There’s no denying that our favourite holiday destinations are changing with every passing year. But what did some of Europe’s leading beaches actually look like in decades past? Take a look with our collection of visual history – holiday hotspots, then and now…
Fuengirola, Malaga
Fuengirola, one of Costa del Sol’s most popular beaches, was already a busy holiday hotspot in 1950:
Fuengirola in 2015 – still a family favourite, and with good reason. The beaches feel calmer, but still clean and friendly:
Torremolinos
One of the most popular beaches in Andalusia had a different look in 1960:
Today, it’s a busy resort, full of life with a city skyline that has sprung up over the decades – though the gorgeous beach is still very much a part of the picture:
Paradise Beach, Mykonos
In the 1970s, this relatively unknown Greek island beach was a haven for hippies and travellers.
In 2015, the Mykonos beaches are bustling and full of party-seekers—after all, who wouldn’t want to enjoy a nice cold cocktail on this crystal-clear cove?
Llloret De Mar
Around the turn of the 20th century, Lloret De Mar was a small fishing village:
These days, it’s a haven for holidaymakers, with hotels and amenities all within an arm’s reach of the sea—though you can still disappear into the nearby hills to get away from it all:
Ibiza
You used to land on Ibiza at a tiny airstrip:
Nowadays, things are a bit more slick – but still friendly and small:
Alcudia, Mallorca
The resort of Alcudia has been a tourist hotspot for decades – look how popular it was in 1960:
Nowadays, a sea of thatched sun-brellas and bright lilos greets you on the main beach:
Paphos, Cyprus
In the 1960s, Paphos in Cyprus was rapidly becoming one of the most popular tourist destinations on the island, although its hard to tell from this picture showing a rather quiet backdrop.
It’s even more popular today, with bustling restaurants full of holiday makers and not forgetting the stunning beaches:
Heraklion, Crete
The beach city of Heraklion on the Greek island of Crete was a sleepy fishing town in 1965. Here is Eleftherias Square:
The port has now grown to become one of the largest city’s in the whole of Greece, with the same square now a bustling hub for locals and tourists alike:
Benidorm
Back in the day, Benidorm was still quite enough to have farmland a stone’s throw from the water:
Nowadays… well, it’s safe to say the city has become a veritable hotspot for visitors!
Do you have some old holiday snaps of one of your favourite beach destinations? Let us know by sending them to us!
Facebook
Twitter
Email 
