The European beach beats Hawaii and the Caribbean to be crowned the best in the world

The best beach in the world has been awarded a Tripadvisor award – and it’s less than a three-hour drive from London.

Praia da Falésia in the Algarve, Portugal has taken first place in the Travellers’ Choice Awards 2024, ahead of beautiful locations in the Caribbean, Australia and the Seychelles.

In fact, the top three are all in Europe, with Spiaggia dei Conigli in Sicily and La Concha Beach in Spain coming second and third respectively. The highest Caribbean entry was Grace Bay Beach in Turks and Caicos, which came in at number five.

Although Britain failed to make the top 10 overall, we did win an award for having the most sustainable beach in the world. Sandbanks Beach in Poole, Dorset, received a special mention from the judges for its commitment to sustainability, including environmentally friendly transport options, waste management and water quality.

The popular travel companion platform analyzed “tens of millions” of traveler reviews over the past 12 months, focusing primarily on the quality and quantity of reviews for beach experiences.

Portugal’s Praia da Falésia is known for its dramatic red sand cliffs and golden sand. Reviewers who were lucky enough to visit loved walking along the soft, powdery sand while admiring the views of the Atlantic Ocean.

There are thousands of rave reviews about the beach. A Tripadvisor user known as Waddler said of the location: ‘It reminded me of some remote beaches I’d been to in Western Australia, but here there are resorts nearby so it’s much easier to get to.’

Another visitor, @grillo84BS, wrote about the walk they enjoyed from Praia Maria Luisa beach towards Vilamoura, with Praia da Falésia in between. “The colors of the cliffs are spectacular and you hardly realize how many kilometers you have covered,” they said of the award-winning beach. ‘Highly recommended for those who like these scenarios.’

Meanwhile, @GlobetrottingViking said: ‘The red colored cliffs were beautiful and it was fun to see the playful birds such as Turnstones, Yellow-legged Gulls and a lone Kestrel along the beach.’

Although the beach is often showered with praise, one criticism from reviewers is that it is not the most accessible place for those with mobility issues. Tripadvisor user @Steve_of_N21 commented: ‘Stairs are required at both the Albufeira Surf Adventure and Algarve Gardens Sports Resort entry points, especially on the surf adventure where the wooden steps down to the beach are an impressive feat of engineering.

‘Praia da Falésia is also not blessed with facilities, this concerns the Alfamar Beach Bar at the entrance to Garden Sports.’

How much do flights cost from England to Faro?

The nearest airport to Praia da Falésia Faro is 40 minutes away by car. Comboios De Portugal operates a train service five times a day from Estação Ferroviária de Lisboa Oriente (a major public transport stop) between Albufeira and Ferreiras. Tickets typically cost between £14 and £20 and the journey takes two hours and 36 minutes, according to Rome2Rio.

You can currently book a flight ticket from London Luton Airport to Faro with Ryanair for £58.

Other airlines flying direct to Faro include Jet2, easyJet and British Airways, with flights between £108 and £151. The non-stop flights typically last about two hours and 50-55 minutes.

What is the weather like in the Algarve and when should you go there?

The Algarve is a top choice among travelers looking for warmth and sun, even during the winter months. The Olhos de Agua region, where Praia da Falésia is located, has a Mediterranean climate, with long hot summers and relatively short winters.

For the most heat, the best time to visit is between June and August. The warmest month of the year is July, with an average maximum temperature of 30°C and an average minimum temperature of 22°C.

February is the coldest month of the year, but you can still wear a T-shirt outside. During the second month of the year, the average maximum temperature is 16°C and the average minimum temperature is 10°C.

What are the top things to do and where to stay in Praia da Falésia?

The beach is also ranked number one on Tripadvisor for things to do in the Olhos de Agua region, but that doesn’t mean you have to spend the entire trip sunbathing (although that does sound ideal).

For a day of shopping you can visit Albufeira’s old town – Avenida Dr. Francisco Sa Carneiro – for souvenirs and clothes. You can also find an open-air shopping center with the easy-to-remember name Algarve Shopping, where you can buy everything from pottery to a new outfit, as well as local bars and restaurants, such as Planet Fusion, The Three Harps and Symbiosis.

For tapas and drinks you can go to Fabio’s RoadStop, Platinum and Metrópole.

But let’s face it, the beach is an attraction in itself and visitors can walk or stroll from Praia Maria Luisa towards Vilamoura and pass through Praia da Falésia.

On the west side of the award-winning beach you will find the high red cliffs. This part is also called Açoteias and a highly regarded hotel at this time is the Epic Sana Algarve Beach Hotel.

The eastern side of Praia da Falésia, towards Vilamoura, is called Alfamar because of the nearby Alfamar Beach & Sport Resort. The lower parts of the cliffs are found here, along with shallow waters where activities such as paragliding, diving and surfing take place.

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