beaches

IF YOU are wondering where to go for your next beach break, well the world’s best 50 beaches have just been announced.

The best beaches were decided on by over 1,000 travel experts, including some who have visited every country in the world.

Follow The Sun’s award-winning travel team on Instagram and Tiktok for top holiday tips and inspiration @thesuntravel.

As for the beach taking the top spot, that went to Entalula Beach in the Philippines.

Found in Palawan, the awards say it is “one of those places you have to see to believe” – but to get there you will have to hop on a boat.

Year-round the beach hits a low of 26C, so is a great option for winter sun.

Read more on travel inspo

CHEAP BREAKS

UK’s best 100 cheap stays – our pick of the top hotels, holiday parks and pubs

HOLLA

Never pay full price for hols again… 25 apps, sites & clubs for huge discounts

In second place – and the top beach in Europe – is Fteri Beach on Kefalonia in Greece, that is “tucked away in a secluded cove, surrounded by dramatic white cliffs” – again which you can only get to by boat (or very steep hike).

If you fancy heading around the globe to Australia, then the third best beach is Wharton Beach.

Sat on the south-western coast about an hour from the city of Esperance or eight hours from Perth, Wharton Beach’s “isolation ensures it rarely feels crowded, even on perfect summer days, providing a peaceful escape for those seeking solitude”.

In fourth place was Nosy Iranja in Madagascar – which is actually spread across two smaller islands – Nosy Iranja Be and Nosy Iranja Kely – via a sandbar that you can walk across at low tide.

And rounding out the top five is East Beach, Vomo Island in Fiji with towering palm trees and calm water.

Unfortunately the UK didn’t have much luck making it into the top 50 beaches in the world, though it did make a couple appearances on the European list.

Coming in 26th place, Kynance Cove in Cornwall is a tidal beach with white sand, backed by impressive rock formations.

At low tide, visitors can explore a number of caves as well that have “formed into otherworldly shapes” according to Cornwall Beaches.

As for the second UK spot in the top 50 beaches in Europe – that can be found in Scotland.

Coming in 47th place, Achmelvich Beach in Scotland is just over two hours from the city of Inverness.

The beach can only be reached by a small track but it’s worth the trip – you might get to spot porpoises, dolphins or even a minke whale.

When it comes to the best beaches in Europe, Fteri Beach in Greece which came second in the world rankings, came out on top.

Then in second place is Cala Macarella, Spain on the island of Menorca. followed by Cala Dei Gabbiani in Sardinia.

In fourth is Kaputas in southwestern Turkey – a natural cove nestled between two towns, along with Porto Katsiki on the southwest coast of Lefkada in Greece in 5th place.

GREECE has slapped a sunbed ban on 251 of its beaches meaning tourists will have to ditch the loungers for a simple towel.

The rule aims to limit overtourism on the beaches as well as tourist developments, such as hotels and sunbeds for hire, to keep the beaches in their natural state.

So for tourists heading to the 251 beaches on the list, they’ll need to stick to either a towel or just sitting on the sand.

And some spots have even stricter rules – on beaches that are part of the Natura 2000 programme, you won’t see hotels cordoning off areas as a ‘private beach’ section, instead they will be open to everyone.

There will also be no changes to how the beach looks, so no concrete piers, sea walls or paved paths.

Essentially, anything that messes with the natural state of the beach, is not allowed.

Read more on travel inspo

GO ON

All the little-known websites for cheap or FREE tickets to gigs, theatre & festivals

HOLLA

Never pay full price for hols again… 25 apps, sites & clubs for huge discounts

So, if you want a beach bar and to rent an umbrella, you’ll need to head elsewhere.

A release from the Greek Environment Ministry stated that the ban “seeks to effectively protect beaches that have particular aesthetic, geomorphological or ecological value, as well as to preserve the types of habitats and the species of flora and fauna found on these beaches”.

The Ministry added: “In particular, the number of shorelines and beaches within areas included in the National List of Areas of the European Ecological Network Natura 2000 is increasing and in which the granting of simple use, as well as any other action that may endanger their morphology and their integrity in terms of their ecological functions, is now prohibited.”

The ban follows Greek authorities dealing with a number of incidents in recent months on the protected beaches.

According to local reports, riot police recently took down a number of shacks on the island of Gavdos, just south of Crete.

One of the beaches included on the list is Elafonissi Beach found on the southwest coast of Greece as it is a protected Natura 2000 nature reserve.

Its not the easiest to get to – visitors must head across a shallow lagoon.

It was named the second best beach in the world by TripAdvisor‘s Travellers‘ Choice Awards Best of the Best 2026 and also 15th best in Europe in the World’s Best Beaches 2025 awards.

The beach is known for its pink sand, which gets its colour from crushed seashells – though removing any of the shells or sand is forbidden.

One recent visitor said: “One of the most beautiful natural paradises in the world.”

Other beaches include Kalamaki Beach near Athens, Tobruk Beach near Heraklion and several beaches on the island of Samos.

If you are heading to Greece and are not sure what beaches the ban applies to, download the Gov.gr MyCoast app, where you can see a map of all the 251 beaches.

If you are thinking of going on holiday to Greece, there’s one city that’s better in spring with funiculars, sunset rooftops and wine tastings.

Plus, there’s a stunning Greek island that will pay you to move there and give you a house.

As an Australian living in Italy, I grew up within an hour of some of the most pristine coastline in the world, so the Italian penchant for private beach clubs is something I’ll never quite grow accustomed to.

Along some of Italy’s most naturally beautiful stretches of beach, from the Amalfi Coast to the Cinque Terre, private, exclusive beach clubs and five-star hotels occupy the best patches of shoreline. The natural beauty that made these places famous can feel increasingly roped off.

In Australia, beaches are natural places to be shared. There’s a more relaxed approach to bathing along open stretches of sand framed by nothing but trees, rocks and dunes. For those seeking a back-to-nature holiday, here are six of Italy’s most beautiful free beaches where the coastline remains untouched and open to all.

Riviera del Conero, Marche

The Riviera del Conero is the Marche’s most precious jewel, in a region still largely unchanged by mass tourism. You’ll rarely hear any language other than Italian as it’s all locals and other Italians on their summer holidays.

Set against a stunning backdrop of limestone cliffs covered in pine trees, a series of protected bays with clear green-blue water and white pebbles make up this stretch of coastline within the Conero regional park.

Sirolo is a long, natural beach at the end of a meandering downhill walk through the trees. There’s plenty of space to lay down your towel on the smooth rocks, with the option of paid chairs and umbrellas, too.

Portonovo Bay offers low-key retro 60s beach clubs and long stretches of free beach. Ristorante Emilia has been the standout lunch spot here since 1950, serving up their signature spaghetti with mussels prised by hand every morning from the nearby rocks.
In Sirolo, San Michele Relais & Spa has doubles from €108, and Camping Village Internazionale has cabins from about €100

Gargano, Puglia

While southern Puglia’s beaches are at the top of many travellers’ bucket lists, the rugged Gargano peninsula, which juts out from northern Puglia into the Adriatic, is far less known. Part of Gargano national park, it’s full of rocky coves, quiet bays and long pebbled beaches framed by olive groves.

Portogreco, a tiny cove and popular free beach, is framed by sea caves and rocks perfect for high diving, and offers fantastic snorkelling in the clear waters.

Vignanotica is a long, skinny pebble beach, backed by a sheer limestone cliff that mercifully shades the shoreline by late afternoon in summer.

Make the scenic trip an hour north along the coast for lunch at Al Trabucco da Mimì in Peschici for fresh seafood caught and served on a traditional wooden fishing platform. Order the mixed seafood grill to sample it all.
HMO Glamping in Vignanotica has tents from about €110, or Baia delle Zagare resort in Mattinata has doubles from €150

Ponza, Lazio

A favourite summer escape for Romans, the island of Ponza sits a short ferry ride from mainland Lazio. Pastel houses cluster around a port town unchanged by time. The island opens up into wild coves and quiet swimming spots, the best ones accessible only by boat.

Frontone, the island’s longest beach, is reached by water taxi from Ponza. While some of the shoreline is occupied by beach clubs, there’s still plenty of free beach, and savvy locals know to perch on the rocks at the southern end.

Some of Ponza’s most spectacular swimming spots, such as Chiaia di Luna – a crescent-shaped cove surrounded by soaring orange cliffs – are accessible only from the water, so hiring a dinghy or a captained boat is part of the experience.

Take lunch at Ristoro da Gerardo, which has the best views over Frontone from its rustic raffia-shaded terrace. The homestyle menu offers aubergine parmigiana alongside Ponzese octopus stew, and dessert is figs picked onsite. Guests are invited to stay for a post-lunch nap on loungers shaded by trees.
Hotel Chiaia di Luna has doubles from €115

Pantelleria, Sicily

Closer to Tunisia than Sicily, this slow-paced island feels completely removed from mainland Italy and offers full immersion in the elements. Without a single sandy beach, visitors and locals lay down their towels on the flat volcanic rocks and dive into the clear blue water, amid arid, wind-battered landscapes.

Balata dei Turchi is a secluded bay of volcanic rock at the wilder southern end of the island that is ideal for snorkelling, with clean waters and submerged rocks teeming with bright coral and fish. Nearby at Nikà, underwater thermal springs bubble up out of the sea while you swim.

Laghetto delle Ondine lies at the end of a short hike across otherworldly volcanic terrain, where waves crash against the walls of calm rock pools the size of swimming pools.

