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World's 50 Best Beaches 2026 Ranking Released by Travel Experts
The World's 50 Best Beaches published its 2026 global list based on votes from more than 1,000 travel professionals. The ranking also includes separate lists for North America and Europe.
May 24, 5:30 PM·1m read1 source
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The World's 50 Best Beaches released its 2026 ranking on April 30, drawing on input from more than 1,000 travel industry professionals and influencers. Tine Holst, cofounder and CEO of The World's 50 Best Beaches, said the list evaluates beaches on uniqueness, wildlife presence, swimming conditions, crowding, natural soundscape, and overall experience.
Beach in Palawan, Philippines, ranked first.
It rose from second place on the 2025 list. Fteri Beach in Kefalonia, Greece, placed second after finishing fourth in 2025. Wharton Beach in Western Australia came in third. Nosy Iranja in Madagascar ranked fourth, and East Beach on Vomo Island in Fiji placed fifth.
Anguilla topped the North America list.
Playa Balandra in Mexico ranked second, followed by Princess Diana Beach in Antigua and Barbuda. Grace Bay in Turks and Caicos placed fourth on the North America list, and Canto de la Playa in the Dominican Republic finished fifth. Fteri Beach led the Europe list. Cala Macarella on Menorca, Spain, came in second.
Cambodia ranked ninth globally.
Holst noted the island's lightly developed coastline and calm turquoise water. Fiji had two beaches on the global list: East Beach on Vomo Island at fifth and Blue Lagoon at 36th. Three Australian beaches appeared on the global list: Wharton Beach, Turquoise Bay, and Wineglass Bay.
