When on holiday there is nothing worse than turning up to the beach only to see a towel on top of a towel and no space to relax. This is most likely to happen in popular destinations like Spain and Greece, where thousands of tourists flock every summer. Luckily, there are still some crowd-free spots in those countries – and one of them is Europe’s longest beach.

Located on the west coast of mainland Greece, Monolithi Beach stretches for 15 miles along the Ionian Sea. Despite its size and stunning views, the beach remains largely crowd-free, even in the summer months. The beach gets its name from a large stone that once stood offshore. It was destroyed during World War 2, but the name “Monolithi” – meaning “single stone” – stuck.

The beach has a mix of sandy and pebbly areas, with deep, clear blue waters and plenty of space to spread out.

There are a few beach bars, sunbeds and showers, as well as water sports available in some areas.

But large parts of the beach have no development at all, offering a quieter experience.

What’s more, in 2020, European Best Destinations named Monolithi the safest beach in Europe for a summer holiday.

It runs from the village of Mytikas to Kastrosikia in the region of Preveza, stretching up to 25km (about 15 miles) in total.

Visitors on Tripadvisor have praised the beach for its peaceful atmosphere and clear water.

One tourist said: “One of the best beaches I’ve ever been through. It has a beach bar, pool nearby. It’s easy to get to.”

Another wrote: “Ideal for people who prefer peace and quiet. There are spots where you have the freedom to set up your umbrella and you only hear the sea.”

Monolithi is about four hours from Athens by car and is just a short drive from Preveza International Airport.

It can also be reached by bus or by car via the E55 and 21 motorways.