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Rankings, edits and when to go guides, each led by an honest verdict.
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Photo: Santiago Rodriguez via Google
Our edits

Every guide in one place

By the Beaches for Kings editorial team · Edited by Fredrik Filipsson and Morten Andersen

Published 26 January 2026. Last reviewed 5 March 2026

These are our rankings and editorial edits: the head to head verdicts on the world's best beaches and beach clubs, the by trip lists for families, couples and groups, and the when to go guides that tell you the right month for each coast.

Each one leads with an honest verdict and links straight through to the beaches and destinations it covers. Pick a starting point below.

All guides

Browse the guides

Flagship rankings

4 guides
The 30 best beaches in Italy
Flagship ranking
The 30 best beaches in Italy
Photo: Carlos Alberto do Amaral via Google
The 30 best beaches in Spain, ranked by the water
Flagship ranking
The 30 best beaches in Spain, ranked by the water
Photo: Vincent via Google
The 25 best beach clubs in the world
Flagship ranking
The 25 best beach clubs in the world
Photo: riccardo raffaghello via Google
The 50 best beaches in the world
Flagship ranking
The 50 best beaches in the world
Photo: Randolfo Santos · via Google

Rankings and edits

106 guides
The best adults only beach destinations
Ranking
The best adults only beach destinations
Photo: Badis SDIRI via Google
The best adults only beach resorts, ranked
Ranking
The best adults only beach resorts, ranked
Photo: Kathryn Wilson via Google
The best affordable luxury beach destinations
Ranking
The best affordable luxury beach destinations
Photo: Royal Zanzibar Beach Resort via Google
The best all inclusive beach resorts, ranked
Ranking
The best all inclusive beach resorts, ranked
Photo: Grand Velas Riviera Maya via Google
The best beach clubs for daybeds and cabanas
Ranking
The best beach clubs for daybeds and cabanas
Photo: Nikki Beach Ibiza via Google
The best beach clubs in Asia
Ranking
The best beach clubs in Asia
Photo: Aatmi via Google
The best beach clubs in Dubai, ranked
Ranking
The best beach clubs in Dubai, ranked
Photo: Nammos Dubai via Google
The best beach clubs in Europe
Ranking
The best beach clubs in Europe
Photo: Catalin Catalin via Google
The best beach clubs in Greece
Ranking
The best beach clubs in Greece
Photo: riccardo raffaghello via Google
The best beach clubs in Mexico, ranked
Ranking
The best beach clubs in Mexico, ranked
Photo: Ognjen Matović via Google
The Best Beach Clubs in Thailand
Ranking
The Best Beach Clubs in Thailand
Photo: Catch Beach Club via Google
The best beach clubs in the Caribbean
Ranking
The best beach clubs in the Caribbean
Photo: Carlos Alberto do Amaral via Google
The best beach clubs in the Mediterranean
Ranking
The best beach clubs in the Mediterranean
Photo: Mike K. via Google
The best beach destinations for a honeymoon
Ranking
The best beach destinations for a honeymoon
Photo: Jan Horký via Google
The best beach destinations for Christmas and New Year
Ranking
The best beach destinations for Christmas and New Year
Photo: Lagoon View Maldives via Google
The best beach destinations for digital nomads
Ranking
The best beach destinations for digital nomads
Photo: Marcus Holz via Google
The best beach destinations for Easter
Ranking
The best beach destinations for Easter
Photo: Carlos Alberto do Amaral via Google
The best beach destinations for families
Ranking
The best beach destinations for families
Photo: Simon Osborn via Google
The best beach destinations for food lovers
Ranking