At sunset, snag an outdoor table at Dispensa Pantesca in Scauri for an antipasto plate of local specialities, including Pantelleria’s aromatic capers. Or book a more formal dinner in the courtyard next door at sister restaurant La Nicchia.
Stay in traditional dammusi (houses made from volcanic stone) at Pantelleria Dream Resort near Kamma from €170, or at Dammuso Biancolilla near Scauri from €140

Elba, Tuscany

Part of the Tuscan Archipelago, Elba lies 35 miles (55km) east of Corsica, with similarly clear waters and mountainous terrain. Still relatively under the radar outside Italy, the island has 90 miles of coastline, scattered with wild bays and tiny beaches. It’s larger than many visitors expect, so where you base yourself makes all the difference.

Nisporto is a quiet, unspoilt bay enclosed by pine-covered hills at the end of a winding road, giving it a secluded feel, even in summer. The flat sand-and-pebble beach and the gentle waves make it perfect for families with kids. The transparent waters and seabeds rich in marine life are great for snorkelling, or rent a pedalo or canoe to explore the coastline beyond.

In Portoferraio, book dinner at Teatro Bistro for the spectacular views from the terrace, and order the spaghetti with cured mullet bottarga, a Tuscan coastal delicacy.
In Nisporto, Residence La Cota Quinta has apartments from about €80 a night (three-night minimum stay) or Sole e Mare camping village has bungalows from €400 a week for two

Maremma, Tuscany

Just outside the walled city of Grosseto, the regional park of Maremma stretches from the Uccellina mountains to the Tyrrhenian Sea, protecting one of Italy’s most untouched coastlines.

The park’s wild sandy beaches are completely devoid of umbrellas, bars and beach clubs, the only structures being improvised driftwood forts providing refuge from the sun.

Marina di Alberese is the most accessible beach inside the park, the shoreline stretching for miles. Traipse along the coast to quieter Collelungo, or reach it on foot or bike via trails within the lush park.

Easy cycle paths, with bikes and e-bikes readily available to rent, lead through the park from Grosseto to the beaches, passing herds of horned Maremma cows and wild horses.

Stop for a tasting plate of cheeses made at dairy La Maremmana. Their speciality is the buffalo mozzarella, and they’ll pack up extras to take away for a picnic at the beach.
Agriturismo il Melograno di Banditella in Alberese has doubles from €120 B&B

OFF the coast of Spain are a group of islands that many say feels like the Caribbean, but for a fraction of the coast.

The archipelago called the Cíes Islands are made up of three islands; Monte Agudo, O Faro and San Martiño.

Follow The Sun’s award-winning travel team on Instagram and Tiktok for top holiday tips and inspiration @thesuntravel.

The islands are completely car free, and are described as being ‘Caribbean-like’ but on a camping budget.

Monteagudo is the largest and northernmost of the three Cíes Islands which can be reached by ferry from Vigo.

This is where visitors will find one of the world’s best beaches called Playa de Rodas, or Rodas Beach.

GREAT ESCAPES

Ten European city or beach holidays for under £100pp INCLUDING flight & hotel

SHORE WINS

How to bag yourself a stunning British seaside holiday break for just £49

Coming in at 18th in the world, the beach has ‘soft white sand and clear, calm waters’ – much like those in the Caribbean.

Visitors agree with one calling it a “natural paradise” and another agreed that it is “absolutely beautiful, pale sand crystal clear water.”

Others have said it’s the perfect place to swim with small fish that appear in the shallow water.

But there are warnings of the sea being cold as it is in the Atlantic as opposed to the warmer Caribbean Sea.

The coast is popular for snorkelling with lots of lobsters, crabs and sometimes bottlenose dolphins even being spotted too.

The sandbar across Playa de Rodas is what connects Monteagudo to its neighbour, Faro island.

Meanwhile, San Martiño can only be reached by private boat or on kayak tours – it’s a wild island so the top activities here are swimming and birdwatching.

For more on Spain, here are some of our favourite holiday spots…

*If you click on a link in this box, we will earn affiliate revenue.

Hotel Best Punta Dorada, Salou

The Spanish resort is a popular destination near PortAventura World, a theme park with over 40 attractions and huge rollercoasters. It’s also close to sandy beaches like Platja de Llevant, and the scenic Camí de Ronda coastal walk.The hotel itself has an outdoor swimming pool to enjoy, as well as two bars along with evening entertainment and shows.

BOOK HERE

Sun Club El Dorado, Majorca

With its palm tree-lined pool and Mediterranean backdrop, it’s a miracle this Majorca resort is so affordable. Expect a classic family holiday feel – where days revolve around soaking up the Spanish sunshine, chilling by the spacious pool and sipping on frozen cocktails. Set away from the busier resorts, it’s a good option if you’re after a more out-of-the-way escape.

BOOK HERE

Magic Aqua Rock Gardens, Benidorm

The Magic Aqua Rock Gardens Hotel is African-themed and less than a mile from the beach. It has two outdoor pools, including a children’s freshwater pool with a waterfall and a tipping water bucket for the little ones. There’s also an aquapark with slides, and a kids club for both younger children and teens.

BOOK HERE

Globales Montemar, Ibiza

For a calmer side of Ibiza, this hillside resort has two pools, a kids’ splash zone, and an all-inclusive buffet with a poolside bar. It’s a 10-minute walk from Cala Llonga’s shallow turquoise bay, offering a scenic, family-friendly base away from the island’s main party zone.

BOOK HERE

The islands are fairly quiet too as visitor numbers are limited because the islands form part of a national park.

During the high season it can welcome 1,800 visitors a day, but in low season, this drops to 450.

There are no overnight stays allowed until the Easter period and dates between May 15 to September 14.

But for those who want to stay, you can do so on Faro Island at the campsite.

You can pitch your own tent at Camping Islas Cíes from €10.90 (£9.49) per adult.

If you want to book and have a tent provided, prices start from €69 (£60.07).

On site are plenty of facilities like a phone charging station, snack bar, supermarket, even a souvenir shop.

There’s also a restaurant that looks across Rodas Beach which specialises in seafood like scallops and razor clams.

The site offers activities too from kayak tours to snorkelling, star-gazing and children’s workshops from games to arts and crafts.

When it comes to getting to the islands, it is slightly complicated.

The first thing you have to do is request a free authorisation code up to 90 days in advance.

After that then use it to buy a boat ticket for one of the crossings from Vigo which takes around 45minutes.

These leave the Estación Marítima port and operate frequently during high season which is between May and September.

From the UK, visitors can head to Barcelona, then take a transfer to Vigo Airport.

Return flights in May start from £100, with camping costs, a five-night stay equates to around £150.

Meanwhile, trips to the Caribbean can start from £850pp.

For more inspiration, here are 20 of Europe’s most beautiful islands that have direct flights from the UK – and some of the world’s best beaches.

And this beautiful Spanish island feels like Costa Rica without the long flight – with 31C summers and volcanic beaches.

WHEN it comes to heading to the beach, you’re likely to head to the coast.

But there are some ‘beach‘ spots that are actually nowhere near the coastline, yet they still have sandy shorelines and bright blue waters – here are five of the best.

Follow The Sun’s award-winning travel team on Instagram and Tiktok for top holiday tips and inspiration @thesuntravel. 

Cotswold Country Park and Beach

You’ll find the UK’s largest inland beach in Cirencester.

Called Cotswold Country Park and Beach, here you can try out all sorts of watersport activities, have a sunbathe on the sand, and have a picnic.

On the water, visitors can go swimming, head out on pedalo swans, rent kayaks, mini-boats, rowing boats or stand-up paddleboards.

SIGHT SEA

£9.50 holidaymakers’ favourite Skegness activities… away from the beach

GRUBS UP

Best pubs, fish and chip shops and cafes in Sussex – by Sun readers & locals

There’s a Beach Shack nearby, serving light bites, and an Ice Cream Hut just behind the beach too, for a cool treat on a hot day.

Behind the South Lake are grilling areas that can be rented out for barbecues.

The lake is also home to AquaVenture – a giant inflatable with climbing walls, slides and airbags.

Unlike most beaches, Cotswold Country Park and Beach has a pirate 9-hole mini golf course.

Entry starts from £3.50 per person.

Rutland Water

There’s so much to do on the Rutland Water, including hanging at its sandy beach, which is also the first inland bathing water spot in England to get a Seaside Award.

Rutland Water has 140 metres of sandy shoreline with plenty of room for swimming and sunbathing.

It’s open during the summer months and the website warns that it gets very busy during the warm weather.

The beach at Syke’s Lane was the first inland bathing water location in England to be awarded the Blue Flag and Seaside Award in 2024.

This is given for places with excellent water quality, biodiversity and green space for the community.

Aside from the beach, it has a mini golf course, children’s adventure playground and an off-lead dog walking area.

Rutland Water Beach itself is free to enter, but additional activities such as the Aqua Park inflatable course, mini-golf, and watersports requires paid-for tickets.

If you actually want to see the coastline, check out our favourite seaside towns…

*If you click on a link in this box, we will earn affiliate revenue.

Sidmouth, Devon
Take a trip to Sidmouth on the Jurassic Coast and wander down Jacob’s Ladder to its pretty shingle beach. Make sure to walk along the promenade and check out the independent shops and boutiques. Stay at the four-star Harbour Hotel for sea views and traditional afternoon tea from £135 per room.

BOOK A STAY

Whitby, North Yorkshire
With a history of sailors and vampires, a dramatic coastal path, and the very best in pints and scampi, it takes a lot to beat Whitby. Pop in the amusements, eat award-winning fish and chips, and board the all-singing Captain Cook boat tour on the harbour. The Royal Hotel overlooks the harbour with stays from just £68 per room.

