What makes a beach popular is partly personal, but a handful of coastlines turn up again and again on travellers’ lists, thanks to their sand, their water and the cities and culture around them. Here are ten of the most popular beaches in the world, from city icons to island escapes.
1. Bondi Beach, Australia
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Just a short trip from central Sydney, Bondi is Australia’s most famous stretch of sand. Its golden curve and reliable surf draw millions each year, along with the clifftop Bondi to Coogee coastal walk and a buzzing cafe scene behind the beach.
2. Copacabana Beach, Brazil
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Rio de Janeiro’s Copacabana is as much a social scene as a beach. The four-kilometre arc of sand, framed by its distinctive black-and-white promenade, hosts beach football, sunset crowds and some of the world’s biggest New Year’s Eve celebrations.
3. Miami Beach, United States
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On Florida’s Atlantic coast, Miami Beach pairs warm, calm water with the pastel Art Deco buildings of South Beach. It is as well known for its nightlife, dining and people-watching as for sunbathing.
4. Phuket, Thailand
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Phuket, Thailand’s largest island, is ringed by beaches, with lively Patong the best known. Clear Andaman Sea water, island-hopping boat trips and a thriving food and nightlife scene make it a magnet for visitors.
5. Bali, Indonesia
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Bali’s beaches range from the surf breaks of Kuta and Uluwatu to quieter black-sand bays in the north. Combined with the island’s temples, rice terraces and relaxed pace, they keep it near the top of every traveller’s list.
6. Santorini, Greece
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Santorini is famous for its caldera views, but its volcanic beaches are a draw in their own right, from the rust-coloured Red Beach to the long black sands of Perissa and Kamari. Whitewashed villages and Aegean sunsets complete the picture.
7. Waikiki Beach, Hawaii
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Waikiki, on Oahu’s south shore, is where modern surfing went mainstream. Gentle rolling waves make it ideal for beginners, while Diamond Head crater rises behind the hotels and restaurants that line the sand.
8. Cancun, Mexico
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Cancun, on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, is known for powder-white sand and turquoise Caribbean water. Beyond the beach, snorkelling reefs and nearby Mayan ruins such as Tulum and Chichen Itza add to the appeal.
9. Mykonos, Greece
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Mykonos blends sun and party in equal measure. Beaches like Paradise and Super Paradise are known for their daytime beach clubs, while the island’s whitewashed lanes and windmills give it a postcard charm.
10. Ibiza, Spain
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The Balearic island of Ibiza is world-famous for its nightlife, but it also has genuinely beautiful coves and calm, clear water. Quieter beaches in the north balance the buzz of the south’s clubs and beach bars.
From the surf of Bondi and Waikiki to the island calm of Bali and Santorini, these beaches each offer something different, whether that is nightlife, scenery or simply a place to relax in the sun. Wherever you go, it is worth treading lightly: many of these spots depend on tourism, and looking after the coastline keeps it beautiful for the next visitors.
Keep exploring: the best beaches in the world, the largest islands in the world, and the best attractions in Amsterdam.
