Brits don’t have to book an expensive long-haul flight to enjoy a world-class beach.
As this Tripadvisor ranking of the top 25 beaches in Europe makes clear.
The list is drawn from the 2024 Travellers’ Choice Best of the Best Awards for Beaches. And sunseekers note, the top three spots – in Portugal, Italy and Spain – also rank as the top three beaches globally, beating strips of sand in Hawaii and the Caribbean.
The list has been created from
Social media influencers are invading some of Britain’s most popular tourist destinations and beauty spots causing chaos – while infuriating locals.
The internet is awash with videos of TikTokkers descending on some Britain’s most picturesque locations – posing on cliffsides, getting stuck on beaches and fighting on Snowdonia.
They have been seen enjoying themselves at attractions also including Arthur’s Seat in Edinburgh and seaside hang-outs in Cornwall.
However, locals near some of these sites are complaining about the impact of
What makes a great beach is highly subjective. For some it’s all about the quality of the sand: the finer and whiter the better. Others may just seek peace, quiet and seclusion.
Or you may be in search of a perfect little rum shack or beach cafe by tumbling dunes — a rustic retreat.
We’ve asked the world’s travel experts and industry insiders for their all-time favourites — and how best to enjoy them.
Oludeniz’s Blue Lagoon in Turkey is
Sea-ze the day and enjoy sun-soaked fun at one of Tripadvisor’s top-ranked stretches of sand for 2024.
The number one beach to add to your bucket and spade list is Praia da Falesia in Portugal’s Algarve, according to the travel site, which awarded it first place in its 2024 Travellers’ Choice Best of the Best Awards for Beaches.
It knocks six-time champion Baia do Sancho in Brazil off the top spot in the ranking, which is drawn from the quality
These beaches may prompt a cry of ‘shell yeah!’
They all feature in eye-catching new Lonely Planet book ‘100 of the World’s Most Incredible Beaches‘.
Scroll down and you’ll see that the title of the tome is no exaggeration – they’re all stunning.
Five beaches in the British Isles make the cut, alongside gems in the Caribbean, Greece, Hawaii, the Seychelles, Cape Town and Australia.
Lonely Planet says in the introduction to the ravishing compendium: ‘Discover
Time to put your best hiking-boot-adorned foot forward.
Author and experienced mountaineer Alex Roddie has penned a book that’s guaranteed to spark your lust for wandering, with the tome documenting epic hiking trails in Ireland and Great Britain and stunning photographs showcasing landscapes that can be viewed along the way.
Wanderlust British & Irish Isles: Hiking the Trails of Great Britain and Ireland (gestalten.com) is filled with incredible pictures of dramatic peaks, craggy cliffs and breathtaking beaches – plus expert
Eastern Europe has so much to offer travellers – yet it’s often overlooked in favour of popular Western European destinations such as Italy, France and Spain.
Those who venture off the beaten path and explore this segment of Europe will be rewarded with chocolate-box architecture, eye-opening historic sites and breathtaking national parks.
Not to mention, Eastern Europe tends to be incredibly affordable for holidaymakers.
As Lonely Planet notes: ‘From soaring mountains to golden sands, Eastern Europe reveals a tapestry of
The second-largest of the Channel Islands, lying in the English Channel around 30 miles (48km) from the French coast, Guernsey offers plenty that’s comfortably familiar for British travellers, served with more than a soupcon of Gallic flair.
The island’s rugged coastline and crystalline seas inspired French Impressionist artist Pierre-August Renoir to paint several works during his stay here in 1883, and 140 years later, many of those paintings are being shown right now for the first time in an exhibition
With the end of summer fast approaching, last-minute British holidaymakers will need to move quickly to secure a break.
According to the travel experts at Which Travel? a beautiful city in Greece is one of the best options for a last minute August holiday.
While Bilbao was the cheapest last-minute option, Thessaloniki is another fantastic option for the end of August.
A Which? spokesperson said: “Greece’s second city is buzzing in summer. Escape the midday sun in its fresco-adorned Roman
Every year, thousands of tourists travel to Venice to wander the canal city’s romantic streets or take a gondola ride.
But since the Italian city banned cruise ships from the centre, cruise ships often stop at Ravenna instead.
While most tourists head straight to Venice, Ravenna is a Mediterranean hidden gem they’re missing out on.
The travel experts at Iglu Cruise have said the Italian destination is one of the region’s best and most underrated hotspots.
A spokesperson said: “The
