This is Kendwa Beach on Zanzibar. But we found something very special on the island. More on this below.Image: Shutterstock
Time out
Summer is still far away, but let’s dream a little: Here we have 19 of the most wonderful beaches in the world that you could perhaps visit in 2026.
February 12, 2026, 11:00 a.mFebruary 12, 2026, 11:00 a.m
Llandudno Beach
Perfectly nestled between the boulders: Llandudno Beach.Image: Shutterstock
We start in Cape Town. The sea here is often a bit cooler. That’s why many Capetonians don’t go to the beach primarily to swim, but rather to sunbathe. Everyone knows the beaches of Clifton or Camps Bay. But drive a little further east to Llandudno and wind your way down the road through the town to the beach.
Wonderfully nestled between rocks, good for surfers and at the foot of the Little Lion’s Head. You can hike to the 437 meter high copy of the Lion’s Head in Cape Town. You have to scramble a bit for a moment. The all-round view from the top of Hout Bay, Sandy Bay or Llandudno – fantastic.
No, this is not the “original” Lion’s Head in Cape Town, but the Little Lion’s Head in Llandudno with the beach of the same name.Image: Shutterstock
————————————Barafundle Bay
Image: Shutterstock
Speaking of Llandudno and not exactly warm sea. You can have that in Wales too. Rarely a country where I expected so little in terms of beaches, but was so pleasantly surprised. Llandudno in the north itself is pretty, but the beaches in the south of the country are better.
Tenby, Broadhaven in Haverfordwest or Pembroke (with the Church Rock) and whatever they are called – you can’t go wrong. Also a very hot tip: Barafundle Bay is only around 1500 meters from Church Rock. The beach can only be reached on foot and is often referred to as the “jewel in the crown”.
Barafundle Bay in the foreground. And visible at the top left: Broadhaven beach and Church Rock in the sea.Image: Shutterstock
Isle of Lewis
What a sight: Traigh na Beirigh Beach in the very north of Scotland.Image: Shutterstock
We tend to stay in the north, even travel in the Kingdom up into Scotland and on to the Isle of Lewis. Completely unexpectedly you will find a wonderful sandy beach here: Traigh na Beirigh Beach.
There will never be mass tourism here. A crowded beach is just as unlikely as someone who can stay in the water for more than a few minutes. But at least: a member of our editor-in-chief enjoyed cooling off here.
Beaches don’t just have to be for swimming. They can also just look good.Image: Shutterstock
Hauklandstranda
Could also be the Caribbean, but it’s the far north.Image: Shutterstock
We remain cold in terms of temperature. The water here takes on a Caribbean-like color. Two employees recommend the Hauklandstranda on the Lofoten (someone went swimming there, the other person didn’t).
In any case, depending on the season, there is a bonus here: in winter you can enjoy the northern lights here at the same time and in summer you can take a (short) swim in the light of the midnight sun.
Icy cold, but beautiful.Image: Shutterstock
San Blas
Still questions?Image: Shutterstock
Okay, enough with cold beaches. It’s getting really warm now. We travel to the Caribbean coast of Panama. Or better yet, to the San Blas archipelago. Around 365 islands – one for every day of the year – are waiting for you. However, only a few of the islands are inhabited.
And if you still need a soundtrack: The band Maná is happy to help.
I can’t imagine a more typical picture from the Caribbean.Image: Shutterstock
Assinie Mafia
Palm beach directly in front of the hotel complex.Image: Reto Fehr
The beaches of West Africa are almost endless. No matter whether in Ghana or the Ivory Coast, for example. Assinie Mafia is the beach town of the Ivory Coast. Easily accessible from Abidjan, you can enjoy the solitude here during the week. On the weekend it can get more crowded on some sections. But as I said: there is space to waste. Find a nice spot on the peninsula in front of the lagoon and enjoy doing nothing.
Lonely beach near Assinie Mafia. Image: Reto Fehr
Belle Mare
Yes, you can live there.Image: Shutterstock
We stay in Africa, but move east and to an island state in the Indian Ocean: Mauritius. I always thought that the entire country was actually one beach. But there are definitely differences, as I learn from the entertainment department.
So, if you’re in Mauritius: Visit Belle Mare Beach on the main island, where the capital Port Louis is also located. By car you can reach the other coast in around an hour.
Very close to Belle Mare beach. Image: Shutterstock
Turquoise Bay
One of the largest fringing reefs in the world is accessible directly from the beach. Image: Shutterstock
When a beach is considered one of Australia’s most beautiful, it means something. This is also the case at Turquoise Bay in the Cape Range National Park and Ningaloo Marine Park. Desert and sea come together here in a way that they rarely do. No wonder the national park has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2011.
The place on Australia’s west coast is no longer an insider tip. But because the place is so remote, the white sandy beach is not overcrowded.
Finest, white sandy beach on Australia’s west coast.Image: Shutterstock
Little Salmon Bay
Image: Shutterstock
We stay in Western Australia but travel south to Perth. Right in the city is Cottesloe Beach, perfect for postcards.