BOOK A STAY

Old Hunstanton, Norfolk
This town has some of the best beach walks beside striped limestone cliffs, a Victorian lighthouse and 13th century ruins. The beach has golden sands with rolling dunes and colourful beach huts, backed by a pretty pinewood forest. Stay at a beachfront hotel from £100 per room.

BOOK A STAY

Seahouses, Northumberland
This is an authentic British seaside break, with fishing boats bobbing on its pretty harbour and fresh catches of the day to enjoy in local restaurants. There’s no flashing arcades here, but there’s a great beach with rockpools, boat trips, and you may even spot a grey seal, too. Treat yourself to a stay at the Bamburgh Castle Inn from £129 per room.

BOOK A STAY

Loch Morlich

In the heart of Glenmore Forest Park is Loch Morlich Beach.

The sandy spot is hidden amongst the Cairngorms National Park, so it has incredible views of the mountains and pine forests.

One visitor wrote on Tripadvisor that it’s a “stunning loch with beautiful views” and another added that it has “crystal clear waters”.

The beach is open to the public year-round and is popular for wild swimming and cold water dips.

Visitors can have a go at watersports too, like stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, canoeing, windsurfing, sailing and katakanu (which consists of two canoes attached together).

Access to the beach is free.

Gaddings Dam

This pretty swim spot in West Yorkshire is “England’s highest beach” – it’s 1,150 feet above sea level on the moorlands above Todmorden.

Gaddings Dam is a remote, Victorian-era earth embankment reservoir located on the moors above Todmorden.

It wasn’t always so well-known and Master Manchester said it was “a well-kept secret for both locals and visitors alike for many years.”

They added: “The dam boasts breathtaking views, excellent hiking paths, a sandy beach perfect for lounging, and one of the top wild swimming areas in the county.”

It’s even been described by visitors as a “wild swimmer’s paradise”.

For those wanting to visit, be aware that it is an unstaffed spot and is accessible only via a steep 20–30 minute hike.

St Andrews Lakes, Kent

Just outside of Rochester, St Andrews Lakes has two beaches; ‘Carp’ and ‘Coots’.

Its beach has stunningly blue waters, sun loungers on the shore, free parking, and lifeguards are on duty too.

Aside from its pretty beaches, it has huge range of activities are on offer – from sailing, paddleboarding and an aqua park to zip wires, archery and climbing walls.

There’s even a Nordic-inspired wellness centre with a lakeside hot tub, detox in a wood-fired sauna, and refresh with a plunge in the natural lagoon.

Entry starts from £7.50 per person.

For more on water attractions, here are five new ones set to come to the UK with surfing lagoons and wellness centres.

And here are all of the waterparks in the UK mapped with lazy rivers and wave pools.

SUNDAY may be a day of rest in Europe, but that’s not the case for Puerto Rico. 

The shops were shut, but the city of Ponce was very much awake.  

As I wandered the streets, locals cruised past in their vintage cars, music blasted from lively bars and groups of youngsters burst into spontaneous dance on the streets. 

In the main square, families strolled past colourful murals and beautiful yet crumbling Art Deco buildings, while old men put the world to rights over a leisurely game of dominoes in the main square. 

Ponce (pronounced Pon-say) was the last stop on my Tropical Isles cruise onboard the recently refurbished Marella Discovery. 

It’s a new port for Marella so, like ­Christopher Columbus — who discovered the Caribbean island of Puerto Rico back in 1493 — I was excited to be one of the first people to explore. 

BEST BAR NONE

Enjoy the full F1 Grand Prix plus cruise experience for under £2,000

TAKE THE MEDS

Spanish GP and cruise to Ibiza on 11-night adventure from just £2,149pp

Week-long sailings start and finish in La Romana, in the Dominican Republic, calling at the nearby nature reserve of Isla Catalina, the Puerto Rican capital of San Juan and the US Virgin Islands of St Thomas and St Croix. 

Now I’ve been lucky enough to visit the Caribbean a few times before, but I was still surprised by how green these islands were.  

And while this itinerary gave me plenty of opportunity to sunbathe on white-sand beaches and sample local rum (I recommend Ron del Barrilito), I was still able to go hiking in the rainforest and kayak through beautiful coves. 

Staying active is something I would definitely recommend on a Marella cruise — not just because you’ll miss out on amazing experiences if you don’t, but because you’ll need to burn off all the extra calories you’re bound to consume on board. 

With nine restaurants and seven bars spread over 11 decks, you certainly won’t go hungry or thirsty — especially as Marella cruises are all-inclusive as standard.  

This means your flights, cabin, transfers to and from the ship, drinks, food and entertainment are all included in the price. 

Even your bags go straight from your home airport to your cabin door so you don’t have to worry about collecting them from a carousel or lugging them around. 

Compared to other cruise ships, Marella Discovery is quite small, accommodating up to 1,800 passengers.  

It’s really set up for British tourists, though, with Yorkshire Tea on tap and dishes such as steak and ale pie readily available in the excellent Islands buffet. 

Entertainment-wise, passengers can find their way out of an escape room, play a round of mini-golf or enjoy a musical afternoon tea. Plus there are West End-style shows, quizzes and gameshows galore. 

For better-quality booze and speciality ­coffees, you can upgrade to a Premium All Inclusive package, while speciality restaurants, including the Surf & Turf Steakhouse and Sushi Bar, come at an extra charge. 

But be sure to leave room for some traditional Caribbean delicacies when you leave the ship. At Café Manolin, in San Juan, I joined locals queuing to tuck into giant plates of mofongo, a much-loved Puerto Rican dish of fried green plantain stuffed with meat or veggies. 

Coffee is also big business here — and almost as popular as rapper Bad Bunny, who hails from the island.  

Many coffee plantations welcome visitors to sample their wares but I got my caffeine fix at Hacienda Jacana, in the mountainous region of Adjuntas, where owner Jonathan and his ex-cop father proudly showed off their farm while explaining details of the coffee-making process. 

I was buzzing after a few cups of their delicious Latitude 18° coffee — but it couldn’t possibly compare to the buzz I got in St Thomas after snorkelling with a group of green turtles in the crystal-clear water of Magens Bay. 

Granted, I had to keep reminding myself that I wouldn’t die if I tried to breathe ­normally underwater, but I forgot all about breathing when a metre-long turtle paddled right past my face. Just wow. 

As an animal lover, and a keen traveller missing my two dogs back home, I was also thrilled to stumble across the Ruff Night — Hair Of The Dog Bar in St Croix (pronounced Croy), just steps from where Marella Discovery docked in Frederiksted.

The lively bar, in the courtyard of the Victoria House Inn, is run by volunteers from the Ruff Start STX animal charity who love nothing more than mixing super-strong cocktails and bringing in puppies for punters to cuddle.  

And if that’s not reason enough to visit, all money raised from the bar goes directly to local dogs in need, so go armed with plenty of cash in your pocket! 

I’d certainly worked up a thirst after a morning kayaking in the nearby Salt River Bay, and I enjoyed getting back to nature there almost as much as I did at El Yunque National Forest — the jewel in the crown of Puerto Rico. 

The 28,000-acre site is the only tropical rainforest in the US and it has more than 100 miles of walking trails just waiting to be explored. With enormous trees providing canopies of greenery and exotic birds and frogs creating a cacophony of noise, it was just how I imagined a rainforest to be. 

While mosquitoes are rife here after dark, I managed to avoid being savaged by the pesky wee beasties during the daytime. 

One thing was for sure, though — I had definitely been bitten by the Caribbean cruise bug.

EMILY has been to Paris (obviously), the Alps, St Tropez, Venice, Rome – and now, it looks as if she’s off to Greece.

According to show creator Darren Star, filming is expected to take place across Greece and Monaco with production starting as soon as next month.

Follow The Sun’s award-winning travel team on Instagram and Tiktok for top holiday tips and inspiration @thesuntravel.

With the cast members like Lily Collins set to jet off to Greece, we’ve put together our favourite islands with top resorts and world’s prettiest villages…

Crete

As an anti-fly-and-flopper, you know a hotel is good when even I’m tempted to just stay there the whole time.

Over on the west side of Crete, I spent a blissful few days at the family-friendly Royal Senses Resort & Spa.

GREAT ESCAPES

Ten European city or beach holidays for under £100pp INCLUDING flight & hotel

SHORE WINS

How to bag yourself a stunning British seaside holiday break for just £49

The sprawling resort had me sold instantly with the massively long heated swimming pool, as well as the adult-only spa section with day beds and hot tubs.

I had way too much fun travelling on the private hotel funicular every day up to my two-storey suite (that made me feel like I’d stepped into a Selling Sunset property).

Maldives floating breakfasts, live music at dinner, it was serious luxury without having to spend too much – rooms start from around £146 a night.

If you really do want to explore, this side of the island has some beautiful little spots, such as Margarites – a small village known for its ceramics – or Rethimno, a coastal city perfect for market shopping and cocktails.

– Kara Godfrey, Deputy Travel Editor

A feeling of zen still wafts over me when I look back on my visit to Crete, around eight years ago.

Mum and I were staying in the sleepy town of Agios Nikolaos, on the east coast of the island, in a rugged and airy resort whose white-washed walls were contrasted by large pots of fuschia-coloured roses and climbing vines.

The hotel was a short wander to the main port, where terracotta-roofed houses overlook sparkling waters lined by authentic restaurants serving properly delicious tzatziki and Greek salads.

Gioma Meze is nestled into the cliff-face and whips up all the classic mezze dishes in a fuss-free setting.

