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Best beach destinations
Coastlines worth planning a whole trip around.
80 destinations across 8 regions.
Africa
Accra
Jamestown Lighthouse, Independence Arch, Makola Market, Labadi Beach
Budget day from GH₵ 730 · Best Nov–Feb
Dahab
Blue Hole, Mount Sinai, Canyon, Mashraba, Ras Abu Galum
Budget day from E£ 1,400 · Best Feb–Apr, Oct–Nov
Diani
Colobus Conservation, Wasini Island, Kaya Kinondo, Ali Barbour’s Cave
Budget day from KSh 7,800 · Best Jul–Feb
Essaouira
Skala de la Ville, Port de Pêche, Mogador Island, Medina ramparts
Budget day from MAD 370 · Best Mar–May, Sep–Oct
Hurghada
Giftun Islands, El Mina Mosque, Shaab Abu Nuhas, Marina Boulevard
Budget day from E£ 2,450 · Best Mar–May, Oct–Nov
Kenya
Great Migration in Maasai Mara, Amboseli elephants, Diani beach, Maasai culture
Budget day from KSh 24,500 · Best Jan–Feb, Jul–Sep
Mauritius
Seven-coloured earth of Chamarel, Blue Bay snorkelling, Le Morne volcanic peaks
Budget day from Rs 4,100 · Best May–Oct
Seychelles
Anse Source d'Argent, Vallée de Mai coco de mer forest, private island resorts
Budget day from SCR 1,800 · Best Apr–May, Oct–Nov
Sharm El Sheikh
Ras Mohammed, Al-Sahaba Mosque, Mount Sinai, Tiran Island, Soho Square
Budget day from EGP 3,050 · Best Mar–May, Oct–Nov
Tanzania
Serengeti Great Migration, Ngorongoro Crater, Kilimanjaro, Zanzibar beaches
Budget day from US$200 · Best Jun–Oct
Zanzibar
Stone Town UNESCO alleys, Nungwi beaches, Mnemba Atoll snorkelling, spice tours
Budget day from US$60 · Best Jun–Oct
Asia
Bali
Terraced Ubud rice paddies, Uluwatu sea-cliff temple, Mount Batur volcanic sunrise
Budget day from IDR 600,000 · Best Apr–Sep
Cambodia
Angkor Wat sunrise, Ta Prohm jungle ruins, Khmer Rouge Killing Fields history
Budget day from US$42 · Best Nov–Mar
Da Nang
Dragon Bridge, Marble Mountains, Ba Na Hills, My Khe Beach, Linh Ung Pagoda
Budget day from VND 730,000 · Best Feb–Jul
El Nido
Karst cliffs, limestone cathedrals, and fresh kinilaw ceviche.
Budget day from ₱ 3,000 · Best Jan–May
Koh Phangan
Than Sadet Waterfall, Khao Ra, Thong Sala Night Market, Bottle Beach
Budget day from ฿ 1,200 · Best Jan–Apr, Jul–Aug
Koh Samui
Iconic Big Buddha statue and spice-heavy Gaeng Tai Pla curry.
Budget day from ฿ 1,750 · Best Jan–Mar, Jul–Sep
Langkawi
Kilim Karst Geoforest Park, SkyBridge, Telaga Tujuh Waterfalls, Tanjung Rhu
Budget day from RM 170 · Best Jan–Apr
Maldives
Overwater bungalows, manta rays, bioluminescent plankton, private island resorts
Budget day from US$140 · Best Nov–Apr
Siargao
Cloud 9, Magpupungko Rock Pools, Guyam Island, Daku Island
Budget day from ₱ 2,800 · Best Mar–May, Aug–Oct
Sri Lanka
Sigiriya rock fortress, scenic tea-plantation train, Yala leopard safari
Budget day from LKR 14,000 · Best Dec–Mar
Thailand
Limestone karsts, gilded Bangkok temples, ethical elephant sanctuaries, street food
Budget day from ฿ 1,250 · Best Nov–Mar
Vietnam
Halong Bay limestone karsts, Hoi An lantern streets, Sapa rice terraces, pho
Budget day from ₫ 650,000 · Best Nov–Mar
Caribbean
Antigua and Barbuda
Nelson's Dockyard, Shirley Heights, Devil's Bridge, Barbuda Frigate Bird Sanctuary
Budget day from EC$ 260 · Best Jan–May
Bahamas
Pink-sand Harbour Island, Dean's Blue Hole, Exuma Cays nurse sharks, cracked conch
Budget day from US$180 · Best Dec–May
Bermuda
Horseshoe Bay, Crystal Caves, Royal Naval Dockyard, St. Peter's Church
Budget day from US$219 · Best Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
Cayman Islands
Seven Mile Beach, Stingray City, Rum Point, The Bluff, Kittiwake Shipwreck
Budget day from CI$ 170 · Best Jan–Apr
Cuba
Havana vintage cars and Malecon, Trinidad cobbles, Vinales tobacco fields, salsa and rum
Budget day from US$58 · Best Dec–Apr
Curacao
Handelskade, Queen Emma Bridge, Shete Boka, Playa Kenepa, Hato Caves
Budget day from Cg 190 · Best Jan–Jun
Dominican Republic
Humpback whales in Samaná, Punta Cana beaches, and merengue street festivals.
