This hidden Greek beach has just been named the best in Europe

Fteri Beach on Kefalonia has been ranked No. 1 in Europe and No. 2 worldwide by The World’s 50 Best Beaches, praised for its white cliffs, turquoise Ionian water and secluded boat-or-hike access

A secluded beach on a Greek island has been named the best in Europe and the second best in the world.

Fteri Beach on Kefalonia was ranked No. 2 worldwide in The World’s 50 Best Beaches 2026 list, behind only Entalula Beach in the Philippines. It was the highest-placed European beach in the global ranking.

The Ionian cove was praised for its dramatic white cliffs, pale pebble-and-sand shoreline and crystal-clear turquoise water. The beach is reached mainly by boat or by hiking down a steep trail, helping preserve the quiet, untouched feel that set it above better-known European resorts.

The World’s 50 Best Beaches described Fteri as “isolated and majestic Greek perfection”, saying its isolation helps create a “pristine and serene atmosphere”. Its ranking also highlighted the surrounding landscape, the natural soundtrack of sea and wilderness, and its high chance of near-perfect beach days.

Travel expert Sally White described it as: “The most magical beach with a breathtaking backdrop.”

The list includes two other Greek beaches in the global top 50, with Porto Katsiki on Lefkada ranked at No. 34, and Porto Timoni on Corfu at No. 46.

Spain also had three entries, with Cala Macarella in Menorca at No. 12, Playa Cofete in Fuerteventura at No. 39, and Italy had three entries including Cala Dei Gabbiani in Sardinia at No. 18 and La Pelosa at No. 48.

The 2026 ranking was compiled by The World’s 50 Best Beaches team, judges and “beach ambassadors” after visits to beaches around the world.