The best beach destinations for food lovers
Photo: Antonino Coraci via Google
The best beach destinations for groups
Ranking
The best beach destinations for groups
Photo: M A via Google
The best beach destinations for late summer
Ranking
The best beach destinations for late summer
Photo: Konrad Gałczyński via Google
The best beach destinations for October half term
Ranking
The best beach destinations for October half term
Photo: X Hou via Google
The best beach destinations for solo travel
Ranking
The best beach destinations for solo travel
Photo: Susanne Ziems via Google
The best beach destinations for spring break alternatives
Ranking
The best beach destinations for spring break alternatives
Photo: Beaches Turks & Caicos via Google
The best beach destinations from Dubai
Ranking
The best beach destinations from Dubai
Photo: Ayada Maldives via Google
The best beach destinations from London
Ranking
The best beach destinations from London
Photo: Simon Osborn via Google
The best beach destinations from Los Angeles
Ranking
The best beach destinations from Los Angeles
Photo: Número equivocado via Google
The best beach destinations from New York
Ranking
The best beach destinations from New York
Photo: Carlos Alberto do Amaral via Google
The best beach destinations from Singapore
Ranking
The best beach destinations from Singapore
Photo: Mabuhay via Google
The best beach destinations from Sydney
Ranking
The best beach destinations from Sydney
Photo: Tokoriki Island Resort, Tokoriki Island, Fiji via Google
The best beach destinations in Central America
Ranking
The best beach destinations in Central America
Photo: Uli Krause via Google
The best beach destinations in the Indian Ocean
Ranking
The best beach destinations in the Indian Ocean
Photo: Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives via Google
The best beach destinations in the Middle East
Ranking
The best beach destinations in the Middle East
Photo: X Hou via Google
The best beach destinations in winter for warm water
Ranking
The best beach destinations in winter for warm water
Photo: SAii Lagoon Maldives, Curio Collection by Hilton via Google
The best beach weeks under 2000 dollars
Ranking
The best beach weeks under 2000 dollars
Photo: Priyanka Sahasrabhojanee via Google
The best beaches for a long weekend in Europe
Ranking
The best beaches for a long weekend in Europe
Photo: Valentina Andolfo via Google
The best beaches for a summer holiday in Europe
Ranking
The best beaches for a summer holiday in Europe
Photo: Bianca Schmitt via Google
The best beaches for a winter honeymoon
Ranking
The best beaches for a winter honeymoon
Photo: Villa Nautica, Maldives via Google
The best beaches for digital nomads
Ranking
The best beaches for digital nomads
Photo: Bo Westberg via Google
The best beaches for scuba diving in the world, ranked
Ranking
The best beaches for scuba diving in the world, ranked
Photo: Sophie Ruijgrok via Google
The best beaches for snorkeling in the world
Ranking
The best beaches for snorkeling in the world
Photo: Taj Coral Reef Resort & Spa, Maldives via Google
The best beaches for spring break, ranked
Ranking
The best beaches for spring break, ranked
Photo: Robin Mehera via Google
The best beaches for sunsets in the world
Ranking
The best beaches for sunsets in the world
Photo: SUNSET BEACH BALI | Seminyak Beach via Google
The best beaches for watersports in the world
Ranking
The best beaches for watersports in the world
Photo: Ellie McGriff via Google
The best beaches for winter sun
Ranking
The best beaches for winter sun
Photo: Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives via Google
The best beaches in Asia
Ranking
The best beaches in Asia
