Visiting this Spanish archipelago is like winning the lottery
A short ferry ride from Vigo (daily and overnight visitor numbers are capped) took us to the tiny archipelago of the Cíes Islands, a protected cluster of islands where seabirds rule and tiny beaches remain unspoilt. There are no cars on the island and only a few small restaurants dotted about. There is one campsite, with little else but the waves of the Atlantic to lull you to sleep. I felt as if I had won the lottery when we visited and knew this would be an experience not easily matched. Helen E
Ischia in Italy is best by bus
Ischia, in the Bay of Naples. Photograph: Alxpin/Getty Images
Italy has brilliant public transport. We found it so easy to use the ferries and buses during our visit to Ischia in the Bay of Naples. The simple circular routes on the island mean there is almost zero chance of getting lost. You can buy a day ticket for a few euros, hopping on and off at your leisure until quite late in the evening. Much more fun to experience the lovely island like the locals and cheaper than a taxi. Jane
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A serene corner of Elba
‘Heaven’ … Cavo on Elba, in Italy. Photograph: Image Professionals/Alamy
Tiny Cavo on the island of Elba is my idea of heaven. Some of the hydrofoils from Piombino on the mainland stop there; some continue round to the busier Portoferraio with its mega yachts and bustle. Cavo is much quieter, more serene, and the iron-rich landscape means that the sea glitters with tiny flecks of iron as you swim underwater. A few hotels, a beach, prawns the size of your head, a jazz festival in the summer: what’s not to like? Porto Azzurro is more glamorous, but the quiet of Cavo is what I want. Angharad
An overlooked Greek island
The Temple of Aphaea at Aegina, in Greece. Photograph: Panagiotis Karapanagiotis/Alamy
I recently revisited Aegina, off Athens, which was my childhood holiday spot for many years. It’s more than just “a small island near Piraeus”; it was once, very briefly, the capital of Greece and still has impressive ancient temples from a time when it stood strong among larger Greek city states. The town has changed, but it was great to see once again the port with its colourful mansions, market, and the mix of boats bobbing in the water. Returning felt like a trip down memory lane, and I’m grateful that Aegina remains charming and slightly off the usual tourist path. Michael Castelli-Coats
For a nostalgic escape, head to Rügen, Germany’s Baltic jewel and largest island. Famed for its white chalk cliffs, the island’s soul lies in its fine sands and unspoilt towns. In Binz and Sellin, ornate belle époque villas line the promenade, feeling wonderfully frozen in time. We took the Rasender Roland steam train from Putbus to Göhren, stopping at charming seaside resorts along the way. Whether soaking up the architecture or lounging in a wicker strandkorb (beach basket), Rügen is a masterclass in coastal serenity. We stayed at Hotel Am Meer & Spa (€165 B&B) and enjoyed its panoramic views. Daniela
The UK’s ultimate north
A puffin in Hermaness national nature reserve, on Unst, in the Shetland Islands. Photograph: FLPA/Alamy
Unst, the UK’s most northerly inhabited island, is reached via two small ferries through Shetland. The journey is part of the pleasure. Rolling, heather-covered hills greet you. Hermaness national nature reserve is a highlight, with boardwalks to dramatic cliffs and the UK’s northernmost point. May to August offers the best chance of good weather and puffins, though neither is guaranteed. Nor were the otters that we glimpsed. Richard Waters
Kayaking around Vis, Croatia
‘You can kayak round the island in a week’ … Stiniva Beach on Vis. Photograph: Mauritius Images/Alamy
The cliffs on the north side of the Croatian island of Vis rise straight up from the sea, a crumpled mass of limestone. You can kayak round the island in a week – if the weather gods are kind – but it’s the desolate north coast that makes the greatest impression. Eleonora’s falcons nest there and screech as you paddle past. At one point along the shore, a blowhole erupts in a burst of spray with each wave. Small bays with sandy beaches let you take a break from kayaking, but you won’t see another person until you reach Vis port, tired but deeply satisfied. Andrew Cassely
A timeless slice of village life in Sicily
‘Sicily slowed to a human pace’ … The hilltop Novara di Sicilia. Photograph: Danita Delimont/Alamy
Perched high in the Nebrodi mountains, Old Noar Villa in Novara di Sicilia offers a rare kind of island escape: Sicily slowed to a human pace. Fruit trees, grapevines and walnut trees surround the house, scented by mountain air and deep quiet. Ancient churches and a beautifully preserved 200-year-old theatre anchor village life, alongside the butcher, baker and biscotti maker, cafes and softly buzzing bars. The sea is never far – the almost Grecian Aeolian Islands are just a hop away. Neil Masey
Cycle to huge beaches off the Netherlands
‘One of the largest beaches in Europe’ … at Schiermonnikoog. Photograph: Westend61/Alamy
Schiermonnikoog is well off the beaten track in the north of the Netherlands. Only permanent residents are allowed to drive; everyone else cycles or walks. It has one of the largest beaches in Europe, where you can go seal spotting or birding. It’s brilliant for kids because there’s hardly any traffic – they can safely roam around by themselves. Sabine
Winning tip: We glimpsed our future on a Scottish island
Stags at Lochranza, on Arran. Photograph: John Rae/Alamy
Arran is stunning and diverse. We went just after finding out my partner was pregnant, so it holds a special place in our hearts. In Lochranza, we stepped off the bus and immediately saw a herd of deer and seals on the beach. We walked the rugged coast to Hutton’s Unconformity, where it was realised the Earth is millions not thousands of years old, and imagined our future. In the cosy community pub, a friendly barman shared his whisky knowledge. We returned for our first family holiday. We took a slower pace, pottering along the seafront and castle gardens in Brodick. Auchrannie spa pool was perfect for our baby’s first swim. We’ll go back again when he’s old enough to enjoy more of an adventure on Arran. Nic
YouTuber Wendall flew to the Isles of Scilly off Cornwall and found stunning golden sandy beaches that he compared to the Caribbean, with experts also praising the remote islands as a UK paradise
YouTuber Wendall went to the Isles of Scilly(Image: YouTube/@WendallExplores)
A traveller who journeyed to some of England’s most isolated islands has insisted certain beaches rival those found in the Caribbean.
YouTuber Wendall, who shares content on the video platform through his eponymous channel, travelled to the Isles of Scilly. The Isles of Scilly comprise five inhabited islands including St Mary’s, Tresco, St Martin’s, Bryher, and St Agnes.
The Isles of Scilly are a compact archipelago situated just off the Cornish coast and have been recognised for generations as a location of significant interest and cultural value to the United Kingdom, reports the Express.
Whilst touring the region by boat, Wendall questioned the vessel’s operator about the standard of the beaches. He observed: “I’ve heard St Martin’s has got the nicest beaches.”
The boat operator responded: “It does have nice, golden, sandy beaches, yes. Nice golden sandy beaches.”
Wendall then remarked: “Caribbean-esque.”
