Durdle Door Beach in Dorset UK

Eroded by time and nature, Durdle Door is one of Dorset’s most photographed and iconic landmarks.

It is located on the Lulworth Estate in south Dorset and is part of the Jurassic Coast. The coastline is of such international geological importance that it was designated England’s first natural World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2001 and is now part of a family of natural wonders including America’s Grand Canyon and Australia’s Great Barrier Reef.

The magnificent natural limestone arch was formed when the power of the waves eroded the rock and forged a hole through the middle. The name Durdle is derived from an old English word ‘thirl’, which means to pierce, bore or drill.

As you look towards the sea, you will see Durdle Door beach on your right. Access to the pebble and shingle beach is on foot via a path and steps over the hill from Lulworth Cove or down from the Car Park (charges apply) which is located on the cliff top at Durdle Door Holiday Park. There is a coach drop off..

Barafundle Bay Beach in Wales UK

Holiday cottages in Wales
Small but beautifully formed, Wales is known for its rocky coastline, rolling hills and lush valleys, mountainous national parks, and ancient Celtic culture rooted in mystical folklore.

The UK's only coastal national park is in Pembrokeshire, and throughout the length of the shoreline of Wales there are sweeping, uncrowded beaches offering plenty of water sport activities or simple rock-pooling.  Snowdonia, with its Ice Age-formed mountains offers exceptional opportunities for hiking, biking, mountaineering or wild swimming.  Or visit the heather-bedecked Brecon Beacons National Park for horse-riding, caving or breathtakingly scenic walks.

Wales is home to over 400 castles, but if you are looking for a more contemporary holiday then a cottage near Cardiff, with its restored waterfront, vibrant nightlife and top-class restaurants is an ideal choice.

Bantham Beach in Devon UK

Holiday cottages in Devon
Wild moors, rugged coastal paths, pub gardens in scenic English villages, cream teas, sand between the toes – a cottage in Devon is the ideal setting for a wholesome holiday in the great outdoors.  Devon boasts two National Parks; Exmoor with its remarkable moorland, oak woods, and striking coastline, and open, untamed Dartmoor with its Neolithic monuments, granite tors and wild ponies.

If you are drawn to the glorious shoreline of Devon, you can head towards the north coast towns of Woolacombe or Croyde to learn to surf in the Atlantic swell and to enjoy the sandy beaches, and while you are there walk the Tarka Trail or visit the black leopard at Exmoor Zoo. On the south coast, nicknamed the English Riviera, take in the maritime history of harbour towns Torquay and Brixham. Hunt for fossils whilst walking the Jurassic Coast pathways, visit the Norman cathedral in Exeter or sample cider in the laid-back market town of Totnes.  Mingle with the yacht-owners in smart and pretty Salcombe, or go kayaking on the river Dart.
Discover divine holiday cottages to rent in Devon here.

Blackpool Sands Beach in Devon UK

Holiday cottages in Devon
Wild moors, rugged coastal paths, pub gardens in scenic English villages, cream teas, sand between the toes – a cottage in Devon is the ideal setting for a wholesome holiday in the great outdoors.  Devon boasts two National Parks; Exmoor with its remarkable moorland, oak woods, and striking coastline, and open, untamed Dartmoor with its Neolithic monuments, granite tors and wild ponies.

If you are drawn to the glorious shoreline of Devon, you can head towards the north coast towns of Woolacombe or Croyde to learn to surf in the Atlantic swell and to enjoy the sandy beaches, and while you are there walk the Tarka Trail or visit the black leopard at Exmoor Zoo. On the south coast, nicknamed the English Riviera, take in the maritime history of harbour towns Torquay and Brixham. Hunt for fossils whilst walking the Jurassic Coast pathways, visit the Norman cathedral in Exeter or sample cider in the laid-back market town of Totnes.  Mingle with the yacht-owners in smart and pretty Salcombe, or go kayaking on the river Dart.
Discover divine holiday cottages to rent in Devon here.

Pedn Vounder Beach in Cornwall UK

Holiday cottages in Cornwall
Cornwall is deservedly a well-loved UK holiday destination; a mild climate, stunning beaches and pretty fishing villages, cliffy coasts and numerous attractions, it offers a wonderful holiday cottage setting.  For activities, try surfing in Newquay or St Ives; walk the prehistoric moors of Penwith, sail in St Mawes or Fowey, or cycle to Land’s End.

