New study reveals the best beaches in Europe, and three are in the UK!

A new study has revealed three UK beaches as some of the best in Europe.  

Data collected by luxury yacht company Europe Yachts has revealed the top beaches in Europe, with three UK beaches, Gorleston-on-Sea Beach, Weymouth Beach and Fistral Beach making it into the top 15. 

The data was collected by Europe Yachts using 30 of TripAdvisor’s most popular European beaches. The percentage of five-star or “excellent” reviews was calculated from the total number of reviews and then organised from highest to lowest as a percentage.

In first place, with 88.2 per cent of reviews being five-star, is Spiaggia Dei Conigli in Lampedusa, Italy. The beach is located between Malta and Tunisia on the Pelagie Islands, south of Sicily. Translated into English as “rabbit beach”, the famous shoreline boasts crystal clear waters and golden sand, along with views of Isola dei Conigli or “rabbit island”, straight ahead.  

In second place is Praia dos Tres Irmaos, Alvor, Portugal, which has 79.9 per cent of excellent reviews on TripAdvisor. Located in the Algarve in southern Portugal, this stunning beach is famous for its spectacular rock formations and hidden caves. Translated into English as the “beach of the three brothers”, its name was given because of the three distinctive rocks which run across the beach. 

With 78.9 per cent of reviews being five-star, Playa de Ses Illetes in Formentera, Spain, is the third-best beach in Europe. Located in Formentera on Spain’s Balearic Islands, the beach also falls within Formentera Natural Park, renowned for its exquisite beauty and pink beaches.

Also scoring highly were Sarakiniko Beach and Balos Lagoon, both located in Greece, which had 75.1 and 72 per cent of five-star reviews respectively. Greece is well known for its beautiful beaches, which stretch across 227 islands. According to statistics from WorldData, over 34 million visitors visit Greece annually, making it one of the most popular countries for tourism in the world. 

Famous for its black sand, Reynisfjara Beach in Iceland had 73.9 per cent of excellent TripAdvisor reviews. Often regarded as one of the world’s most unique and unusual beaches, the black sand was created by volcanic lava, which has hardened and turned black. The beach can be found in the south of Iceland, almost three hours from the country’s capital, Reykjavík.  

Also included on the list are three beaches in the UK, Gorleston-on-Sea Beach, Weymouth Beach and Fistral Beach, which has 72.6, 71.6 and 70.6 per cent of their reviews being five-star. The UK has over 1,500 beaches, stretching over 19,000 miles from top to bottom (including islands) and comprising a diverse collection of sandy coves in every region of the country. Fistral Beach, in Newquay, Cornwall, is also noted as one the best beaches for surfing all over Europe.  

Other beaches on the list are Sotavento Beach, Spain, Iztuzu Beach, Turkey, Fig Tree Bay, Cyprus and Plage du Sillon, France. 

A spokesperson for Europe Yachts said: “Europe is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. From the crystal-clear waters of Greece and the Mediterranean to the stunning shorelines of Iceland, every type of beach can be found across Europe. Whether you’re looking for a romantic getaway, a surfer’s paradise or a family vacation, plenty can be discovered.”