Wendall isn’t alone in highlighting the Isles of Scilly’s beaches, with those at Tresco’s Pentle Bay also garnering considerable acclaim.
Specialists from GO Outdoors recently named Pentle Bay among the finest beaches to explore this spring, thanks to temperatures hovering around 10C and approximately 7.2 hours of daily sunshine.
This reputation is echoed in numerous Google Reviews. One visitor described it as “one of the most beautiful beaches I’ve ever seen,” while another called it a “mini paradise” and a “private gem.”
Discussing the subject, Calum Jones, author at GO Outdoors, commented: “As the days get longer and the weather warms up, spring is the perfect time to explore the stunning coastlines across the UK. From Druridge Bay Beach in the North East to Immeridge Bay in the South West, there are breathtaking beaches to discover all around the country.”
Beaches in this region are not the only ones to attract attention; Cornwall’s shores have also earned widespread acclaim, including Kynance Cove.
Located just a short drive from Falmouth, Kynance Cove has drawn comparisons to beaches on the opposite side of the globe in New South Wales, Australia.
Research conducted by Parkdean Resorts found that Kynance Cove boasts the whitest sand in the UK.
They stated: “Topping the list as the UK’s whitest beach is Kynance Cove in Cornwall. This Cornish cove boasts powder-soft sands made primarily of quartz, giving the beach its bright, white appearance. This breathtaking spot gives even Australia’s iconic coastline a run for its money.”
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This is the best beach for spring(Image: Patricia Hamilton via Getty Images)
As temperatures begin to climb, thoughts naturally turn towards seaside escapes. There’s nothing quite like the sound of crashing waves and the sensation of sand between your toes – but with countless stunning locations dotted around the UK, how do you decide where to visit?
For an ideal spring beach getaway, you’ll want maximum sunshine, pleasant temperatures and minimal rainfall – and that’s precisely where the specialists at Go Outdoors come in. They’ve put together a ranking of Britain’s finest beaches based on average spring temperatures, precipitation levels, hours of sunshine and Googlereviews to identify the absolute cream of the crop.
Every beach featured received a rating out of 10 according to its weather conditions, rainfall and visitor feedback.
Taking the top spot is Cuckmere Haven with an impressive score of 9.60. This breathtaking beach sits in East Sussex and boasts a remarkable 7.8 hours of daily spring sunshine alongside just 52mm of monthly rainfall.
Those visiting the beach can first take in spectacular views of the Seven Sisters — England’s famous white cliffs overlooking the channel — before embarking on a picturesque stroll along the Cuckmere River as it winds its way towards the coast. Hear the cries of seagulls circling above, and feel the fresh sea breeze against your skin, reports the Express.
Claiming second position is Southwold Beach with a rating of 8.68 out of 10. This expanse of sand extends from the River Blyth’s mouth, passing Southwold Pier which offers plenty to discover.
There are arcade games and numerous cafés and restaurants where you can pop in for refreshments or a bite to eat. Securing the third spot, and boasting the highest Google review rating amongst all the beaches, is Druridge Bay Beach.
Google reviews rate this beach at a stellar 4.9 out of five, and the Go Outdoors research awarded it an impressive overall score of 8.53 out of 10.
The beach itself extends for seven miles, and the adjacent woodlands are teeming with wildlife such as roe deer and red squirrels.
La Mangais a 13 mile long strip of sand which is known for its shallow, popular swimming waters and its salt water lagoon.
Visitors have compared it to looking like Florida‘s West Palm Beach and even Miami.
Rooms at the AluaSun Doblemar hotel on La Manga cost as little as £46 per night.
It’s the biggest resort and sits on the beachfront – it daily activities to keep guests entertained, outdoor pools, all-inclusive dining, and a kids’ club.
Another spot holidaymakers might want to consider is Cartagena.
It’s the second largest city in the Region of Murcia and is well-known for its 2,000-year-old Roman theater.
It also has a busy port, seafood restaurants, and Calle Mayor is the busy shopping street with independent shops and boutiques.
There are plenty of beaches too like Playa de Calblanque tucked away in a National Park south of La Manga and the Blue Flag Playa de Calnegre.
La Manga is on the Costa Calida coastline and has been compared to looking like FloridaCredit: Alamy
She said: “There are also places around it like Cartagena which, when I started on the show, wasn’t a desirable place, but now it comes up more and more.
“In the Murcia region and Almería, you could get a two-bedroom apartment with a pool in a complex for £100-£120k, and that’s good in this day and age.
“We still have people that can make £80k stretch in the south of Spain, so Murcia is a place to buy in before it gets too expensive.”
To get to the Costa Calida is simple too because Brits can fly into Murcia Airport and head south.
One-way flights from Bournemouth to Murcia start from just £15 with Ryanair in April.
Chris Webber, Head of Holidays and Deals at TravelSupermarket said: “Spain remains one of the most reliable destinations for British holidaymakers seeking value, and with budgets still under pressure, it pays to be a little flexible about where you go.
“Costa Calida in particular stands out – it consistently delivers on beaches, weather and facilities, but tends to fly under the radar compared to the likes of Costa del Sol or Costa Blanca, and that’s reflected in the price.”
WARMER weather is on the horizon, so why wait until summer to visit your favourite holiday hot spots?
Spain is still top of Brits’ holiday lists and the coming months are a great time to visit this beautiful country, with mild temperatures just right for exploring when it’s not too crowded.
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If you’re a foodie, San Sebastian won’t disappointCredit: Getty
Sophie Swietochowski shares her pick of springtime destinations in Spain and its islands with tips from experts who know the area.
THIS northern port city may not attract as many fly-and-flop holidaymakers as the southern costas, but its coastlines are no less beautiful.
Temperatures can reach the low 20Cs during spring in Bilbao, so Sara Di Lenardo, Destination Manager at British Airways Holidays, recommends hitting the shores.
Bilbao may not attract as many fly-and-flop holidaymakers as the southern costas, but its coastlines are no less beautifulCredit: Getty
She says: “There are several wild beaches in the Basque Country. The rocky shores are dramatic and incredibly photogenic.
“Walk along stunning coastal paths with the Pyrenees as the backdrop — they might possibly still have snowy peaks in spring.”
The month of May is a great time to visit for music fans, thanks to several big concerts and events.
Sara advises to keep your eyes peeled for the Trikitixa, a traditional basque instrument that’s a bit like an accordion.
STAY: Two nights’ room-only at the 5H Melia Bilbao is from £349pp including flights from Gatwick on selected dates in May. Price includes 10 per cent discount. Book by March 31.
THE White Isle only starts awakening for its big party season in spring, after a slow winter hibernation — and for travel expert David Mason, this is one of the best times to visit the party isle.
He reveals: “You have all the optimism of a new season commencing, cheap accommodation and flights, plus lots of local food festivals.”
Ibiza only starts awakening for its big party season in spring, after a slow winter hibernationCredit: Getty
Throughout this month, up until early April, you’ll be able to experience the Pintxa Run food festival in San Antonio, close to the ocean, David says.
