Best Beaches Index 2022

The Best Beaches for 2022 in…

Best Beaches on the Cape Cod

Cape Cod is known as a summer hotspot and home to some of the most stunning beaches. So lay back in your ​​Adirondack chair and let this list will take you on a journey through sandy shores, remote dunes, and sprawling coastlines. Start creating your perfect summer bucket list now with Holidu’s top 10 best Cape Cod and Nantucket beaches to help start your planning!

1. Ballston Beach – 110 reviews – average rating: 4.9

Ballston Beach is an ocean side beach, located in the relaxing town of Truro, Massachusetts. Its crisp ocean salt water is sure to keep you cool even on the hottest of days. Most known for its iconic sand dunes, and being the muse of Edward Hopper Truro paintings, it makes it the ideal first stop to dive into your summer holiday. With an average rating of 4.9 on Google and a total of 110 reviews, Ballston Beach takes first prize in this ranking and should be at the top of everyone’s bucket list for summer 2022.

2. Nauset Beach – 1,152 reviews – average rating: 4.8

You’ll want to gab your swimsuit and boogie board for this next one. Located in Orleans, Massachusetts, on the ocean side, Nauset Beach comes in with a whopping 1,152 reviews and an average rating of 4.8. Known as a popular place for swimming and boogie boarding due to its waves, you won’t want to miss this beach gem.

3. Coast Guard Beach – 842 reviews – average rating: 4.8

Located in Eastham, Massachusetts, Coast Guard Beach is a part of Cape Cod’s National Seashore. Coming in at an average rating of 4.8 with 842 reviews, it is hard to not love Coast Guard Beach. During low tide it is a popular destination for skimboarding, although boogie boarding and surfing are also popular at this beach. Fall under the spell of Coast Guard Beach’s natural beauty and charm and make it the next stop for your summer escape.

4. Herring Cove Beach – 813 reviews – average rating: 4.8

As one of the largest beaches in Provincetown, Herring Cove Beach is a bayside beach known for its calm and warmer waters. Herring Cove is the only Cape Cod National Seashore beach on the bay side of Cape Cod. It is also closer to the downtown area, generally making it more accessible than, the also beautiful, Race Point Beach. With an average rating of 4.8 on Google and a total of 813 reviews, Ballston Beach is a can’t miss on your Cape Cod beaches bucket list for summer.

5. Marconi Beach – 574 reviews – average rating: 4.8

Located in ​​Wellfleet, Massachusetts, Marconi Beach is a picturesque Cape Cod National Seashore beach on the Atlantic Ocean side of the Cape. This beach not only offers refreshing cool water and warm sand, but also activities like hiking and bike paths! With an average rating of 4.8 on Google and a total of 574 reviews, relax and spend the say at this bucket list worth beach!

The Best Beaches on Nantucket

1. Madaket Beach – 142 reviews – average rating: 4.8

With an average rating of 4.8 on Google and a total of 142 reviews, Madaket Beach takes first prize in this ranking and should be at the top of everyone’s bucket list for 2022. Madaket Beach is located near Smith Point on Nantucket. With its crisp water and rustic sand, it is easy to see why this beach is at the top of our list. Take a lovely stroll down the beach dotted with quaint cottages. Madaket Beach is also known as a sunset watching hotspot, you aren’t going to want to miss this stunning backdrop for your next summer trip to Nantucket.

Most popular countries for beaches in Europe

1. Greece – 5.4k Google searches per month | 142k+ IG hashtags

It’s official! Greece is the most popular European country for beach seeking travellers this year. With 5.4k in monthly searches, and 142k Instagram hashtags, this makes Greece the clear winner. With so many islands to choose from, whether you pick Crete, Naxos, or Mykonos, you are sure to find a stunning offering of beaches with crystal clear water. Make sure Greece is at the top of your list this year, as you won’t want to miss out!

2. Italy – 5.4k Google searches per month | 71k+ IG hashtags

Italy is a dream destination not only for foodies but for beach lovers alike! Relax by the stunning blue water along on the Amalfi Coast and snack on pizza and pasta to your heart’s content. Italy is also the country with some of the most World Heritage cultural sites, so you won’t want to miss out on this stunning, gem for your travels this summer.

3. Portugal – 3.6k Google searches per month | 61k+ IG hashtags

In third place, with 3.6k in monthly Google searches and over 61k Instagram hashtags, we have the lively Portugal. Head to Praia do Portinho da Arrábida if you are looking for a relaxing day to bask in the sun and take a dip. The country is home to over 948 km of Atlantic coastline, so there is plenty of choses in this summer hotspot. Portugal is also renowned for its surfing so be sure to check out one of the most famous beaches, Praia do Norte to admire or dare to surf its gigantic waves.

4. France – 3.6k Google searches per month | 42k+ IG hashtags

Coming in at number four with 3.6k in monthly Google searches and over 42k Instagram hashtags, France is a can’t miss on your beach destinations this summer. Known for its tranquil and luxurious beach town, be sure to check out the stunning blue waters of French Riviera in the south, the enchanting dunes in the north and the natural splendour of the Silver Coast landscapes. Pack your swimsuit and head to France for a summer of your dreams!

