues and a volleyball net. Not the best place in the world to take a dip to cool off but. It is located five minutes by bike Radhuspladsen, the Town Hall Square.

Blijburg aan Zee (Amsterdam): bonfires, festivals and bohemian atmosphere

In BlijburgaanZee, the beach of Amsterdam's own bohemian and relaxed atmosphere of the city is noted. In addition, we can get perfectly the idea of ​​being far away in a unique Caribbean or Mediterranean beach.

Since opening in 2003, has been the most Blijburg known Amsterdam urban beach. It is nomadic and not always in the same place within the islands of IJburg. The public is what does not change: the "shorebirds" always go to enjoy their bonfires, festivals, live music, drinks and summer vegetarian and organic food from around the world.

Yaam (Berlin): Reggae on the River Spree

Berlin is a rainy city and away from the sea but has made no Berliners they miss the summer beach environment. Along the River Spree no artificial palm trees and sand from the works of the city (or hauled by truck from the Baltic coast) and have installed more or less casual bars that make the German capital in a kind of tropical paradise on hot summer.

One of the most popular and relaxed beach bars is Yaam in Friedrichshain, which permanently reggae and other Caribbean rhythms heard while enjoying the best food and drink of that exotic part of the world. Along the beaches Berlin is a comprehensive offering to hear concerts, sports or family plans to go with the kids.

Žlutélázně (Prague): a beach in a landlocked country

A Prague residents they care little that their country does not have even one centimeter of natural beach. Bathers are installed in summer along the Vltava River and the city of Prague's largest riverside beach is the Žlutélázně, a recreational area with a real summer atmosphere: ping-pong, soccer fields, tennis volleyball, petanque, climbing wall and spaces with hammocks for a nap. And children's pool, wifi access, beer garden, restaurants, DJ and even area for nudists.

It is only a few tram stops from the Vyšehrad Castle, and is perfect to escape the summer heat in the central European city.

Tropical Islands (Germany): The Caribbean in a hangar

Not exactly a beach, but a refreshing and original location in the heart of Europe, particularly Krausnick, 35 km from the center of Berlin. He describes himself as a "tropical leisure center" and occupies an abandoned hangar AF Cargolifter old company. The ship is really huge (66 000 m2 and 107 m high) and has managed to recreate the whole atmosphere of the Caribbean, with a variety of trees and plants from South America, exotic birds, artificial beaches, pools, water slides, and course, bars, restaurants, shows and attractions.

It is best to not only open in summer but cold in winter Europe can thank its average temperature 26C (water at 28) and Caribbean island environment. It is more than an amusement park and includes different thematic areas as a tropical village with original buildings from Samoa, Thailand or Bali and Logde themed.

Summer beach (Vienna): bars in waltz

Although Vienna is almost 500 km from the nearest coast, has not given up on having its own boardwalk to the Viennese and tourists cool off with a dip in the beach. The Donaukanal, a narrow arm of the Danube 17 km long, every summer becomes a vibrant urban beach that has even earned be included among the must-see for tourists.

From May to October there is everything: restaurants, bars and plenty of cultural life, such as the Urania observatory, turned into theater, or snack bar Hermann, with fine sand and loungers that transport us to any South Beach. One of the most original productions is the Badeschiff, a public swimming pool 30 m installed on the structure of an old ship and river where you can literally bathe in the canal without wetting it.

Madrid Rio: Here if beach!

And we could not end without a bath much closer. In Madrid, amid the warm plateau, there are also artificial urban beaches, if only to contradict what Refreshments singing of "Go, go, no beach here." Finally, in recent years, Madrid has its own beach in Rio Madrid, Arganzuela. It is a popular, fun and nonjudgmental beach to soak more than for swimming, but it's something. And people has a great time in this new park along the Manzanares, under his unexpected sources, who suddenly released without warning jets to the screams of the crowd: children, adolescents and families in a swimsuit in the center of Madrid enjoying as if in the very Costa del Sol.

The beach is the coolest area of ​​the park south of the city, which has recovered for Madrid over 12 000 m2 of leisure with play areas, bike lanes and skates, soccer field and an open space for cultural events.There are beach for everyone!