The stunning Keem Bay in Co Mayo was named one of the most beautiful beaches in Europe by a leading travel site.
The beach, which is situated deep between jagged hills and mountains on either side, was named in Lonely Planet’s list of the top beaches in the continent.
Lonely Planet said: “Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way hides a crock of gold when it comes dramatic coastlines – and nowhere more so than at gloriously remote Keem Bay at the far west of Achill Island.
“A precipitous coastal drive fires the appetite for proper wilderness – and here you have it.
“Bearing the brunt of stormy seas and the fickle whims of the Irish weather, this half-moon bay of golden sand spreads at the foot of steep cliffs and grassy slopes. Basking sharks can sometimes be sighted offshore.”
It isn’t the first time Keem Bay has received accolades from an internationally renowned travel publication.
In 2019, users of the Big 7 Travel site voted it one of the best beaches in the world.
It finished a very respectable number 11 – ahead of the Copacabana in Brazil, Playa del Amor in Mexico, Tunnels Beach in Hawaii and Cape Town’ Boulders Beach.
It was voted higher than any beach in European summer hotspots such as Spain, Italy, Greece, France or Portugal.
The beautiful beach is on Achill Island and is a must visit point for anyone travelling the Wild Atlantic Way on a sunny day.
Big 7 said about the Co Mayo beauty spot: “Keem Bay is a breath-taking rural and sheltered beach surrounded by cliffs on Ireland’s largest island – Achill Island. Its gleaming white sand rivals tropical islands and the water is superbly clear.
“The sun might not always be shining, but when it does it’s world-class. And yes, it’s beautiful even on a rainy day.”
Zlatni rat in Croatia was voted the number one beach in the world.
The top ten beaches in the world:
1 – Zlatni rat (Golden Horn Beach) – Brac, Croatia
2 -Whitehaven Beach – Whitsunday Islands, Australia
3 – Fig Tree Bay – Protaras, Cyprus
4 – Grace Bay – Turks and Caicos
5 – Secret Lagoon – El Nido, Palawan, Philippines
6 – Reynisfjara Beach – Vík í Mýrdal, Iceland
7 – Source d’Argent – Seychelles
8 – Playa Ruinas – Quintana Roo, Mexico
9 – Kanuhura Maldives – Lhaviyani Atoll Maldives
10 -Pig Beach – Bahamas
For more information visit Big 7 Travel.
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Written by Michael Kehoe @michaelcalling
