Are your dreams filled with the sounds of lapping waves, the feeling of warm sun on your skin, and the soft caress of sand between your toes?
Almost all travelers have a little part of them that loves a beautiful beach.
But if you’re stuck in a rut deciding where you should go on your next sojourn to the shore, then fear not.
Thanks to the annual World’s Best Beaches Awards from Tripadvisor’s Travelers’s Choice Awards, we all have the perfect place to seek inspiration for our sun, sea, and sand fix.
How many have you been to?
7. Manly Beach, Sydney, Australia
When you think of a beach in Sydney, the first that comes to mind is probably Bondi.
Bondi is great, but it often suffers from overcrowding, especially during the Australian summer between November and February.
Sydney is home to another great beach that’s usually quieter than Bondi and is surrounded by boujee cafes and independent shops, and that’s Manly.
Lying just north of the city center, Manly offers the perfect setting to bask in that beautiful Australian sun, take a hike down to Sydney Harbor National Park along a stunning coastal trail, or try your hand at surfing in one of the best spots in the city for it.
Nearest airport: Sydney International, 16 miles away.
How to get there: Sydney has cheap and reliable public transport including buses, trains, and ferries. All info is in English, and you can grab an Opal travel card to get the cheapest deals.
6. Anse Lazio, Praslin Island, Seychelles
An absolute dreamscape of a beach, Anse Lazio is the white sands and turquoise waters scene you’d expect from an exotic set of islands such as the Seychelles.
The pristine environment and abundant wildlife are largely unspoiled, but there are a couple of tasteful beach bars nearby if you want to enjoy a cool drink to help you relax.
This is one for those who want their beach getaway to be a true escape from reality.
Nearest airport: Praslin Island Airport, 12 miles away.
How to get there: Praslin Island lies northeast of the Seychelles’ main island Mahe, from which you can get a ferry. You can also fly the same journey via Air Seychelles.
5. Grace Bay Beach, Turks and Caicos
One of the Caribbean’s trending destinations right now, Turks and Caicos is blessed with beautiful beaches all along its shores.
The jewel in the crown is Grace Bay Beach on the north coast of the island of Providenciales.
Featuring the finest and softest white sand you’ll ever get between your toes and luminously bright blue oceans, this beach has several high-class resorts nearby so you can wake up to the sights, sounds, and smells of the Caribbean.
There’s even a golf course nearby, as well as plenty of local restaurants to enjoy.
Nearest airport: Providenciales International Airport, 7 miles away.
How to get there: Most hotels around offer shuttle buses to this beach, or you can easily get a taxi or even a rental car to access it – there’s plentiful free parking around.
4. Ka’anapali Beach, Lahaina, Hawaii
This peaceful beach on the west coast of Maui Island in Hawaii is sandwiched between sparkling seas on one side and the mountains and forest of West Maui Forest Reserve on the other.
This mile-long stretch of Hawaiian paradise is home to seven different resorts and plenty of tourist attractions – one of the best being whale-watching cruises.
As long as you are respectful and considerate to local people, visiting Maui is a good way to financially support the island as it recovers from devastating fires in 2023.
Nearest airport: Kahului Airport, 28 miles away
How to get there: Many airlines have direct flights to Kahului Airport from mainland United States. Once there, it’s a 45-minute drive to Ka’anapali. There is paid parking available.
3. La Concha Beach, San Sebastian, Spain
This iconic beach in the center of San Sebastian is surrounded by lush green hills and has excellent facilities, including toilets, showers, and even lockers for your belongings.
The beach has a long and fascinating history and is truly part of the way of life in this northern Spanish city – one of the most unique sights is looking back at Donostia Town Hall from the sands.
In summer, you will find ample places to rent beach chairs, kayaks and SUPs, and parasols.
Nearest airport: Biarritz Airport in France, 30 miles away.
How to get there: You can fly to Biarritz Airport over the border in France, or to Bilbao which is a little further away. Because it’s in a city, public transport is easy.
2. Spiaggia Dei Conigli, Lampedusa, Italy
With a literal translation that means ‘rabbit beach’, Spiaggia dei Conigli is located on the tiny, remote island of Lampedusa in the Mediterranean.
The blue and green waters of the shallow bay at this beach make it excellent for bathing, scuba diving, and snorkeling.
It is one of the only places in Italy where loggerhead sea turtles frequent, so be aware of possible restrictions to protect these animals when they lay their eggs.
Nearest airport: Lampedusa Airport, 3 miles away.
How to get there: In the summer, you can fly to Lampedusa airport from many Italian cities including Naples. You can also get a ferry from Sicily.
1. Praia da Falesia, Olhos de Agua, Portugal
And the winner is… Praia de Falesia, a gorgeous stretch of golden sands and orange cliffs along Portugal’s popular Algarve region.
This beach is free to access and offers a quieter, less built-up way to experience this popular stretch of coastline.
It lies between Albufeira and Vilamoura and is a tranquil oasis that you might not expect to find in such a touristy region.
Nearest airport: Faro International Airport, 32 miles away.
How to get there: If driving, it’s better to go to the eastern edge of this lengthy beach as there is more parking available here. Try heading to Vilamoura, where you can easily walk to it.
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