Every Thursday throughout the month, dozens of small bars and restaurants dish up tapas and a drink for just three euros with everything from steakhouses to pizzerias participating.
David adds: “The festival includes a free novelty train that takes you from stop to stop — perfect if you’ve had a few too many cervezas on the route.”
STAY: Seven nights’ all-inclusive at the 4H Invisa Figueral Resort Hotel Cala Blanca is from £562pp including flights from Manchester on April 7.
Sara di Lenardo says this is the top place to sample pintxos in the traditional way (small bites served on a mini slice of bread).
Wash it down with a local beverage for a truly authentic experience.
Sara adds: “Spring is cider season. Try the local drink txakoli — it can be found in most bars in town, but if you have time, make sure to visit Getaria where it’s produced.”
For those seeking seaside relaxation, Sara recommends La Concha, a horseshoe-shaped beach right in the city, offering gorgeous views of the blue Med.
STAY: Seven nights’ B&B at the 4H Bancal Hotel & Spa is from £599pp including flights from Gatwick on selected dates in May. Book by March 31.
THIS vibrant student city, which sits a little south of Alicante, is fascinating for history lovers, with its 14th-century cathedral taking pride of place in the city centre.
Tom Wilkinson, product manager at Explore Worldwide, says: “This lesser-known southern gem enjoys 320 days of sunshine each year, with mild winters and a semi-arid climate.”
Murcia sits a little south of Alicante and is fascinating for history lovers, with its 14th-century cathedral taking pride of place in the city centreCredit: Getty
The sights are best explored on two wheels, says Tom — on a cycle tour you’ll pass through white-washed villages and historic Moorish towns, pausing to watch the sun set.
Fruit and veg are at the forefront of cuisine here and you can expect rich stews as well as freshly baked cakes.
Try Keki, not far from the cathedral, which serves up a Murcian cheesecake to die for.
STAY: A seven-day Cycle Southern Spain tour costs from £970pp including six breakfasts, all accommodation, cycle gear and flights from selected airports on May 10.
HOLIDAYMAKERS jetting off to Menorca in spring can expect rugged landscapes backed by chalky white cliffs and sandy bays overlooking vibrant blue seas.
“The beaches are some of the most beautiful in the world, offering Caribbean-style scenes without the time difference,” says Kate Bigger, destination manager at British Airways Holidays.
Expect rugged landscapes backed by chalky white cliffs and sandy bays overlooking vibrant blue seas on MenorcaCredit: Getty
She suggests strolling the impressive Cami de Cavalls, adding: “This is a walk that goes through the length of the island, with spring being the perfect time to do this.”
Vineyards are scattered across the island and many of them invite visitors to meander among the vines, sampling wines as part of a tasting lunch or dinner.
STAY: Seven nights’ B&B at the 5H Melia Cala Galdana is from £1,099pp (includes €28pp tourism tax, payable locally) including flights from Gatwick on selected dates in May. Book by March 31.
WITH a mile-long golden beach and an annual film festival bringing in A-list movie stars – you might think this spot was on the French Riviera.
But actually, this destination is miles away on the northern coast of France – and it’s a place called Deauville.
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The seaside town of Deauville in Normandy has a sandy beach over a mile longCredit: AlamyIt’s been visited by lots of A-listers thanks to its American film festivalCredit: Alamy
The seaside town is a classic Norman resort with a huge beach, seaside casino and pulls in celebrity visitors every year.
Most of the famous faces will visit during September when it hosts the American Film Festival.
And even when they leave, a piece of them remains as their names are adorned on beach huts called Les Planches – which have become an attraction in themselves.
This year, it will be held between September 4-16.
The town is also known for fashion as designer Coco Chanel opened up her very first boutique there in 1913.
The shop closed in 1939 after the outbreak of World War II but you can still see where it once was at 13 Rue Lucien Barrière.
Another pull to the seaside town is to see its horse racing events.
Deauville has a long history of horse breeding and racing, as it’s home to the Deauville-La Touques Racecourse.
The race track is extremely famous and is considered a world-class venue for horse racing, especially in the summer.
The biggest event which is a held throughout August is the Barrière Deauville Meeting which has Group 1 races.
On the beachfront is the town’s huge Casino Barrière Deauville which has 300 slot machines as well as classic roulette and blackjack tables.
Inside, there’s also a cinema, theatre and a night club.
Deauville is known for its horse racing – and you might see some on the beachCredit: AlamyVilla Strassburger is a beautiful Norman home that’s open to the public for guided toursCredit: Alamy
When the sun shines, a must-do in Deauville is to head to the beach.
Plage de Deauville is around 1.2miles long and is scattered with around 450 multicoloured umbrellas.
While they might look like you’re classic beach parasol, you won’t find these anywhere else as they are actually made in Deauville workshops.
It’s a popular spot amongst tourists and locals with some calling it ‘one of the best beaches in France‘, another called it ‘sensational’.
The beach is also open to horse riders before 10am in the morning and after 7pm in the evening.
There are also 22 beach-front shops and bars, a seawater Olympic swimmingpool, riding school and tennis club all within walking distance.
Dotted around Deauville are the tall Norman villas with half-timbered frames and pitched roofs.
And Villa Strassburger is one of the most beautiful properties in the town and was designed by local Caen architect, Georges Pichereau.
It was built for horse racing enthusiast Baron Henri de Rothschild in 1907, later on in 1975, it was declared a national historic monument.
You can go inside the house in the summer months, but only as part of a guided tour.
You can get to Deauville on the train if you take the Eurostar to Paris – tickets start from £39.
Then take a direct train from Paris Saint Lazare (10 minutes by Metro from Gare du Nord) to Trouville-Deauville which station takes just over two hours.
This particular area is famous for its crepes, so we made it our mission to sample as many as possible — with chocolate, ice cream and seafood.
“The humble lemon-and-sugar will no longer get a look-in at my house on Shrove Tuesday. Given its Channel-front location, the town is also very big on moules — we even spotted a pizza piled high with them.
“Keen to assimilate with the locals, or possibly just excited about using shells as cutlery, even my son tucked into a bowl at one of the town’s best restaurants, Le Central, opposite the fish market.
“I’m also keen to live like a local, so sampled as much of the local wine and Calvados brandy as possible, for shockingly low prices.”
The beach even hosts a number of events such as Ibiza Club Classics, as well as Sundowner Sessions.
One person even said on Tripadvisor: “It’s like your own mini Ibiza in Cornwall.”
Swap Italy for Portmeirion, Wales
The village of Portmeirion in Wales doesn’t just look like Italy by chance – but was entirely designed that way.
Designed by Sir Clough Williams-Ellis between 1925 and 1975, inspired by Italy as he once said: “How should I not have fallen for Portofino?”
The multicoloured houses certainly resemble the famous Cinque Terre.
It might be a stretch to call it a seaside… but sits on the Dwyryd Estuary, which has its own tidal beaches.