5. Ireland – 880 Google searches per month | 42k+ IG hashtags

Ireland is home to over 3,000 km of coastline and over 100 beaches. Try surfing at Bundoran, or unwind and relax at Glanleam Beach. This beach known for being located on the Gulf Stream making one of the warmer beaches in the Emerald Isle. Ireland with 880 in monthly Google searches and over 42k Instagram hashtags you won’t want to miss Ireland for a unique beach find.

6. Spain – 8.1k Google searches per month | 29.9k+ IG hashtags

Spain is the sixth most popular country for European beaches this year! It could very well be due to its sun-soaked beaches, pristine water, and rich history. Spain is home to over 3,000 beaches, including the paradise island of Mallorca which houses over 200 of these stunning beaches alone. So get ready to eat tapas to your hearts content, grab your sangria to head to the beach.

7. Croatia – 5.4k Google searches per month | 26k+ IG hashtags

Coming in with 5.4k in monthly Google searches and over 26k Instagram hashtags, you won’t want to miss out on these unique beach finds in Croatia. Ranking next on our list for most popular European country for beaches in 2022 Croatia has earned its spot! Whether you want to hit Banje Beach, in Dubrovnik or Žnjan Beach, Splits largest beach, you are sure to fine the beach for you!

8. Malta – 6.6k Google searches per month | 16k+ IG hashtags

Malta might be small but there are many reasons why it’s a favourite for travellers seeking beaches this year! This stretch of islands is scored 6.6k in monthly Google searches and over 16k Instagram hashtags, Malta not only has stunning beaches with breathtaking turquoise water, it is also dotted with coves and rocky inlets that are perfect for cliff jumping. Malta is also a Scuba diver’s dream, with unique diving locations featuring caves and wrecks is an underwater fantasy world.

9. Netherlands – 480 annual searches | 18.9k+ IG hashtags

In next place, we have the Netherlands! This country has so much more to offer than just its beautiful windmills, and mesmerizing tulip farms. Head to Scheveningen Beach in Zuid-Holland, one of the more popular destinations, equipped with its own pier, and dotted with quaint shops and spectacular beach bars. You can also explore more remote beaches with sandy dunes and national parks.

10. Poland – 1.6k Google searches per month | 16.5k+ IG hashtags

Last but not least, Poland secures our final place on the top 10 most popular country for beaches in Europe for summer 2022. Securing 1.6k in monthly Google searches and over 16.5k Instagram hashtags. If you are looking for a pristine golden sand beach look no further than Świnoujście which has even received a blue flag. Don’t miss out on all the Baltic beaches Poland has to offer!

Methodology

All European countries were considered for this study. The UK was omitted in order to have a non-staycation based ranking. The ranking was then drawn up using the average number of monthly searches on Google in the last 12 months for each of the country names combined with the keyword: “beaches”, the Instagram hashtags for this keyword, and its variations, were then added in order to determine which European countries were most popular with and sought after by travellers searches for beaches.

The Best Beaches in the UK

The Best Beaches in Wales

1. Barafundle Bay Beach, Pembrokeshire – 1388 reviews – average rating: 4.9

Barafundle Bay is dubbed as one of the best places in Wales to go to if you fancy some open water swimming this summer. This ‘Jewel in the Crown’ is found in a secluded cove which means that the waves aren’t so strong so it’s perfect for less confident swimmers looking for a safer environment to cool down in this year. This gem is only accessible on foot which only adds to the secluded charm.

The Best Beaches in Scotland

1. St Ninian’s Beach, Shetland Islands – 290 reviews – average rating: 4.9

Scotland’s best-rated beach this year is actually located north of the mainland in the Shetland Islands! St Ninian’s Beach is located on the west coast of the island and links the south mainland with the Isle of St Ninian’s. Visitors to this picture can enjoy an array of watersports, including kayaking, canoeing, snorkelling, sailing and windsurfing. The beach is also dog-friendly, so feel free to bring your furry friend along too!

The Best Beaches in England

1. Bossiney Cove, Cornwall – 152 reviews – average rating: 4.9

England’s most beautiful beach for this year is Bossiney Cove in Cornwall. This is a beautiful secluded beach that is nestled in a picturesque cove. This is the perfect beach for anyone looking to spend some time swimming in the sea as it is home to a reef along the western edge of the sands, providing a wonderful marine environment for snorkelling.

Methodology

The study was conducted using the Google Maps database and searching for the word “beach” in Cape Cod, Massachusetts for the US ranking and all regions in the UK for the British one. The results were then manually filtered to exclude any results that were not beaches. The lists were then used to compile rankings based on the beaches with the best average rating, giving priority to those with the most reviews. Beaches with less than 100 reviews were not considered. In the UK section, no Northern Irish beaches are mentioned as they did not feature in the top 50 list.