Best Places for Beaches
Compare coastal places ordered by Nomadr’s stored beach quality tier, using named beaches as a tie-break. Lake and river destinations are excluded.
Ordered by our stored beach quality tier, with the number of beaches we name as the tie-break. 212 of our 333 cities qualify; cities we hold no tier for are left out rather than ranked last. Showing the top 50.
How we score this
This list is ordered by tier rather than scored. Our research places each city’s beach quality in a tier, and only cities in the “exceptional”, “good” or “limited” tiers appear here. They are ordered by tier, then by the number of beaches named in our research, then alphabetically, and the first 50 are shown. Only places on a sea or ocean are included, so lake and river places are left out. Cities we hold no tier for are left out rather than placed last.
- 1Ibiza · SpainGood to know: Ibiza's beach experience depends heavily on which coast you visit: quieter east/north coasts vs. vibrant south/west with party beaches.exceptional
- 2Sydney · AustraliaGood to know: Bondi and Manly are iconic but extremely crowded, especially in summer—consider Coogee, Bronte, or Avalon for similar beauty with fewer tourists.exceptional
- 3Hvar · CroatiaGood to know: Most Hvar beaches are pebble or rocky—bring water shoes to protect feet when entering water.exceptional
- 4Chania · GreeceGood to know: Sunbed and umbrella rental is standard at organized beaches, typically €8-30 for a pair, with additional sunbeds available for €4-5.exceptional
- 5Lima · PeruGood to know: Lima beaches are not tropical Caribbean-style; they're rocky, steep, and backed by dramatic cliffs.exceptional
- 6Cozumel · MexicoGood to know: West coast (facing mainland) has calm, clear Caribbean water with all beach clubs and amenities.exceptional
- 7Kalymnos · GreeceGood to know: Kalymnos has approximately 96 km of coastline with diverse beach types (white pebbles, smooth rocks, black/grey sand) and water colors ranging from deep blue to turquoise.exceptional
- 8Corfu · GreeceGood to know: Most Corfu beaches are rocky with sea urchins—bring water shoes for safe entry and comfortable walking on rocks.exceptional
- 9Goa · IndiaGood to know: North Goa beaches (Baga, Calangute, Anjuna) get heavily crowded during peak season (December-February); consider visiting South Goa for serene alternatives like Agonda, Palolem, or Benaulimexceptional
- 10Nice · FranceGood to know: All Nice beaches are pebble (galet) beaches, not sand.exceptional
- 11Phuket · ThailandGood to know: Patong Beach nightlife is largely contained to Bangla Road—the beach itself can be quieter than expected if avoiding that street.exceptional
- 12Zante · GreeceGood to know: Peak summer (July-August) brings crowds and higher prices; May and October offer warm weather with fewer tourists.exceptional
- 13Ericeira · PortugalGood to know: Ericeira uniquely combines sheltered family-friendly coves in the town center with world-class surfing breaks nearby—unusual for surf-heavy destinations.exceptional
- 14Margaret River · AustraliaGood to know: Margaret River has 40 world-famous surf breaks attracting both pros and beginners; separate calm swimming lagoons exist at several major beaches.exceptional
- 15Mykonos · GreeceGood to know: South coast beaches are protected from Meltemi winds and have the best sand; north coast beaches are less developed but quieter and ideal when winds allow.exceptional
- 16Santorini · GreeceGood to know: Black and red volcanic sand/pebbles become extremely hot in summer—wear water shoes or flip-flops for safe walking; pack extra water and high-SPF sunscreen due to intense UV reflection from dark surfaces.exceptional
- 17Athens · GreeceGood to know: Most beaches are at their busiest 11 am–4 pm on weekends.exceptional
- 18Florianópolis · BrazilGood to know: A rental car is highly recommended to maximize beach variety—the 70+ beaches span the island and are not all easily connected by public transport.exceptional
- 19Hong Kong · Hong KongGood to know: Most gazetted beaches are managed by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) with changing rooms, toilets, shark nets, and seasonal lifeguards.exceptional
- 20Playa del Carmen · MexicoGood to know: All Playa del Carmen beaches are legally public; beach clubs can't prevent access, only charge for amenities (beds, umbrellas, food).exceptional
- 21Uluwatu · IndonesiaGood to know: Most Uluwatu beaches are accessed via steep stairs or cliffside paths; wear appropriate footwear.exceptional
- 22Auckland · New ZealandGood to know: Tide timing matters significantly at many Auckland beaches—high tide transforms some beaches entirely, while low tide reveals rock pools and extended sand; check tide forecasts before visiting.exceptional
- 23Bocas del Toro · PanamaGood to know: Panama's official currency is the US Dollar (USD).exceptional