For sightseers, St Michael's Mount, the Lost Gardens of Heligan, the National Maritime Museum, Tate St Ives, King Arthur's Castle and Merlin's Cave in Tintagel, the Eden Project and Bodmin Moor form part of a huge range of fascinating days out. 

But perhaps you are more interested in Cornwall's legendary coastline, in which case a choice of hundreds of beaches on Cornwall’s 250 miles of shore, ranging from hidden rocky coves to sweeping expanses of sand will meet your seaside needs; communities such as Megavissey, Padstow and St Austell provide good bases for holidays centred on the coastal life. Search the crème de la crème of Cornish cottages here.

Piha Beach in Auckland New Zeland

Not all beaches are created equal as anyone who’s ever fought traffic, stalked people for parking, endlessly searched for a spot not occupied by tourists or trash, and then tolerated whichever aspiring DJ decided to set up camp 20 feet away, can attest.

But with the right scenery... and the right shoreline... and the right conditions, whatever hassles and headaches it took to get you to that idyllic stretch of sand cease to matter. Some beaches are near mystical in their powers to slow time, erase reality, and hook you into a force greater than yourself. Here are 20 of the world’s most beautiful beaches: Whether you’re into majestic cliffs and rock formations or smooth, wide nothingness, sugary white sand or pink or black or golden, they’re all perfect no matter how tough the journey.

Zlatni Rat Beach in Brac Croatia

Croatia has no shortage of beautiful beaches, but Zlatni Rat stands out for its striking and unusual shape (which actually changes depending on the current). Though it looks like a golden sand beach, its shoreline is made up of smooth, tiny pebbles and stretches out for half a mile on either side of the tip. It's not just a place to lounge: Zlatni Rat is also a popular spot for windsurfing, jet-skiing, and stand-up paddle boarding.

Vik Black Sand Beach in Iceland

Iceland might not be the first place that comes to mind when you think of beaches, but there’s no denying the beauty and drama of its rugged coastline. You won’t see palms or white sand here: In Vik, the sand is black as caviar and the beach is dotted with soaring basalt columns—which, in our opinion, makes it all the more special and beautiful.

Cala Macarella Beach in Menorca Spain

Located on the sun-bleached southwestern coast of Menorca, the tranquil Cala Macarella is the ideal escape from the congested beaches of nearby Mallorca and Ibiza. Getting there is a trek: you can either hike two miles along the cliffs from nearby Cala Galdana, or drive on a rough and winding road from Ciutadella and hike an additional 20 minutes through a pine forest to get there (phew). But its ultra-fine sand and calm turquoise waters are well worth the effort.

Cala Goloritzé Beach in Sardinia Italy

It’s no secret that Cala Goloritzé, located at the base of a ravine on Sardinia’s windswept northeastern coast, is one of the most beautiful beaches in Italy. Still, it.

Praia de Albandeira Beach in Algarve Portugal

Despite high tourist traffic to the Algarve region, this tiny, secluded cove has (amazingly) remained somewhat under the radar. You won't find any umbrellas, beach chairs, water sports, or beach bars here; just a golden lick of sand, cool crystalline waters, sea caves, and natural rock pools—which is precisely why you should visit. Added bonus? Thanks to the ochre cliffs on both sides of the beach, the water is always calm and perfect for swimming and snorkeling.

Durdle Door Beach in Dorset England

With its dramatic limestone arch, lush, craggy cliffs, and soft golden sand, Durdle Door is one of the most scenic beaches in all of Europe. But it’s not just a pretty face the Marine Conservation Society recommends the beach for swimming and fishing, thanks to its excellent water quality. It’s also part of the Jurassic Coast, a 95-mile stretch of coastline studded with so many spectacular geological features and fossils that UNESCO designated it a World Heritage Site in 2001.

Cala Tonnarella Beach in Sicily Italy

We like Capri as much as the next person, but when it comes to secluded beaches free of crowds, it’s Sicily for the win. Cala Tonnarella, tucked inside the Zingaro Nature Reserve, is the ultimate oasis: a tiny stretch of bone-white sand and Bermuda-blue water flanked by low, limestone cliffs. It’s a trek to get there Zingaro is inaccessible via road, so you’ll have to hike about an hour to get to it from the southern car park but upon arrival, you’ll be rewarded with a stunning beach...and may even have it all to yourself.

