Around this time of year the beach clubs of posh, seaside resorts begin to fill around Europe. And by July even a famous name won’t get you a 2pm at Le 55, lounger at Blue Marlin or beach hut at La Fontelina. But away from these blue-chip destinations are some of our favorite summertime haunts at these mostly unknown beach clubs along the Mediterranean.
Far away from St. Tropez, Cap Ferrat lingers in a glamorous summer malaise even at its Paloma Beach where women in one-piece bikinis barely make a splash with their pointed toes diving off the pontoon. Across the bay in Eze, Plage Anjuna lures a flashier local crowd for long lunches that end up dancing tabletop without landing in the Daily Mail. And most people that travel to Portofino likely overlook the small town of Paraggi and the traditional beach clubs that lurk on its eastern edge along one of the most spectacular swimming bays. Further south in Positano, Bagni d'Arienzo manages to keep a native crowd when you start to believe there’s no real locals left to be found. And in Sardinia when the Cala vi Volpe rings back as full, coast around the peninsula to Phi Beach just in time for its daily sunset party.
Away from the DJ bass of Ibiza, Chezz Gerdi or 10.7 offer a more bohemian but equally fashionable summer beach scene on Formentera. And when Puro or Nikki Beach becomes too much in Marbella, new Cortesin Beach Club manages a chicer ambiance for those looking to avoid the summer swarm.