From this port you can hitch a boat over to the teeny island of Spinalonga, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

It once operated as a leper colony in the early 1900s and has a fascinating story to tell – much of its stony fortress remains intact.

– Sophie Swietochowski, Assistant Travel Editor

Feeling inspired? Here are some other Greece holidays…

*If you click on a link in this box, we will earn affiliate revenue.

Blue Bay Beach Resort, Rhodes

The four-star Blue Bay Beach Resort sits a stone’s throw away from this beach, and has its own pools, splash park and water slides. Here you’re only a 15-minute drive away from Rhodes Old Town, where UNESCO-listed medieval streets wind through castle-like architecture. Make sure to check out the Street of the Knights, one of the best-preserved medieval streets in Europe.

BOOK HERE

Gouves Bay Hotel, Crete

Gouves Bay Hotel keeps things simple on a sunny Greek island location right by the sea. This hotel has a relaxed, family-friendly feel with two pools, a kids’ club and easy all-inclusive dining. And if you fancy a change of atmosphere, Gouves’ bars and tavernas are just a short walk away for your choice of evening drinks with a view.

BOOK HERE

Aegean View Aqua Resort, Kos

The picturesque hotel is perched up high and surrounded by lush greenery in the historic harbour town of Kos. Here you’ll find a huge swimming pool and a waterpark, as well as activities like darts, tennis, football and more. There’s evening entertainment six days a week, and an on-site spa with a hot tub and sauna to unwind.

BOOK HERE

TUI Blue Lagoon Queen, Halkidiki

This mega resort with six pools and its own waterpark is rated five stars by TUI. In the main restaurant, you’ll see show cooking displays as you take your pick from an extensive international buffet. Plus, Kalives beach is on the doorstep of this hotel, with its strikingly blue water and soft golden sands.

BOOK HERE

Mykonos

Being one of the most expensive islands in the Cyclades, Mykonos oozes glamour and luxury from its exclusive resorts to sleek beach clubs.

But it still has the charm of Greece with its classic white architecture, lime-coated trees and stone pathways all perfectly framed by bright pink bougainvillea.

Chora Town is beautiful and has lots of boutique shops selling elegant dresses, designer handbags and it is fun to window shop – or splash out if you wish.

There are 16 windmills on Mykonos and seven are on the hill in Chora which at sunset makes for an incredible photo.

If you’re lucky, you might spot several of the island’s pelicans walking about too.

They’re a mascot of the island, starting with the original, Petros who roamed the island for 30 years.

– Alice Penwill, Travel Reporter

Kefalonia

My very first Greek island holiday is still my favourite – when I took my son, then three years old, to the stunning Kefalonia.

The island in the Ionian Sea — a Hollywood star in its own right thanks to the 2001 film version of Louis de Bernières’ wartime novel — ticked all the boxes and boasts what is often claimed as Greece’s best beach.

We spent a week on the island in mid-May and enjoyed everything it had
to offer — without spending too much money.

Our timing (outside of school holidays) meant we were one of the few
tourist groups on the island.

The weather was still perfect though. The average is highs of 21C in
May and the same in October. There were no crowds, either.

So we were eating al fresco at top seafront restaurants without
needing to make a booking.

On my favourite day, we picnicked at Myrtos Beach with huge Greek
tomatoes, spanakopita, feta and hunks of bread with olive oil.

In a post lunch dip at what is regularly named one of Greece’s top
five beaches, we were the only people in the sea.

– Caroline McGuire, Head of Sun Travel (Digital)

Corfu

I’m convinced I’ve found the most underrated spot in Corfu.

Sidari sits on the northern tip of the island, and is often overlooked by those heading to popular resorts like Kavos or Corfu Town.

Sidari has some of the most stunning beaches I’ve seen. The Canal d’Amour is a dramatic sandstone cliff split in two to reveal a tiny beach, with pretty turquoise waters and caves to explore.

A short walk away you’ll find a main strip lined with affordable restaurants that feel super high-end.

Savannah Seaside offers amazing fruity cocktails and delicious flame-grilled skewers in a tropical beach club setting, plus there’s plenty of spots serving gyros and fries for €3.

Plus hotels in this region are mind-bogglingly affordable. I stayed in the Eleni Apartments with TUI, who offer week-long breaks there including return flights from £297.

So if you want a Greek island holiday with plenty of sea views, fruity cocktails and delicious gyros – but without the Mykonos prices – give Sidari a try.

– Jenna Stevens, Travel Reporter

Santorini

Santorini is just as beautiful in real-life as it is in all those posts on Instagram.

The clifftop village of Oia on the northern tip of the island is the most famous where you’ll see the three blue dome churches across the skyline.

It’s even been called one of the most beautiful villages in the world.

Yes, it’s busy. So if you want to avoid the crowds then I’d suggest going in shoulder season like I did in May.

In saying that, you do still have to dodge tourists for a good photo and walking down lively Nikos Monikos Street was particularly cramped.

But it’s all worth it for when you get a small gap in the streets between villas and get a glimpse of the sparkling Aegean Sea.

If you want peace and quiet, and stunning views, head up to the Venetsanos Winery.

Not only does it offer wine tastings, there are unbeatable views across the Santorini caldera.

– Alice Penwill, Travel Reporter

For more on Greece, here’s where you can find the world’s best island with chalky houses and beach clubs.

And this ‘last paradise’ island is unknown to tourists and where locals actually go on holiday.

STAYCATIONS are on the rise this year, and there’s one county in England that actually wants you to visit.

County Durham is attempting to lure tourists in for more than a day trip with its pretty beaches, great pubs, beautiful nature reserves and a famous ‘living’ museum.

Follow The Sun’s award-winning travel team on Instagram and Tiktok for top holiday tips and inspiration.

County Durham sits in the North East of England and is known primarily for its city of Durham, home to a huge cathedral that’s over 930 years old – which is also where scenes for the first two Harry Potter films were filmed.

Aside from the city, the county itself has so much to offer, and officials are hoping that tourists will stick around to see more of it.

The latest data from 2024 recorded 19.93million day visitors to County Durham, but just 1.64million overnight stays in the same period.

DIG IN

Bucket-and-spade county loved by Sun readers for traditional beaches & attractions

BEACHY KEEN

Sun readers’ favourite family attractions in Lincolnshire’s seaside resorts

Officials want to see visitors spend more time in the county – rather than just visit for 12 hours and head to the likes of Newcastle.

And while yes, Newcastle does have epic nightlife, there are lots of top notch pubs and bars in County Durham too – three of which have been shortlisted in the National Pub & Bar Awards 2026.

The first is Slug & Lettuce in Durham’s Walkergate food and drink complex – it has a classic offering of cocktails and even a neon staircase.

Second is The Head of Steam on North Road, which is very near Durham Cathedral and the Riverwalk.

One happy customer said on Tripadvisor that it’s “hands down one of the best spots in the city.”

Outside of the city centre is the third pub in the list – The Royal George in Peterlee which serves up huge roast dinners on Sundays.

Another award-winning pub is Victoria Inn, which won Durham’s CAMRA Pub of the Year competition for 2026 and made an appearance in The European Bar Guide.

It’s a Grade II listed pub, first built in 1899 with a cosy snug and coal fires, and it hasn’t changed much since.

When it comes to exploring the county, another must-do is head to the coast.

It’s got pretty coastal spots like Blackhall Rocks Beach which is considered a ‘hidden gem’ and sits in front of huge limestone cliffs.

The village of Horden has an unspoilt beach with few facilities, but visitors say it’s lovely for a refreshing walk.

The town of Seaham is known for its long sandy beach with sea glass that’s scattered throughout the pebbles and stones on the shoreline.

The sea treasure is man-made glass which has ended up in the sea, where it is then shaped by the water over several years before returning to the shore.

And plenty of beachgoers head there to try and find some.

From Seaham, it’s common to spot dolphins, one person wrote on TripAdvisor: “Staying on the beach gave us a prime viewing of the pod of dolphins that swam along the coast catching fish – great photo opportunity.”

For more on staycations, here are some of our favourite UK hotels…

*If you click on a link in this box, we will earn affiliate revenue

Margate House, Kent

This stylish boutique hotel is in a seaside townhouse, a short walk from Margate’s coolest bars and restaurants. Decked out with plush velvet sofas, candles flickering and striking independent art, inside feels like a warm welcome home. Rooms are stunning, especially the ones that give you a glimpse of the sea.

BOOK HERE

The Alan, Manchester

The Alan looks extremely grand, being built into a beautiful Grade II listed building. Spread across six floors, with 137 rooms, each one looks like a fancy design magazine. From the concrete coffee tables to the pink plastered walls, the industrial-inspired designs perfectly replicate the history of the city.

BOOK HERE

The Queen at Chester Hotel

This historic hotel has welcomed the likes of Charles Dickens and Lillie Langtry through its doors. Rooms have richly-patterned carpets with super soft bed linen and premium toiletries in the bathroom. Go for a superior room for extra goodies including bathrobes and snack boxes.

BOOK HERE

The University Arms Hotel, Cambridge

This Cambridge hotel is in the ideal spot, within walking distance to bars, shops and hotspots like the university colleges and Parker’s Piece. The inside couldn’t be prettier, with huge stained glass windows, grand chandeliers, and rooms with enormous clawfoot bath tubs.

BOOK HERE

It’s not all beach though – County Durham also has lots of natural beauty inland.

The High Force Waterfall is found in the Forest-in-Teesdale in the Durham Dales and is around 70-feet tall.

One hiker who spoke to Sun Travel even said it’s “probably the most impressive waterfall in the UK.”

