A beach in Kent has been ranked one of the best to visit in Europe by train alongside those in France, Italy and Spain.

Folkestone’s Sunny Sands featured in the list by Euronews.travel which examined seasides that can be easily reached by rail for an eco-friendly getaway.

Ranked in the top five, the website picked Folkestone for its “quirky art and beachside movies”.

It says: ”Lying between two cliffs on the south east Kent coast, this vibrant seaside town is a hub of arts and culture.

“After exploring the Creative Quarter’s quirky shops, wander down to the sheltered Sunny Sands beach.

“Thirsty? Head to The Pilot Beach Bar, where you can lounge on deckchairs and old waltzer cars with a craft beer in hand.”

Folkestone Harbour Arm also had a mention and was described as “the place to be for street food, deckchairs, free open-air movies and major sports games playing on the big screen”.

The towns “one-of-a-kind” Kate Bush Day, which returned in 2023 after a four year hiatus, also received recognition.

It’s a designated day where fans gather to celebrate the singer and recreate the video for her 1978 hit Wuthering Heights.

Folkestone is an hour from London St Pancras station by train and the beach is a 25-minute walk or short taxi ride from Folkestone Central station making it a good fit for the list.

At number four was Rimini beach on Italy’s Adriatic coastline.

Quimper in Brittany, France, came third for its sailing and coastal walking.

Tarragona in Spain ranked at number two for its very fine, golden sand and Roman ruins.

The number one spot went to the beaches in Monopoli, Italy, for its fresh seafood and rock formations.

The town, which lies within the heel of Italy’s boot, has multiple bays, strips of pristine sand and crystal clear waters.

It’s not just Sunny Sands beach tourists flock to in Folkestone, last year Mermaid Beach was described as an "unreal place to visit" in a viral TikTok video.

The post received more than 400,000 likes in just three days.