The world’s top 50 beaches, 2026

1. Entalula Beach, Philippines – The world No. 1 is a secluded Palawan beach praised for white sand, limestone cliffs, palms and clear water, with boat-only access helping preserve its remote feel.
2. Fteri Beach, Greece – Europe’s highest-ranked beach, set in a remote Kefalonia cove with white cliffs, pale pebbles and turquoise Ionian water.
3. Wharton Beach, Australia – A Western Australia beach near Esperance, noted in reports for its remote setting, white sand, turquoise water and suitability for swimming, surfing and fishing.
4. Nosy Iranja, Madagascar – A tropical island beach known for two islets linked by a long sandbar that disappears at high tide.
5. Mamanuca Beach, Fiji – A South Pacific entry from Fiji’s island chain, known for clear water and classic palm-fringed scenery.
6. Shoal Bay East, Anguilla – A Caribbean beach long associated with soft sand and bright blue water.
7. Dhigurah, Maldives – A Maldivian island beach offering the long, low, white-sand scenery associated with the Indian Ocean archipelago.
8. Playa Balandra, Mexico – A Baja California beach known for shallow blue water and a sheltered lagoon setting.
9. Koh Rong, Cambodia – A Cambodian island beach entry reflecting the country’s growing profile among travellers seeking quieter tropical coastlines.
10. Donald Duck Bay, Thailand – A Thai beach entry with calm water and the island scenery associated with the Similan Islands.
11. Cayo de Agua, Venezuela – A Caribbean island beach in Venezuela, recognised for clear water and remote island scenery.
12. Cala Macarella, Spain – Menorca’s best-placed beach, known for its cove setting and calm turquoise water.
13. One Foot Island, Cook Islands – A South Pacific lagoon beach known for bright shallow water and island seclusion.
14. Princess Diana Beach, Barbuda – A Barbuda beach associated with soft pale sand and undeveloped Caribbean coastline.
15. Turquoise Bay, Australia – A Western Australia beach in Cape Range National Park, noted for vivid water and marine life.
16. PK 9 Beach, French Polynesia – A French Polynesian beach entry offering the lagoon colours and island scenery of the South Pacific.
17. Grace Bay, Turks and Caicos – One of the Caribbean’s most famous beaches, known for long white sand and calm water.
18. Cala Dei Gabbiani, Italy – A Sardinian beach praised for clear water, limestone cliffs and white-pebble shoreline.
19. Saadiyat Beach, United Arab Emirates – An Abu Dhabi beach known for pale sand, resort access and protected coastal setting.
20. Canto de la Playa, Dominican Republic – A Caribbean beach on Saona Island, known for undeveloped coastline and clear water.
21. Wineglass Bay, Australia – Tasmania’s famous crescent-shaped beach in Freycinet National Park, recognised for calm clear water and dramatic scenery.
22. Pink Beach, Indonesia – An Indonesian beach known for its pink-toned sand and island setting.
23. Paradise Beach, Thailand – A Thai beach entry with tropical scenery and calm swimming conditions.
24. Anse Source d’Argent, Seychelles – A Seychelles classic known for granite boulders, clear water and pale sand.
25. Kalanggaman, Philippines – A Philippine island beach known for its long sandbar and clear surrounding sea.
26. Seven Mile Beach, Cayman Islands – A well-known Caribbean beach with a long arc of sand and resort-lined coast.
27. Freedom Beach, Thailand – A Thai beach known for a more tucked-away feel than many of Phuket’s busier stretches.
28. Siesta Beach, USA – A Florida beach known for its pale quartz sand.
29. Kaputas Beach, Turkey – A Turkish beach set below a canyon between Kaş and Kalkan, praised for its dramatic setting and electric blue water.
30. Cayo Zapatilla, Panama – A remote Panamanian island beach known for tropical forest, pale sand and clear Caribbean water.
31. The Baths, British Virgin Islands – A Virgin Gorda beach famous for giant granite boulders and natural pools.
32. Cabo San Juan del Guía, Colombia – A Tayrona coast beach combining Caribbean water, rainforest and rocky headlands.
33. Baia do Sancho, Brazil – A Fernando de Noronha beach frequently recognised for cliffs, clear water and marine life.
34. Porto Katsiki, Greece – A Lefkada beach known for towering cliffs and bright blue water.
35. Santa Giulia, France – A Corsican beach recognised for clear shallow water and sheltered Mediterranean scenery.
36. Blue Lagoon, Fiji – A Fijian beach entry associated with clear lagoon water and island seclusion.
37. Playa Xpu Ha, Mexico – A Riviera Maya beach known for white sand and Caribbean water.
38. Ofu Beach, American Samoa – A remote Pacific beach known for coral reef, volcanic scenery and isolation.
39. Playa Cofete, Spain – A wild Fuerteventura beach recognised for its long, exposed coastline and dramatic mountain backdrop.
40. Le Morne Beach, Mauritius – A Mauritian beach set beneath Le Morne Brabant, known for lagoon water and mountain views.
41. Flamenco Beach, Puerto Rico – A Culebra beach known for white sand and clear Caribbean water.
42. Grand Anse, Grenada – Grenada’s best-known beach, with a long sweep of sand and views across the island’s west coast.
43. Praia da Falésia, Portugal – An Algarve beach known for its long shore and red-cliff backdrop.
44. Pontal do Atalaia, Brazil – A Brazilian beach near Arraial do Cabo, known for bright blue water and white sand.
45. Boulders Beach, South Africa – A Cape Town beach famous for its African penguin colony.
46. Porto Timoni, Greece – A Corfu double-bay beach reached by walk or boat and recognised among Europe’s top 10 in the ranking.
47. Paje Beach, Zanzibar – A Zanzibar beach known for long pale sand, shallow water and kitesurfing conditions.
48. La Pelosa, Italy – A Sardinian beach known for shallow turquoise water and views towards an offshore tower.
49. Cas Abao, Curaçao – A Curaçao beach known for clear water, reef access and Caribbean scenery.
50. Keem Beach, Ireland – A County Mayo beach on Achill Island, recognised for blue water, steep green hills and Atlantic scenery.

READ MORE: The best beaches in the world for 2025 ranked by Tripadvisor. It’s this year’s ultimate bucket – and spade – list.

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_{Main image: Fteri Beach on Kefalonia, Greece, was named Europe’s best beach and ranked second worldwide by The World’s 50 Best Beaches 2026. Credit: The World’s 50 Best Beaches.}