Just half an hour away by car is another impressive must-see – Raby Castle in Darlington.

Built in the 14th century, it was formerly the home of Cecily Neville – the mother of two kings of England – and is surrounded by a 200-acre deer park where the animals roam freely on the grounds.

There’s also pretty walled gardens, an adventure playground, and café.

Entry to the castle, deer park and gardens starts from £24 for adults and £23 for concessions. For children between 4-15 it’s £13 and under 4s go free.

County Durham is also home to a unique museum that visitors have said makes them feel like they’re ‘travelling back in time’.

Called Beamish, the ‘living museum’ allows people to see what life would have been like in the UK between the 1820s and 1950s.

Visitors can explore replica homes, pubs, shops, train stations – and it’s fully interactive.

Passes cost £35 for adults and £20.50 for children (it’s an unlimited pass so if you buy it once, you can return as many times as you like throughout the year).

The Bowes Museum is a beautiful and enormous art gallery set amongst 22 acres of landscaped parkland.

Inside the French-style museum holds world-famous art collections with pieces by the likes of Spanish artists, El Greco and Goya.

From now until September, it is holding an exhibition honouring fashion designer, Vivienne Westwood.

Day admission for adults is £20 – and under 18s, as well as full-time students and carers, go free.

When it comes to entertaining the kids – head to Adventure Valley which is a family adventure park.

It’s got everything you could possibly think of for an entertaining day out, from adventure golf to tractor rides, football, a huge outdoor playground, and indoor soft play.

It has farmyard animals too, from pigs to goats and alpacas. Tickets for both adults and children start from £15.95.

Here’s what one travel writer thought when he went to the city of Durham…

Writer Alan Scott reveals what he got up to in the city of Durham…

“Even for those muggles who are not Harry Potter fans, shouting out spells in Durham Cathedral doesn’t feel too out of place.

“Quite the opposite, in fact, given more Potter movie scenes than you can wave a wand at have been shot in this historic city.

“No1 filming location for fans of JK Rowling’s magical tales to visit is surely the Norman cathedral, dating to the 11th Century.

“It is this building that brought the fictional wizarding school of Hogwarts to life in the films.

“Durham is not all old hallways and ancient sites, though. Visiting with my partner Charlotte, on day one we set off to concoct some potions with Hogwarts headmaster Albus Dumbledore. OK, that’s not strictly true — but we did make our own bottle of gin at the Durham Gin Distillery, with managing director Jon Chadwick.

“With his wild, white hair and beard he certainly reminded us of a young Dumbledore.”

Here’s more on a Victorian seaside town with very unusual beach in County Durham that’s getting trains to the capital for the first time ever.

And here’s England’s first railway town that inspired the rest of the world is one of the most affordable places to live.

Even if you don’t want to commit to island-life fulltime, it’s perfect for a weekend away

Picture your dream place to live. You may have conjured up images of an island with sandy beaches, clear waters and palm trees swaying in the breeze. If so, there is a slice of this island life closer to home than you might think (minus the palm trees).

Anglesey is the seventh largest island in the British Isles, covering an area of around 275 square miles. It’s known for its amazing beaches, which range from picturesque coves to vast sandy stretches. The island and many of its locations are frequently at the top of best-of travel lists and guides. Earlier this year, Time Out named Anglesey one of the best places to visit in the UK in 2026 and last year it was named the UK’s ‘best island’ by The Telegraph. Most recently, it was named one of the best places to live in the UK in 2026 by The Sunday Times, which described it as “a landscape of rolling greenery set against the cinematic, jagged backdrop of Snowdonia and the Llyn Peninsula”.

It goes on to mention that the town of Menai Bridge is home to the island’s best shops and restaurants with views that are a “delight”, while Beaumaris is the island’s “artistic anchor”. And it adds: “Aberffraw, Benllech and Trearddur Bay are lively seaside villages, and there’s wildness and warm community spirit to be found in more remote corners of the island.”

The Sunday Times guide is designed to showcase places to live and highlights the average house price on the island is £270,500 but for those who just fancy a taste of island life, then a holiday in Anglesey — or even a day or weekend trip — does the job. And the aforementioned Menai Bridge is a great place to stay if you fancy the hustle and bustle of town life.

In fact, this year the Menai Suspension Bridge celebrates its 200th anniversary so there’s no better time to visit. Designed by Thomas Telford, the bridge reaches 1,265ft long with a central span of 579ft and is an impressive sight to behold.

In Beaumaris you’ll find pastel-coloured buildings and the impressive Beaumaris Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built by Edward I with his architect James of St George, it followed on from the castles of Conwy, Caernarfon and Harlech. The fortress was huge with near-perfect symmetry but a lack of money and trouble in Scotland meant the castle was abandoned. But its magnificent walls still stand.

Anglesey’s beaches are a must for any visitor. In fact, given the coastline stretches for 125 miles, it’s pretty hard to avoid them. Close to the village of Aberffraw in the south west, you’ll find Traeth Mawr, a vast sandy beach backed by powdery dunes with gorgeous views over the mainland.

The beach connects to the Anglesey Coastal Path, a long distance coastal path which, as you’ve guessed, follows much of the island’s coastline. It takes around 12 days to complete, but obviously you can select shorter sections to do.

Of course, The Sunday Times does shine a light on one of Anglesey’s most scenic locations: Newborough Beach and the tidal Llanddwyn Island with its rolling sand dunes and rock outcrops. This “stunning spot” is a place steeped in legend and home to the remains of St Dwynwen’s Church, named after the Welsh patron saint of lovers, who fled to the island after she was forbidden to marry the man she loved.

Newborough Forest is a spectacular site in itself with towering corian pines growing beside the sand dunes of Newborough Warren. It’s also the perfect spot to see red squirrels, after they were introduced in 2004.

I’VE never tried synchronised swearing before – but then again, I’ve never been in a crowd being buzzed by a low-altitude jet fighter.

F***!! we yelled as a Blue Angels “sneak” pilot screamed over us and we watched the other five planes from the flight soaring in perfect formation high in the sky.

What made it even more exciting was that we were on a boat in the Gulf of Mexico, basking in 30C heat.

It was a highlight of our visit to Pensacola in the Florida panhandle (the top bit).

While still new to many Brits, this was familiar territory to our ancestors.

It has a claim to be America’s oldest city, established by Spanish conquerors in 1559, and is now known as The City Of Five Flags as it has also been ruled by France, the good guys from Great Britain, the Confederate States of America and, of course, the US.

DRINK IT IN

Adult-only campsite in the middle of a cider farm & you can stay for £17 each

NO KID-DING

Train company launches adult-only carriages – and kids are BANNED

The latter were fighting for strategic military importance, which is why it is now home to a US Navy base — and that formation- flying team, the oldest in the English- speaking world.

But forget the strategic importance, just go here for the beaches.

They are incredible. White sand, warm water, more dolphins than you can shake a flipper at, and plenty of pelicans.

There are also hundreds of restaurants, bars, coffee and souvenir shops, and a host of top hotels including the Hilton Pensacola Beach where we stayed.

The latter is a great stay, with charming staff, superb pools, a welcoming outdoor bar and a fine restaurant.

Best of all was its location, though it’s not in “downtown” Pensacola.

It’s on, as its name suggests, Pensacola Beach — an offshore resort on the island of Santa Rosa, linked by bridge to its big brother.

If you’re not driving, there’s the Pensacola Bay City Ferry, shuttling between downtown, Pensacola Beach and the historic Fort Pickens, well worth a visit in its own right. You can buy daily hop-on, hop-off tickets.

Also, when the Blue Angels practise, most Tuesdays, you can do what we did and, for about £25, book a cruise out to sea to catch all the action.

Pensacola and Pensacola Beach provides you with the ideal two-centre holiday without much travelling.

Head downtown and you can revel in rich history — with lots of helpful signage, marked walking paths and the Veterans Memorial Park — as well as enjoying art shops and museums and event spaces.

Our visit coincided with the Pensacola Seafood Festival. Stalls sell everything from cheese-flavoured popcorn and artisan beers to, er, mermaid outfits.

We didn’t buy much, as wifey had blown our budget on a painting of a seahorse from a lovely art shop on the main drag, Palafox Street.

Once you are tired of the culture and shopping, and have eaten and drunk your fill — check my guide, above, to Pensacola dining — what are you going to do? That’s right, head back over the bridge to the beaches.

Get yourself a boat trip to go dolphin-spotting — you can see them while you are driving over the bridge but it is an offence to stop there.

We went with Captain Steve after booking with friskyboattours.com — and that man knows how to find a dolphin.

He’s also really good at explaining the area, and identifying passing birds.

One of those passing birds was an osprey, and we ventured a little farther afield one day to see if we could find some more.

It meant sacrificing the beaches for a while as we headed inland to Tarkiln Bayou State Park, where a marked trail — the Americans are good at that — tells you what you may see.

It leads you on a beautiful, tranquil route, past rare carnivorous pitcher plants (I read the sign) to a hidden lake. It was lovely but there were no ospreys, which was surprising given the number of tasty fish we saw swimming around.

No problem, they were there at next stop, Big Lagoon State Park.

Observation towers give you a great view of the wildlife — the resting osprey being trumped for me by a great blue hero flapping past at eye level.

I did mention not many Brits know about Pensacola — whose social-media marketing message is #thewaytobeach — and some of the locals would like to keep it that way.

We had flown from Heathrow on a Virgin Atlantic booking with partner airline Delta, changing planes at Atlanta.

It wasn’t as fast as the Blue Angels, but it was much less noisy and much more comfortable.

