Summer approaches and the desire to discover new bathing paradises is growing. The prestigious World’s 50 Best Beaches website has just published its annual ranking of the 50 most beautiful beaches in Europe for 2025 and, with great national pride, 9 of these are found in Italy. Even more surprising, it is precisely an Italian beach that conquered the first place on the podium. Let’s discover the ranking together, with particular attention to the wonders of our country.
The podium of the most beautiful beaches in Europe
Cala Goloritzé (Italy)
The undisputed queen of the 2025 ranking is our Cala Goloritzé, a jewel of the Sardinian eastern coast. This corner of paradise, declared Italian national monument in 1995, enchants with its crystalline waters with an intense turquoise color that conflictly contrast with the white limestone rock. Characterized by the iconic stone arc and the imposing 143 meters spire that stands on the sea, this cove is accessible only by sea or via a hiking path, thus preserving their uncontaminated beauty.
BEACH FTRI (Greece)
In second place we find Facts Beach, a beach hidden in the Kefalonia peninsula. This semi-Selvaggia bay conquers visitors with its fine white sand and the transparent turquoise waters that degrade gently. Surrounded by cliffs and luxuriant Mediterranean vegetation, FTRI has remained relatively intact from mass tourism thanks to its isolated position, reachable only through a demanding or boat path, giving an experience of true immersion in Greek nature.
Voutaumi Beach (Greece)
Another Greek beach, Voutaumi, located on the picturesque island of Antipaxos, completes the podium. This small paradise stands out for its multicolored seabed that pass from turquoise to intense blue to deep blue, creating a breathtaking visual effect. The beach, surrounded by olive groves and vineyards, offers a relaxing and authentic atmosphere. The calm and crystalline waters make it a paradise for snorkeling, while local taverns allow you to taste fresh fish overlooking the Ionian sea.
The nine Italian pearls in the standings
Cala Goloritzé (1st place)
As already described, this Sardinian wonder dominates the entire European ranking. Its wild and unspoiled beauty, combined with the extraordinary transparency of water and unique rock formations, make it a dream destination for lovers of nature and pure sea. The difficulty of access has contributed to keeping its ecosystem intact, making it a virtuous example of environmental conservation.
La Pelosa (8th place)
Located in Stintino, Sardinia, the Pelosa is famous all over the world for its white sand and fine as talc and for a sea so transparent as to look like a natural swimming pool. The low seabed make it ideal for families with children, while the background dominated by the Torre della Pelosa and the island of Asinara creates a postcard landscape. Due to its popularity, access is now regulated with a closed number to preserve its integrity.
Cala Brandinchi (26th place)
Known as “little Tahiti” for the similarity with the Polynesian paradises, this beach in the north-east of Sardinia, near San Teodoro, seduces with its candid sand and shallow turquoise waters. Surrounded by a pine forest that offers natural shadow, Cala Brandinchi is particularly appreciated by families. The transparent seabed allow you to admire colored fish even without snorkeling equipment.
Cala dei Gabbiani (27th place)
Another Sardinian gem on the eastern coast of the Gulf of Orosei, Cala dei Gabbiani is a small wild inlet reachable only by sea or through a demanding hiking path. The beach, characterized by smooth white pebbles and crystal clear water, is framed by high limestone cliffs that create an intimate and suggestive environment. The name derives from the seagulls that nidify nearby, adding a naturalistic element to experience.
No Name Beach (29th place)
Rabbi beach (31st place)
Located on the island of Lampedusa, Rabbit Beach (or rabbits beach) has been repeatedly named among the most beautiful beaches in the world. This natural paradise, part of the Lampedusa island -oriented nature reserve, is characterized by fine and white sand and a sea with incredible blue shades. It is also an important nesting site for caretta caretta sea turtles, making the experience not only aesthetic but also of great naturalistic value.
Cala Cotticio (36th place)
Known as the “little Sardinian Tahiti”, Cala Cotticio is located in the archipelago of La Maddalena. This protected bay enchants with its white sand and transparent turquoise waters. Accessible only through a guided hiking path or by sea, the beach is inserted in the National Park of the Archipelago of La Maddalena, which guarantees its protection. The wealth of the surrounding marine life makes it a paradise for snorkeling enthusiasts.
Arutas Beach (46th place)
Unique in its kind, Is Arutas in the sinis peninsula in Sardinia does not have the typical sand but is composed of small grains of white, pink and green quartz grains that create an extraordinary visual effect. This “sea rice”, as it is called locally, contrasts wonderfully with the blue waters of the sea. The beach is protected and the withdrawal of the grains is severely prohibited to preserve this fragile ecosystem.
SUB paradise (47th place)
Located in Zambrone, in Calabria, the Sub’s paradise is a bay that honors its name. This splendid beach on the Coast of the Gods is characterized by crystal clear turquoise waters and very rich seabed of biodiversity that attract divers from all over Europe. The beach, set between cliffs overlooking the sea and surrounded by lush Mediterranean vegetation, offers breathtaking views and spectacular underwater scenarios, making it an unmissable destination for both diving lovers and for those looking for a corner of paradise on the Calabrian coast.
Full ranking
Here is the ranking of the 50 best beaches in Europe for 2025, according to the site World’s 50 best beaches :
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Cala Goloritzé – Italy
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BEACH FTRIES – Greece
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Voutaumi Beach – Greece
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Playa de Rodas – Spain
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Porto Katsiki – Greece
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Santa Giulia – France
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Keem Beach – Ireland
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The hairy – Italy
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Calo des Moro – Spain
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Kynance Cove – England
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Suluada Island – Türkiye
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Grama Bay – Albania
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Diamond Beach – Iceland
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Cala Macarelleta – Spain
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Elafonissi Beach – Greece
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Plage de Palombaggia – France
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Kelebekler Vadisi Beach – Türkiye
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Puinn Sand Beach – Norway
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Golden Beach – Cyprus
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Praia da Marinha – Portugal
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Cofete Beach – Spain
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Pasjača Beach – Croatia
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PORTHCURNO Beach – England
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Balos Beach – Greece
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Vila Franca Islet – Portugal
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Cala Brandinchi – Italy
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Cala dei Gabbiani – Italy
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Praia do Camilo – Portugal
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No Name Beach – Italy
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Gjipe Beach – Albania
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Rabbit Beach – Italy
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Zlatni Rat – Croatia
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Blue Lagoon – mortar
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Sveti Stefan Beach – Montenegro
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Podrace beach – Croatia
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Cala coticcio – Italy
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The Concha Beach – Spain
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Lotu beach – France
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Calanque d’En-Vau – France
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Nissi Beach – Cyprus
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Praia do Fogo – Portugal
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Achmelvich Beach – Scotland
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Ses Illetes – Spain
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Haukland Beach – Norway
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Martinica Beach – Croatia
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Arutas Beach – Italy
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Sub paradise – Italy
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Jaz Beach – Montenegro
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Elia Beach – Greece
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Three Cliffs Bay Beach – Wales
The complete ranking of the 50 most beautiful beaches in Europe for 2025 highlights the extraordinary diversity and beauty of the European coasts, from the Norwegian fjords to the Greek coves, from the Portuguese bays to the Icelandic volcanic beaches.
The nine Italian beaches represent not only places of extraordinary beauty, but also virtuous examples of how tourism can coexist with environmental protection. Many of these beaches are in fact protected by regulations that limit their access or activities permitted, demonstrating a growing awareness of the importance of preserving these natural treasures for future generations.
If you are planning your summer holidays, this ranking could offer you valuable ideas to discover or rediscover some of the most beautiful coasts of our continent, with the awareness that true beauty must always be respected and preserved.
