The summer holidays are just around the corner and the sun is just about making an appearance, which can only mean one thing - it’s time to head to the beach. Yes, the sandy shores of both the UK and abroad are gearing up for thousands, if not millions, of people to flock to them, but which ones are the best?
Tripadvisor has released the annual Travellers’ Choice Awards, detailing all the best things to do, places to eat, and beaches to sunbathe on. Covering both across the globe and Europe, the list of 25 beaches in each category show off the best of what’s on offer, with the UK making an appearance four times on the ‘Best Beaches in Europe’ list.
Coming in seventh was Luskentyre on the Isle of Harris in the Outer Hebrides, Scotland, followed immediately by Bamburgh Beach in eighth, Porthminster Beach in St Ives (11th), and Weymouth Beach landing in 19th. While this was a triumphant effort from our tiny island, the UK failed to snag any spots on the world’s best list.
(Image: Getty Images)
The pinnacle of beaches went to Grace Bay Beach in Providenciales, Turks and Caicos, with Varadero Beach, Cuba, and Turquoise Bay in Exmouth, Australia, making up the top three. And in Europe? Well, Spiaggia dei Conigli in Lampedusa (Islands of Sicily) came first, with one previous visitor saying: “One of the marvels of the world. White sand beach, turquoise water, cooling sea breeze. Prepare for a 20-minute walk to get to the beach, but once you are there you feel like you're not on Earth.”
Making up the top three in Europe’s included Praia da Falesia in Olhos de Agua, Portugal, and Playa de Muro Beach in Playa de Muro, Spain. The UK fought hard, but it looks like our sandy shores were no match for the Caribbean and Mediterranean. Oh well, maybe next year.
(Image: Getty Images)
(Image: Getty Images)
In the meantime, here’s the rest of the best…
Tripadvisor’s Top 25 Beaches in the Europe:
- Spiaggia dei Conigli - Lampedusa, Islands of Sicily
- Praia da Falesia - Olhos de Agua, Portugal
- Playa de Muro Beach - Playa de Muro, Spain
- Nissi Beach - Ayia Napa, Cyprus
- Balos Lagoon - Kissamos, Greece
- Kleftiko Beach - Milos, Cyclades
- Luskentyre - Isle of Harris, Lewis and Harris, Outer Hebrides
- Bamburgh Beach - Bamburgh, United Kingdom
- Sotavento Beach - Costa Calma, Spain
- Spiaggia di Cala Rossa - Isola di Favignana, Aegadian Islands
- Porthminster Beach - St Ives, United Kingdom
- Playa de Ses Illetes - Formentera, Balearic Islands
- Reynisfjara Beach - Vik, Iceland
- Praia Da Rocha - Praia da Rocha, Portugal
- Playa de Las Canteras - Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
- Sarakiniko Beach - Milos, Cyclades
- Plage du Sillon - Saint-Malo, France
- Lu Impostu Beach - San Teodoro, Italy
- Weymouth Beach - Weymouth, United Kingdom
- Kaputas Beach - Kas, Turkey
- Falassarna Beach - Falassarna, Greece
- Fig Tree Bay - Protaras, Cyprus
- Tropea Beach - Tropea, Italy
- Plage de Palombaggia - Porto-Vecchio, France
- Kleopatra Beach - Alanya, Turkey
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Tripadvisor’s Top 25 Beaches in the World:
- Grace Bay Beach - Grace Bay, Providenciales
- Varadero Beach - Varadero, Cuba
- Turquoise Bay - Exmouth, Australia
- Quarta Praia - Morro de Sao Paulo, Brazil
- Eagle Beach - Palm, Eagle Beach, Aruba
- Radhanagar Beach - Havelock Island, Andaman and Nicobar Islands
- Baia do Sancho - Fernando de Noronha, Brazil
- Trunk Bay Beach - Virgin Islands National Park, St John
- Baia dos Golfinhos - Praia da Pipa, Brazil
- Spiaggia dei Conigli - Lampedusa, Islands of Sicily
- Cable Beach - Broome, Australia
- Praia da Falesia - Olhos de Agua, Portugal
- Hapuna Beach State Recreation Area - Puako, Hawaii
- Siesta Beach - Siesta Key, Florida
- Maho Bay Beach - Cruz Bay, St John
- Poipu Beach Park - Poipu, Hawaii
- Playa de Muro Beach - Playa de Muro, Spain
- Playa Manuel Antonio - Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica
- Playa Norte - Isla Mujeres
- Nungwi Beach, Nungwi, Tanzania
- Magens Bay - Magens Bay, St Thomas
- Nissi Beach - Ayia Napa, Cyprus
- Bavaro Beach - Bavaro, Dominican Republic
- Balos Lagoon - Kissamos, Greece
- Yonaha Maehama Beach - Miyakojima, Japan