While we were waiting for our connecting flight to Pensacola, we chatted to a couple who, it turned out, had a condo on Pensacola Beach.

They were puzzled why we were going there and I explained I was writing a piece for a British newspaper.

“Don’t”, they said, “It’s our secret.”

Sorry.

CRAB CAKE OR TACOS?

YOU won’t go hungry or thirsty in Pensacola. Here’s our guide to dining of all kinds, from flip-flop to fine, at the beach and downtown.

BEACH

Flounder’s Chowder House: Big portions and bargain Bushwhackers (the local signature cocktail, a chocolatey rum-based concoction). Family-friendly with great play areas.

Bamboo Willie’s: Home of frozen cocktails, a perfect spot to chill.

Casino Beach Bar and Grille: Overlooks the pier. Totally relaxing, with great views and food.

The Grand Marlin: A wonderful atmosphere, tremendous seafood, views to die for.

Native Cafe: All-day breakfast joint the locals love. Try Crab Cakes Benny – muffin, crab cakes and poached eggs with hollandaise sauce.

Red Fish Blue Fish: The perfect beachfront restaurant and bar. Go for the shrimp tacos.

Salt: Signature restaurant at the Hilton Pensacola Beach. Beautifully prepared seafood and the best steak I’ve had in ages.

DOWNTOWN

Bodacious Shops: Classy coffee and breakfast staples plus artisanal olive oils and vinegars to buy.

The Fish House: Go for baked oysters. Also home to Grits à Ya Ya – tasty shrimp on a savoury porridge.

Jaco’s Bayfront Bar and Grill: Perfect spot next to the ferry port. Try the crab cakes or mahi tacos.

Maker’s Cafe: Welcoming spot, perfect for coffee and cake.

Union Public House and The Well: Neighbouring venues – a great gastro pub and a cocktail bar where they mix a drink to match your mood.

Visit this beautiful seaside which is a wonderful place to spend time by the coast, with the countryside nearby. There are beaches, forests and so many cultural activities to do

Fancy a little adventure where you can enjoy the sights and smell of the coast? Whether you’re up for a walk in the forest or to visit the village named the “prettiest in England”, it’s nice to venture outside of the borough at times.

Now with spring in full swing, there’s no better way to spend your long bank holiday weekend than by heading to the seaside. This location has been named the “most beautiful in the UK” with beaches, forests and so much more to enjoy. Not only can you spend time by the coast, it’s also close to the countryside. And the place people are raving on about is Folkestone, Kent.

This is a wonderful place to spend time by the beach where you can visit gorgeous little cafes along the cobbled streets, tuck into some fish and chips by the sea, and take in the views.

Folkestone is a coastal town on the English Channel, it lies on the southern edge of the North Downs at a valley between two cliffs.

A travel account on TikTok recently named the location as the “most beautiful seaside in the UK”.

In the caption, the user added: “Is this the cutest seaside town in the UK?” Meanwhile a lot of people in the comments section claimed to “love Folkestone”, while another added: “How beautiful.”

How to get to Folkestone:

If you’re travelling by car from London, it’s around 75 miles (about a 1 hour and 40 minute drive). It’s along the M20 which includes tolls.

Meanwhile, the fastest journey would be a train from London St Pancras to Folkestone Central, which takes about 56 minutes. A return ticket could cost around £30-£40 depending on times.

London Charing Cross is also another option to take the train from, although this adds nearly an hour onto the travel time.

What to do in Folkestone:

The seaside town offers a mix of sandy beaches, creative art and pure coastal charm.

There are many attractions for all members of the family, from the bustling Harbour Arm for food and drinks to the scenic Lower Leas Coastal Park.

Also the Creative Quarter’s has the Old Street for cafes, independent boutiques and coffee stops.

And don’t forget the Zig Zag Path where you can walk the restored Victorian path which offers dramatic views through the shady, landscaped greenery.

You can also check out the Folkestone Artworks where there’s over 70 contemporary artworks dispersed across towns, beaches and cliffs.

THERE are plenty of beautiful islands around Greece, but you might not have heard of Andros.

It’s the second-largest island in the Cyclades and is considered to be one of the most beautiful, and underrated.

Andros has it all, with mountain landscapes, beaches with bright blue waters, lush greenery with waterfall trails, and a town classically painted in Greece‘s blue and white.

Visitors arriving by ferry will first come to Gavrio, on the northwest coast which historically was a fishing village.

Now it’s a lot busier and vibrant with plenty of tavernas, bars and hotels – however this isn’t the capital of the island.

An hour’s drive away from Gavrio is Chora, which literally means ‘main village’.

ALL IN

The CHEAPEST all-inclusive holidays in May half term – from £259pp and kids go free

EGG-CELLENT CHOICE

The cheapest all-inclusive holidays this Easter break – from just £192pp

One visitor who blogged about their recent trip named Verde as a top place to grab a bite there.

Their top tip was to taste the Miss Pink cocktail, which is a mix of champagne, lime and grapefruit.

When it comes to drinks, on Andros, you can pick up a glass of wine from €3 (£2.60).

Along with its pretty village to explore, the real gems of this island are the beaches that are dotted along the coastline.

There are beautiful beaches too with white sands and bright blue seas.

One of the most popular north of Chora is called Zorkos Beach, which is also one of the island’s biggest.

One visitor said: “One of the best beaches I have visited in general in my life! Incredible waters, clear and a very quiet place even though it has a beach bar there!”

Another added: “Zorkos beach is just fantastic! Clean water and a very relaxed atmosphere. Perfect place to escape and enjoy the sea without a lot of people. We will definitely visit again.”

Other popular spots include Vitali Beach on the north eastern side of the island.

The beach is always fairly empty as it’s secluded and can only be accessed by a narrow dirt track – so it’s recommended to get there by motorbike or jeep.

Another spot which has crystal clear waters is Tis Grias to Pidima Beach, which has a huge rock stack off its shore.

The beach can be reached via a dirt road and steep trail, but lots of visitors say it’s worth a visit thanks to its beautiful views.

Heading inland, one popular activity for tourists on Andros is hiking to its waterfalls.

One of the easiest trails that takes around 10-minutes is to the Pithara Waterfalls, which is dubbed a ‘hidden paradise’ in Apikia.

Visitors say there’s enough water for a small swim, along with plenty of pretty viewing points from above the falls.

For those staying on the island, some hotels cost as little as £36 per night, which you can find on Booking.com.

The Ostria Hotel & Apartments has an outdoor pool, and is a few minutes walk away from Gavrio.

On Airbnb, pretty apartments start from £67 per night.

This one in Chora is within walking distance to the sea, as well as restaurants, bars, cafes, museums and art galleries.

When it comes to getting to the island, Brits will have to fly to Athens, which in May can be done for £25 with Ryanair.

From there, take a ferry across to the island which can be as quick as one hour with Seajets (with tickets from £30).

For more on Greek islands, one expert reveals the four better value islands where locals go on holiday with Santorini-like houses and secluded beaches.

A BEAUTIFUL resort on a lesser-visited Spanish island has been named the best in the country.

The luxury hotel, Paradisus Melia, which sits on the southern coast of Fuerteventura, has just named the ‘Best Resort in Spain for 2026′.

The luxury resort was awarded the title last week by Forbes just a few months after rebranding and reopening in October 2025.

While it’s on the luxe side of a holiday you can book it with the likes of Jet2, TUI and On the Beach from £136 per person per night.

In the summer months, Fuerteventura has average highs of 26C and at the Paradisus Melia, you can cool off in one of its four swimming pools.

Three are freshwater, one saltwater and there’s a children’s section with a slide too.

GET IT BOOKED

The ‘cheap luxury’ beach resorts under 4 hours from UK with breaks from £75pp

HOT LIST

Where our travel experts will holiday this year – and how we found the best deals

There’s also a chance to upgrade to the ‘Reserve Pool‘ which is adult-only.

It comes with other perks too like use of the pretty cabanas, access to the exclusive lounge and concierge service along with premium drinks.

All the pools are surrounded by sunloungers, straw woven umbrellas and palm trees.

When it comes to eating and drinking, which you can take advantage of with an all-inclusive package, the hotel has multiple bars and restaurants.

Grab a drink at the cocktail bar, lounge bar or snack bar.

And for food, you can take your pick from one of the eight restaurants.

These include one which is buffet-style, two that are adults-only, and all have dishes that are traditionally Spanish, local, Italian and international.

When it comes to activities, guests can take advantage of the air-conditioned gym.

Or have a go at aqua aerobics, Pilates, table tennis and yoga.

There’s entertainment too and during the evening there’s live music and professional shows.

Throughout the year there are family-based activities too like arts and crafts.

Here’s another hotel in Fuerteventura – and it’s set out like a small village…

*If you click on a link in this box, we will earn affiliate revenue

Hotel Club Jandia Princess, Fuerteventura
This resort is set up like a small village, with low-rise buildings set among palm trees and six different swimming pools. Entertainment spans from DJ nights to bingo and live sports screenings, plus sports on offer include water polo, rifle shooting and shuffleboard.

BOOK HERE

When it comes to rooms, each has been newly made over and kept in a minimalist style with relaxing neutral colours and balconies for enjoying the evening sun.

The only board package guests can book is ‘All Inclusive Plus’ which includes buffet-style breakfast and dinner as well as lunch, snacks and drinks.

One holidaymaker said: “We had such a fabulous holiday at this resort. It has definitely raised our bar for all-inclusive holidays.”

With Jet2, two adults can head to Paradisus Melia on May 13, 2026 for a seven-night all inclusive break with transfers and return flights to London Gatwick from £953 per person.

