Beautiful European beach rated best in the world and it's only €53 from Ireland

Irish Daily Mirror

02-05-2025

With summer holiday season just around the corner, many people across Ireland will already be planning their sun-soaked escapes. If you're a beach lover and still undecided, TripAdvisor has just named the best beaches in the world - and the number one spot is right here in Europe with flights from Ireland starting at just €53.
As part of its 2025 Travellers' Choice Awards, TripAdvisor ranks favourite destinations, hotels, restaurants and things to do around the world, based on reviews and ratings collected over 12 months. This means the winners were decided by real travellers from all over, who shared real opinions and stories.
Elafonissi Beach in Greece has been crowned the world's best beach, thanks to its jaw-dropping pink sands, clear turquoise waters and unspoiled natural beauty. Tripadvisor said: "With pink (yes, pink) sands and turquoise waters, Elafonissi Beach is just one of those places you have to see to believe. The shallow lagoons are perfect for curious children, while the deeper waters invite all sorts of adventure for adults: swimming, snorkelling, you name it. Just make sure to stick around until sunset - you won't regret it."
This beautiful sandy strip is located on the island of Crete, and it rejoins the list for the first time in four years. According to Tripadvisor, the best time to visit is between May and September, when the destination is warm and has sunny weather with significantly fewer crowds compared to the peak summer months of June, July and August.
And there's good news for those planning to visit from Ireland. Ryanair flies direct from Dublin to Chania, Crete from June to October, with fares as low as €53 in October. Summer flights are still affordable too - from €89 in August and €67 in September. You can check out the various different flight options on Skyscanner here.
Chania Airport is about a 90-minute drive from Elafonissi, and there are a number of local and international travel agencies that operate bus trips to the beach everyday. Among the options in Chania town is the Ruby Luxury Suites hotel, which has received a remarkable 9.7 out of 10 star rating on Booking.com and costs €682 for a week's stay in May.
For those wanting to stay closer to the beach itself, visitors will find accommodation like the top-rated Elafonisi Resort by Kalomirakis Family hotel, just 150m from the beach, from just €599 for a week's stay in May. There are plenty of budget-friendly stays nearby, as well as restaurants.
Aer Lingus also offers routes to Heraklion in Crete - slightly further away but still reachable at around 210km from the beach.
Visitors have been raving about the experience on Tripadvisor. Peter from Dublin said: "The beach is magnificent but be prepared for lots of other visitors and a long walk down from the carparks. Make sure you don't stop at the first carpark as there are lots of carparks much closer to the beach entrance. Sun beds are expensive but necessary unless you have your own sun umbrella with you. If you are travelling through the mountains be sure to stop at the small vendors along the way selling lots of natural Cretan products including honey balm which is amazing. Also take the coast road home it is a magnificent drive but not for the faint hearted! Enjoy the sunset too."
A couple from Cork also left a review, saying: "Our first impression of this beach was why was it in the top 25 in world. However as we walked on and discovered an area to ourselves we begun to understand. Many beaches in Ireland match this beach in scenery and beauty. No beaches in Ireland have waters that warm! We sat on a rock eating a picnic with our feet in the water. Bring a rubbish bag with you if you plan a picnic. We then went for a gorgeous swim. I'm glad we went on this day trip!"
The beach itself also boasts a small island you can wade to, a shallow kite-surfing lagoon, scenic walking trails, daily boat trips and even a lighthouse for the explorers.
President of Tripadvisor Kristen Dalton said: "Tripadvisor's Travellers' Choice Awards uniquely reflect the voices of millions of global travellers and help guide people to plan their best trip yet. In my family, beaches aren't just for sunbathing - we like to get out and explore! The diversity of this year's winners really showcases everything that a beach trip can have to offer.
"Whether it's strolling the beautiful pink sand beaches of our world winner, Elafonissi beach, in Greece, experiencing breath-taking vistas in Indonesia, whale watching in Hawaii or diving in magical bioluminescent waters in Thailand - there really is something for everyone. This year's lists span an incredible six continents and 50 countries with over 100 of the very best beaches showcasing the eclectic mix of coastal spots across the world."