2 Cannes Famous for its film festival, as well as being known as the playground for the rich and famous. The Victorian architecture is also very eye catching and doesn’t often get a mention. Plan your visit during the summer when the film festival is on, when there are even more celebrities than usual vying for attention. Great beaches, but can get a little busy, especially with photographers who always use them as a backdrop!

3 St Tropez What can you say that hasn’t already been said, other than the glamour quotation during the summer exceeds all expectations. Definitely one of my favourites.

4 Monaco Wonderful boutiques, restaurants and a decadence that is unrivalled. Some of the most picturesque views are to be found here.

5 Marbella Costa del Sol literally translated means “ The sun coast” There are so many wonderful shops, restaurants and bars you’ll find it difficult to choose your favourite. Oh yes, and the beaches are safe, have golden sand, and get very busy. Get there early.

7 Puerto Banus Great marina which accommodates some of the worlds most luxurious superyachts. Wonderful boutiques and restaurants. “ Unquestionably the place to see and be seen”

8 La Barrosa This is part of Spain’s Costa de la Luz, the western side of the Andalucian coastline that faces the Atlantic Ocean. Costa de la Luz is also known as the coast of lights, due to its incredible clarity of light. Here you will find Playa Barrosa, a wonderful beach, and definitely worth a visit.

9 Kos, Greece Kos has, over the years, become well known for its golden beaches and glorious seas. This cosmopolitan resort island has a thriving tourist industry and is easy to get to by either boat or plane. Some beaches have black volcanic sand, so make sure you have that towel to lie on.

11 Corfu There are too many wonderful beaches and coves to mention in a few lines. Corfuhas also grown in popularity in recent years, so book now in order to savour the true original feel of the island.

12 Santorini, Greece A haven for those with excess fun and energy. Again, visit during the summer when the weather is at its best and the clubs remain open until sunrise. Black, hot sand and a great location for people watching.

13 Capri, Italy Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis made Capri famous; there still remains a big international following that enjoy partying to the early hours. Wonderful quaint houses rise upward from the water.

14 Gibraltar One of the last outcrops of quaint essential Englishness. Gibraltar has received a considerable face-lift in recent years and is well worth a visit for new and old visitors alike.

16 Bondi Beach, Australia A mile-long stretch of protected cove, with wonderful sand and the darkest blue water. Tamarama beach on the south end is definitely worth a visit.

17 Palm Beach, Australia This is the jewel in the crown of Sydney’s northern beaches, renowned as the playground of the rich and famous.

18 Bora Bora, French Polynesia This area has some of the best golden beaches anywhere in the world. Combined with crystal clear water it makes an ideal location for sun worshipers and divers alike. 

19 Miami, USA With over thirty five miles of beaches and a great Latin American feel, combined with some of the worlds best Art Nouveau architecture, it makes a great place to visit. The weather is very hot all year round, and there are some great bars and restaurants along Ocean Drive. South beach is the in-place to see and be seen!

21 Salmea Beach, Algarve This beach forms part of an old fisherman’s village, tucked away on Portugal’s south-west tip. It is a wonderful beach, and is still a working fishing village. This beach and area is an unspoilt wonder, and the people are the friendliest you’ll ever meet. Another well kept secret!

22 “Gentle Annie Bay” South Island, New Zealand It is so easy sitting on the beach imagining this was how the world was before civilisation. Miles of sandy beaches and worn stone coves - one of the most tranquil locations on earth, and an experience not to be missed.

23 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Rio is absolutely spectacular, the geography of the beaches, the hills and the mountains make this a truly awesome location. The rest, as they say, is history.

25 “Pletenberg Bay”, South Africa Along the garden route of South Africa is found “Pletenberg Bay”, or Plet as its called by locals. It is South Africa’s glitziest beach resorts. In a country know for its magnificent beaches, this has to be the best.

26 “Scarborough Beach”, South Africa Glorious, safe and sandy with little rock pools and fresh water streams that run from the mountainous wetlands behind you. For those who want to explore whilst gaining a great tan, this is for you.

