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The World’s 50 Best Beaches has published its annual, definitive list of the top beaches in Europe for 2026, and there are some real beauties on there – including a couple of British destinations. Yep, that’s right: alongside coastal spots in Greece, Turkey, Italy and France are sandy stretches in plucky ol’ Blighty.
Every year the website publishes its round-up of the planet’s top stretches of coast (it’s a tough job, but someone’s got to do it). Over 1,000 assorted enthusiasts sink their toes into the sand and put forward recommendations for your next European holiday destination.
Among the big five-oh, two UK beauty spots have made the grade. Cornwall’s dramatic Kynance Cove came in at number 26, while Scotland’s rugged Achmelvich Beach squeaked in at 47.
Europe’s best beaches in the UK
Kynance Cove
Look at a photo of this beautiful bay in Cornwall (as above) and you may find it hard to believe that you’re looking at a picture of the UK. In fact, Kynance been described as the UK’s warmest beach, with an average winter temperature of 11.5C.
Kynance Cove also features in Time Out’s list of the greatest beaches in Britain, with Cornwall-born writer India Lawrence describing the sandy stretch as ‘iconic’. She adds:
‘With fine white sand, bright turquoise waters and dramatic rock formations sticking out of the sea, on a good day it would be easy to mistake this beach for somewhere far more exciting, like Thailand.
‘Growing up in Cornwall, my family would often make the long drive followed by the intrepid walk down to the sand to spend the day exploring the many rock pools and mysterious caves of Kynance, which lore has it were used by smugglers back in the day.’
India’s insider tip is to make sure you get down to Kynance Cove early in the day. The National Trust car park is often full before 11am. It’s about an hour’s drive from Penzance.
Achmelvich Beach
Despite being on the other side of the country, Achmelvich Beach is similar to Kynance Cove in that it – in pictures, at least – better resembles a tropical hotspot than a UK shore. In person its dunes are a tad chillier, being in the Scottish Highlands.
But Achmelvich’s charms aren’t limited to the beach itself. Visitors have even spotted dolphins in the bay, while it’s also a short walk to Hermit’s Castle, which is reportedly Europe’s smallest fortress.
The best beaches in Europe 2026 – the full list
- Fteri Beach (Greece)
- Cala Macarella (Spain)
- Cala dei Gabbiani (Italy)
- Kaputas (Turkey)
- Porto Katsiki (Greece)
- Santa Giulia (France)
- Playa Cofete (Spain)
- Praia da Falesia (Portugal)
- Porto Timoni (Greece)
- La Pelosa (Italy)
- Keem Beach (Ireland)
- Playa Bolonia (Spain)
- Tuerredda (Italy)
- Podrace Beach (Croatia)
- Calo des Moro (Spain)
- Oludeniz (Turkey)
- Grama Bay (Albania)
- Playa de Rodas (Spain)
- Cala Coticcio (Italy)
- Playa de Sotavento (Spain)
- Praia i Focu Beach (Italy)
- Voutomi Beach (Greece)
- Seixal Beach (Madeira)
- Puinn Sand Beach (Norway)
- Palombaggia (France)
- Kynance Cove (England)
- Praia do Camilo (Portugal)
- Gjipe Beach (Albania)
- Hovolo Beach (Greece)
- Golden Beach (Cyprus)
- Sarakiniko Beach (Greece)
- Pasjaca Beach (Croatia)
- Arutas Beach (Italy)
- Ses Illetes (Spain)
- Jaz Beach (Montenegro)
- Spiaggia Zingaro (Italy)
- Zlatni Rat (Croatia)
- Diamond Beach (Iceland)
- Punta Rata (Croatia)
- Cala Brandinchi (Italy)
- Haukland Beach (Norway)
- Sakarun (Croatia)
- Calo des Marmols (Spain)
- Elafonissi Beach (Greece)
- Lotu Beach (France)
- Cala Luna (Italy)
- Achmelvich Beach (Scotland)
- Alzada Beach (Spain)
- Kelebekler Vadisi Beach (Turkey)
- Cala Moraig (Spain)
Next question: how do you get a job on The World’s 50 Best Beaches panel? You can check out the ranking on the official website here.
Oh, and these are the world’s 30 best beaches, according to us at Time Out.
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