With summer on the way, Holidu, the holiday rental portal has analysed thousands of Google Maps reviews to rank the best European beaches for 2026, and the results may surprise you.
While Mediterranean hotspots often steal the spotlight, British coastlines punch well above their weight, with UK beaches featuring 7 times across the full top 25 and Wales alone claiming two spots in the top 3.
You can find the full top 25 ranking here: https://www.holidu.co.uk/magazine/best-beaches-index
Top 5 European Beaches:
1. Spiaggia dei Conigli, Lampedusa, Italy
Google Maps Rating: 4.9 | Number of Reviews: 3,134 Holding on to the top spot for 2026, Spiaggia dei Conigli (Rabbit Beach) on the island of Lampedusa, Italy, continues to enchant visitors with its pristine white sands and crystalclear turquoise waters.
This stunning beach is often hailed as one of the most beautiful in the world, offering a truly idyllic escape. Its protected status as a nature reserve, famous for loggerhead sea turtle nesting, adds to its untouched allure, making it a perfect spot for
nature lovers and those seeking tranquility.
2. Barafundle Bay Beach, Pembrokeshire, UK
Google Maps Rating: 4.9 | Number of Reviews: 1,749 Barafundle Bay Beach, nestled in the Pembrokeshire region of Wales, is a hidden gem that captures the essence of untouched beauty. Often described as a “hidden jewel,” this
beach features golden sands backed by dunes and pine trees, accessible only by a halfmile walk from the nearest car park. Its seclusion and unspoiled landscape make it a perfect retreat for those seeking tranquility away from the bustling crowds, and its growing review count proves more and more people are making the journey.
3. Traeth Mwnt, Ceredigion, UK
Google Maps Rating: 4.9 | Number of Reviews: 746 Traeth Mwnt, another Welsh wonder in Ceredigion, punches well above its weight in this ranking. This charming beach is known for its white sands and the iconic Mwnt Church overlooking the bay. The scenic coastal paths offer spectacular views, making it a favourite spot for hikers and wildlife enthusiasts. Whether you’re exploring the local heritage or simply soaking up the sun, Traeth Mwnt promises an unforgettable experience.
4. Platja de Muro, Islas Baleares, Spain
Google Maps Rating: 4.8 | Number of Reviews: 7,777 One of the biggest stories of the 2026 ranking, Platja de Muro on Mallorca crashes straight into fourth place with the highest review count of any beach in the top 10. This vast stretch of powdery white sand and shallow turquoise water on the north of the island is beloved by families and sun-seekers alike, and the numbers don’t lie. If you haven’t added Mallorca to your bucket list yet, let this be your sign.
5. Cala Mariolu, Sardegna, Italy
Google Maps Rating: 4.8 | Number of Reviews: 6,571 Cala Mariolu climbs the ranks in 2026, cementing Sardinia’s status as one of Europe’s finest beach destinations. Accessible only by boat or a demanding hike, this secluded cove rewards the adventurous with strikingly clear waters that shift from pale turquoise to deep cobalt, set against dramatic white limestone rocks. It’s the kind of beach that makes you want to keep its coordinates to yourself.
Standout stories 2026:
Britain keeps its crown Seven UK beaches in the top 25, with Wales alone claiming two spots in the top 3. Barafundle Bay and Traeth Mwnt both score a near-perfect 4.9, matching anything the Mediterranean has to offer.
New entries from Devon, Dorset, East sussex and Northern Ireland prove there’s always more of Britain’s coastline to discover.
Mallorca crashes the top 10 Platja de Muro enters straight at #4 with 7,777 reviews, the highest of any beach in the top 10. Playa de Sotavento de Jandía (Fuerteventura) debuts at #9, and Kedrodasos Beach (Crete) joins the full top 25 for the first time.
Portugal’s Algarve takeover Five Algarve beaches in the top 25. Raw, clifftop-framed and unspoiled, this is the Atlantic coastline at its finest, and travellers are taking notice.
Methodology: We created a dataset of beaches in Europe by analysing the Google Maps database for the term “beach” in all of Europe’s coastal provinces. From the 9500+ results, we filtered out all results that were not beaches. We then took the Google Maps user rating (out of 5 stars) for each beach and created a ranking based on the toprated beaches, prioritising those with the most reviews. Beaches with less than 100 ratings were not included, as the average rating for such beaches can be interpreted as unreliable or irrelevant. The data for this 2026ranking was collected in May 2026.
About Holidu
Holidu is a fast-growing holiday rental technology company, driven by its mission to make hosting and booking holiday
rentals free of doubt and full of joy. Its proprietary property management software (PMS) and expert local teams help
holiday rental hosts and small property managers increase bookings with less effort. For travellers, Holidu offers a large,
curated portfolio of holiday homes, ensuring confident and worry-free bookings. The company also equips destination
marketing organisations (DMOs) with its Holidu Smart Destination software. Founded in 2014 by brothers Johannes and
Michael Siebers, the Munich-headquartered company now employs more than 700 people and operates offices in over 25
prime European holiday destinations. See more on www.holidu.co.uk.
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