Spoiler alert: You won’t find Mykonos or Ibiza here. This is a deeply biased, highly personal list of European beaches we’ve actually been to — and loved enough to forget our towels (and sometimes swimsuit) for. And don’t expect just sea, sun and sand! From lava-black shores in Iceland to dreamy coves in Sardinia, here’s where to go if you’re looking for irresistible landscapes and sweet solitude (well, at least off season).

Ah, La Graciosa — Literally “The graceful”, or “The fun one”. Just saying the name brings back the memories of dusty trails, endless turquoise waters, and that peculiar scent of sea breeze mixed with volcanic earth.

It’s hard to believe this tiny island, often overshadowed by Lanzarote’s dramatic attractions, remains such a well-kept secret. It’s not even that remote! But maybe that’s its magic—hidden, untouched, and breathtakingly wild.

This was definitely the highlight of our trip to the Canary Islands, one of those places with an “end of the world” feeling that we love at Penguin Trampoline!

¿Nos acompañas?

It all started with a HBO documentary: 100 Foot Wave. We watched it during lockdown and promised ourselves that we would visit Nazaré as soon as travel resumes!

So, combining a visit to our friends in Ericeira, we headed to Portugal in October, hoping to catch the Big Waves.

We loved every single town and sight we visited in Portugal, but we particularly fell in love with low key Nazaré — apaixonámo-nos pela Nazaré! — this small, off the beaten path town that became famous with Garrett McNamara.

Explore the Big Waves Capital of the World with us and discover the best things to do in Nazaré, Portugal!

Costa Rica — what a place. I (Eli) went in expecting beaches and jungle, but it turned out to be so much more.

From active volcanoes to stretches of coastline that felt like paradise, without forgetting the coolest animals ever, this country stole my heart in no time. And the Ticos? They’re definitely some of the friendliest, warmest people I’ve ever met. I could have stayed there forever, but here are five things I did that you definitely need to add to your list.

The Lofoten Islands are a stunning playground for hikers. So picture-perfect, in fact, that the first time you’ll go there, you’ll have a hard time believing it’s a real place — and not something out of Arendelle!

If you’re physically able to hike, that’s how you’ll breathe and feel the Lofoten Islands. And forever fall in love.

While increasingly popular, these gems are still not crowded with tourists. But hurry, it won’t last long.

So, put on your hiking shoes and follow us on our favorite trails!

Imagine a place where rainbow flags dance in the Mediterranean breeze, where cobblestone streets lead to hidden calas and iconic beaches, and where the spirit of love and acceptance is palpable in the warm welcome of the locals.

Benvinguts a Sitges, the ultimate destination for LGBTQ+ pride celebrations and a magical place we’re blessed to call home!

Nestled on the stunning Garraf coast, near Barcelona, this postcard-perfect town offers so much more than sol y playa; it’s a vibrant haven of inclusivity and joy. ¿Nos acompañas?

When we first started exploring Portugal highlights, we thought we knew what to expect: the picturesque tram of Lisbon, the amazing Sintra, the beaches of the Algarve, and, of course, a pasteis de nata or two.

But trust us — Portugal has so much more to offer when you veer away from the typical tourist hotspots. It’s these hidden gems, these tucked-away villages and wild stretches of coast, that really made us fall in love with this place.

If you want to discover Portugal like we did, here are 5 places in Portugal off the beaten path.

Spoiler alert: It’s impossible to eat just a pasteis de nata or two. There’s a reason why they sell them in tubes!