Photo: Mr Binaire via Google
The best beaches in Asia for first time visitors
Ranking
The best beaches in Asia for first time visitors
Photo: Zulkifli Zul via Google
The best beaches in Australia
Ranking
The best beaches in Australia
Photo: JAMES WHITE via Google
The best beaches in Brazil, ranked
Ranking
The best beaches in Brazil, ranked
Photo: Carlos Alberto do Amaral via Google
The best beaches in Central America, ranked
Ranking
The best beaches in Central America, ranked
Photo: Tingo Nic via Google
The best beaches in Costa Rica
Ranking
The best beaches in Costa Rica
Photo: Melanie Pelletier via Google
The best beaches in Croatia, ranked
Ranking
The best beaches in Croatia, ranked
Photo: Samuel Malmborg via Google
The best beaches in Egypt, ranked
Ranking
The best beaches in Egypt, ranked
Photo: Enzo Dettoni via Google
The best beaches in Europe
Ranking
The best beaches in Europe
Photo: Carlos Alberto do Amaral via Google
The Best Beaches in France
Ranking
The Best Beaches in France
Photo: ovidiu chef via Google
The best beaches in Greece, ranked
Ranking
The best beaches in Greece, ranked
Photo: Raquel Gomez via Google
The best beaches in Hawaii
Ranking
The best beaches in Hawaii
Photo: 영담 via Google
The best beaches in Indonesia, ranked
Ranking
The best beaches in Indonesia, ranked
Photo: Taras via Google
The best beaches in Mexico, ranked
Ranking
The best beaches in Mexico, ranked
Photo: Wendy Garduno via Google
The Best Beaches in Portugal
Ranking
The Best Beaches in Portugal
Photo: Simon Osborn via Google
The best beaches in Southeast Asia, ranked
Ranking
The best beaches in Southeast Asia, ranked
Photo: Eva Meglič via Google
The best beaches in Sri Lanka
Ranking
The best beaches in Sri Lanka
Photo: Asiri Maduranga via Google
The best beaches in Thailand
Ranking
The best beaches in Thailand
Photo: Evgeniy Sushkov via Google
The best beaches in the Balearic Islands
Ranking
The best beaches in the Balearic Islands
Photo: Carlos Alberto do Amaral via Google
The best beaches in the Caribbean
Ranking
The best beaches in the Caribbean
Photo: Carlos Alberto do Amaral via Google
The best beaches in the Indian Ocean
Ranking
The best beaches in the Indian Ocean
Photo: Roman Reus via Google
The best beaches in the Maldives
Ranking
The best beaches in the Maldives
Photo: Beach Hotel Dhigurah via Google
The best beaches in the Mediterranean
Ranking
The best beaches in the Mediterranean
Photo: Beach of Lagoon via Google
The best beaches in the Philippines
Ranking
The best beaches in the Philippines
Photo: Eva Meglič via Google
The best beaches in the South Pacific, ranked
Ranking
The best beaches in the South Pacific, ranked
Photo: aj via Google
The best beaches in the UAE
Ranking
The best beaches in the UAE
Photo: Saadiyat Beach Club, Luxury Beach Club in Abu Dhabi via Google
The best beaches in Turkey
Ranking
The best beaches in Turkey
Photo: Burak Aktaş via Google
The best beaches in Vietnam, ranked
Ranking
The best beaches in Vietnam, ranked
Photo: Quang Lưu Ngọc via Google
The best beaches near Athens, ranked
Ranking
The best beaches near Athens, ranked
Photo: Kate Mikhelson via Google
The best beaches near Barcelona, ranked
Ranking
The best beaches near Barcelona, ranked
Photo: Fabio Henrique via Google
The best beaches near Lisbon, ranked
Ranking
The best beaches near Lisbon, ranked
Photo: Carlos Alberto do Amaral via Google
The best beaches near major airports
Ranking
The best beaches near major airports
Photo: gabriella via Google
The best beaches with beach clubs in the world
Ranking
The best beaches with beach clubs in the world
Photo: riccardo raffaghello via Google
