Top 10 Most Beautiful Kayaking Destinations in Europe

Europe is versatile almost for everything. The entire continent of Europe is full of so many languages, values, arts, natural landmarks, and different kind of coastlines. These coastlines offer many types of kayaking opportunities both at its shoreline and further. You also find some rivers and Lakes extend the kayaking locations too.

Mostly paddling used to be done for entertainment, adventure, sports, and fishing. So it is very difficult to pick the top 10 kayaking destinations there at Europe taking many things in the count. But if we are inevitable to choose the top 10 list, we have to consider different types and forms of kayaking which are enjoyed by the kayakers across the European continent.

Lake Garda, Italy

When you start kayaking at Lake Garda in the early morning, the calmness of the water will relax your mind. July and August is the best time for kayaking in Lake Garda. At that time of the year, the wind loses the consistency, and the water becomes calmer. You can savor the peaceful beauty of the surrounding countryside. On the other hand, for dynamic kayaking, you cannot afford to miss the slalom of the River Sarca at the Lido of Arco.

Ardeche, France

Come here for experiencing a great family trip in the summer holidays. The summertime is beautiful here with lazy sunny days. Or you can visit here in spring when the water is flowing faster. There are numerous beaches, along with you can also go fishing and swimming. To have the best paddling experience, pass under the Pont D’Arc, a natural stone bridge and take 60 kilometers down the river crossing the dams. For kayaking, there are shops for you to rent all the gear you need for kayaking, and there are local escorts who would help you.

Loire Valley, France

This is another stunning kayaking destination in France which provides some great water to paddle your kayak and wine to relax. There are many local shops to rent canoe and kayaking equipment. The peaceful scenery of the river will make your paddling tour a real soothing experience. The hills and the riverside scenario will make your outdoor trips more interesting.

Soca Valley, Slovenia

Soca River is an alpine river where you can have beautiful kayaking experience. The river is situated in Slovenia. The Soca River runs through Slovenia and Northern Italy, and it is almost 140 km long. This river has an altitude of 1100 meters, and it streams past Triglav, the highest peak of Slovenia. The Soca Valley is one of the world’s highest paddling destinations as it provides a lot of rapid grades, including some tight sectors. This destination is perfect for those who love to have an adventure in their kayaking.

Normandy, France

The primary kayaking destination in Normandy is Parc Naturel de Normandie-Maine which is situated on the Varenne and Sarthe rivers. You can choose tours according to your holiday as both one day tours and multi-day tours are available with guides. You can hire kayaking equipment and well-trained guides there. If you are into sea kayaking, the Mont St-Michel is the one for you.

Vilamoura, Portugal

If you are into spending summer into both glamorous and a little adventurous way, come here in Vilamoura, the beautiful Algarve region of Portugal. Here you can enjoy both sunbathing and kayaking. You can enjoy the stunning coastline while paddling your canoe. The beginners can start their sea canoeing lesson here as the water is relatively calm. Those who are looking for rapid white water, this place are not for them.

Isle of Scilly, UK

These are an archipelago of Cornish peninsula of Great Britain. The warm and sunny weather here is different from the rest of the country. At the inner part of the Isle of Scilly, lies a shallow lagoon where you can paddle your canoe in absolute calmness in most weather condition. The inner side of the lagoon is the home of some fabulous beaches, and the outer side has many reefs. The thrill-seekers can visit the dramatic swell of the Atlantic to the side of these reefs.

Albufeira, Portugal

Albufeira is another top European kayaking destination for those who want to enjoy the lighter side of canoeing. There are some natural rock and cave formation on the west coast of Logos, Algarve. You can rent a Kayak from the main beach, and you can go to discover all the caves which are hidden in the shoreline of Algarve. You can also go to the inland upstream of the river, Aljezur to discover the uniqueness of the coast.

Croatia

There is no certain part of Croatia that we can pick as the best place for paddling. That is because you can travel the whole of Adriatic coast in a kayak. The magical blue water, the bays, and the islands are very calm to kayak around. Croatia is one of Europe’s best kayaking destinations, which is very rare to find because you can do both sea and river kayaking adventures and other experiences as well. If you want to paddle a kayak in peace, go kayaking in Zrmanja River, where the water is calm and looks crystalline. The brave people would like to go kayaking in the Mreznica River. The specialty in Mreznica River is the amazing light effects that the sun creates for a few hours a day.

Bohuslän, Sweden

Bohuslän is situated in Sweden, and it is made up of 8000 islands. Many of these islands are still desolate and uninhabited. The water there is as clean as the air, and everything, including the water and the small fishing villages, just looks like heaven. The specialty of this place is the solitariness. Nobody will ever feel crowded. The calm water is ideal for the beginner kayaker to start kayaking.

Conclusion

Not every kayaking destination is for you. Remember every kayaking spot requires a specific set of skills. So before you set out on the water, make sure your skill level is good enough for that destination. 

I hope this article helps you find a new place for kayaking. Let us know what you think about this article and share your experiences if you have visited these places. Happy Kayaking!

Author Bio:

Name: James A. Rockey

Description: James is a professional kayaker, and fishing is his hobby. He has more than five years of fishing experience, and he loves using Kayaks while outing as well. Based on his experiences with the different type of Kayaks; he is sharing his opinion about kayak reviews and fishing so that a beginner can get started right away.