Things get even better almost 20 kilometers off the coast on Rottnest Island. Little Salmon Bay is a sheltered bay with calm, crystal-clear water. A dream for families.
Image: Shutterstock
Morro Bay
Image: Shutterstock
I know that for some, the USA is currently a travel destination that is currently on “pause”. Of course, nature still offers brilliant places. And if you do “dare” to attend the 2026 World Cup, don’t miss Morro Bay between Los Angeles and San Francisco. The name comes from the round boulder that lies at the harbor entrance and marks the end of the long sandy beach in the south. This colossus is 176 meters high and is forbidden to climb.
But that doesn’t matter, as we all know, we’re here because of the beach. You have to experience the sunset here. Also good: jogging along the beach.
There is also a campsite right on the beach, where you can admire the sunset from the front row.Image: Reto Fehr
Playa Corazones
The steep slopes in the south of Arica.Image: Shutterstock
There is also a Morro (round hill) in Arica in the very north of Chile. And of course you can swim here too. But we drive a little south of the city to Playa Corazones (Beach of the Hearts).
Okay, at first glance there are nicer beaches, even if this one is impressively located below the high cliffs. You shouldn’t go swimming here either because of the currents. But the beach is perfect for beautiful sunsets and anyone who finds a certain, intact mussel shell here is said to be lucky in love.
Image: Shutterstock
Tulum
The Playa Ruinas right next to the Mayan sites.Image: Shutterstock
Tulum is known for the Mayan site right on the shore. It’s definitely worth a visit. In addition to the ruins, there are also various cenotes nearby. These are the karst caves with fresh water that are quite common in the area.
If you just want to enjoy the beach: South of the Mayan site there is a 1.5 kilometer long white strip with the finest sand and various accommodations that runs along the Caribbean Sea.
Walk on Tulum beach.Image: Shutterstock
Michamvi
The Rock Restaurant at low tide.Image: Shutterstock
Before we return to Europe, one last detour to Africa. We travel to Zanzibar, the island off Tanzania. As in Tulum, a building is probably the most photographed subject here. However, not an ancient one, but a current one: The Rock Restaurant. The house stands on a rock at the southern end of the beach at Pingwe on the Michamvi Peninsula.
Depending on the water level, you can reach the restaurant on foot or by boat. The beach itself is of course a dream. But there can be a lot of algae here on the East Coast. On the northwest side of the island you don’t have this algae, for example on Kendwa Beach (picture at the top of the article).
And when the tide comes.Image: Shutterstock
Spiaggia di Camogli
The beach of Camogli with the colored houses.Image: Shutterstock
The beaches above are of course all pearls. But mostly only accessible by plane. Things will be different here: you can reach Camogli from Zurich by train in six hours.
Located on the west side of the Portofino peninsula near Genoa, the place is of course well known and you can rarely enjoy the (pebble) beach alone. But the location in front of the colored houses and the Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta creates a unique backdrop.
And yes, as is typical for Italy, it gets full of loungers and parasols in summer.Image: Shutterstock
Playa de la Caleta
Image: www.imago-images.de
How about a slightly different city trip? Have you ever heard of Cadiz in the south of Spain? The picturesque city beach Playa de la Caleta right in front of the old town would definitely have to be included. But you can’t miss it either.
The city is surrounded by the sea on three sides. Cadiz was originally located on an island, but as siltation progressed, it developed into a headland.
Anyone who has ever been to Cadiz should take this picture of the beach.Image: Ralf Meile
Nienhagen
The ghost forest right on the coast.Image: Shutterstock
We visit a very special place in the north of Germany. On the Baltic Sea coast, 90 to 170-year-old oaks, beeches, hornbeams and ash trees rise over a stretch of around 1,300 meters directly by the sea. The wind and storms formed this Nienhagen ghost forest. The name is derived from the bizarre shapes of the trees; fog and wind often create a special atmosphere.
Swimming is less popular directly on the cliffs. But walk along the bank in the forest. Just a few meters away there are beach chairs on the beach in Nienhagen and you have a wonderful view of the forest.
There is a real beach feeling right next door in the village. Image: Shutterstock
Sarakiniko & Paralia Tis Grias To Pidima
Image: Shutterstock
A beach listicle without beaches from Greece is of course not possible. That’s why our sports editor says: “Take any of the Greeks. They’re absolutely beautiful.” I would be happy to comply with this request.
As an example above, Sarakiniko Beach on Milos in the characteristic volcanic landscape with cliffs and caves. Below is another example of a less touristy place: Paralia Tis Grias To Pidima on Andros. The bay here is small, surrounded by rocky cliffs, and in the sea this rock tower rises out of the water:
Image: Shutterstock
Speaking of the tower. Less than ten kilometers further north, the Tourlitis lighthouse is a wonderful photo opportunity.
The Tourlitis lighthouse.Image: Shutterstock
French Polynesia
Didn’t find any beaches that appealed to you? Then my colleague Leo has another tip: “Go to French Polynesia. All the beaches there are beautiful.” Bora Bora will serve as an example here. When I see the picture, I can say: “Moll, I would read a book on that deck chair.” The question is: Do I have the time and money for the long journey?
Image: Shutterstock