The best beaches without crowds in summer
Ranking
The best beaches without crowds in summer
Photo: Carlos Alberto do Amaral via Google
The best beaches you can reach without a car
Ranking
The best beaches you can reach without a car
Photo: Aaron L via Google
The best black sand beaches in the world
Ranking
The best black sand beaches in the world
Photo: Mike Monroe via Google
The best Blue Flag beaches in Europe, ranked
Ranking
The best Blue Flag beaches in Europe, ranked
Photo: Carlos Alberto do Amaral via Google
The best calm water beaches in the world
Ranking
The best calm water beaches in the world
Photo: Andy Sabapathee via Google
The best Caribbean beaches for first time visitors
Ranking
The best Caribbean beaches for first time visitors
Photo: Carlos Alberto do Amaral via Google
The best city beaches in the world
Ranking
The best city beaches in the world
Photo: Amine Benfatta via Google
The best family beaches in the world
Ranking
The best family beaches in the world
Photo: Carlos Alberto do Amaral via Google
The best five star beach destinations
Ranking
The best five star beach destinations
Photo: Villa Nautica, Maldives via Google
The best hidden beaches in Europe
Ranking
The best hidden beaches in Europe
Photo: Carlos Alberto do Amaral via Google
The best island beaches in the world
Ranking
The best island beaches in the world
Photo: Marina Manukyan via Google
The best long haul beach destinations from Europe
Ranking
The best long haul beach destinations from Europe
Photo: Villa Park, Maldives via Google
The best new beach clubs of 2026
Ranking
The best new beach clubs of 2026
Photo: J1 Beach via Google
The best overwater bungalows in the world
Ranking
The best overwater bungalows in the world
Photo: Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora via Google
The best party beaches in the world
Ranking
The best party beaches in the world
Photo: allanporai via Google
The best pink sand beaches in the world
Ranking
The best pink sand beaches in the world
Photo: Randolfo Santos · via Google
The best private island resorts, ranked
Ranking
The best private island resorts, ranked
Photo: Ayada Maldives via Google
The best secluded beaches in the world
Ranking
The best secluded beaches in the world
Photo: Carlos Alberto do Amaral · via Google
The best short haul beach escapes from the Gulf
Ranking
The best short haul beach escapes from the Gulf
Photo: Villa Park, Maldives via Google
The best surf beaches for beginners
Ranking
The best surf beaches for beginners
Photo: Kahu Surfing School, Best Surfing School and Water Sports in Waikiki Beach, Oahu, Honolulu, Hawaii via Google
The best surf beaches in the world
Ranking
The best surf beaches in the world
Photo: Rick Jones via Google
The best swim up and overwater experiences
Ranking
The best swim up and overwater experiences
Photo: Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives via Google
The Best Turquoise Water Beaches in the World
Ranking
The Best Turquoise Water Beaches in the World
Photo: Carlos Alberto do Amaral via Google
The best white sand beaches in the world
Ranking
The best white sand beaches in the world
Photo: Carlos Alberto do Amaral via Google
The most photogenic beaches in the world
Ranking
The most photogenic beaches in the world
Photo: Marina Manukyan via Google
The most romantic beaches in the world
Ranking
The most romantic beaches in the world
Photo: Marina Manukyan via Google
The quietest months at the world's most famous beaches
Ranking
The quietest months at the world's most famous beaches
Photo: Marina Manukyan via Google
The warmest seas in Europe by month
Ranking
The warmest seas in Europe by month
Photo: Evgenij via Google

