Travel

The World’s 50 Best Beaches for 2025: Three are in Greece

By admin | April 30, 2025

А new report ranks the 50 best beaches in the world for 2025, according to travel experts: from Italy to Indonesia, from the Caribbean to Florida.

This year, are you already on the lookout for the best beaches to go to? Here comes the much-awaited World’s 50 Best Beaches list, with results that would set your travel desires on fire.

Much unlike various other lists that take user reviews for granted, this list is founded on the voting by over 1,000 travel industry professionals and influencers who are very well versed with the coastlines of the world.

The beaches registered points based on eight criteria: unique features, wildlife, unspoiled nature, sounds of nature, ease of entering the water, calm waters, no crowds, and consistent idyllic atmosphere.

“When searching for the best beaches in the world, the question would always arise, what makes a beach, a great beach?” said Tine Holst, co-founder of The World’s 50 Best Beaches, in an interview. “For our ambassadors, judges, and entire team, the answer often boils down to natural beauty, peaceful ambience, and those that provoke almost an emotional reaction.”

Europe, While Ahead, Has Only Seven Beaches Represented

The very first 2025 title goes to Cala Goloritzé in Sardinia, Italy, a stunner of a beach encased in tall limestone cliffs. “Cala Goloritzé is really more than a beach-it’s raw beauty hits you the moment you see it,” said the editors of this report.

Cala Goloritzé is still intact as it was declared a natural monument back in the 90s, and the access is not that easy. Visitors can reach the beach by hiking (limited tickets sold daily) or swimming from a boat 200 meters offshore. “Our winner this year, Cala Goloritzé, stands out because significant steps have been taken to limit the number of daily visitors. There is also strong local pride when it comes to protecting its natural beauty,” Holst says.

Indeed, environmental protection was a paramount factor during the report’s compilation. “Considering that global tourism is on an all-time high, it is clear that beaches where concrete steps have been taken to preserve nature stand out in particular,” Holst emphasizes. “Efforts to avoid overcrowding and over-commercialization really make a difference, and this is also reflected in the voting of our community.”

Asia Needs to Be Defended by the Philippines, Thailand, and Indonesia

Entalula, which is a secluded paradise in Palawan, Philippines, only traversable by boat, holds the second position. The editors said: “This beach is less visited than others in the area, providing visitors an opportunity to escape the usual tourist locations and fully immerse themselves in nature.”

Koh Kood island, which houses Bang Bao Beach, is the third hot favorite to feel light years away from activity on other islands. Its attraction is intensified by a fishing neighborhood nearby, along which visitors can meander through a wooden pier into fresh fish eating spots. Says the report: “Bang Bao is just about perfect Thai beach; it has thick, lush jungle all around and very clear shallow water perfect for swimming.”

Fourth place comes for Fteri Beach located in Greece. It is hidden in a cove from which you can reach the shore only by boat or through steep hiking trails.

Completing the top 5 is PK9 Beach, a utopian undeveloped paradise within the UNESCO protected atoll of Fakarava, French Polynesia. It is known for the “simple, serene perfection” of its surroundings and coral reefs alive with tropical fishes.

Only One US Beach, and a Dozen from the Caribbean

This year, only one American beach made it to the 50 best list: Siesta Beach on Siesta Key at #42. Described by the editors as family-friendly, lacking massive construction, and featuring powdery soft sand, its sand is 99% pure quartz, keeping it cool even during summer heat. “Often called the ‘finest, whitest sand in the world,’ Siesta stands out with its gentle slope, calm waters, and pristine environment,” stated the editors.

Apart from beaches that are beautiful, some are quite unique. In 13th place is Pink Beach in Komodo National Park, Indonesia, where the sand gets its pink hue from crushed red coral mixed with white grains.

The Caribbean had a strong showing on this year’s list. The region produced a dozen beaches that made the cut. Canto de la Playa in the Dominican Republic was voted the best in the Caribbean and sixth best in the world. The report’s authors call this beach on Saona Island “one of the best-kept secrets of the Caribbean.”

Meanwhile, longtime favorite Grace Bay in the Turks and Caicos comes in at #10. “It remains a textbook example of Caribbean beauty,” the report states. Stretching for miles along the coast of Providenciales Island, the beach boasts soft white sand and a vividly turquoise sea lapped by a coral reef about 1.5 km offshore.

Greece and Australia with the Most Locations

Greece and Australia are the countries that have the highest number of beaches on this year’s list, with three beaches each.

This year, Madagascar, Yemen, Antigua and Barbuda, Sri Lanka, Costa Rica, Tanzania, France, Ireland, and the Maldives entered the list for the first time, together with the overseas territories of American Samoa, the British Virgin Islands, and Bonaire Island.

“We’re just so excited that so many new places and truly unique places are on the list this year. There are the most new countries we’ve ever included,” Holst says.

Holst goes on to explain that there have been surprises also. “We are surprised how many unique and lesser-known beaches beat out some beaches that have regularly been featured on our lists in years past — places like Tulum in the Riviera Maya, beaches in Iceland, as well as the fact that no beach from Hawaii made the list this year,” she says.

The “hall of fame” portion, where you can see the greatest of all time, houses the winners from past years, including Trunk Bay in St. John (U.S. Virgin Islands), Cala Mariolu in Italy, Lucky Bay in Australia, Navagio in Greece, Whitehaven in Australia, Maya Bay in Thailand, Hidden Beach in the Philippines, and Honolu in Hawaii.