sand

LET’S face it, there is a lot of things going on abroad that might be making you apprehensive about travelling right now.

Thankfully, the UK is home to some amazing destinations which can transport you to somewhere further afield.

From the south of England all the way up to Scotland, you can find white sandy beaches and Med-like villages along the way.

So we’ve rounded up five of the best places which are often said to look more like abroad.

Swap Spain for Lusty Glaze, Cornwall

Cornwall‘s Lusty Glaze is often compared to Spain, with its Ibiza-liked beach restaurant.

The aptly named Lusty Glaze Beach Restaurant overlooks the sandy cove and is the best place to watch the sunsets.

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The beach even hosts a number of events such as Ibiza Club Classics, as well as Sundowner Sessions.

One person even said on Tripadvisor: “It’s like your own mini Ibiza in Cornwall.”

Swap Italy for Portmeirion, Wales

The village of Portmeirion in Wales doesn’t just look like Italy by chance – but was entirely designed that way.

Designed by Sir Clough Williams-Ellis between 1925 and 1975, inspired by Italy as he once said: “How should I not have fallen for Portofino?”

The multicoloured houses certainly resemble the famous Cinque Terre.

It might be a stretch to call it a seaside… but sits on the Dwyryd Estuary, which has its own tidal beaches.

Swap Thailand for Isle of Harris, Scotland

The Scottish isles are often compared to destinations very far away, such as the Carribean.

Yet some of the sandbanks on the Isle of Harris could be something from Thailand.

Luskentyre Beach is a dead ringer for the beach of Nang Yuan island.

The weather, however, might not be as warm so this is definitely a beach to visit in the summer…

Swap France for Durdle Door, Dorset

The famous arch of Durdle Door might soon be one of the few in the world, after Italy’s Lover’s Arch collapsed earlier this year.

Thankfully, one in France remains and looks just like the Dorset beach.

Etretat Beach on the north coast of France is famous for the Porte d’Aval arch.

If you did want to see it, you can get there without hopping on a flight – ferries travel from the UK to Le Havre which is just over half an hour by car

Swap America for Camber Sands, Sussex

Camber Sands is often called the Hamptons of the UK, and even the beaches are alike.

The American comparison to the Essex seaside comes mainly from the The Gallivant hotel, built in the shaker style and also with a “Hamptons air”.

However, the dune-backed beaches of Camber Sands are a spitting image of the ones in Montauk, a hamlet in East Hampton.

Here’s how to find the best UK beach for the least rain.

And here are five beaches that are better to visit in winter.

Elafonisi Beach on the Greek island of Crete is famed for its stunning ‘pink sand’ and offers “natural beauty, crystal clear waters and unforgettable views” – and return flights start from just £41

A breathtaking island renowned for its ‘pink sand’ boasts the ‘second best beach in the world’ – and Brits can snap up return flights for a mere £41. Elafonisi Beach, nestled on the sun-drenched Greek isle of Crete, recently clinched second place in a Tripadvisor survey of the globe’s top beaches.

It was pipped to the post by Mexican beach Isla Pasion, making it the highest-ranked in Europe, with visitors lauding its “natural beauty, crystal clear waters and unforgettable views”.

Even better, there are flights up for grabs in April for as little as £42 return, departing from and returning to Stansted Airport via Ryanair.

The beach has bewitched visitors with its signature ‘pink sand’. The unusual hue is reportedly due to mollusks, a vast group of soft-bodied creatures lacking a backbone.

With over 85,000 known species found in oceans, freshwater or on land, these creatures shed their shells at the end of their lives. These decompose and blend with the sand, resulting in the sand’s distinctive pink shade, reports the Express.

However, the beach has suffered due to its own popularity, scoring 4.4/4.5 based on more than 16,000 Tripadvisor reviews. Holidaymakers are advised to visit between 8am and 11am to dodge fellow holidaymakers.

The official Tripadvisor page also cautions visitors to “temper your expectations”. It states: “The amount of pink on display varies with conditions and the season. Regardless, the crystal clear waters make this a popular summer vacation spot, attracting sunbathers and water sport enthusiasts alike.

“Also, hike up to the neighbouring cedar tree reserves for a change of scenery. Visit in the morning to beat traffic and secure a chair and umbrella before the crowds arrive. Or come in the evening for a stunning sunset when most people have left.”

Elafonisi is located in the south-west of Crete, Greece ‘s largest island and amongst its most popular with holidaymakers. It is approximately 45 miles by road from Chania, the closest airport.

Recent Tripadvisor reviews are largely enthusiastic. One visitor commented: “Free to visit one of the most beautiful natural paradises in the world. We spent a week in the area and came here to chill out daily.”

Another remarked: “Elafonissi is the icing on the cake called Crete. you need to spend at least a day to taste the beauty of the place; we went there at the end of September and the tourism was nothing short of … mighty. the clear water and the shoreline attract.”

The critical reviews typically highlight one issue – overcrowding and a perceived lack of ‘authenticity’. One tourist commented: “I personally cannot recommend it.

“There are far too many tourists and influencers on the beach. Really enjoying it and experiencing it authentically is hardly possible. Getting to the beach is also not particularly easy, as you have to drive numerous serpentines by car.”