Head to head

49 guides
Algarve vs Costa del Sol
Head to head
Algarve vs Costa del Sol
Photos: Simon Osborn (Algarve) and Laura Galvin (Costa del Sol) via Google
Amalfi Coast vs French Riviera
Head to head
Amalfi Coast vs French Riviera
Photo: Phillip Welty via Google
Antigua vs St Lucia
Head to head
Antigua vs St Lucia
Photo: Alex Karakcheyev via Google
Aruba vs Curacao
Head to head
Aruba vs Curacao
Photos: Javier Gasa (Aruba) and Yandry Gutierrez (Curacao) via Google
Bahamas vs Turks and Caicos
Head to head
Bahamas vs Turks and Caicos
Photos: Sedrick Longpre perreault (Bahamas) and Carlos Alberto do Amaral (Turks and Caicos) via Google
Buzios vs Punta del Este
Head to head
Buzios vs Punta del Este
Photo: Marcela Mancini via Google
Capri vs Amalfi Coast
Head to head
Capri vs Amalfi Coast
Photos: Josep Montanya Puig (Capri) and Oriol De Batlle (Amalfi Coast) via Google
Cartagena vs Tulum
Head to head
Cartagena vs Tulum
Photos: Oscar Palomo (Cartagena) and S. Lankowski (Tulum) via Google
Comporta vs Algarve
Head to head
Comporta vs Algarve
Photos: ACC003 (Comporta) and Simon Osborn (Algarve) via Google
Corfu vs Kefalonia
Head to head
Corfu vs Kefalonia
Photos: Dominik Heblich (Corfu) and Laze Tasevski (Kefalonia) via Google
Crete vs Santorini
Head to head
Crete vs Santorini
Photos: Raquel Gomez (Crete) and Lewis Hully (Santorini) via Google
Diani Beach vs Zanzibar
Head to head
Diani Beach vs Zanzibar
Photo: Torsten DAMS via Google
Dubai vs Abu Dhabi
Head to head
Dubai vs Abu Dhabi
Photos: Bakri Aborass (Dubai) and Alper Ekmekci (Abu Dhabi) via Google
Fiji vs Bora Bora
Head to head
Fiji vs Bora Bora
Photos: Giant Tiger (Fiji) and aj (Bora Bora) via Google
Florianopolis vs Rio de Janeiro
Head to head
Florianopolis vs Rio de Janeiro
Photos: Joaquín Gutiérrez (Florianopolis) and Amine Benfatta (Rio de Janeiro) via Google
Gili Islands vs Nusa Penida
Head to head
Gili Islands vs Nusa Penida
Photos: sharil Mustafa (Gili Islands) and Stephen Stewart (Nusa Penida) via Google
Goa vs Sri Lanka South Coast
Head to head
Goa vs Sri Lanka South Coast
Photo: Anish Gaonkar via Google
Gran Canaria vs Tenerife
Head to head
Gran Canaria vs Tenerife
Photo: ana gil ripoll via Google
Grenada vs St Lucia
Head to head
Grenada vs St Lucia
Photos: Emma Wentworth Winchester (Grenada) and Harm van den Hoven (St Lucia) via Google
Hua Hin vs Koh Samui
Head to head
Hua Hin vs Koh Samui
Photos: LANG VONGPHACHANH (Hua Hin) and Pari PiN (Koh Samui) via Google
Ibiza vs Mykonos
Head to head
Ibiza vs Mykonos
Photos: Valentina Andolfo (Ibiza) and Badis SDIRI (Mykonos) via Google
Jamaica vs Barbados
Head to head
Jamaica vs Barbados
Photos: Randolfo Santos (Jamaica) and Lorenzo Pepe (Barbados) via Google
Kauai vs Maui
Head to head
Kauai vs Maui
Photo: carlos camps via Google
Koh Lanta vs Krabi
Head to head
Koh Lanta vs Krabi
Photo: Mr Binaire via Google
Koh Tao vs Koh Phangan
Head to head
Koh Tao vs Koh Phangan
Photos: Bino (Koh Tao) and Wonderland Center (Koh Phangan) via Google
Krabi vs Phuket
Head to head
Krabi vs Phuket
Photos: Mr Binaire (Krabi) and Jacek Lesniowski (Phuket) via Google
Lanzarote vs Fuerteventura
Head to head
Lanzarote vs Fuerteventura
Photos: Arun Rampure (Lanzarote) and Kye Boughton (Fuerteventura) via Google
Los Cabos vs Puerto Vallarta
Head to head
Los Cabos vs Puerto Vallarta
Photo: Robin Mehera via Google
Madeira vs Tenerife
Head to head
Madeira vs Tenerife
Photos: Flo Clbl (Madeira) and P C (Tenerife) via Google