The hotel is fairly isolated, but is minutes from incredible island beaches.

It has beautiful views across Plaża Sotavento and it takes just a minute to get onto the golden sands.

Sotavento Beach was voted one of the best beaches according to Tripadvisor a few years ago.

Also nearby is Playa de Sotavento de Jandía which one visitor said is
“undoubtedly one of the most beautiful beaches on the island.”

For those who want to head further afield, the nearest town is Costa Calma – you’ll need to take a transfer or taxi here which will take around six-minutes.

While it’s not as vibrant as other Spanish towns, it does have shopping centres, restaurants and beach bars.

For more beach holidays, this tiny Spanish island is yet to have mass tourism with incredibly quiet beaches.

And one man who has visited 100 countries confesses why he always go back to these Spanish islands that love Brits & have the best food & beaches.

YOU can explore a Santorini-like island with whitewashed villages for a fraction of the price of the real deal.

Folegandros is an island in the Cyclades known for both pretty beaches and cheaper hotels than its sister island.

Unlike its neighbours Mykonos and Santorini, Folegandros doesn’t have an airport or huge hotels – the island didn’t even have electricity until 1974.

It’s been dubbed an ‘under-the-radar Greek island’ seeing much fewer visitors.

Santorini gets around 3.4million visitors each year, meanwhile Folegandros gets 50,000.

There’s still lots to see and visitors will find most of the island’s life in the main town of Chora of which is perched on a cliff around 200 metres high.

GET IT BOOKED

The ‘cheap luxury’ beach resorts under 4 hours from UK with breaks from £75pp

HOT LIST

Where our travel experts will holiday this year – and how we found the best deals

It’s where most of the shops, restaurants, cafes and tavernas are found.

Make sure to try Matsata, which is a handmade fresh pasta, which looks similar to tagliatelle, that was founded on Folegandros.

Usually it’s served with cooked meats like rooster, rabbit, or goat in a rich tomato sauce and topped with grated cheese.

For those who want the best island view, take the steep, winding path up to the Church of Panagia.

CNN listed Chora in their top seven most beautiful villages in Europe, writing: “Santorini’s streets sag with admirers.

“But on Folegandros, a nearby island, you’ll find similar architecture—streets paved in slate, whitewashed buildings decorated with colourful flowers, the occasional Greek Orthodox church with a bright blue dome—without the crowds.”

Being a Greek island in the Aegean Sea, Folegandros has plenty of beautiful beaches and has been praised for its “emerald-blue” waters.

Some of the island’s top ones include Katergo Beach which has white sands and blue waters.

Visitors have gone as far as to say it’s the “prettiest beach on Folegandros.”

Another is Livadaki Beach which most visitors access by boat rather than foot.

Its remote location means it is less busy than other beaches on the island and it’s said to be an ideal spot for snorkelling.

Agios Nikolaos Beach is family-friendly with a small bar and taverna on the shoreline.

Depending on the season, the average price of a hotel in Santorini varies but typically ranges from £143–£251 per night – but luxury stays can be as high as £1,000.

While Folegandros does have some luxe stays, there are some more affordable stays too.

The Beachfront Cycladic House can be booked from £74 per night on Booking.com.

The holiday home has a bedroom, a bathroom, a living room, a balcony and it’s just minutes’ walk away from multiple beaches.

Rooms at the Kallisti Hotel which is built in the style of a small village can be booked from £82 per night.

It has a swimming pool, bar, breakfast room and rooms with balconies with beautiful island views.

The easiest way for Brits to get to Folegandros is by a ferry from Athens which takes around four hours.

Brits can also fly from the UK to Athens in under four hours from as little as £22.

For more beautiful Greek islands, here are four better value islands where locals go on holiday with Santorini-like houses and secluded beaches.

And here are the alternative Greek islands that could save you £1,000 – including two spots everyone thinks are expensive.

The UK’s ‘holiday park of the year’ has been revealed and it has everything including cosy glamping pods, beautiful beaches on the doorstep and incredible stargazing opportunities

An eco-friendly holiday park close to Morpeth in Northumberland was named the best in the region at last night’s (March 19) Destination North East England Tourism Awards.

At the annual ceremony, now in its 24th year, Tranwell Farm Holidays was named the winner in the Camping, Glamping and Holiday Park of the Year category. The site is on a farm that has been cared for by the family for over 60 years, and since 2022 it has offered a range of unique glamping experiences.

Accommodation options include grass pitches, where you can camp surrounded by beautiful meadows, or you can bring your own caravan or campervan. There’s a cosy shepherds hut for two, a comfortable camping pod, and two woodland lodges surrounded by trees which come with a private log-fired hot tub.

Guests can also enjoy some unique experiences while they stay on the farm. There are sessions where they can meet the park’s rare breed lambs, and you may even get to bottle feed one or witness a birth. The park is also set in an area with an official ‘dark sky’, meaning it’s an incredibly spot for stargazing.

Guests can hire a stargazing kit including binoculars, hot water bottles, and a rug, and can even hire a telescope to help them explore the cosmos from Earth.

Less than a 10-minute drive away is Morpeth, a historic market town with the River Wansbeck running through its centre. It has a traditional high street with a mix of chains and independent shops, as well as the indoor Sanderson Arcade where you’ll find upscale boutiques.

Stroll along the riverfront Carlisle Park and spot historic buildings such as Morpeth Court. Once the town’s court and gaol, it now houses a colourful antiques centre and café, as well as holiday apartments. The Morpeth Chantry is another unique place to visit. This medieval chantry house, which once held church services, is now home to a bagpipe museum which often has live performances.

Northumberland is known for its long, beautiful and unspoilt beaches, and there are a few that can be explored nearby. About half an hour away is Blyth Beach, a sand and shingle beach that has a long promenade and colourful beach huts. Its waters have been rated as ‘excellent’ by the council, so you can take a dip or surf if the conditions are right.

READ MORE: UK’s best place to live 2026 revealed as ‘cool’ rural city — full listREAD MORE: Foreign Office issues new travel warnings for 31 countries amid Middle East war

Cambois Beach is also just a short drive away and this sandy beach has pretty sand dunes and footpaths among the sandy dunes. It’s a quieter spot with fewer facilities, but perfect for a peaceful walk and popular with dog walkers. You may even share the beach with a few people who are fishing, as it’s a great spot to catch flounder and cod.

Have a story you want to share? Email us at webtravel@reachplc.com

WHEN you think of heading on a beach holiday, Sopot is probably not a destination that springs to mind.

However, the coastal town on the Eastern European Riviera has white sand beaches and an enormous luxury hotel right on the promenade with rooms from £89.

Running along the Baltic Sea in northern Poland, Sopot has over 500m of coastline.

It’s most popular with holidaymakers is Sopot Beach – although visitors have said it’s not the warmest for swimming.

But in peak summer, it can be busy and popular for sunbathing and there is.

One visitor to Sopot Beach said: “A must see in Poland! Who would have known Poland had such a beautiful beach?

MAKE THE MOVE

Incredible expat ‘paradise countries’ – with rent from £350 and beers for 83p

GET IT BOOKED

The ‘cheap luxury’ beach resorts under 4 hours from UK with breaks from £75pp

“This should be well known. The whitest, softest sand.”

Another added: “The water was cold but it was amazingly sunny and kid loved the sand play and the park right beside it.”

Next to the beach is Sopot Pier which is the longest wooden pier in Europe and goes on for over 500 metres.

It has views of both the Baltic Sea and the Polish coastline, and cots just £2.10 to enter.

Along the front are cafesm restaurants and even chippies like Centrala Rybna.

The magnificently grand Sofitel Grand Sopot Hotel sits right on the promenade too.

First built in 1923, it was designed for affluent guests, but nowadays, visitors can stay there from £89 according to Kayak.

Along with 126 rooms and huge restaurant, it has a just-as-grand spa and wellness centre, along with a private beach.

When it comes to exploring the heart of Sopot, one of the liveliest streets is Monte Cassino Street, which is home to lots of shops, bars and restaurants.

There’s the Crooked House, which looks like something out of a creepy fairytale, as well as the towering Sopot Lighthouse.

While in Sopot, you can pick up a beer for 16zł (£3.33) and the average price for a meal is 45zł (£9.36).

The easiest way for Brits to get to Sopot is to fly directly to Gdansk which in March can be done for as little as £13 with Wizz Air.

The flight takes just two hours and 15 minutes from London Luton – and then it’s a 20-minute drive to Sopot.

Read more about what one travel writer saw in Gdansk and two other destinations which have cheap Ryanair flights.

Plus, the pretty city known as ‘Polish Manchester’ is near Europe’s largest indoor theme park.

OUR Spotlight On column looks at the best things to see and do in popular holiday destinations, as well as som lesser known spots.

This week, we’re looking towards more tropical climates and shining the light of the Caribbean island of Puerto Rico.

The Sun’s Deputy Travel Editor Kara Godfrey visited the island and raved about it.

She said: “I don’t know why more Brits don’t visit Puerto Rico when planning a Caribbean island.

“The food and drink scene is amazing – after all, its the home of the pina colada, and you can get the local Medalla Light beer for just $2.50 (£1.84) at some bars.

“My highlight was a food tour of San Juan with The Spoon Experience, where we had amazing coffee, ice cream and snacks.

FLY OFF

Two holiday islands with direct UK flights seeing ‘huge demand’ as Brits skip Dubai

ISLE GO

The alternative Greek islands that could save you over £1,000 on your holiday

“We even went on a boat trip to Flamenco Beach – one of the best in the world – where we had to jump off the boat and swim to shore.”

