How can a windswept beach overlooking the North Sea be one of Europe’s hottest party spots? Check out the number of bars, clubs and restaurants nestled into the sand dunes at Bloemendaal aan Zee and you’ll soon understand. This seaside village, a 20-minute train ride from Amsterdam, was once a quiet, family-orientated destination, but things have livened up over the past decade, especially at weekends.

The party: every bar has a different atmosphere. Vroeger (00 31-23 573 7770), with its stylish good looks and dinner-party-on-sand atmosphere, pulls in sophisticated thirtysomethings. Nearby bar Republiek (23 573 0730) has a younger, more bohemian feel, with Balinese day beds and a chilled DJ.

Insider info: it bills itself as the Dutch Ibiza, but most bars/clubs close by 1am. Make sure you leave in time for the last train from Zandvoort to Amsterdam at 12.58am, or book a room at the Bell Hotel (23 571 9000, www.bellhotel.nl) in Zandvoort; from £20pp.

Details: airlines flying to Amsterdam include KLM (0870 507 4074, www.klm.com), BMI Baby (0871 224 0224, www.bmibaby.com) and EasyJet (www.easyjet.com). Trains (www.ns.nl) run from Amsterdam to Zandvoort and cost £6.85 for a same-day return. Zandvoort is a five-minute bus ride from Bloemendaal aan Zee.

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HALVANDET, Denmark

The Danes possess an innate sense of orderly cool that translates to the way they do urban beaches, such as Copenhagen’s Copencabana (Copencabana Havnebadet, Havneholmen) and Amager Strandpark (Njalsgade 13; 00 45-33 663336, www.amager-strand.dk). The mix of old and young is spot on, and there are DJs and a plethora of swimming spots.

The party: built on a disused quayside, Halvandet (325 Refshalevej; 70 270296) has everything you need – oversized day beds, imported sand and plenty of music.

Insider info: prebook a large cabana or a lounger on one of the “Pyramide” sun terraces overlooking the harbour. Beds 65-67 on the top deck are the best in the house.

Details: airlines flying to Copenhagen include SAS (0871 521 2772, www.flysas.com), BA (0844 493 0787, www.ba.com) and Sterling (0870 787 8038, www.sterling.dk). The family-run Hotel Sct Thomas (Frederiksberg Alle 7; 00 45 33 216464, www.hotelsctthomas.dk; doubles from £73) is a great budget option in an expensive city.

PSAROU BEACH, Mykonos

Mykonos has been top of the Greek party scene since Jackie Onassis gave it the jet-set stamp of approval in the 1960s – and it’s still as popular now with fashionistas, socialites and clubbers.

The party: the wild ones happen on Paradise beach, but the sophisticated, slightly under-the-radar ones can be found on Panormos, Psarou and Paraga. The wonderful Nammos bar-restaurant (00 30 22890 22440, www.nammos.gr) on Psarou has hosted many an impromptu knees-up. Stylistically, it’s classic Greece, with white walls, brightly coloured cushions and wooden tables, but it has an international feel, with a DJ soundtrack, great seafood and guests including Roberto Cavalli and Jean Paul Gaultier.

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