Maldives vs Bora Bora
Head to head
Maldives vs Bora Bora
Photos: White Sand Dhigurah Guest House (Maldives) and aj (Bora Bora) via Google
Mallorca vs Ibiza
Head to head
Mallorca vs Ibiza
Photo: Fabio Ferraz via Google
Maui vs Oahu
Head to head
Maui vs Oahu
Photo: Número equivocado via Google
Menorca vs Mallorca
Head to head
Menorca vs Mallorca
Photos: Thomas Nussbaumer (Menorca) and Fabio Ferraz (Mallorca) via Google
Milos vs Santorini
Head to head
Milos vs Santorini
Photos: Έλλη Αηδονίδου (Milos) and Lewis Hully (Santorini) via Google
Nha Trang vs Phu Quoc
Head to head
Nha Trang vs Phu Quoc
Photos: Gaurav Agrawal (Nha Trang) and Quang Luu Ngoc (Phu Quoc) via Google
Noosa vs Byron Bay
Head to head
Noosa vs Byron Bay
Photos: Zhivan Wasinski (Noosa) and Ben Brownlee (Byron Bay) via Google
Paros vs Naxos
Head to head
Paros vs Naxos
Photos: Georgios Meintanis (Paros) and Rosario Barrella (Naxos) via Google
Phuket vs Bali
Head to head
Phuket vs Bali
Photos: Jacek Lesniowski (Phuket) and Zulkifli Zul (Bali) via Google
Phuket vs Koh Samui
Head to head
Phuket vs Koh Samui
Photo: Jacek Lesniowski via Google
Reunion vs Mauritius
Head to head
Reunion vs Mauritius
Photos: Cyrille Jannin (Sir Hill21) (Reunion) and ABDEL KHAN (Mauritius) via Google
Rhodes vs Crete
Head to head
Rhodes vs Crete
Photo: Oksanderus via Google
Riviera Maya vs Tulum
Head to head
Riviera Maya vs Tulum
Photos: Secrets Maroma Beach Riviera Cancun (Riviera Maya) and S. Lankowski (Tulum) via Google
Salalah vs Muscat
Head to head
Salalah vs Muscat
Photos: Linda Milosavljević (Salalah) and Marco Brunetto (Muscat) via Google
Santorini vs Mykonos
Head to head
Santorini vs Mykonos
Photos: Lewis Hully (Santorini) and Badis SDIRI (Mykonos) via Google
Santorini vs Naxos
Head to head
Santorini vs Naxos
Photo: Aaron L via Google
Sardinia vs Sicily
Head to head
Sardinia vs Sicily
Photo: Konrad Galczynski via Google
Seychelles vs Mauritius
Head to head
Seychelles vs Mauritius
Photos: Marina Manukyan (Seychelles) and ABDEL KHAN (Mauritius) via Google
St Lucia vs Barbados
Head to head
St Lucia vs Barbados
Photos: Harm van den Hoven (St Lucia) and Lorenzo Pepe (Barbados) via Google
Zanzibar vs Maldives
Head to head
Zanzibar vs Maldives
Photo: Mihai Tache via Google

When to go

12 guides
Where to beach in January
When to go
Where to beach in January
Photo: Villa Park, Maldives via Google
Where to beach in February
When to go
Where to beach in February
Photo: Anton Kramer via Google
Where to beach in March
When to go
Where to beach in March
Photo: Ivan Fiala via Google
Where to beach in April
When to go
Where to beach in April
Photo: Ocean Coral & Turquesa via Google
Where to beach in May
When to go
Where to beach in May
Photo: Konrad Gałczyński via Google
Where to beach in June
When to go
Where to beach in June
Photo: Annamaria Dorigatti via Google
Where to beach in July
When to go
Where to beach in July
Photo: riccardo raffaghello via Google
Where to beach in August
When to go
Where to beach in August
Photo: ovidiu chef via Google
Where to beach in September
When to go
Where to beach in September
Photo: Davide Malinverno via Google
Where to beach in October
When to go
Where to beach in October
Photo: Bianca Schmitt via Google
Where to beach in November
When to go
Where to beach in November
Photo: Villa Park, Maldives via Google
Where to beach in December
When to go
Where to beach in December
Photo: Anton Kramer via Google
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