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Portugal’s Praia da Falésia named the world's best beach

Friday, 23 February 2024

Things you must do and eat in Spain and Portugal (video published December 2018).

The dramatic Praia da Falésia has been named the world’s best beach by Tripadvisor reviewers.

The stretch of golden sand at the foot of red-coloured cliffs has been a favourite for locals in Portugal for years, but is gaining more and more worldwide fame.

Praia da Falésia is in the Algarve region of Portugal.
Praia da Falésia is in the Algarve region of Portugal.

The beach near the tiny Atlantic fishing town of Olhos de Agua in the Algarve is up from number six last year to claim the top spot in the Travelers’ Choice Awards Best of the Best Beaches 2024.

In second is Spiaggia dei Conigli in Lampedusa, Italy, while Spain’s La Concha Beach in Donostia-San Sebastian rounds out the top three.

Sarah Firshein, Head of Editorial at Tripadvisor, said while there was a wide variety of destinations in the top 25, with 18 countries across five continents, “the top three beaches are all in Europe, ousting the perennially popular Caribbean from those spots — a sign that some travellers are eager to swap typical resort vacations for the coastlines of Portugal, Italy, and beyond.'

La Concha Beach finished third.
La Concha Beach finished third.
Spiaggia dei Conigli was in second.
Spiaggia dei Conigli was in second.

In the South Pacific category only one Kiwi beach is listed, with Mt Maunganui Main Beach sneaking in at 10.

Australia dominate with seven entries. Sydney’s Manly Beach tops the category, with Broome’s Cable Beach second and Bora Bora’s Matira Beach third.

The rankings are based on the quality and quantity of global reviews and ratings on Tripadvisor for beaches and were gathered over the 12-month period from October 1, 2022 to September 30, 2023.

Top 10 beaches in the world

  1. Praia de Falésia, Portugal

  2. Spiaggia dei Conigli, Italy

  3. La Concha Beach, Spain

  4. Ka’anapali Beach, Hawaii

  5. Grace Bay Beach, Turks and Caicos

  6. Anse Lazio, Seychelles

  7. Manly Beach, Australia

  8. Eagle Beach, Aruba

  9. Siesta Beach, US

  10. Varadero Beach, Cuba

Top 10 beaches in the South Pacific

  1. Manly Beach, Australia

  2. Cable Beach, Australia

  3. Matira Beach, Bora Bora, French Polynesia

  4. Four Mile Beach, Australia

  5. Surfers Paradise Beach, Australia

  6. Mooloolaba Beach, Australia

  7. Whitehaven Beach, Australia

  8. Piscine Naturelle, New Caledonia

  9. Emily Bay, Norfolk Island, Australia

  10. Mt Maunganui Main Beach