Brits don’t have to book an expensive long-haul flight to enjoy a world-class beach.
As this Tripadvisor ranking of the top 25 beaches in Europe makes clear.
The list is drawn from the 2024 Travellers’ Choice Best of the Best Awards for Beaches. And sunseekers note, the top three spots – in Portugal, Italy and Spain – also rank as the top three beaches globally, beating strips of sand in Hawaii and the Caribbean.
The list has been created from the quality and quantity of reviews and ratings from Tripadvisor travellers for beaches worldwide between October 2022 and September 2023.
Scroll down to gaze upon pictures that provide eye-catching supporting evidence for the results, with Brits keen on a seaside staycation advised to linger on the two UK entries.
Which one do you want to visit for some much-needed vitamin sea?
25. Kicking off the Tripadvisor ranking of Europe’s best beaches for 2024 is Mellieha Beach in Malta. Ranked 25th, visitors praise its ‘warm sea’ and ‘unbelievably crystal clear’ waters in reviews on the travel site
24. This striking landscape is part of Praia dos Tres Irmaos, in Portugal’s Algarve region, which features in 24th place. In a Tripadvisor review, ‘S2917YPdebbiem’ said: ‘You must visit this beach if you are staying in the Algarve. Clean, [and] well-equipped with sunbeds, lifeguard station, cafes, restaurants, massage tent and boardwalk’
23. Lido Marakaibbo, on the island of Sicily in Italy, is the 23rd best beach in Europe according to the review data. Tripadvisor says: ‘Lido Marakaibbo is a favourite hangout for both locals and in-the-know visitors. Comfortable lounge chairs and food and drinks served beachside make it a perfect spot to kick back and relax’
22. Nazare beach draws crowds of surfers keen to ride its sometimes enormous waves, but it also boasts a vast stretch of ‘golden sand’. It ranks 22nd in the European ranking. Tripadvisor adds: ‘Take a walk along the shore or on the boardwalk lined with cafes and bars serving good food and cheap drinks’
21. Konyaalti Beach in Turkey ranks 21st in the European ranking. Reviewer ‘KarinLachner’ remarked on the ‘amazingly beautiful landscape over the mountains’ and the ‘clean water’
20. The UK’s Bournemouth Beach comes 20th, described in Tripadvisor reviews as ‘a wonderful beach’ with ‘lovely golden sands and great walks along the seafront’
19. Weymouth Beach on Dorset’s Jurassic Coast is the UK’s top-ranking beach, ranking 19th in Europe. Of 6,000 reviews, 4,287 carry an ‘excellent’ rating. Tripadvisor says: ‘It’s easy to get to and even has colourful changing huts. Try some water sports (it’s a great place for children to swim) or go crabbing during the day, then check out the promenade or stop for a bite at a nearby cafe or restaurant’
18. Makronissos Beach in Aiya Napa, Cyprus, is 18th. Visitors describe it as ‘fabulous’ with ‘mesmerising beauty’
17. In 17th place it’s Cala Mariolu in Italy, described by visitors as ‘simply magical’. Writing on Tripadvisor, ‘Gianluca E’ said: ‘Never seen such a blue sea in my life’
16. Behold spectacular Iztuzu Beach in 16th position. This Turkish gem boasts ‘calm waters and fine sand’, says Tripadvisor, which adds that it’s a nesting area for loggerhead turtles and is closed to visitors during the nesting season
15. Fig Tree Bay in Cyprus is described by visitors as ‘a gem’ with ‘beautiful, crystal-clear warm water’ and ‘golden sand’
14. Visitors praise the ‘great tavernas’ and ‘breathtaking views’ from Matala Beach, Greece, which finishes in 14th position. The spot also entices with an ‘inspiring’ history – at one end are 62 chambers cut into a limestone cliff that served as a Roman cemetery
13. In 13th place – and taking the top spot for France – it’s the ‘gorgeous’ Plage de Palombaggia on the island of Corsica. Tripadvisor adds: ‘The calm water is perfect for swimming and snorkelling, and there’s tons of space to sunbathe on the huge, sandy shore’
