The world’s best beach has been revealed by Tripadvisor as a beautiful bay in Greece with pink sands.
Elafonissi Beach in Crete has been listed as 2025’s Best Beach by Tripadvisor, famed for its crystal clear waters and miles of pink-tinged sand.
The Greek beach rejoins the list for the first time in four years, climbing a staggering 23 places to secure the top spot.
As well as it’s jawdropping ocean-side beauty, this beach is also surrounded by forests of cedar trees, making it a great spot for hiking too.
Elafonissi’s unusual pink tinged sand is due to the bright red pigments in the crushed microorganisms in the ocean mixing with the white sand grains of the beach.
The pink coloured sand is most noticeable along the waterline, and the intensity of the colour depends on factors like the weather and the tide.
If you want to visit this world-famous beach, but don’t want to be crammed side-by-side with other tourists, then it’s best to visit in the shoulder seasons.
May and September offer warm, sunny weather with significantly fewer crowds compared to the peak summer months of June, July, and August.
The beach offers sunbed and umbrella rental – but there is no natural shade on the beach so bring your own umbrella and hats just in case the loungers are fully booked.
If you want to experience this dream-like beach for yourself, then the easiest way to do so is to fly into Heraklion – the main airport of the island of Crete and then hire a car and drive to the town of Chania on the island’s north-west coast. From Chania, Elafonissi is about an hour and a half of driving.
Coming in second place of the most beautiful beaches in the world is Banana Beach in Phuket, Thailand. This incredible beach is famed for not only its awe-inspiring beauty but it’s crystal clear water and peaceful atmosphere.
Banana Beach also boasts incredible snorkeling and boating oppportunities, with coral reefs to explore and boat trips to embark on. The perfect time to visit this slice of paradise is between November and March when Phuket enjoys clear skies, dry weather, and calm seas.
If you want to explore some beautiful beaches closer to home, then you’re in luck. Three UK also beaches made it on the list this year with Travellers’ favourite, Weymouth Beach, Dorset, named number 20 in the Europe list, and Gorleston-on-Sea in Norfolk,was named 23rd in Europe.
In celebration of Tripadvisor’s anniversary this year, Bournemouth Beach was named number 12 in the special 25th Anniversary list, based on all-time data, making this beach a family favourite for the last few decades.
President of Tripadvisor Kristen Dalton said: “Tripadvisor’s Travellers’ Choice Awards uniquely reflect the voices of millions of global travellers and help guide people to plan their best trip yet.
“In my family, beaches aren’t just for sunbathing – we like to get out and explore! The diversity of this year’s winners really showcases everything that a beach trip can have to offer”
The top 10 world’s best beaches
1. Elafonissi Beach, Crete, Greece
2. Banana Beach, Phuket, Thailand
3. Eagle Beach, Oranjestad, Aruba
4. Siesta Beach, Siesta Key, Florida
5. Praia da Falésia, Algarve, Portugal
6. Playa Varadero, Varadero, Cuba
7. Bavaro Beach, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
8. Playa de Muro Beach, Mallorca, Spain
9. Kelingking Beach, Nusa Penida, Indonesia
10. Myrtos Beach, Kefalonia Island, Greece