Europe’s best beach named for 2026 - 3 hours from UK with £28 flights

Europe's best beach has been named for 2026 and direct flights from the UK are going for as little as £28.

By Jennifer Pinto, Audience writer

06:01, Sat, May 9, 2026

Idyllic beach and cliffs by the crystal sea, Kefalonia

The world's 50 best beaches for 2026 have been named (Image: Getty)

The world's best beaches have officially been named for 2026 and UK travellers don't have to go far to visit one of the very best. According to the latest ranking from The World's 50 Best Beaches, more than 1,000 travel experts have crowned this year’s most beautiful shorelines, and one European beach has stood out from the others for its exceptional beauty, natural surroundings and rare crowd-free atmosphere. This breathtaking beach is just a direct flight away and has been named the best in Europe and came in second in the world's top 50 beaches.

It is the only European beach to have made the world's top 10. With rigorous, year-round scouting by industry experts and the organisation's internal team, the beaches were judged according to the following criteria: unique characteristics, wildlife, untouched nature, natural soundtrack, ease of water entry, frequency of calm conditions, lack of overcrowding and consistency of idyllic settings.

A beautiful lagoon of Fteri, beach, Kefalonia, Greece

Fteri Beach is the only beach in Europe to make the top 10 best beaches in the world (Image: Getty)

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The experts described Fteri Beach on the beautiful island of Kefalonia in Greece as "isolated and majestic greek perfection."

The description reads: "Fteri Beach on Kefalonia, Greece, is tucked away in a secluded cove, surrounded by dramatic white cliffs, and is accessible primarily by boat or via a hike down a steep trail. Its isolation contributes to its pristine and serene atmosphere, setting it apart from more tourist-heavy destinations.

"Majestic white cliffs frame the beach, curving around a stretch of striking white pebbles mixed with sand, which meets the crystal-clear turquoise waters of the Ionian Sea. The untouched beauty and tranquil environment of Fteri Beach make it a haven for those in search of peace and a deep connection with nature."

Tine Holst, co-founder of The World's 50 Best Beaches told the Express: "Fteri Beach has an immediate wow factor. The towering white cliffs and the contrast with the vibrant turquoise water create a setting that is striking from the moment you arrive.

"What especially resonated with our judges is how connected to nature the experience feels compared to many of Europe’s more populated beaches.

"In peak season, a lot of well-known beaches can feel crowded and heavily set up, whereas Fteri offers something much simpler - more secluded, more natural and ultimately more memorable."

Direct flights to Kefalonia take around three and a half hours from the UK. At the time of writing, a direct flight from London Stansted to the beautiful Greek island costs just £28.49 with Ryanair on June 8 and only £30 on August 10.

EasyJet also operates direct flights from London Gatwick to Kefalonia with a fight currently starting at just £30.99 on November 1.

The World's 50 Best Beaches list said it is now widely recognised as the ultimate and leading global authority on beach destinations worldwide. The world's best beach this year is Entalula Beach in Palawan, an archipelagic province of the Philippines.

The beach has been described by the experts as "Palawan's overlooked slice of heaven," with its dramatic limestone cliffs, waters that are "exceptionally clear," soft white sand and it's only accessible by boat making it uncrowded and unspoiled.

Amazing Fteri beach lagoon, Cephalonia Kefalonia, Greece. Tourists under umbrella relax near clear blue emerald turquise sea water. White rocks in bac