Here are some other things to do, as well as where to stay on the island.

MUST SEE/DO

Bad Bunny’s recent Super Bowl performance certainly put Puerto Rico firmly on the map.

This compact Caribbean island, which is the birthplace of the rapper and musician, is full of glorious landscapes from lush rainforests to sparkling beaches.

But the top thing for the bucket list has to be a visit to El Yunque National Forest, where visitors can swim beneath waterfalls and spot exotic birds.

The forest comes even more alive at night, thanks to its bioluminescent waters.

The island is home to three of only five bioluminescent bays in the world, including the brightest at Mosquito Bay in Vieques.

HIDDEN GEM

For a real taste of local life, head to the Piñones neighbourhood – also known as the “soul of the island”.

Afro-Caribbean heritage comes alive here through vibrant street food, such as alcapurrias, a tyoe of fried fritter made with with grated yuca and sometimes green banana.

Explorers should ditch the beach and head to Puerto Rico’s Central Mountain Region instead.

This area is known for its coffee production so sampling the freshly roasted brews is a must.

Make sure to try Creole-inspired dishes at traditional taverns while soaking up sweeping interior views.

BEST VIEW

If you don’t fancy trekking up the mountains, then Alma Hotel rooftop bar in Old San Juan is the next best thing.

You can drink in the views, which are undeniably spectacular at sunset, alongside a cocktail.

From this high vantage point you’ll be able to gaze out across the terracotta rooftops, and sparkling bay.

Knock back a plate of oysters alongside a canella old fashioned made with cinnamon-infused bourbon, rosemary syrup and orange bitters.

RATED RESTAURANT

Cocina Abierta in San Juan served a menu of reinterpreted classics like mofongo, traditionally made from mashed and fried green plantains, except here its made with peking duck.

Plates are bold, elegant and sophisticated.

A five-course tasting menu costs around £64 a head and booking is recommended.

Bacoa Finca y Fogón is another great spot that offers farm-to-table dining with a focus on sustainable cooking.

BEST BAR

La Factoría in Old San Juan is frequently ranked among the world’s best bars by 50 Best.

Made up of a maze of candlelit rooms, this chic bar not only serves up creative cocktails, it also hosts regular live music nights.

It’s chaotic, fun, and quintessentially Puerto Rican.

The James Beard award-winning Identidad Cocktail Bar is another top spot for cocktail lovers.

Try the whisky highball which celebrates typical Caribbean ingredients like Glenlivet Caribbean (a type of whisky) muddled with ginger, vanilla, cardamom, bitters and soda.

HOTEL PICK

Dreamcatcher by DW is a boutique vegetarian hotel with just nineteen rooms, that sits a ten-minute drive from Old San Juan.

Quirky suites feature stained-glass windows, old hacienda archways and concrete soaking tubs.

Guests can unwind on tropical terraces in breezy hammocks.

Rooms cost from £224 per night. See dreamerswelcome.com.

ONE of the most beautiful beaches in Europe is actually in Britain – and the sandy shores are bringing back a beloved attraction this week.

The observation wheel in Weymouth is returning and will welcome beachgoers from tomorrow for the new season.

Visit Weymouth announced that Weymouth’s Observation Wheel will be opening tomorrow.

In a social media post, it said: “After a successful debut year in 2025, Weymouth’s Observation Wheel will be open again this Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd March at 11am.

“It looks like we are in for a sunny weekend, so get ready for some amazing views! The attraction will then be open every day from Friday 27th March.

“From 10.30am on Saturday 28th March, the other beach rides will be open daily – just in time for the Easter holidays.”

GO SEA IT

£9.50 holiday spot with shipwrecks, seals offshore & horseshoe-shaped waterfalls

SIGHT SEA

£9.50 holidaymakers’ favourite Skegness activities… away from the beach

Other rides opening next weekend include the helter skelter, pirate ship, pirate coaster and paratrooper.

It won’t be the last time you see the big wheel either as the family who own it have a five-year contract in place, according to the Dorset Echo.

This means it will be there and open for business until 2029.

The attraction is fairly new to the seaside town having only opened in April last year.

It stands at 85ft tall and can take up to 108 passengers at a time.

Anyone wanting to see the Jurassic Coastline should take a ride as it offers great views across the beach and further on.

Last year, prices for the Weymouth Wheel started from £5 for children under 10 as well as OAPs.

For adults, a single ticket is £6, while families of four (two children and two adults) could get onto the attraction for £20.

Weymouth Beach is a favourite for Brits, especially during the summer months.

It’s also considered one of the most beautiful in Europe.

Last year, Tripadvisor ranked the best beaches – and Weymouth Beach came in 20th place, when it came to the list of the best beaches in Europe.

It was praised for its ‘shallow, safe waters’ that are perfect for swimmers.

Other factors that went in its favour included its family-friendly activities like donkey rides and pedalo hire.

It was the fourth year in a row that Weymouth appeared on the list.

The Times even named Weymouth the UK’s best beach back in 2023 with its litter-free beach, and plentiful amount of fish and chip shops.

Brits have a similar opinion too, one beach-goer wrote on Tripadvisor: “It’s the best beach in the South if not the UK”.

Another went one further, saying: “Best beach in the world.. Love it here.”

For more on beaches, here are Sun Travel’s 26 must-visit UK beaches for 2026 – including tropical-feel spots and family-friendly finds.

And here are five UK beaches that feel more like abroad with white sand beaches and chic hotels.

THE UK is heating up today, with highs of 20C making it hotter than places in Athens and Ibiza.

So if you fancy a last minute trip to the beach, we’ve rounded up 11 of the best which you can get to by train from a UK city in less than 60 minutes.

Weston-super-Mare – 19 minutes from Bristol

One of the closest beaches to Bristol, Weston-super-Mare can often get a bad rap as a seaside town.

But the huge new £20million Weston Placemaking Strategy will regenerate the town as part of a 10-year plan, which includes a new waterpark and reopened pier.

We spoke to a couple who have been going there for 55 years – here’s what they love about it.

Great Yarmouth – 25 minutes from Norwich

Great Yarmouth is also getting a huge revamp, with a £40million upgrade including North Quay and the Victorian Winter Gardens.

COAST ALONG

The new 2,700-mile coastal path in the UK set to be the longest in the WORLD

COAST IS CLEAR

Five UK seasides that feel more like abroad with white sand beaches

A traditional beach, it is even home to Great Yarmouth Pleasure Beach, which was named one of the UK’s best theme parks.

Here are some of Sun Readers top tips on what to do in Great Yarmouth.

Southend-on-Sea – 53 minutes from London

Nicknamed the British Miami, Essex’s Southend-on-Sea is one of the coolest seasides on the list.

You might spot a celeb at the Roslin Beach Hotel which has welcomed everyone from Gary Barlow and Tyson Fury to Denise van Outen and TOWIE stars.

We’ve rounded up some other things to do there, including the free-to-visit theme park.

Exmouth – 20 minutes from Exeter

Devon‘s oldest seaside resort, Exmouth has it all from playgrounds and chippies to cheap Haven holiday parks.

It’s also on the new 2,700 coastal path which is the longest of its kind in the world – if you fancy a bit of a hike.

The Sun’s travel reporter Cyann Fielding explains why she loved visiting the beach as a child.

Cromer – 45 minutes from Norwich

Did you know that Britain has its own Great Barrier Reef – and it is less than an hour by train from Norwich?

Cromer is not only one of the warmest beaches in the UK (outside of summer) but it is also famous for its delicious Cromer crab.

Sun travel reporter Alice Penwill explains why she loves going to Cromer.

Brighton – 58 minutes from London

One of the UK’s most popular beaches, Brighton just squeezes under the one-hour-train mark.

A recent study even found that it has the most pubs per person so you can grab a pint to take to the beach.

Our Assistant Travel Editor Sophie Swietochowski reveals how to do a weekend in the famous seaside town from the best shops to beautiful hotels.

Hunstanton – 50 minutes from Cambridge

Named one of the best seaside spots in the UK by Time Out, Hunstanton is your traditional seaside resort.

It lays claim to having the best sunset views, being the only spot on the East coast that faces West.

Sun travel reporter Jenna Stevens explains why you should visit other parts of the nearby county too.

North Berwick – 30 minutes from Edinburgh

North Berwick has two main sandy beaches, Milsey Bay and West Beach, so really its two trips in one.

According to the Scottish Tourist Board, it is still a “hidden gem” and “largely unspoilt”.

We’ve rounded up some other things to know about the tiny resort.

Folkestone – 55 minutes from London

The Kent town of Folkestone is getting a lot of hype at the moment – from the new ‘UK’s biggest beach sauna’ to the reopening on the seaside funicular this summer after years of closure.

Less than an hour from London, it was even named one of the best places to live in the UK.

Deputy Travel Editor Kara Godfrey has revealed everything to look forward to in the town this year.

Crosby Beach – 25 minutes from Liverpool

One of the best places to spot the Northern Lights is, unusually, Crosby Beach near Liverpool.

It’s other claim to fame is being home to an Antony Gormley “Another Place” art installation, of which there are 100 cast-iron figures across the coastline.

Here are some other things to do in the nearby area.

Barry Island – 33 minutes from Cardiff

If you’re a Gavin and Stacy fan, you’ll know Barry Island and its just half an hour by train from the nearest city of Cardiff.

It has everything from Barry Island Pleasure Park, as well as a huge stretch of beach with all you need from chippies to arcades.

We spoke to the locals who gave us their top tips on what to visit in Barry Island.