Portmeirion Village is not in Italy, but in fact in WalesCredit: AlamyVillages of Cinque Terre were said to be the inspirationCredit: Alamy
Swap Thailand for Isle of Harris, Scotland
The Scottish isles are often compared to destinations very far away, such as the Carribean.
Yet some of the sandbanks on the Isle of Harris could be something from Thailand.
Luskentyre Beach is a dead ringer for the beach of Nang Yuan island.
The weather, however, might not be as warm so this is definitely a beach to visit in the summer…
Luskentyre Beach on the Isle of Harris is often compared to the CaribbeanCredit: AlamyYet it could also be compared to the beaches of Thailand, such as Nang Yuan islandCredit: Alamy
Swap France for Durdle Door, Dorset
The famous arch of Durdle Door might soon be one of the few in the world, after Italy’s Lover’s Arch collapsed earlier this year.
Thankfully, one in France remains and looks just like the Dorset beach.
Etretat Beach on the north coast of France is famous for the Porte d’Aval arch.
If you did want to see it, you can get there without hopping on a flight – ferries travel from the UK to Le Havre which is just over half an hour by car
Durdle Door in Dorset is famous for its archCredit: AlamyEtretat Beach in France has its own Porte d’Aval ArchCredit: Alamy
Swap America for Camber Sands, Sussex
Camber Sands is often called the Hamptons of the UK, and even the beaches are alike.
The American comparison to the Essex seaside comes mainly from the The Gallivant hotel, built in the shaker style and also with a “Hamptons air”.
However, the dune-backed beaches of Camber Sands are a spitting image of the ones in Montauk, a hamlet in East Hampton.
Two Spanish islands have closed beaches due to the presence of ‘faecal contamination’ and both are in hotspots that are expecting large numbers of Brits for the Easter break
13:03, 25 Feb 2026Updated 13:04, 25 Feb 2026
Playa Blanca’s town beach – also known as the ‘small beach’ is shut(Image: Getty Images)
Two popular beaches on Spanish islands have been closed off due to an unpleasant, stomach-churning water issue.
Due to the presence of ‘faecal contamination’ just weeks ahead of the peak Easter season, two sandy stretches that’ll see huge numbers of visiting Brits in the coming weeks have been shut down.
The first beach to close to the public is in Playa Blanca, Lanzarote, a popular spot in the spring thanks to its warm weather. An area known locally as the ‘small beach’ closed yesterday (March 24), with reports from local news outlet Canarian Weekly showing barriers in place preventing people from entering the sea.
Officials have said in a statement that the closure will last for 48 hours while laboratory results are analysed. Tests showed an elevated level of intestinal enterococci, a type of bacteria found in human and animal gastrointestinal tracts.
However, public health officials have said that nearby beaches, including Playa Dorada and Playa Flamingo, are still open. Local government organisation Ayuntamiento de Yaiza is expected to give updates soon.
On another popular tourist island, Majorca, a beach in Cala Millor, has been closed after a broken pump led to a sewage spill. According to Majorca Daily News, locals reported seeing large amounts of wastewater running from the promenade and into the waters of Platja Petita.
The incident was reported yesterday, with the spillage continuing into the night. While the situation is now described as ‘under control’, the beach will remain closed for two to three days.
Cala Millor is found on the east coast of Majorca, and this tourist resort is particularly popular with Brits thanks to its long sandy Blue Flag beaches and large number of bars and nightclubs.
It’s not the first time the Balearic Islands’ beaches have faced closure due to contamination. Earlier this year it was revealed that incidents of ‘faecal contamination’ had doubled in 2025, with 92 cases recorded in 2025 alone.
Of the 92 incidents, 20 resulted in bans on swimming and bathing, while the other 72 led to advisories that warned visitors not to enter the water.
While a recent report by the Marilles Foundation showed that, overall, 70% of the Balearics’ beaches received an excellent rating for water quality, the figures varied between islands. In the little-visited island of Formentera, 100% of its beaches were rated as excellent, and in Menorca, the figure was 80%. In Ibiza, 63% were excellent, while 32% had a good rating and 5% were sufficient. According to the report, all the areas of insufficient water quality were in Majorca, highlighting Albercuix in Pollensa and Cala Egos in Santanyí as two particular areas of concern.
The foundation, who raise awareness of marine conservation, has recommended tighter monitoring of the number of beachgoers and boats. At the moment, only Menorca keeps track of numbers, although plans over the next three years are to implement a new project using sensors to monitor numbers at 150 beaches, which is set to cost the islands €4 million (about £3.5 million).
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BRITAIN’S answer to the Mediterranean with sandy beaches and palm-tree-lined promenades, won’t have a single Blue Flag beach this year.
Devon‘s English Riviera, formed of three towns – Paignton, Brixham and Torquay – will lose all of its Blue Flag beaches this year after the local council agreed to scrap the scheme.
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The English Riviera’s top beaches will lose their Blue Flag awardsCredit: Getty
At a recent meeting, Torbay Council agreed to leave the internationally recognised scheme which awards high-quality beaches.
While the English Riviera stretches across the South Devon coast, every single one of its awarded beaches sits under Torbay Council’s control.
There are six beaches in total with the award including Broadsands Beach in Paignton; Oddicombe Beach in Torquay; Preston Beach in Paignton; Torre Abbey Sands in Torquay; Breakwater Beach in Brixham and Meadfoot Beach in Torquay.
One beach – Oddicombe in Torquay – has even held a Blue Flag status since the scheme launched 38 years ago.
The council has said that the decision has been made as local leaders believe the scheme wasn’t meeting the bay’s needs anymore and that it had become too expensive, reports theBBC.
The scheme has recently updated its criteria to include a requirement for designated zones for swimmers, surfers, boarders and motor boats at each beach.
However, for smaller coves, Torbay Council believes this is unpractical.
Councillor Martin Brook said: “I think the Blue Flag lot have shot themselves in the foot.
“Places all over the country are going to pull out of the scheme.”
The council is now planning to introduce a new scheme that would be run locally called the English Riviera Beach Standards (ERBS) scheme.
ERBS will replace the Blue Flag scheme, managing all of Torbay’s 25 beaches and coves and it would cost £260,000 less to run.
It will also allow the council to test the water standards more frequently.
The beaches will be accessed against three categories.
The first is ‘excellence’, which celebrates the highest-quality beaches in the area – ones that consistently have a great visitor experience.
The second category is ‘quality’, which looks at what unique offerings each beach has.
The beaches include three in Torquay, two in Paignton and one in BrixhamCredit: Getty
And the third category is ‘natural’, which highlights unspoilt beaches in the region.
Each beach will be assessed every year under the new scheme.
According to the council, the scheme will also allow water to be monitored more often, there to be a stronger focus on environmental protection and sustainability, visitor experience to be improved, be better value for money and more accurately present Torbay’s coastline.
Councillor Adam Billings, Cabinet Member for Pride in Place and Parking, said: “Torbay’s coastline is central to our identity, and these new beach awards will highlight just how deeply we value and protect it.
