The beautiful island that's the 'Maldives of Europe' and a 'paradise on Earth'

A beautiful island has been dubbed the “Maldives of Europe” and a “paradise on Earth”. Hel Peninsula is a 22-mile sand bar in northern Poland separating the Bay of Puck from the Baltic Sea.

Travel experts are naming the sand bar “the next big thing for sunseekers desperate to escape overcrowded Spanish beaches and eye-watering prices”, according to The Olive Press. The peninsula has crystal clear water, clean beaches, and dense woods to explore, with The Guardian saying it has the “feel of southern Europe or even somewhere tropical”. There are plenty of pretty little towns dotted along the coast with bars, bistros, and restaurants waiting to be enjoyed.

It is also popular among sports lovers, with windsurfing, kitesurfing, diving, and jetskiing all available. You can also sail out into the Baltic for sea fishing.

In addition, the peninsula has trails and footpaths for hikers and cyclists, as well as lots of local flora and fauna, such as seals, to spot along the way.

Nearby is a newly formed split of beach next to the village of Mikoszewo, with local tourism websites calling it the “biggest attraction of the season”.

It was formed by sea currents carrying sand over several years, and breached the surface in early February. Thanks to the Polish Post Office, it now has its own postcode.

Mikoszewo sits beside the Vistula River, which empties into the Baltic. It has a number of places to stay, including hotels, B&Bs, and holiday lets.

One person wrote on Google: "A beautiful, wide beach that's away from the hustle and bustle where you can find amber and lots of beautiful shells."

Those wishing to visit the Hel Peninsula can fly to Gdansk, a 30-minute drive from the coast. Flights to Gdansk take about two hours and are available from across the UK.