What makes a great family beach? Clean water for swimming, clean sand for sitting, sunning, playing or walking, and naturally occurring amusements like gullies, tide pools or rocks for climbing. Access to decent food and bathrooms and even showers are also a plus and, thankfully, relatively common in Europe. And, of course, stunning scenery and nearby towns with lots of activities certainly help.Below is a selection of my family’s personal favourites, from the calm, clear waters of Ålbæk, Denmark, to the white sands of Spain’s Balearic Islands.