“By creating a locally designed system, we can focus on what truly matters to our communities, our visitors and our environment.”
Under the new ratings current Blue Flag beaches Oddicombe, Meadfoot, Torre Abbey, Broadsands and Breakwater would all move into the ‘excellence’ category.
Then in the ‘quality’ category, Maidencombe, Anstey’s Cove, Goodrington North and Goodrington South beaches would feature.
And finally, Watcombe, Petitor, Babbacombe, Peaked Tor, Corbyn Head, Livermead, Fairy Cove, Oyster Cove, Saltern Cove, Armchair Cove, Elberry Cove, Churston, Fishcombe, St Mary’s Bay, Beacon Cove and Hollicombe beaches would be in the ‘natural’ category.
The local council is now planning to introduce their own schemeCredit: Alamy
The council added how Paignton and Preston Beaches will currently not be categorised due to a multi-million waterfront upgrade project taking place.
Locals are skeptical about the idea of a new scheme though, with one person commenting on social media: “Is the blue flag recognised across the globe?
“Why replace (your words) something that has been around for over 40 years. Unless you look to make cut backs on facilities.”
Another added: “Why have a local system that means nothing to our visitors…. Stick to the Blue Flag system that is known throughout the UK.”
The new scheme is set to come into force on March 2, with the former £11,000 Blue Flag budget being used to set up the scheme.
MAJORCA is no secret to Brits – it’s a great place for a holiday with its beautiful city, sandy beaches, nightlife and tasty food.
Now, the island has been named one of the ‘hottest destinations to visit in 2026’, and it’s not hard to see why it continues to be firmly on our radar.
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Majorca has been a top holiday-spot for Brits for years – and continues to be one in 2026Credit: AlamyI visited the island years ago to explore its city centre, PalmaCredit: Alice Penwill
The Independent named Majorca one of the ‘hottest’ places to visit this year – and travel company ASmallWorld namedMajorca as Spain’s newest ‘It’ island
CEO Zain Richardson said: “What makes Mallorca stand out from other Spanish islands is its sheer diversity.
“You get the bohemian charm of stone-built villages, the buzz of Palma’s restaurants and galleries, and an ever-changing coastline of quiet calas and long sandy beaches, without having to compromise on comfort or style.”
I visited the island’s capital, Palma, myself almost a decade ago now.
But I’m not surprised that it’s still up there with the most popular holiday destinations for Brits – almost 3.5million of us jet off there each year.
Palma has the perfect blend of city and beach with a busy Old Town full of winding streets with classic high street names and plenty of designer shops.
Passeig del Born, a street that’s also called the ‘Golden Mile’, has lots of luxury brands likeLouis Vuitton,Bvlgari and Hugo Boss.
I could only window shop, but there are still plenty of other inexpensive shops to be explored.
For sunglasses, check out Óptica Santa Maria Boutique which has some lovely, and reasonably priced frames – along with designer ones of course.
Giovanni L. Gelato Deluxe is another must – it’s Palma’s oldest ice cream parlour with around 80 flavours on offer.
You can easily spot it thanks to its bright red awning and gem embellished ice cream mural outside.
Choosing a flavour was a no-brainer as the brand has award-winning ice cream and was awarded the title for the “World’s Best Pistachio Ice Cream” twice.
I opted for a simple blend of pistachio and vanilla – and it was delicious.
The city is of course framed by its huge 14th-century cathedral on the seafront, and tourists can go inside for around €11 (£9.61).
I find though that you can still appreciate it enough by wandering around the outside.
Giovanni previously won the title for the “World’s Best Pistachio Ice Cream”Credit: Alice PenwillThe 14th-century cathedral sits right by the seafrontCredit: Getty
Next door, the Gardens of S’Hort del Rei (The King’s Orchard) at the foot of Royal Palace of La Almudaina is a lovely spot where you can find some shade – and it wasn’t busy either.
As for where to stay, I set up base at the Hipotels Gran Playa de Palma which is tucked behind the promenade at Playa de Palma – around 20-minutes outside of the city centre.
The hotel has two outdoor pools, three bars, two buffet restaurants and entertainment during the evening.
As much as I enjoy a fly and flop holiday, I do love some activity outside of the hotel, and here was a great spot.
The hotel was a short walk to the beach, and the promenade filled with cafes, restaurants and plenty of places to pick up a bucket and spade.
The beach has soft golden sand and while there are sun loungers which you can hire out for a fee, there’s plenty of space if you want to simply sit on a towel too.
One of my favourite spots was Levita Café where I ended up stopping in most days for a rosé sangria which set me back €6.50 (£5).
I’d recommend a refreshing rosé sangriaCredit: Alice Penwill
If you’re so inclined, it’s also near one of Majorca’s biggest clubs, MegaPark.
I didn’t venture inside, but it’s known for having a huge open-air disco, a large beer garden, and a show stage.
Even though our hotel was just a five-minute walk-away, I never heard any noise from the club.
It’s been reported that local authorities are tightening rules on party boats and noisy beach activities.
When it comes to money, Majorca isn’t the cheapest place, it’s not hugely expensive either.
According to Numbeo, you can pick up a local beer for £3.49 and coffee for £2.51.
If you want to see more of the island outside of Palma, then some other top-rated spots include the Tramuntana region with huge mountain ranges.
Some of the best beaches in the country include Cala Mondragó which is within the Mondragó Natural Park – but there are plenty to choose from as the island has over 200 of them.
As for when’s best to head to the island, it can vary as this week there are highs of 21C and plenty of sunshine, but there is a risk of rain.
Personally, I’d head there in springtime – May, April and June are generally dry with lots of sun without being too hot.
In peak months like July and August, temperatures can reach the mid-30s.
Flights won’t set you back too much either, in April, you can fly from Birmingham and London Stansted from £15 with Ryanair.
And you’ll be setting down in two and a half hours from the UK.
Here are top eats in Majorca from experts…
Tour guides Georgiana Paun, Michelle van der Werff, Emily Himmer, 30, and travel agent Tomas Nanak, share their top Majorca tips…
Georgiana said: “Las Olas is a family restaurant located on the beachfront in Santa Ponsa on the west of the island, with incredible views.
“You can enjoy all kinds of Mediterranean food while watching the sun go down over the bay of Santa Ponsa.
“Choose between their fish, seafood, paellas and meat dishes, as well as a variety of delicious tapas made with local market products.”
Michelle and Emily said: “One of our local favourites is Toque de Queda in central Palma, because of its fresh, healthy cuisine served in a cosy ‘living room’ atmosphere.
“The laid-back vibe and delicious local dishes make it a perfect place for an easy evening out, with Balearic charcuterie boards from 14 euros, and fish tapas from 9 euros.”
Tomas said: “Bar Esperanza in Ses Covetes has great Mediterranean food, with tapas from 4 euros, while Organic on Cala Marsal beach offers the best brunch on the island, with hearty Spanish breakfasts from 12.50 euros.