12. Feast your eyes on Anthony Quinn Bay, a sight to behold on the island of Rhodes, Greece, with cinematic allure – it was a filming location for The Guns of Navarone. The verdict from Tripadvisor reviewers? They’re hugely impressed. Its overall score is 4.5 out of five from nearly 7,000 reviews
11. Dazzling Playa de Muro Beach on the Spanish island of Majorca is 11th in the ranking. Tripadvisor says: ‘Playa de Muro Beach is an accessible, family-friendly spot with long stretches of golden sand and turquoise-blue water. You could easily spend an entire day here: Go on a walk, sunbathe, snorkel, paddleboard, or swim in the warm sea’
10. Standing out among a long list of white and golden beaches is Vik Black Sand Beach in Iceland. Ranking tenth, visitors describe it as an ‘otherworldly’ place with ‘impressive’ rock formations and ‘arches in the ocean’
9. Coming in ninth, it’s Playa de Maspalomas on Gran Canaria, one of Spain’s Canary Islands. Visitors hail its ‘nice clean beach’ and ‘stunning dunes’ on Tripadvisor
8. Myrtos Beach on the island of Kefalonia, Greece, ranks eighth in Europe and 23rd in the world. ‘Surrounded by tall marble cliffs and looking out onto the azure waters of the Myrtos Gulf, this stunning beach makes for a dramatically breathtaking sight,’ says Tripadvisor
7. This stunning picture of the turquoise waters and white sands of Nissi Beach in Cyprus demonstrates its appeal as the seventh-best beach in Europe. Tripadvisor says: ‘Nissi Beach is a beautiful sandy cove with powdery white sand, bright blue water, and a lively party vibe. There are lots of amenities, like sun loungers, restrooms, and free parking. Children can splash around in the shallow surf, and adults can go jet-skiing or paddling’
6. Falassarna Beach on the island of Crete, Greece, is sixth in the European ranking and 19th in the global chart. Tripadvisor says: ‘Pink sand, blue waters, stunning mountains, incredible sunsets – Falassarna Beach is all about the view. Once you take it all in, go swimming, snorkelling, or relax in the soft sand, then grab a bite at a nearby bar or coffee shop’
5. Playa de las Canteras in Gran Canaria, Spain, comes fifth in the European ranking and 16th in the world. Tripadvisor says: ‘Stretching three kilometres, Playa de Las Canteras is an accessible, family-friendly beach with dedicated areas for surfing and bodyboarding, and lots of marine life (perfect for snorkelling!). Check out the giant sand sculptures on the shore, or stroll along the lively promenade lined with shops, bars, and restaurants’
4. Just missing out on a medal position is the ‘stunning’ Reynisfjara Beach, Iceland. It ranks fourth in Europe and 13th in the world. In the middle of the image is the dramatic Arnardrangur ‘Eagle Rock’. Tripadvisor describes the beach as ‘all drama’, with visiticeland.com warning swimmers to be wary of dangerous ‘sneaker waves’ – powerful waves that can appear in a train of smaller waves
3. La Concha Beach, in San Sebastian, Spain, is awarded the bronze medal as the third-best beach in Europe – and in the world. Visitors describe it as ‘beautiful’ and ‘accessible’ on Tripadvisor. ‘Antonia-Maria Stoian’ wrote: ‘The beach has a phenomenal promenade. At any hour of any day, it is gorgeous’
2. Italy’s Spiaggia dei Conigli on Lampedusa island in Sicily wins the silver medal for both the European and global ranking. Visitors praise its ‘clean environment’ and unforgettable ‘great views’ on Tripadvisor
1. The number one beach to add to your European bucket (and spade) list is Praia da Falesia in Portugal’s Algarve, according to Tripadvisor. It also wins the global ranking, knocking six-time champion Baia do Sancho in Brazil off the top spot. Tripadvisor says: ‘Praia da Falésia is known for its dramatic cliffs, golden sands, and sparkling blue waters. Sunbathe on the huge shore, go swimming or body surfing in the waves, or stroll along the scenic footpath on top of the cliffs and check out the incredible views’
