Italy's mystical Cala Goloritzé boasts the coveted distinction of being the world's best beach in 2025.
That's according to The World's 50 Best Beaches, which surveyed more than 1,000 of the world's leading travel influencers and professionals to determine which shorelines reign supreme.
The spectacular Cala Goloritzé—which overtakes last year's winner, Trunk Bay in the U.S. Virgin Islands—is a well-preserved patch of paradise that limits the number of visitors and is accessible by hike or boat.
Asia features prominently in this year's top 50, with Entalula Beach in Palawan, Philippines, ranking second and Thailand's Bang Bao Beach on the island of Koh Kood coming in third.
Beach lovers will especially want to get to Greece and Australia before the year is up, as each features three beaches in the top 50.
Greece's secluded Fteri Beach on Kefalonia ranks as high as fourth, but the European hotspot is also represented by Voutoumi Beach on the island of Antipaxos (16th) and the rugged Porto Katsiki on Lefkada Island (36th).
Meanwhile, Australian beaches making this year's list include Western Australia's Turquoise Bay (11th), the isolated Wharton Beach (21st) off the country's southern coast and Nudey Beach (37th), a gateway to the Great Barrier Reef located on Fitzroy Island just off the coast of Queensland.
Horseshoe Bay Beach, Bermuda (Photo Credit: Jim Byers/TravelPulse Canada)
New destinations to make this year's list include countries like Madagascar, Yemen, Antigua & Barbuda, United Arab Emirates, Sri Lanka, Costa Rica, Tanzania, France, Ireland and the Maldives in addition to overseas territories like American Samoa, the British Virgin Islands and Bonaire.
The lone U.S. beach to make the top 50 was Florida's Siesta Beach, which finished 42nd this year.
The World's 50 Best Beaches for 2025
- Cala Goloritze — Italy
- Entalula Beach — Philippines
- Bang Bao Beach — Thailand
- Fteri Beach — Greece
- PK 9 Beach — French Polynesia
- Canto De La Playa — Dominican Republic
- Anse Source d'Argent — Seychelles
- Nosy Iranja — Madagascar
- Ofu Beach — American Samoa
- Grace Bay — Turks & Caicos
- Turquoise Bay — Australia
- Boulders Beach — South Africa
- Pink Beach — Indonesia
- Shoal Bay East — Anguilla
- Detwah Lagoon — Yemen
- Voutoumi Beach — Greece
- One Foot Island — Cook Islands
- Playa de Rodas — Spain
- Playa Balandra — Mexico
- Pontal do Atalaia — Brazil
- Wharton Beach — Australia
- Cayo de Agua — Venezuela
- Seven Mile Beach — Cayman Islands
- Cayo Zapatilla — Panama
- Baia do Sancho — Brazil
- Horseshoe Bay — Bermuda
- Pulau Palambak — Indonesia
- Freedom Beach — Thailand
- The Baths — British Virgin Islands
- Anse Georgette — Seychelles
- Ffryes Beach — Antigua & Barbuda
- Grand Anse — Grenada
- Le Morne Beach — Mauritius
- Bahia de Las Aguilas — Dominican Republic
- Meads Bay — Anguilla
- Porto Katsiki — Greece
- Nudey Beach — Australia
- Bon Bon Beach — Philippines
- Saadiyat Beach — United Arab Emirates
- Goyambokka Beach — Sri Lanka
- Playa Punta Uva — Costa Rica
- Siesta Beach — Florida, United States
- Paje Beach — Zanzibar
- Klein Bonaire Beach — Bonaire
- Cathedral Cove Beach — New Zealand
- Santa Giulia — Corsica, France
- Gardner Bay — Ecuador
- Keem Beach — Ireland
- Kuramathi Sand Bank — Maldives
- La Pelosa — Italy
"Our 2025 list is the result of countless days spent by our judges, Beach Ambassadors, and the World's 50 Best team exploring coastlines across the globe," Tine Holst, Co-Founder of The World's 50 Best Beaches, said in a statement.
"Our mission is to inspire travelers to go beyond the typical tourist hotspots and discover the kind of beach experiences they've always dreamed of—places that are truly breathtaking, peaceful, and unforgettable."
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