Europe's 8 best urban beaches

Paris is considered the birth place of the urban beach. In 2002, "Paris Plages" (Paris beaches) was opened to give everyone who couldn't leave the city the feeling of being on vacation. Since then, the streets along the River Seine are transformed into a sandy, sunny strip every year from mid-July to mid-August.

Container ships and dockside cranes aren't what you'd expect from a day at the beach. But practically no other city in Europe is shaped by its harbor as much as Hamburg. "Strandpauli," the city's harbor-side beach, has its own unique style. There you can chill out in a lounge chair with a cocktail in your hand, leave your cares behind and enjoy the view of the Elbe River.

The beach area in the Dutch capital encompasses a terrace on the water, a swimming pavilion and a sandy party beach stretch from the RAI conference center to Beatrix Park. Known locally as the "Strandzuid," the site is particularly popular for large parties, but also draws in passersby with its welcoming atmosphere.

Berlin has a few swimming spots to offer, but only one promises a particularly unique bathing experience. At the "Badeschiff" (bathing ship), swimmers can catch a view of the Berlin skyline. The former tug boat was transformed into a pool that now floats on the River Spree. In the winter, it's converted into a Finnish sauna thanks to its custom roof.

Vienna's Herrmann Beach Bar was named after the inventor of the postcard, Emanuel Herrmann (1839-1902). In honor of the 102nd anniversary of his death in July, postcards could be sent for free from the beach on the bank of the Danube River. For those more interested in fitness than mail, free yoga courses are offered on Sundays.

Would you rather take in a few rays or work on your bikini body? At Brussel's city beach "Bruxelles les Bains" you can do both at the same time. Strenuous activities like rowing, soccer, climbing, and dancing are all possible at the urban beach. During the day, workshops and magic shows are on offer for kids, while adults can enjoy concerts and parties in the evenings.

The so-called "km689 Cologne Beach Club" is located exactly 689 kilometers (428 miles) from the source of the Rhine River. From the eastern side of the Rhine, beach visitors have a perfect view of the Cologne Cathedral. The 3,500-square-meter (38,000-square-foot) beach contains more than 1,100 tons of sand and room for a thousand sun worshippers.

In Copenhagen, the "Hafenbad Fisketorvet" is lovingly referred to as "Copencabana." The public swimming area may not have much in common with the Copacabana in Rio de Janeiro, but it's still worth a visit. In the middle of the Danish capital, visitors can cool off in the six-meter-deep pool - and then dry off on the sunny boardwalk.