East Beach in Santa Barbara California

Santa Barbara might just be the most perfect place in America. It’s got all the warm, sunny weather Southern California’s famous for -- but without the millions of people that ruin it in LA. East Beach epitomizes that quintessential Cali scenery that caused early settlers’ jaws to hit the sand: the deep blue Pacific, a long meandering beachfront drive lined with palm trees, and the Santa Ynez Mountains standing tall in the background.

Bonus: Beachgoers, Rollerbladers, and runners who are every bit the picture of Southern California beauty, making this one of the best spots in America for all kinds of scenery.

Praia da Marinha Beach in Lagoa Portugal

Take in the view from atop the golden cliffs that line this postcard beach. Then forego the stairs and take the walking path to the right of the parking lot for even more “holy shit” vistas. Head into the turquoise water and swim through the twin arches that stand as the beach’s iconic symbol. Or take a boat out and explore the grottos and caves nearby.

Bonus: Marinha is just one of several beaches in Algarve, Portugal’s southernmost region, vying to be named the most beautiful in the country. There is quite literally “more where that came from” so rent a car and make an adventure of it.

El Castillo Beach in Tulum Mexico

With Mayan ruins in the background, this white sand paradise is accented by clear water and colorful fishing boats; meanwhile, festive locals salsa dance on nearby Playa Esperanza.

Bonus: Climbing pyramids, swimming in cenotes, kitesurfing, and eating fish tacos -- you will not get bored.

Ora Beach Maluku Beach in Indonesia

While Bali gets the bulk of the Indonesian beach hype, the most jaw-dropping beach in the country is in Maluku. The actual stretch of sand isn’t particularly large, but the overall setting of emerald ocean flowing through jungle islands is the stuff of South Pacific fantasies. And since it doesn’t get a ton of hype, you can often float face up in the perfectly clear water without anyone else around.

Bonus: It’s called the Maldives of Indonesia, mostly because here too you can rent little tiki huts that sit on stilts in the water, making your patio a de facto private beach.

Piha Beach Piha Beach in New Zealand

Auckland has never been confused for a “beach town,” but one of the most enduring images of the place comes from this beach about 25 miles north of the city. It’s home to Lion Rock, a massive 16-million-year-old stone that’s made appearances on both the Auckland phone book and postage stamps. Green hills line the shore, with streams and tributaries running out into the Tasman Sea.

Bonus: Piha is a black sand beach, formed by volcanic minerals, and the harsh breaks make it one of the top surfing spots in the Pacific.

Anse Source Argent La Digue Beach in Republic of Seychelles

Its towering cliffs and pink sand make it one of the most photographed beaches in the world.
Bonus: La Digue, specifically its Veuve Nature Reserve, is the last place on earth where you can find the rare black paradise flycatcher bird, of which there are only about 100 left.

Cala Deia Beach in Mallorca Spain

Though it’s not a lay-out-and-tan kinda place, this shingle beach on the west coast of Mallorca is a unique seaside spot. Cliffs surround the sapphire water, and even though villas are built into those cliffs the place still feels like a hidden slice of heaven.

Bonus: Two seafood restaurants here let you enjoy fresh-caught seafood while eating almost-on-top of the water.

Makena Beach in Maui Hawaii

The salmon-orange sand on Makena during sunset creates a mind-blowing tableau of color against the blue water and red sky. The view from the sand is of the white-capped Pacific leading out to other Hawaiian islands.

Bonus: There are two beaches here, Big Beach and Little Beach. And wouldn’t you know, Little Beach is clothing-optional.

Navagio Zakynthos Island in Greece

This spectacular crescent beach, accessible only by boat, is surrounded on three sides by dramatic, sheer cliffs. Still, tourists steadily stream in, eager to soak up the striking beauty of the cove’s white sands and the Ionian Sea’s azure water.

Bonus: Sitting smack dab in the middle of the beach is the rusted hull of a freighter that ran aground here in 1980, rumored to be smuggling wine and other contraband -- thus earning the beach its two nicknames: Shipwreck Beach and Smuggler’s Cove.

The Baths in Virgin Gorda British Virgin Islands

Nobody knows how this garden of perfectly smooth granite boulders ended up on the shores of Virgin Gorda. They back up against palm-filled mountains, lending the place its mystical-pirate-hideaway, there’s-definitely-buried-treasure-here-somewhere vibe. Even when the beach is filled with pasty tourists.

