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★destination guides
Wales has 18 Blue Flag beaches for 2026, and one famous absence: Tenby North, out for the third time in five seasons after its water rating slipped. The full list by region, what the award really means, and where the map is empty.
9 min read
Turks and Caicos
Hawaii·United States
In the field
Playa de Guayedra is a wild black-sand and boulder beach below the Tamadaba cliffs on Gran Canaria's northwest coast, in the valley a native king chose for his exile in 1481. Reached by a dirt track with four parking spaces or on foot from Agaete, with no facilities and serious Atlantic surf.
Fteri Beach on Kefalonia's northwest coast was named the world's second-best beach for 2026: a white-pebble cove under dramatic cliffs with crystal-clear water, reached only by water taxi from Zola or a steep hour-long hike, and with no facilities at all.
Porto Timoni is Corfu's famous double beach, two clear-water bays back to back on a slim headland below Afionas, ranked 46th best in the world for 2026. Reached only by a 20-minute hike or a boat, with no facilities and a crowd that arrives by mid-morning.
The latest
destination guides
For a beach-first trip to Greece, the Ionian islands quietly beat the famous Cyclades: sandier, calmer and more sheltered. Here is the case, the honest exceptions, and how to choose.
6 min read
destination guides
The 2026 World's 50 Best Beaches are out, with Entalula in the Philippines crowned number one. Here's the full ranked list, how it's decided, and our honest verdict on the eight we've actually stood on.
11 min read
destination guides
The 7 best beaches in Boracay, ranked by what each is actually for: White Beach for the strip and the sunsets, Puka for quiet, Bulabog for kitesurfing, and the east-coast coves for the island's best shore snorkelling. Which to pick, and when to go.
8 min read
destination guides
The 11 best beaches in Sicily, coast by coast: San Vito lo Capo and Scopello in the west, Mondello and Cefalu in the north, the white cliffs of Scala dei Turchi in the south, and Lampedusa's Rabbit Beach offshore. Which to pick, the lido reality and when to go.
8 min read
destination guides
The 11 best beaches in Sydney, grouped by area: the Eastern Suburbs surf strip from Bondi to Maroubra, the Northern Beaches reached by ferry, and the calm harbour coves families love. Which to pick for surf, swimming, snorkelling and skipping the crowds.
8 min read
destination guides
The 11 best beaches in Wales, grouped by region so you can plan a real trip: the Gower's Rhossili and Three Cliffs, Pembrokeshire's Barafundle and Tenby, wild Harlech in the north and the quiet coves of Cardigan Bay. Which to pick for surf, families and scenery.
9 min read
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