“If you’re looking for delicious tapas, head to Babbo Portocolom with views of the harbour on the southeast side of the island, with dishes from 7.50 euros, or S’Arrosería in Colonia de San Jordi has the best paella – from 18 euros.”
“YOU, with me.” The pilot pointed at the cockpit of the two-seat-wide propeller plane and I obediently clambered in.
The tiny aircraft rattled along the runway, and I took a deep breath, only to let out a gasp after take-off as I looked down.
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Meads Bay has been named in global top 50 beachesCredit: SuppliedFrangipani Beach Resort will give you a chance to visit Little BayCredit: SuppliedMy lavish ocean-view room at Zemi Beach House, set right on the sandCredit: Supplied
The crystalline Caribbean sea glittered below us, and as far as the eye could see the waters were peppered with sandy cays and islands — one of which was to be my home for the next few days.
Anguilla is just a 45-minute flight from the more-visited Antigua — and despite the island being so small that it only needs six traffic lights, it’s home to not one, but two of the best beaches in the world.
One of these is the breathtaking Shoal Bay, which I got to marvel at from my lavish ocean-view room at Zemi Beach House, set right on the sand.
You won’t see any cruise ships, jet skis or thumping beach clubs here.
This unspoiled stretch of pristine sand is lined with swaying palm trees on one side and soft, turquoise waves on the other, both a welcome presence in the 30C heat.
The upscale hotel has an elegant open-plan layout, two infinity pools (including one that’s child-free), a walkaround bar service and a spa, which sits inside a 300-year-old authentic Thai house, transported and reconstructed piece by piece.
Lounging in the spa’s quiet zone post-massage as I listened to the sounds of the island with an iced drink, I understood why Anguilla prides itself on the slogan “Tranquility wrapped in blue”.
An entire holiday could easily be spent without leaving Zemi — after all, it also has its own tennis court, gym, boutique, bars and restaurants.
But Anguilla’s magic is not confined to the famous Shoal Bay.
Orange-flowered flamboyant trees (flamboyant by name and by nature) and colourful bungalows lined the roads as an enthusiastic local named Kelvis guided us round his home island. A short drive brought us to The Arch, a doorway-shaped rock formation over the ocean that wouldn’t look out of place in the Algarve.
Elvis beach bar is a favourite watering hole among the localsCredit: Supplied
Years of footfall by tourists wanting THE Instagram shot have made walking onto it now unsafe, but I was more than happy to forgo that and simply take in the vista, something I also did at the impressive Sandy Ground viewing platform.
Inland, we admired the striking architecture of the island’s Catholic church and visited Wallblake House, Anguilla’s only surviving plantation building, which now serves as a museum.
There was one spot, however, that Kelvis couldn’t take us: Little Bay. The smallest of Anguilla’s 33 beaches, this cove is only accessible by hanging onto a rope and climbing down a cliff face, or via the water.
None of us fancied going home with crutches and a cast, so we kayaked from the nearby Crocus Bay in transparent boats which allowed us to spot a couple of sea turtles underwater as we paddled.
If kayaking isn’t your thing, don’t fret — a stay at the Frangipani Beach Resort will give you a chance to visit Little Bay on their very own catamaran, the FrangiCat.
The pastel pink resort sits on Meads Bay — Anguilla’s other world-class beach that made the global top 50 — and has an intimate atmosphere without compromising on luxury in its enormous suites.
We spent the second half of our trip at Frangipani gazing out to sea from the quiet shore while petting the resort dog, Sunny, and sipping on generous rum punches.
And there is certainly no shortage of rum in Anguilla. A tasting session with Glo’s Flavoured Rums allowed us to try the locally crafted spirit on the beach while Gloria’s (Glo’s) own daughters talked us through the range of tropical options.
I’ve never been much of a rum fan, but sampling banana, sorrel, guava berry, cinnamon and ten more flavours had me asking “Why is the rum gone?” faster than you could say “Jack Sparrow”.
Luckily, lining your stomach on this island is just as exciting for the taste buds.
Modest beach shacks serve up the freshest grilled seafood with rice and peas, plantain and Johnny cakes, a delicious fried bread.
The skewered mahi-mahi at Madeariman, the spicy lobster at Mango’s Seaside Grill and the barbecued shrimp tacos at Da’Vida Beach Club are must-trys for a sit-down meal with a view, though many Anguillians will just fire up their own roadside BBQs to enjoy the catch of the day.
Rendezvous at Tasty’s is also excellent. The restaurant runs on “Caribbean time” so don’t expect your crayfish in a hurry, but it’s an excuse to spend time sipping a Carib beer on the dreamy Rendezvous Bay.
On our final evening, Kelvis suggested we head to Elvis beach bar, a favourite watering hole among the locals.
The owner was, of course, Elvis — who one minute was serving drinks from the boat-shaped bar and the next was on stage with the band singing some Bob Marley.
Swinging in a hammock as the words to Three Little Birds echoed around me, I could tell that, like its rum, this island was going to stay with me for a good while.
The Sun’s Naria on a plane over the islandCredit: Supplied
GO: ANGUILLA
GETTING THERE: British Airways flies from Gatwick to Antigua from £476 return. See britishairways.com. Island transfers between Antigua and Anguilla are available with Trans Anguilla Airways from $400 return. See transanguilla.com.
STAYING THERE: Ocean-view rooms at Zemi Beach House start at £220pp, per night, based on two sharing. See zemibeach.com. Prices at Frangipani Beach Resort start at £141pp, per night. See frangipaniresort.com.
OUT AND ABOUT: Frangipani Beach Resort offers catamaran day trips from £73pp including drinks. SeaBleu provides kayak rentals for the same price. See @seableu.ai on Instagram.
MORE INFO: More experiences, including rum tastings, can be organised through the Anguilla Tourist Board. See ivisitanguilla.com.
This is not where you would expect an article about one of the Mediterranean’s most beautiful islands to start. It’s the tail end of winter, 2021. Kensal Green Cemetery in west London: the imperial mausolea canted and crumbling, low clouds dissolving into rain. We are still in that strange phase of the pandemic when we are masked, newly aware of our bodies and the space around them. We are here to bury Nikos, a man who for me, for many, was the incarnation of Corfu.
I had spent my 20s trying to find the perfect Greek island, hopping from the well-trodden (Mykonos, Santorini, Cephalonia) to the more obscure (Kythira, Symi, Meganisi). None quite matched the vision I had dreamed into being as a child, when I segued from Robert Graves to Mary Renault, then to Lawrence Durrell and John Fowles. Greece was an idea before it was a place: freedom and deep thought, a constellation of sand, salt and thyme.
Then, on a whim, I accepted an invitation to play cricket in Corfu.
I knew little about the island at the time – not about its strategic history, nor how that position had shaped a culture that is at once Greek, Venetian and British. I hadn’t yet walked the Liston, the elegant colonnaded arcade that might be Venice or Trieste, Bologna or Perugia were it not for the cricket pitch laid out in front of it. The pitch is surrounded by a car park; its groundsmen battle heat, salt spray, digging children and fouling dogs. Yet it remains the only cricket pitch in the world I know that’s set within a Unesco world heritage site. Taking guard there, you look up to the Old Fortress for solidity, and to the Palace of St Michael and St George for elegance and flair.
