The world’s 25 best beaches, according to Tripadvisor reviews (and two of them are in the UK)

Head to north Devon or the Outer Hebrides for a top-rated seaside staycation

Baia do Sancho, crowned the world's best beach (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

The world’s 25 best beaches have been crowned in this year’s Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice awards.

And although the top seaside spots are located in destinations you might expect – Brazil, Sicily and Cuba, for example – two UK beaches also made the cut.

In at number 13 was Luskentyre on the Isle of Harris in the Outer Hebrides, while Woolacombe Beach in north Devon placed 20th.

The latter was described as “three miles of heaven” and the former commended for its “lovely beach hut open for refreshments and gifts”.

Baia do Sancho in Fernando de Noronha, Brazil was crowned the best beach in the world overall, followed by Grace Bay Beach in Turks and Caicos and Playa Paraiso in Cayo Largo, Cuba.

The top five is rounded out by Spiaggia dei Conigli in Sicily and Prainhas do Pontal do Atalaia in Arraial do Cabo, Brazil.

One Tripadvisor reviewer said of the top pick, Baia do Sancho: “As you walk through a small trail, you can’t imagine what awaits you. The heavenly view seems like a mirage.”

Tripadvisor’s annual Travellers’ Choice awards cover everything from restaurants and hotels to travel experiences and beaches, with categories broken down further into regions, countries and, for example, types of hotel.

The awards are calculated based on reviews and opinions collected in 2019 from travellers and diners around the world.

The awards take into account the quality and quantity of traveller reviews and ratings specific to each award category.

The 25 best beaches for 2020

1. Baia do Sancho, Fernando de Noronha, Brazil 
2. Grace Bay Beach, Turks and Caicos
3. Playa Paraiso, Cayo Largo, Cuba
4. Spiaggia dei Conigli, Sicily 
5. Prainhas do Pontal do Atalaia, Arraial do Cabo, Brazil
6. Seven Mile Beach, Grand Cayman
7. Eagle Beach, Aruba
8. Flamenco Beach, Culebra, Puerto Rico
9. Varadero Beach, Cuba
10. Kleftiko Beach, Milos, Cyclades
11. Siesta Beach, Siesta Key, Florida
12. Radhanagar Beach, Havelock Island, Andaman and Nicobar Islands
13. Luskentyre, Isle of Harris, Lewis and Harris, Outer Hebrides
14. Playa de Ses Illetes, Formentera, Balearic Islands
15. La Concha Beach, San Sebastian – Donostia, Spain
16. Saint Pete Beach, Florida
17. Playa Norte, Isla Mujeres
18. Maho Bay Beach, Cruz Bay, St. John
19. Bavaro Beach, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
20. Woolacombe Beach, Devon, UK
21. Elafonissi Beach, Elafonissi, Greece
22. Whitehaven Beach, Whitsunday Islands
23. Cala Mariolu, Baunei, Italy
24. Balos Lagoon, Kissamos, Greece
25. Black Sand Beach, Vik, Iceland