Bonus: Stroll through the boulders and swim into secluded grottos, where the sun peers in through the rocks and creates some of the best photo ops in the Caribbean.

Blue Lagoon in Turkey

It almost looks like a little slice of Thailand up and dropped itself here at the merging of the Aegean and Mediterranean seas. About 10 miles from the town of Fethiye, lush green peaks border perfectly clear turquoise water, with a peninsula separating one stretch of beach from another. The beach is a national marine sanctuary, so you won’t find any eyesores or resorts stinking up the place.

Bonus: Diving here is also first rate, with some fascinating caves and an abundance of marine life with near-limitless visibility.

Suluban Beach in Bali

Everyone knows Suluban Beach to be a surfers’ paradise, but Suluban Cave might just be the real treasure here.
Looking almost like a movie set from the Pirates of the Caribbean series with its otherworldly glamour, Suluban Cave oozes both mystery and mystic.

Located directly under Uluwatu, the cave actually leads up to the beach near Uluwatu Temple, another incredible sea temple you should definitely visit too!

Melasti Beach near Tanah Lot in Bali

Want more than just a regular sunset picture at the beach?

Along the sandy Melasti beach lies a hidden treasure – a waterfall.

Capture a shot from the shoreline of the sun setting as the water streams back into the ocean.

Now, your “once in a lifetime” picture is worthy to be used as your Facebook cover!

A 15-minute walk away from Tanah Lot, head over to the beach after visiting the Tanah Lot temple.

You’ll be safe from the crowd as Melasti Beach is one of Bali’s best kept secrets (until now).

Note: Take note not to mistake this Melasti beach with the one near Ungasan!

Uluwatu Beach in Bali

When I started planning my trip to Bali, Indonesia, I saw many comments that the beaches on the island (yes, Bali is not a city, but a big island with many cities) were not the prettiest, I confess I was quite disappointed.

And really the most tourist spots like Kuta do not have the edge of the most paradisiacal. You will easily understand that what has made the world-famous destination perhaps has not been the sea itself, but probably the customs, religion, exotic atmosphere by western standards and perfect waves for surfing.

It was then that my friends from the blog Vou Contigo, who were also in Bali, agreed to take me to Uluwatu's paradise on the Bukit peninsula, which would finally make me find the sea that I had hoped for.

Uluwatu is about an hour away from the more touristy area where Bali hotels such as Kuta and Seminyak are. For the tour, we chose to combine with a taxi driver to spend the day with us. From 11am to 4pm, the transportation went for 350,000 rupees (US $ 28). Anyone who is accustomed can rent a scooter and save money. But have a good map and safety to drive in the English hand and chaotic traffic. You can even find a day tour at local agencies.

Karma Beach in Bali

Want to have the privacy of an exclusive beach?
Karma Beach is one of the few places where you’ll have to pay to experience Bali’s untouched beauty.

For just IDR $500,000, you can descend via the inclinator to the private sands of the Karma Kandara Villa, where your entrance fee includes purchase of food and drinks.
Supermodel Kristy Hinze and actor Jeremy Piven are known to be former guests, with their cliff side villas renting for USD $1400 a night.

And yes, this is the perfect beach with blindingly white sand and turquoise water, where you can enjoy world-class Mediterranean-inspired cuisine and an ice-cold beer.
You can even watch a movie by the beach, as the sun sets for the day.

Padang Padang Beach in Bali

Padang Padang Beach, locally referred to as Pantai Labuan Sait, is one of Bali’s most famous surf spots, located on the north-western coast of the island’s Bukit Peninsula, and just a kilometre southwest of the Anantara Bali Uluwatu.

This beach features an exotic setting; a simply stunning one hundred meter-long stretch of sand that is accessible down a flight of stairs through a unique hollow rock entrance. The surf has a steady set of barrels during good weather, attracting wave riders from around the world.

Part of the group of world-class surf spots that line the coast of the southern peninsula, Padang Padang Beach lies several kilometres in between Bingin and Uluwatu, among which surfers usually hop to interchangeably for a different set of challenges and another thrill for the day. This beach is also a regular spot for international surfing events, the Rip Curl Cup Padang Padang being the most frequent.