'Wonderful beach' crowned Europe’s best by Tripadvisor — full list

Summer is officially here, and soon it will be time to think about your holidays. Living in the UK, we are blessed to have some of the best beaches in the world just a short flight away.

From Italy to France and Spain, there are so many places to choose from. However, according to TravelAdvisor, the beach is better than the rest. It’s just been named as the best beach in Europe, and the second best beach in the world according to the Travellers Choice ‘Best of the Best’ ranking for 2026 — a magical place on the coast of Crete in Greece.

Elafonissi Beach is famous for its beautiful calm, clear waters and its pink sands. The pink colouring of the sand is because it’s made of millions of tiny organisms like seashells, coral and microorganisms that have been ground down over the years.

This colouring is part of what makes Elafonissi so stunning. The bright pink comes from a mollusc called Foraminifera.

These tiny marine creatures produce red-pigmented shells, which, over time, break down and mix with the white grains of sand on the shore.

It’s a popular spot with families as the shallow lagoons are perfect for smaller children to explore, while the surrounding deeper water offers adults a chance to swim and snorkel.

On TripAdvisor, the beach has a 4.5 ranking based on 16,000 reviews.

One visitor, Elliot Perry wrote: “Elafonissi Beach is one of those places that looks just as beautiful in person as it does in photographs….Despite being well known, the beach still feels spacious if you walk a little further from the main entrance. There are quieter spots where you can appreciate the scenery without the crowds.”

Another visitor, Iriena S, said: “Despite visiting in the off-season, we had a wonderful time. We enjoyed having the whole beach to ourselves.

"The weather was quite warm, the water was crystal clear and beautiful, and the sandy beach with its scenic seaside views made it even more special.”

Best beaches in Europe 2026

1. Elafonissi Beach, Crete