In the midst of this rainy, rainy weather, Tripadvisor just rolled out some sunny news, its 2024 travelers’ choice award for the “Best of the Best Beaches” — around the world and here in the U.S.
The top 25 include beaches in 18 countries on five continents. (What, Antarctica’s Playa del McMurdo and its balmy 35 degree water didn’t warrant a mention?) This year, European strands stole the thunder from the usual Caribbean idylls with Praia da Falésia in Portugal’s Algarve nabbing the top spot, thanks to reviews extolling its soft sand, strikingly scarlet cliffs and lapping waves. The tiny Italian island of Lampedusa — it’s in the Mediterranean south of Sicily — captured glory with its Spiaggia dei Conigli or Rabbit Beach at No. 2. And La Concha Beach on Spain’s Northern coastline took No. 3 honors.
Maui’s Ka’anapali Beach topped the U.S. ranking — and came in at No. 4 on the global list — for the second year in a row. And California got a nod on the “best of the U.S.” list for La Jolla Cove and Santa Monica State Beach.
Find the full lists — including the world’s most sustainable beaches, from India’s Havelock Island to Cyprus’ Nissi Beach in Ayia Napa — as well as travel tips and recommendations at tripadvisor.com/TravelersChoice-Beaches. Meanwhile, here’s a peek at the top 10.
Top 10 Beaches in the World for 2024
1 Praia da Falésia, Olhos de Agua, Portugal
2 Spiaggia dei Conigli, Lampedusa, Italy
3 La Concha Beach, San Sebastian-Donostia, Spain
4 Ka’anapali Beach, Lahaina, Hawaii
5 Grace Bay Beach, Grace Bay, Turks and Caicos
6 Anse Lazio, Praslin Island, Seychelles
7 Manly Beach, Sydney, Australia
8 Eagle Beach, Palm-Eagle Beach, Aruba
9 Siesta Beach, Siesta Key, Florida
10 Varadero Beach, Varadero, Cuba