Revealed: The best beaches in Europe in 2026

For many of us, there’s no greater feeling than having sand between our toes, salt in our hair and a thick coating of sunscreen on our skin.

While true beach bums will find something to love about every sandy stretch, there are spots around the world with the ability to take our breath away thanks to their bright blue waters and sensational sunsets.

The World’s Best 50 Beaches has been seeking out these very places over the last few years, and its latest ranking has put Entalula Beach in the Philippines at the very top of our to-visit list.

Found on Palawan Island, the beach is only accessible by boat, meaning it isn’t bursting at the seams with visitors taking in the limestone cliffs and clear waters.

Of the 50, 11 from Europe made the ranking, including in destinations like Greece, Spain, Portugal, Italy and France, and even Ireland.

These are the best beaches in Europe in 2026

Narrowly losing out on the top spot was Greece’s Fteri Beach in second place.

Located on Kefalonia, the largest of the Ionian Islands, the beach is in a secluded cove, with access only via boat or a steep hike.

According to the team at World’s 50 Best Beaches, “The untouched beauty and tranquil environment of Fteri Beach make it a haven for those in search of peace and a deep connection with nature”.

Only one European beach made the top 10, with the next best beach being Cala Macarella on the Balearic Island of Menorca, coming in 12th.

Thanks to its horseshoe-shaped cove, the waters here are relatively calm year-round which has added to its popularity.

Hot on its heels was Italy’s Cala Dei Gabbiani in Sardinia, which came in 18th place.

The white pebble shoreline means that the water is crystal clear, while the limestone cliffs give it its picture-perfect quality.

Kaputaş Beach in Turkey is certainly one of the most beautiful beaches in Europe thanks to its location at the base of a canyon and its electric blue waters.

Coming in 29th overall, the beach is located between Kaş and Kalkan in southwestern Turkey and was chosen thanks to its dramatic scenery.

Rounding out the top five beaches in Europe is another entry from Greece, Porto Katsiki.

One of Lefkada’s most famous beaches, travellers head here because of the striking cliffs and bright blue waters.

The full list of Europe’s best beaches:

1. Fteri Beach, Kefalonia, Greece (2nd)
2. Cala Macarella, Menorca, Spain (12th)
3. Cala Dei Gabbiani, Sardinia, Italy (18th)
4. Kaputas Beach, Turquoise Coast, Turkey (29th)
5. Porto Katsiki, Lefkada, Greece (34th)
6. Santa Giulia, Corsica, France (35th)
7. Playa Cofete, Fuerteventura, Spain (39th)
8. Praia Da Falésia, Algarve, Portugal (43rd)
9. Porto Timoni, Corfu, Greece (46th)
10. La Pelosa, Sardinia, Italy (48th)
11. Keem Beach, County Mayo, Ireland (50th)

How judges decide the world’s best beaches

The World’s 50 Best Beaches is decided based on nominations and votes from more than 1,000 people working in the industry, including travel writers, influencers and agents.

Each beach included in the rank is judged against criteria including how unique the surrounding landscape is, your chance of a wildlife encounter, how calm the waters are for swimming or relaxing, and your odds of having a perfect beach day.

The team also looks out for beaches that are untouched, and pays close attention to how crowded a destination is.