But a new listing has revealed a beach on the Greek island of Crete has been chosen at the world’s best, leaving New Zealand and Australian hot spots out of the top 10.
Tripadvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Awards: Best of the Best Beaches for 2025 is based on an analysis of global beach reviews on Tripadvisor over the last year.
Rejoining the list for the first time since 2021 and climbing 23 places to take the No. 1 spot is Elafonissi Beach in Greece. Located on the southwest coast of Crete, the remote beach is known for its pink sand and crystal-clear waters.
‘A popular summer getaway spot, drawing both sunbathers and water sports lovers, visitors will find a mix of relaxation and activity. This stunning family-friendly beach promises clear shallow waters, a scenic drive down and plenty of photo opportunities too,’ shared the holiday rating site.
Unfortunately there are no beaches from Australia or New Zealand in the top 10, with Sydney’s Manly beach landing on the list at 15, eight spots down from last year’s placing, where it came in at number 7.
Last year’s winner was Praia da Falésia in Portugal’s Algarve.
To mark Tripadvisor’s 25th anniversary this year, the site also named the top beaches of the last 25 years, based on all-time reviews.
Topping the list is Balos Lagoon, regarded as one of the most photographed spots on the island of Crete with stunning turquoise waters and a panoramic landscape. Reviewers on the site refer to Balos Lagoon as a “heaven for beach lovers” with breathtaking views and crystal-clear waters.
Top 10 Beaches in the World for 2025
The list according to Tripadvisor:
1. Elafonissi Beach – Crete, Greece
Good for: Crystal clear waters, hiking and dunes, sunbathing, warm water
Best time to visit: May and September offer warm, sunny weather with significantly fewer crowds compared to the peak summer months of June, July, and August.
2. Banana Beach – Phuket, Thailand
Good for: Boating, parasailing, day trips, colorful coral and fish
Best time to visit: Between November and March, Phuket enjoys clear skies, dry weather, and calm seas, making it the perfect time for beach activities and swimming.
3. Eagle Beach – Oranjestad, Aruba
Good for: White sand, watersports, calm waters
Best time to visit: From April to August, the weather is excellent with fewer crowds than the peak season, making it ideal for swimming and sunbathing.
4. Siesta Beach – Siesta Key, Florida
Good for: Clear waters, powder sand, seashells, beachfront stays
Best time to visit: Between April and May, or September and October, the weather is pleasant, crowds are smaller, and temperatures are more moderate compared to the peak summer months.
5. Praia da Falésia – Algarve, Portugal
Good for: Golden sand, walks, coastline and cliffs
Best time to visit: From April to October, the weather is warm and sunny with minimal rainfall. The shoulder seasons of May-June and September-October also offer pleasant temperatures and fewer crowds.
6. Playa Varadero – Varadero, Cuba
Good for: Watersports, white sand, walks, catamarans
Best time to visit: From December to March is the region’s dry season when the weather is stable, with warm temperatures.
7. Bavaro Beach – Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
Good for: White sand, excursions, resorts
Best time to visit: December to April, the dry season offers minimal rainfall, comfortable temperatures, and perfect conditions for beach activities.
8. Playa de Muro Beach – Mallorca, Spain
Good for: Shallow water, watersports, sand dunes
Best time to visit: With a Mediterranean climate, featuring hot, dry summers and mild winters, the best time to visit is between July and August.
9. Kelingking Beach – Nusa Penida, Indonesia
Good for: Cliffs, hiking, viewpoints, landscape
Best time to visit: During the dry season, from April to October, travelers can expect bright, sunny days.
10. Myrtos Beach – Kefalonia Island, Greece
Good for: White pebbles, crystal clear waters, cliffs
Best time to visit: Visit in the spring from May-June or early fall in September for pleasant weather and fewer crowds.
25th Anniversary: Global Beaches
Balos Lagoon – Crete, Greece
Eagle Beach – Oranjestad, Aruba
Waikiki Beach – Oahu, Hawaii
Ipanema Beach – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Isla Pasion – Cozumel, Mexico
Playa Manuel Antonio – Quepos, Costa Rica
Spiaggia La Cinta – Sardinia, Italy
Banana Beach – Phuket, Thailand
Praia da Falésia – Algarve, Portugal
Manly Beach – New South Wales, Australia
