The European Best Destinations list of the most beautiful beaches for 2026 has just been published and Greece has the most entries in the top ten.
The website for promoting tourism in Europe, European Best Destinations presents the best beaches for 2026, as determined by a vote of thousands of travelers. This year’s list once again has a distinctly Greek flair, as five enchanting beaches of Greece feature in the top ten. In fact, four of them are in the Ionian.
Voutoumi, Antipaxos
Voutoumi Beach on Antipaxos clinched 2nd place on the list! Next to Paxos, at a distance of 5.5 miles lies Antipaxos, a small island with heavenly shores. Those who have visited know that Voutoumi Beach is a magical place. The beach is embraced by lush green hills, while the waters are so crystal-clear they make boats look as if they are floating above the seabed!
Fteri, Kefalonia
In third place is Fteri in Kefalonia, a secluded, paradisiacal beach with white pebbles and aquamarine waters, encircled by dramatic cliffs. Its remoteness has kept it pristine and serene. It’s worth noting that Fteri was recently named second best in the world in the Worlds 50 Best Beaches.
Elafonisi, Crete
Fourth in the ranking is the exotic Elafonisi of Crete, with shallow turquoise waters and white sand that takes on rosy hues from thousands of broken shells. It is a narrow peninsula that "breaks" at its base, giving the impression of a separate island about 150 m from the opposite shore.
Rovinia, Corfu
The surprise of this year’s list is Rovinia Beach in Corfu in 8th place. This secluded beach, located near the village of Liapades on the island’s western coast, is surrounded by lush vegetation and cliffs. Accessible by sea or via a footpath, it offers a tranquil, unspoiled setting.
Paleokastritsa, Corfu
Corfu takes pride of place in this year’s list as another of the island’s beaches features in the top 10 - and that is none other than the famous Paleokastritsa. You simply can’t go to Corfu and not take a dip in the pristine, refreshing waters of Paleokastritsa’s coves. The impressive natural scenery and dense greenery make swimming here a one-of-a-kind experience. Paleokastritsa’s beaches have sand and pebbles, while the waters are crystal-clear and blue-green.
The 10 best beaches in Europe for 2026
As European Best Destinations notes, this year’s ranking honors beaches that offer more than simple beauty. These are places where travelers can disconnect from everyday stress, reconnect with nature, and experience some of Europe’s most inspiring coastal landscapes. According to this list, the top beach in Europe this year is Monte Clérigo in Portugal’s Algarve. This striking beach on the Costa Vicentina is attracting more and more travelers seeking authenticity, nature and discreet luxury away from overcrowded resorts. Here is the full list of the best beaches in Europe for 2026.
1.Monte Clérigo, Algarve, Portugal
2. Voutoumi, Antipaxos, Greece
3. Fteri, Kefalonia, Greece
4. Elafonisi, Crete, Greece
5. Bogliasco, Liguria, Italy
6. Cala Mesquida, Mallorca, Spain
7. Kvalvika, Moskenesøy, Norway
8. Rovinia, Corfu, Greece
9. Kaputas, Kas, Turkey
10. Paleokastritsa, Corfu, Greece