Budget day from RD$ 4,300 · Best Dec–Apr
Grenada
Grand Anse, Fort George, Concord Falls, Molinere Bay, Belmont Estate
Budget day from EC$ 275 · Best Jan–May
Jamaica
Dunn's River Falls, Blue Mountains coffee, jerk chicken, reggae, Negril sunsets
Budget day from J$ 17,000 · Best Dec–Apr
Saint Lucia
Gros Piton, Sulphur Springs, Marigot Bay, Pigeon Island
Budget day from EC$ 370 · Best Jan–May
Trinidad and Tobago
Queen's Park Savannah, Pigeon Point, Nylon Pool, Fort King George, Main Ridge
Budget day from TT$ 660 · Best Jan–May
Turks and Caicos Islands
Grace Bay Beach, Chalk Sound, Mudjin Harbour, Iguana Island, Northwest Point
Budget day from US$245 · Best Jan–May
Europe
Algarve
Limestone cliffs, emerald grottoes, and traditional cataplana octopus stew.
Best May–Jun, Sep–Oct
Alonissos
National Marine Park, Chora, Patitiri, Agios Dimitrios, Votsi
Budget day from €75 · Best May–Sep
Canary Islands
Teide, Dunas de Maspalomas, Los Gigantes, Jameos del Agua
Budget day from €90 · Best Feb–May, Oct–Nov
Elafonisos
Simos Beach, Agios Spyridon Church, Pavlopetri Sunken City, Megalos Simos
Budget day from €63 · Best Jun–Sep
Hvar
Venetian-era architecture, Pakleni Islands views, and slow-cooked peka stew.
Budget day from €88 · Best May–Jun, Sep–Oct
Kalamata
Frankish Castle, Municipal Railway Park, Church of Agioi Apostoloi, Polylimnio Waterfalls
Budget day from €75 · Best May–Jun, Sep–Oct
Karpathos
Olympos, Apella Beach, Kali Limni, Arkasa, Finiki
Budget day from €65 · Best May–Sep
Kythira
Chora Castle, Avlemonas Cove, Neraida Waterfall, Paleochora
Budget day from €65 · Best May–Jul, Sep
Lefkada
Limestone cliffs of Porto Katsiki and flavorful lentils from Eglouvi.
Budget day from €85 · Best May–Sep
Paxos
Erimitis Cliffs, Voutoumi Beach, Tripitos Arch, Gaios Harbor
Budget day from €85 · Best May–Sep
Preveza
Nicopolis, Pantokrator Castle, Venetian Clock Tower, Monolithi Beach
Budget day from €61 · Best May–Jun, Sep
Rhodes
Palace of the Grand Master, Acropolis of Lindos, Mandraki Harbour, Old Town
Budget day from €73 · Best May–Sep
Middle East
Bodrum
Medieval Castle of St. Peter and traditional meyhane dining culture.
Budget day from ₺ 3,500 · Best May–Jun, Sep–Oct
Tel Aviv
White City Bauhaus, Jaffa Old City, Carmel Market, Tayelet, Port Said
Budget day from ₪ 350 · Best Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
Turkey
Cappadocia hot-air balloons, Hagia Sophia, Pamukkale travertines, Ephesus ruins
Budget day from ₺ 3,850 · Best Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
North America
Cabo San Lucas
El Arco, Medano Beach, Mount Solmar, Marina District, Land's End
Budget day from MX$ 1,850 · Best Jan–May
Costa Rica
Arenal Volcano, Monteverde cloud forest, turtle nesting beaches, zip-lining, sloths and toucans
Budget day from ₡ 53,000 · Best Dec–Apr
Honolulu
Iolani Palace, Diamond Head, Pearl Harbor, Waikiki Beach, Nuʻuanu Pali
Budget day from US$200 · Best Mar–May, Sep–Nov
Los Angeles
Griffith Observatory, Santa Monica Pier, Getty Center, Hollywood Sign
Budget day from US$175 · Best Mar–May, Sep–Oct
Maui
Haleakalā volcano summit sunrise and fresh poke bowls with local limu.