- 24Chicago · United StatesGood to know: Beach admission is free, but parking at automated gate lots now charges $4.07–$23.39 depending on duration.exceptional
- 25Curaçao · CuracaoGood to know: Most beaches on Curaçao are small natural coves framed by jagged coralstone cliffs, creating private cove-like settings unique to the island.exceptional
- 26Da Nang · VietnamGood to know: My Khe transforms completely at sunset (5pm+): quiet daytime becomes a vibrant local gathering spot with families, organized yoga, fitness classes, and evening markets.exceptional
- 27Dubrovnik · CroatiaGood to know: Most beaches are pebble rather than sand—pack or buy water shoes to avoid discomfort on rocky terrain.exceptional
- 28Essaouira · MoroccoGood to know: Essaouira beaches are windy year-round due to Atlantic trade winds; best for water sports, less ideal for sunbathing unless you seek protection.exceptional
- 29Fuerteventura · SpainGood to know: Fuerteventura's beaches are considered among the best in the Canary Islands, with golden sand and clean Atlantic waters.exceptional
- 30Galápagos · EcuadorGood to know: Most Galapagos beaches have no facilities (restrooms, food, water).exceptional
- 31Koh Phangan · ThailandGood to know: Koh Phangan has split personality: party scene at Haad Rin is intense on full/half/black moon nights, but most of the island remains peaceful and family-friendly.exceptional
- 32Koh Tao · ThailandGood to know: Sairee Beach quiets during day (most visitors diving) but becomes lively at night with beach parties.exceptional
- 33Lombok · IndonesiaGood to know: Lombok beaches are significantly less crowded than Bali's and offer a quieter island experience with more space despite popularity.exceptional
- 34Maldives · MaldivesGood to know: Resort islands offer unparalleled privacy and water sports; local islands provide authentic cultural immersion and significantly lower costs—often one-third the price of resorts.exceptional
- 35Melbourne · AustraliaGood to know: Always swim between the red and yellow flags in patrolled areas.exceptional
- 36Miami · United StatesGood to know: Beach access is free and public across Miami.exceptional
- 37Montevideo · UruguayGood to know: Eastern beaches (Carrasco, Verde, Punta Gorda) have cleaner, clearer water and more oceanic character than central/western beaches due to Atlantic influence.exceptional
- 38Perth · AustraliaGood to know: Perth has over 3,000 hours of sunshine annually; plan beach visits for early morning to avoid afternoon sea breeze and for best sunset viewing on the western coast.exceptional
- 39Raja Ampat · IndonesiaGood to know: All beaches in Raja Ampat require boat access except Waisai Beach in town.exceptional
- 40Adelaide · AustraliaGood to know: Central city beaches (Glenelg, Henley, Brighton, West Beach) are within 20–25 minutes of the CBD.exceptional
- 41Cape Town · South AfricaGood to know: Clifton beaches are free, sheltered from wind, and excellent for first-time visitors; arrive early on weekends to secure parking.exceptional
- 42Dubai · United Arab EmiratesGood to know: Public beaches (JBR, Kite, Al Sufouh, Jumeirah) are free with good facilities funded by Dubai Municipality.exceptional
- 43Lisbon · PortugalGood to know: Beaches west of Lisbon (Cascais line) are most accessible by train but become crowded in summer; eastern beaches (closer to city center) have poor water quality due to Tejo estuary.exceptional
- 44Long Island Bahamas · BahamasGood to know: Long Island beaches are extremely uncrowded; it's common to have miles of beach entirely to yourselfexceptional
- 45Marmaris · TurkeyGood to know: Main town beach (Uzunyalı) is best for convenience and nightlife but can get extremely crowded in July-August; consider İçmeler for better sand quality without the crowds.exceptional
- 46Oahu · United StatesGood to know: All Oahu beaches are public and free to access.exceptional
- 47Pondicherry · IndiaGood to know: Best beach season: October to March for cooler temperatures and clear skiesexceptional
- 48Puerto Escondido · MexicoGood to know: Carrizalillo's 150+ step descent deters large crowds and keeps the beach feeling intimate, but is challenging for those with mobility issues or very young children.exceptional
- 49Tulum · MexicoGood to know: Free beach access now guaranteed at 15 major venues (2025 agreement), but amenities like bathrooms and loungers require payment or day-use fee.exceptional
- 50Boracay · PhilippinesGood to know: The party scene in Station 2 can be genuinely loud until 3 AM.exceptional
Questions about this list
- Which place comes first for beaches?
- Ibiza, Spain, comes first on this list, in the “exceptional” tier.
- How many of these places are in the “exceptional” tier?
- 50 of the 50 places shown, including Ibiza, Sydney and Hvar.
- Which country has the most places on this list?
- Greece, with 7 of the 50 places listed.