27 Kenya Kenya’s southern coast beaches are a great backdrop to one of the most magnificent coral reefs in the world - only beaten by the Great Barrier Reef. The beaches are long, magnificent, soft and white.

28 Patong Beach, Phuket, Thailand The beach is like many parts of Thailand, pile 'em high and sell 'em cheap. The Beach is full of sun loungers and parasols, with lots of people rushing around either trying to sell you things or asking to fetch drinks or lunch for you. If you can cope with the business of this beach, it’s definitely a place to experience. 

29 Whitehaven Beach, Australia The beach is set on a group of islands off the Queensland coast, known as Whitsundays. This is one of the top tourist attractions in Australia. The Whitehaven beach has one of the greatest stretches of pure sand anywhere in the world.

30 75 Mile Beach, Fraser Island, Australia The biggest sand island in the world, which you get to either by 4x4 or plane. It can be interesting while you lie on the beach as it also acts as the runway for the planes. You can’t swim on this beach due to dangerous currents; if the tides don’t get you, the tiger sharks will. The sharks patrol the water line and can easily be seen. The beauty of this beach is well worth the trip!

31 Netadola Beach, Yasawa Island, Fiji It is a beautiful quiet beach with breath taking scenery. Again one of the worlds best kept secrets.

33 Daytona Beach, USA This is a great beach for all you car and motorbike nuts. You can take your car or bike on to the beach, and the beach is usually packed with 4x4 giants and customised motorbikes. After you have done with sunbathing, there are plenty of motorbike shops to visit within easy reach. Definitely not suitable for families.

35 Cancun, Mexico Approximately 10 miles of beach, on one side of the strip are the hotels, bars and restaurants, and on the other, the beach with wonderful clear water. A haven for snorkelling and diving, one of the largest reefs lies just off the coast.

36 Myrtos Beach, Kefalonia, Greece Spectacular scenery. You approach the beach by foot using a quaint winding road. It’s worth the effort because when you arrive, you will be struck by the beauty of the spectacular white pebbles lying on the beach.

37 Flic-en-flac, Mauritius It lies on the western coast of the island, which is usually the driest area in the region. Near the sea edge the sand is fine and smooth - elsewhere its coarser, and there is also coral washed up on the beach. Take some protective footwear, but don’t be put off – it is breathtaking.

39 Thuru Island, The Maldives The island is so small you can walk round it in fifteen minutes. It’s surrounded by some of the best beaches anywhere in the world. Picture book views, with palm trees softening the sands edge while the water gleams with brightly coloured fish and great coral.

40 Camps Bay, South Africa As you come over the hill called “Lions Head”, you will see the wondrous cove and beach before you. The backdrop to the beach is breathtaking.

41 Bamburi Beach, Kenya You can’t relax on this beach as its full of persistent, but polite, beach traders. If you enjoy haggling while soaking up the sun’s rays, then this is the beach for you.

42 Chewang Beach, Koh Samui, Thailand The beach is to be found on the island of Samui, and is a much lighter version of Phuket – it’s far more laid back! Bars, restaurants are all near by, and the local traders sell genuine fakes.

44 Shela Beach, island of Lamu, off Kenya Lamu is a very special place to be with its Swahili culture, narrow streets, and of course the awesome beach.

45 Koh Phi Phi Leh, Thailand This beach in southern Thailand is the location where the movie “The Beach” was filmed. It’s in an almost completely enclosed lagoon of turquoise water. Since the film was released it has become very popular with tourists.

47 Ilha de Santa Catarina The beaches on Ilha de Santa Catarina are definitely the alternative to Rio. Fewer people, and definitely a well kept secret. The Argentineans and Uruguayan’s have discovered this location - the rest of the world simply doesn’t know about it!

49 Anse Lazio, Seychelles A wonderful cove, with trees that reach to the water edge. The sand is golden, and is dotted in places with large worn granite boulders, which protrude from the sand like beached whales.

50 Playa Lopes Mendes, Brazil This has the reputation for being the best beach in Brazil. The sand is like talcum powder… It’s a long trek to the beach through the forest, but definitely worth it. Its breath taking!