The cricket pitch next to the elegant arcade in Corfu Town. Photograph: Ernestos Vitouladitis/Alamy
I went out with the Lord’s Taverners, a UK sports charity team. We were a motley bunch: a couple of former internationals – Andy Caddick and Chris Cowdrey – some actors, entertainers and a handful of writers, including me. The Corfiots, it turned out, were very good at cricket. The Greek national team is drawn almost entirely from the island. We were soundly beaten, then consoled by warmth, generosity and a run of excellent dinners in the Old Town.
It was over one of those dinners – at the Pergola – that I met Nikos Louvros and his wife, Annabelle, our hosts and the founders of Cricket Corfu. Nikos was rambunctiously Greek, full of wild energy; Annabelle was English in that particular way that falls deeply for Greece and builds a life around it. I recognised the impulse. By the end of the meal of lamb, ouzo and excellent local wine, we had planned our future together: we would launch a literary festival.
Festival co-founders Annabelle and Nikos Louvros
Over the subsequent years, that vision has taken glorious shape. Corfu literary festival began modestly: at our first, in 2017, there were as many speakers on stage as there were people in the audience. I remember Nikos’s hope, irritation and finally, characteristically, laughter as invited guests failed to show up. But there was never any sense it would stop. With Nikos beside you, everything seemed possible.
Slowly, buoyed by local support, the festival grew into something far larger than we had imagined. We’ve had Stephen Fry and Sebastian Faulks, Bettany Hughes and Natalie Haynes, Matt Haig and Tom Holland. They came and spoke, they stayed at the heavenly Kontokali Bay hotel, or in the villas and apartments of Ionian Estates, and they fell in love with Corfu as I had. Many have come back to speak several times.
Nikos lived for this – for showing others the beauty and drama of the island on which he was born, then left and returned to. He is gone now, but the festival endures. This September, it will return, larger and more magical than ever, with Homer’s Odyssey at its heart – a fitting subject for an island where the mythic and the everyday still fold into each other with ease.
This is what I learned from Nikos, and from Corfu, over the years: swim early, before the day warms and when the water still has a faint bite. Swim after lunch, when the sea feels silky. Swim at dusk, when the surface holds the day’s heat and the light becomes thick and slow. Corfu is large enough and varied enough that you can build an entire itinerary around water and never feel you are repeating yourself.
On the west coast, Myrtiotissa remains the beach that feels closest to a private miracle. Set in a steep green cradle, it is an initiation to reach it. Not unreasonably, Durrell called it “perhaps the most beautiful beach in the world”.
Paleokastritsa beach. Photograph: Carmen Gabriela Filip/Alamy
Paleokastritsa possesses a different kind of beauty. The monastery above the bay looks down over a scatter of coves where the water is so clear you can see the rocks far below, like a second landscape suspended in blue.
Then there is the north-east, which has calmer waters, protected coves, a more intimate coastline. Agni Bay is a gentle curve of shoreline made for long lunches. Agni Taverna sits close enough to the water that you can leave your table, swim and return still tasting salt. Eat fish, eat simply, let time loosen its grip. If you can, arrive by boat: the north-east coast has a tradition of taking water taxis between bays, and there is something unmistakably Corfiot about stepping straight from deck to lunch.
A surprise – especially if your image of Greek islands is Cycladic sparseness – is how green Corfu is. The interior rises and folds like a small country. Olive groves run for miles; cypresses spike the skyline. Drive up into the villages above Paleokastritsa and you reach Lakones, perched high enough to make the island feel suddenly vast. At Boulis, the food is good, but it’s the terrace view you come for, the sense of stepping straight into the blue horizon.
Corfu’s cuisine is not what you usually think of as Greek: shaped by Venetian influence, by centuries of contact with Italy and by produce from the island’s land and sea. Pastitsadais a beef stew with pasta; sofrito is beef or veal slices braised in a sauce of white wine, vinegar, garlic and parsley; bourdeto is fish stew.
In Corfu Town, make time for a night at Salto – contemporary but grounded, with excellent ingredients and a superb wine list. Then go for ice-cream at Papagiorgios. Walk the Old Town with a cone in hand, the stone still warm, and you feel part of a long tradition of summer nights.
In 2020, in a brief, improbable lull between Covid lockdowns, we held the festival as if it were an act of defiance against the gods. The world was half closed; plans changed by the hour. Yet, for a few days, the island opened its arms and let us in. Chairs were spaced out, masks slipped on and off, hand sanitisers were perched on every table – and still there was laughter, ideas, beauty. Things that made us feel human.
Myrtiotissa beach. Photograph: Hemis/Alamy
One morning, Nikos appeared with a boat. He had a gift for that – arriving as if from nowhere, already halfway into the next idea. “Come,” he said. A dozen of us climbed aboard and pulled away from the town, leaving behind the anxious news cycle and the low-level fear of that year. We ran along the north-east coast, cutting the engine in inlets you would never find from land: slivers of shingle, limestone shelves, beaches no bigger than sofas. Each time we stopped, we swam as if trying to slough the year off our skin. I felt like freedom, something snatched from darkness.
That was the last festival Nikos attended. He died of Covid the following January – on my birthday.
When I think of Nikos now, I think of that day on the water: of joy under pressure, of how precious it becomes. When he died, the island felt altered – not less beautiful, but more charged, as if the light carried grief in waves. Yet, Corfu also teaches something: that love for a place can outlive the person who brought you there, and become a way of honouring them.
I have tried to do that in my own way, too. My novel A Stranger in Corfu is dedicated to Nikos. It grew out of this island – its layered past, its atmosphere of secrecy and hospitality, the sense that stories cling to the land. The novel is, at heart, a love letter: an attempt to pay proper attention to a place that has given me more than I can easily name.
Go to Corfu and do not hurry. Swim often. Drive into the hills. Eat as if time were a gift. Let the island reveal itself at its own pace – slowly, then all at once.
And if, one day, someone appears with a boat and an idea, say yes.
A Stranger in Corfu by Alex Preston is published by Canongate (£18.99). To support the Guardian buy a copy at guardianbookshop.com. Delivery charges may apply.The 2026 Corfu literary festival runs from 21-27 September
The budget airline, Jet2, is offering travellers the chance to explore a lesser-known island with diverse landscapes and uncrowded beaches as they launch a new exclusive route
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Flights to the beautiful island are available to book with Jet2(Image: Getty Images)
Jet2 has launched a new route to a beautiful island with ancient streets, traditional villages and pristine beaches, offering a laid-back ambience away from busy crowds.
Jet2 has expanded its summer 2027 program from London Gatwick and launched a new route to the beautiful Greek island of Lesvos. The lesser-known island, also known as Lesbos, is situated in the northeastern Aegean Sea, offering turquoise waters, unspoilt sprawling beaches, hot springs, majestic forests, and dramatic volcanic landscapes.
