The hidden beach was hailed for its tranquillity (Image: Getty)
The world’s best beach has been named in a new list, based on input from thousands of travel professionals and experts. There are many famous beaches across the globe, but it’s often the overlooked gems that are hailed as the very best. This can be due to their natural beauty or the fact that they are not as crowded or found off the beaten track. That is certainly the case when it comes to the best beach in the world for 2026.
The World’s 50 Best Beaches has revealed its annual rankings, with a stunning Asian spot coming out on top. The chosen beach is “one of those places you have to see to believe”, the experts who curated the list reveal. It is hailed for its turquoise waters, its untouched natural surroundings and its white sand, all of which make it a paradise that looks postcard-perfect. Plus, it is not as busy as other beaches in the region, giving it an edge over local competition.
The beach is only accessible by boat (Image: Getty)
The 2026 list names Entalula Beach in Palawan, the Philippines, as the best beach in the world. It beat competition from scenic countries across the globe, such as Greece, Australia, Mexico and Thailand.
“It is set apart by its towering limestone cliffs that rise sharply behind a stretch of soft white sand, creating one of the most visually striking settings in the region and the world,” the travel experts reveal. “Compared to nearby beaches, it sees fewer visitors, and that space is felt immediately on arrival.
“The water is exceptionally clear, with calm conditions that make it easy to swim and simply take it all in.”
The beach can only be accessed by boat, which adds to its appeal and tranquillity. The World’s 50 Best Beaches calls it an “overlooked slice of heaven” that is both “dramatic and calm at the same time”.
The beach is surrounded by dramatic cliffs (Image: Getty)
The beach has been praised by those who have visited. One TripAdvisor review called it “magical”, while another said their visit was “one of the most beautiful” excursions they have been on.
Entalula Beach beat some stiff competition from around the world to take the number one spot, with other gorgeous beaches making up the top ten.
The ten best beaches in the world, as revealed in the new list, are:
- Entalula Beach, Philippines
- Fteri Beach, Greece
- Wharton Beach, Australia
- Nosy Iranja, Madagascar
- East Beach, Vomo Island, Fiji
- Shoal Bay East, Antigua
- Dhigurah, Maldives
- Playa Balandra, Mexico
- Koh Rong, Cambodia
- Donald Duck Bay, Thailand
Fteri Beach in Greece took the second place spot on the list (Image: Getty)
Other European beaches that rank high in the top 50 list include Cala Macarella in Spain at number 12, Cala dei Gabbiani in Italy at number 18 and Porto Katsiki in Greece at number 34.
No UK beaches were named within the top 50 list. However, one Irish beach, which is only a short distance from the UK, just about made the list. Keem Bay in County Mayo was placed at number 50 on the list.
“Being recognised by millions of travellers and global media as the definitive authority on beaches is a responsibility we take incredibly seriously,” said Tine Holst, Co-Founder of The World’s 50 Best Beaches.
“To uphold that uncompromising standard, we’ve elevated our methodology for 2026. For the first time, our core team is personally visiting and evaluating hundreds of beaches year-round. By combining this new level of on-the-ground verification with the insights of our 1,000 industry experts, we take tremendous pride in sharing this list of the world’s most incredible beaches.”
The full list can be viewed here.
