A family-friendly British beach with three miles of golden sands has been named the best in the UK, according to Tripadvisor.
The travel guidance platform has announced the winners of its Travellers’ Choice® Awards: Best of the Best Beaches for 2025, which revealed its reviewers’ top beaches worldwide.
Weymouth Beach along the Dorset stretch of the Jurassic coast was crowned the UK’s best beach and was named number 20 on the Europe rankings, claiming a top spot for the fourth year in a row.
This family-friendly destination is known for its safe and shallow waters, making it the perfect place for a day out with the kids.
There’s plenty to do when visiting during the summer, from Punch and Judy shows to donkey rides and pedalo hire. One reviewer commented that it is “picturesque even on an overcast day.”
Just three spots behind Weymouth beach, at number 23, is Gorleston-on-Sea near Great Yarmouth in Norfolk. This two-mile stretch of golden sand is perfect for bucket-and-spade outings.
Gorleston-on-Sea is also perfect for surfing, bodyboarding, and kite-flying. The nearby promenades offer beautiful views and a selection of cafes and shops, which are ideal for those looking for relaxation rather than activity.
This year also marks Tripadvisor’s 25th, and they released a special 25th anniversary list, based on all-time data, not just the last years.
The only British beach to make it onto the 25th-anniversary list was Bournemouth Beach, which came in at number 12.
This seven-mile stretch, located in Dorset, is a great destination for paddleboarding and sailing – and with its own arcade and stunning views of the Isle of Wight and the Purbeck Hills, Bournemouth Beach is great for whatever your beach plans involve.
Meanwhile, Europe and the world’s best beach was named as Elafonissi Beach on the island of Crete, which is known for its stunning pink sand and crystal-clear waters.
Europe’s best beaches
- Elafonissi Beach, Greece
- Praia da Falésia, Portugal
- Playa de Muro Beach, Spain
- Myrtos Beach, Greece
- Spiaggia dei Conigli, Italy
- Playa de Maspalomas, Spain
- Plage de Palombaggia, France
- Tropea Beach, Italy
- Reynisfjara Beach, Iceland
- Falassarna Beach, Greece
- Anthony Quinn Bay, Greece
- Spiaggia La Cinta, Italy
- Playa de Cofete, Spain
- İztuzu Plajı, Türkiye
- Cala Mariolu, Italy
- Playa de Ses Illetes, Spain
- Praia da Nazare, Portugal
- Konyaaltı Plajları, Türkiye
- Konnos Bay, Cyprus
- Weymouth Beach, United Kingdom
- Praia dos Três Irmãos, Portugal
- Praia do Barril, Portugal
- Gorleston-on-Sea Beach, United Kingdom
- Makronissos Beach, Cyrpus
- Plage de Santa Giulia, France
Tripadvisor’s 25th-anniversary list of beaches
- Balos Lagoon, Greece
- Eagle Beach, Aruba
- Waikiki Beach, United States
- Ipanema Beach, Brazil
- Isla Pasion, Mexico
- Playa Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica
- Spiaggia La Cinta, Italy
- Banana Beach, Thailand
- Praia da Falésia, Portugal
- Manly Beach, Australia
- Plage de Palombaggia, France
- Bournemouth Beach, UK
- Kelingking Beach, Indonesia
- Anse Lazio, Seychelles
- Reynisfjara Beach, Iceland
Kristen Dalton, president at Tripadvisor, said: “Tripadvisor’s Travellers’ Choice Awards uniquely reflect the voices of millions of global travellers and help guide people to plan their best trip yet.
“In my family, beaches aren’t just for sunbathing – we like to get out and explore! The diversity of this year’s winners really showcases everything that a beach trip can have to offer.
“Whether it’s strolling the beautiful pink sand beaches of our world winner, Elafonissi beach, in Greece, experiencing breathtaking vistas in Indonesia, whale watching in Hawaii or diving in magical bioluminescent waters in Thailand – there really is something for everyone. This year’s lists span an incredible six continents and 50 countries with over 100 of the very best beaches showcasing the eclectic mix of coastal spots across the world.”