Budget day from US$255 · Best Apr–May, Sep–Nov
Mexico
Mayan pyramids, cenotes, Day of the Dead, street food, copper canyons
Budget day from MX$ 1,050 · Best Nov–Mar
Miami
Art Deco South Beach, Wynwood murals, Cuban food, Everglades wildlife
Budget day from US$160 · Best Nov–Apr
Playa del Carmen
Portal Maya, Cenote Azul, Xcaret, Quinta Avenida, Cozumel ferry
Budget day from MX$ 1,400 · Best Jan–May
Puerto Escondido
Playa Zicatela, Manialtepec Lagoon, Playa Carrizalillo, Punta Cometa
Budget day from MX$ 1,050 · Best Jan–Apr
Puerto Vallarta
Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Los Arcos, Malecón, Cuale River Island
Budget day from MX$ 1,400 · Best Jan–May
San Diego
Balboa Park, USS Midway Museum, La Jolla Cove, Coronado Bridge
Budget day from US$130 · Best Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
Tulum
El Castillo, Gran Cenote, Sian Ka’an, Hartwood
Budget day from pesos 1,500 · Best Jan–May
Oceania
Adelaide
Adelaide Central Market, Glenelg Beach, North Terrace, Adelaide Hills, Hahndorf
Budget day from A$ 123 · Best Feb–Apr, Oct–Nov
Auckland
Sky Tower, Auckland Domain, Waiheke Island, Mount Eden, Viaduct Harbour
Budget day from NZ$ 145 · Best Nov–Apr
Australia
Great Barrier Reef, Uluru at sunset, Great Ocean Road Twelve Apostles
Budget day from A$ 155 · Best Mar–May, Sep–Nov
Bora Bora
Turquoise lagoon, Mount Otemanu, and fresh poisson cru with coconut milk.
Best May–Oct
Byron Bay
Cape Byron Lighthouse, Wategos Beach, Julian Rocks, The Farm
Budget day from A$ 140 · Best Mar–Apr, Sep–Nov
Cairns
Great Barrier Reef,Kuranda Scenic Railway,Barron Gorge,Esplanade Lagoon
Budget day from A$ 170 · Best May–Oct
Fiji
Great Astrolabe Reef soft corals, kokoda ceviche, kava in bure villages
Budget day from FJ$ 200 · Best May–Oct
Gold Coast
Q1 Building, Burleigh Heads, Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, Pacific Fair
Budget day from A$ 160 · Best Mar–Apr, Sep–Nov
New Caledonia
Tjibaou Cultural Centre, Ile des Pins, Barrier Reef, Baie d'Upi
Budget day from XPF 15,000 · Best Sep–Dec
New Zealand
Milford Sound fjords, Queenstown bungee, Hobbiton, Southern Alps glaciers
Budget day from NZ$ 155 · Best Nov–Mar
Perth
Kings Park, Cottesloe Beach, Elizabeth Quay, Fremantle Prison
Budget day from A$ 140 · Best Feb–Apr, Oct–Nov
Sydney
Sydney Opera House, Bondi Beach, Blue Mountains, Sydney Rock Oysters
Budget day from A$ 155 · Best Nov–Mar
South America
Brazil
Christ the Redeemer, Iguazu Falls, Amazon rainforest, Carnival, Copacabana beach
Budget day from R$ 340 · Best Jun–Sep
Colombia
Cartagena walled old town, Coffee Triangle wax palms, Tayrona beach, Medellin cable cars
Budget day from COP 220,000 · Best Dec–Mar, Jul–Aug
Florianopolis
Hercílio Luz Bridge, Praia da Joaquina, Lagoa da Conceição, Ribeirão da Ilha
Budget day from R$ 200 · Best Nov–Mar
Rio de Janeiro
Christ the Redeemer, Copacabana, Sugarloaf Mountain, Tijuca Forest, feijoada
Budget day from R$ 360 · Best Dec–Mar, Sep
Salvador
Pelourinho, Elevador Lacerda, Farol da Barra, Mercado Modelo
Budget day from R$ 185 · Best Mar–May, Sep–Oct
Uruguay
Colonia del Sacramento cobblestones, José Ignacio beach, estancia farm stays
Budget day from UY$ 3,500 · Best Dec–Mar
Beach resorts: Excellence Collection · COMO