Angelika Pickardt

February 18, 2026, 1:41 pm | Read time: 5 minutes

Among the 24 “Best of the Best” beaches in the world according to Tripadvisor in 2026, there are many distant island paradises, but there are also several dream beaches in Europe, including in Greece, Italy, and Spain. Several European beaches are in the top 5. TRAVELBOOK presents the five best beaches—and reveals which others made it into the top 24.

How the World’s Best Beaches Were Determined

The ranking is based on millions of reviews and experiences from travelers on TripAdvisor. Since both the number and quality of reviews were relevant for the ranking, there are naturally no hidden gems. Lesser-known and therefore less-visited beaches often remain unconsidered in terms of review numbers. Nevertheless, the ranking shows which beaches are popular and leave enthusiastic visitors despite their fame.

More on the topic

Dreamy South Coast 11 of the Most Beautiful Beaches in Portugal’s Algarve

Balos, Elafonisi, Falassarna How Too Many Tourists Endanger Crete’s Most Beautiful Beaches

The Top 5 Best Beaches in the World

1. Isla Pasion, Mexico

The best beach in the world in 2026 is in Mexico! Isla Pasion, a peninsula of Cozumel, has made it to the top. Crystal-clear water, snow-white sand, and hammocks inviting you to relax. If you don’t just want to sunbathe, you can kayak out to sea and watch stingrays. According to Tripadvisor, a visit is especially worthwhile between November and March. However, those who want to visit the island paradise must purchase an all-inclusive day pass.

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2. Elafonissi Beach, Greece

Fine sand, romantic lagoons, and crystal-clear, shallow water—Elafonissi is one of the most beautiful beaches in Crete and ranks second in the ranking, having reached first place in 2025. The beach looks like a postcard landscape at first glance: The pink sand and turquoise water give Elafonissi Beach its uniqueness. The special pink hue of the sand is due to the remains of foraminifera–small crustaceans whose reddish shells break down into fine particles over time and mix with the sand.

3. Balos Lagoon, Greece

The third place in the ranking of the world’s most beautiful beaches according to Tripadvisor also goes to the Greek island of Crete. Balos Lagoon is located on the west coast and is popular with locals and tourists alike. The special feature is its location. The beach is on the uninhabited Gramvousa Peninsula. Turquoise water invites you to snorkel and gives a Caribbean flair. Especially in summer, it can get crowded, so it’s recommended to visit in the early morning hours or during the off-season.

4. Eagle Beach, Aruba 

In 2025, Eagle Beach on the Dutch Caribbean island of Aruba ranks fourth in TripAdvisor’s ranking of the world’s most beautiful beaches. The beach on the west coast, south of Palm Beach, is known for its fine white sand, clear water, and characteristic Divi-Divi trees shaped by the wind. It is also often described as a retreat for relaxation. A Tripadvisor review sums it up: “If you’re looking for relaxation, Eagle Beach is the place to be.”

5. Falésia Beach, Portugal

About eight kilometers of fine sandy beach in the south of the Algarve–Falésia Beach is especially known for its red, pine-covered sandstone cliffs. The clay cliffs are part of a nature reserve. Therefore, no large hotels have been built there, and everything remains natural. The crystal-clear water invites you to swim, and under certain weather conditions, you can also surf wonderfully.

Melanie Hoffmann

Praia da Falésia–like a giant, scooped crème brûlée

“I discovered Praia da Falésia many years ago, quite by accident, during a backpacking tour along the Algarve coast, when the beach was almost unknown outside of Portugal. I wondered even then how long it would stay that way. Praia da Falésia owes its name to a cliff that is unique even in the Algarve. When viewed from below, one might almost think, due to the colors, that one is standing in front of a giant, scooped crème brûlée. The view from the cliffs themselves is no less beautiful. Well, and up there—amidst blooming flowers—I wild camped back then. In that spring, you rarely saw a person walking by the sea below. And if I hadn’t run out of provisions back then, I probably would have stayed there forever. It’s definitely worth seeing Praia da Falésia once, preferably in the off-season and at sunset.”

The top 24 most beautiful beaches in the world

1. Isla Pasion, Mexico
2. Elafonissi Beach, Greece
3. Balos Lagoon, Greece
4. Eagle Beach, Aruba 
5. Falésia Beach, Algarve, Portugal
6. Banana Beach, Thailand
7. La Jolla Cove, California
8. La Pelosa Beach, Italy
9. Manly Beach, Australia
10. Boulders Beach Penguin Colony, South Africa
11. Falassarna Beach, Greece
12. Playa de Muro Beach, Mallorca
13. Tobacco Bay Beach, Bermuda
14. Paleokastritsa Beach, Greece
15. Kite Beach, United Arab Emirates
16. Kelingking Beach, Indonesia
17. Clearwater Beach, Florida
18. Spiaggia dei Conigli Beach, Italy
19. Bondi Beach, Australia
20. Playa de Maspalomas, Spain
21. Poipu Beach Park, Hawaii
22. Plage de Palombaggia, France
23. Ipanema Beach, Brazil
24. Spiaggia La Cinta, Italy