As the third-largest island in Greece, and with its capital, Mytilini, Lesvos is brimming with history, from its charming medieval streets and traditional Mediterranean villages to its fascinating architecture. It’s renowned for its ouzo, an anise-flavoured liqueur, and its olive groves, with more than 11 million trees nestled around the island.
The new Jet2 route to Lesvos will operate weekly on Sunday, from May 2 to 10 October 2027, and when we took a look, we found fares from £123. Flights to the Greek island, which offers blistering rays of 30C during the summer months, are available to book now.
In the meantime, Jet2 has announced a major sale for 35 of its sun-soaked destinations, including Lesvos, for holidaymakers travelling from London Gatwick next summer. The destinations currently on sale include:
Antalya
Tenerife
Lanzarote
La Palma
Fuerteventura
Gran Canaria
Alicante
Malaga
Girona
Palma (Majorca)
Ibiza
Menorca
Faro (Algarve)
Madeira
Crete (Heraklion)
Corfu
Kalamata
Kefalonia
Kos
Lesvos (Mytilene)
Preveza
Skiathos
Rhodes
Thessaloniki (Halkidiki)
Naples
Verona
Pula
Reus
Zante
Agadir
Hurghada
Bourgas
Malta
Paphos
Sharm El Sheik
The new exclusive route to Lesvos and the summer sale come just weeks before the budget airline launches flights and holidays from London Gatwick for the very first time on March 26. The major travel change is intended to give Jet2 passengers greater flexibility for their holiday getaways.
Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2.com and Jet2holidays, said: “Since we announced the launch of flights and holidays from London Gatwick, the reaction from customers and independent travel has been incredible, showing just how much demand there is for our industry-leading product and service. This popularity means we are significantly expanding our programme in just our second summer of operations from London Gatwick, offering holidaymakers even more choice and flexibility.
“As well as offering a fantastic selection of flights and holidays to choose from, we are giving customers the chance to get their Summer 2027 holiday booked in nice and early. With the launch of flights and holidays from London Gatwick just around the corner, and Summer 27 going on sale too, this is an incredibly exciting time, both for our company and for customers across the region.”
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TRIPADVISOR has revealed its top beaches from all over the world – and two ‘unique’ ones in the UK have been praised.
Their latest Best Beach ranking looked at millions of Tripadvisor reviews, trips and opinions to find the most-loved coastal spots.
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The top One of a Kind beach according to Tripadvisor is Boulders Beach in South AfricaCredit: SuppliedAnother is this beautiful beach called Isola Bella in SicilyCredit: Lost Shore Surf ResortBamburgh Beach in the UK came in third placeCredit: Alamy
And their ‘One of a Kind’ beach rankings saw Bamburgh Beach in Northumberland come in third space – the only UK beach to make the top 10.
The coastal spot in the north of the country is known for its sweeping sands and of course, Bamburgh Castle which sits high up on the headland.
Bamburgh is no stranger to awards having picked up UK’s number one seaside town on more than one occasion.
He said: “Visitors can take a dip in the fresh North Sea if they’re feeling bold, however I decided to simply dig my toes into the soft sand and take in the sights of Bamburgh Castle, which stands imposingly atop a hill behind the beach, creating a real life work of art.
“The huge fortress, recognisable from TV series The Last Kingdom and the most recent Indiana Jones film, The Dial of Destiny, dates back 1,400 years and even features in ballads written as long ago as 1270.
“It’s impossible to not be impressed by its towering presence which provides a unique backdrop to the beach and encapsulates a lot about what makes the north east a spectacular holiday destination.”
Further down the list of ‘One of a Kind’ beaches is another one in the UK – Sandown on the Isle of Wight, just making the top 20.
It’s known for its five miles of coastline, huge pier with amusement arcades and is a popular spot for fossil hunting.
The no.1 ‘One of a Kind’ beach went to Boulders Beach in South Africa, the home of endangered land-based colony of African Penguins.
Visitors won’t be able to sunbathe here, but instead they can watch the thousands of penguins from the boardwalk above.
In second place is Isola Bella in Sicily which is also known as the ‘Pearl of the Ionian Sea’.
Sleeping Bear Dunes in Michigan took the 4th spot, followed by Brazil‘s Lençóis Maranhenses.
This is followed by Anakena Beach on Chile‘s Easter Island, followed by Wai’anapanapa State Park in Hawaii (7th) and Hopewell Rocks in Canada (8th) which has the world’s highest tides up to 52 feet tall.
Sleeping Bear Dunes overlooking Lake Michigan has huge sandy banksCredit: AlamyLençóis Maranhenses in Brazil is described as a ‘desert oasis’ with lagoonsCredit: Alamy
Tripadvisor’s World’s Best Beaches…
These are the best beaches in the world according to Tripadvisor…
Isla Pasion – Cozumel, Mexico
Elafonissi Beach – Crete, Greece
Balos Lagoon – Kissamos, Greece
Eagle Beach – Eagle Beach, Aruba
Praia da Falésia – Algarve, Portugal
Banana Beach – Ko He, Thailand
La Jolla Cove – California, USA
La Pelosa Beach – Sardinia, Italy
Manly Beach – Sydney, Australia
Boulders Beach Penguin Colony – Simon’s Town, South Africa
Falassarna Beach – Falassarna, Greece
Platja De Muro – Platja De Muro, Spain
Tobacco Bay Beach – St. George, Bermuda
Paleokastritsa Beach – Paleokastritsa, Greece
Kite Beach – Dubai, UAE
Kelingking Beach – Nusa Penida, Indonesia
Clearwater Beach – Clearwater, USA
Spiaggia dei Conigli – Lampedusa, Italy
Bondi Beach – Sydney, Australia
Playa de Maspalomas – Maspalomas, Spain
Poipu Beach Park – Poipu, USA
Plage de Palombaggia – Porto-Vecchio, France
Ipanema Beach – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Spiaggia La Cinta – San Teodoro, Italy
Sandown on the Isle of Wight also made it onto Tripadvisor’s list of One of a KindCredit: Alamy
Ninth place was in Puerto Rico, Bahía Bioluminiscente, with the brightest bioluminescent bay in the world, followed by Hot Water Beach in New Zealand in 10th.
Other One of a Kind beaches include Pig Beach in the Bahamas, and Butterfly Valley in Turkey.
Here’s the full list of Tripadvisor’s One of Kind beaches:
Boulders Beach – Simon’s Town, South Africa
Isola Bella – Taomina, Italy
Bamburgh Beach – Bamburgh, UK
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore – Empire, USA
Parque Nacional dos Lençóis Maranhenses – Barreirinhas, Brazil
Anakena Beach – Easter Island, Chile
Wai’anapanapa State Park – Hana, USA
Hopewell Rocks – Hopewell Cape, Canada
Bahía Bioluminiscente – Isla de Vieques, Puerto Rico
