Tripadvisor: The 4 Greek beaches that made the list of the worlds best for 2026

Four Greek beaches have earned distinction and a place among the worlds top 20, according to this years Travellers Choice Best of the Best awards by Tripadvisor.

For yet another year, Tripadvisor has released its list of thebest beaches in the world, according to the preferences of travelers using the platform (Travellers Choice Best of the Best awards). The list is based on the quality and quantity of travelers reviews and ratings of beaches around the world, gathered over the past year. Naturally, Greeces beaches could not be absent from this list. This year, four Greek beachesmanaged to stand out and make it into the worlds top 20. In fact, three of them are on the same island!

4 Greek beaches among the worlds best

The worlds second-best beach for 2026, according to Tripadvisor users, is Greek. And it is on Crete. We are talking about exotic Elafonissi. At the remote southwestern tip of Crete, Elafonissi is one of the most popular destinations in the Chania region. It is a narrow peninsula that "breaks" at its beginning, creating the impression of a separate island about 150 m from the opposite shore. The area is part of the Natura 2000 network and the scene features shallow turquoise waters and white sand that takes on pink hues from thousands of crushed shells.

In third place on the list is Balos, one of Cretes most recognizable landscapes. The exotic beach of Balos lies at the northern tip of the Gramvousa peninsula, about 56 km from Chania. It is essentially a lagoon with powder-fine white sand and shallow waters in every shade of blue and green. The lagoon and the surrounding area are part of the Natura 2000 network, with rare species of flora and fauna.

Following in 11th place is Falasarna beach. This beautiful beach is on Cretes west coast, 59 km from Chania and 16 km from Kasteli Kissamou, beside the ruins of ancient Falasarna. What makes it stand out is the white sand, crystal-clear turquoise waters, and the imposing mountains behind it. Its worth staying until sunset, which is considered one of the most enchanting in Crete.

Another Greek beach features in Tripadvisors global top 20. It is Paleokastritsa on Corfu. In the islands northwest, 25 km from Corfu Town, below Paleokastritsas historic monastery lies the areas most famous beach, Agios Spyridon, with pristine blue-green waters and a backdrop of a striking, lush green landscape. Its worth renting a boat to explore gorgeous nearby beaches that are accessible only by sea.

Tripadvisor: The 20 best beaches in the world for 2026

According to the Travellers Choice 2026 awards, the best beach in the world is Isla Pasion in Mexico, while rounding out the top five, after the two beaches of Crete, are Eagle Beach in Aruba and Praia da Falesia in Portugal. Below is the full list of the 20 best beaches in the world, according to the Travellers Choice awards:

1. Isla Pasion, Cozumel, Mexico
2. Elafonissi, Crete, Greece
3. Balos, Crete, Greece
4. Eagle Beach, Palm-Eagle Beach, Aruba
5. Praia da Falesia, Olhos de Agua, Portugal
6. Banana Beach, Phuket, Thailand
7. La Jolla, San Diego, California
8. La Pelosa, Sardinia, Italy
9. Manly Beach, Sydney, Australia
10. Boulders Penguin Colony, Simon, South Africa
11. Falasarna, Crete, Greece
12. Playa de Muro, Mallorca, Spain
13. Tobacco Bay, St. Georges, Bermuda
14. Paleokastritsa, Corfu, Greece
15. Kite, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
16. Kelingking, Nusa Penida, Indonesia
17. Clearwater, Florida, USA
18. Spiaggia dei Conigli, Lampedusa, Italy
19. Bondi Beach, Sydney, Australia
20. Playa de Maspalomas, Gran Canaria, Spain