Best beaches this summer

I’ll be real with you: "Best Beach" lists are usually just a collection of stock photos of places that are actually 90% sunscreen-scented crowds and $18 margaritas. If you’re looking for a spot to actually drop your towel this summer (it's 2026, and the world is traveling more than ever), you have to be strategic.

I’ve spent enough time shaking sand out of my shoes to know that the "perfect" beach doesn't exist—only the right one for your mood. Here’s where I’d actually go this year.


The "New Croatia": The Albanian Riviera



If you’d told me five years ago that I’d be obsessing over Albania, I would’ve laughed. But let me be honest: the secret is officially out, and for good reason. It’s got the same turquoise Ionian water as Greece but at a fraction of the cost.

Reality check:

Places like Ksamil are stunning, but in July and August, they are packed. I made the mistake of showing up at noon and spent an hour just trying to find a square inch of sand. The move? Head to Dhërmi or Himare. They’re a bit more rugged, the beaches are pebbly (bring those dorky water shoes, trust me), but the water is so clear it looks like glass.

What I didn't expect:

The food. I went for the beach and stayed for the $10 seafood platters that tasted like they were caught twenty minutes ago. It’s messy, it’s authentic, and it’s not trying to be a fancy resort—yet.



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The Wild Child: Sardinia, Italy

Sardinia is currently the "It" spot for 2026, and I get the hype. It feels less like a manicured Italian postcard and more like a wild, wind-swept escape.

Pro tip:

Everyone heads to Costa Smeralda because that’s where the yachts are. If you want to actually breathe, drive to Baunei. I did the hike down to Cala Mariolu, and my legs were shaking by the end, but stepping into that water felt like a religious experience. It’s electric blue.

The catch:

Italy in August is a furnace. If you don't book your "spiaggia" (beach) umbrella in advance at the popular spots, you’ll be roasting on a rock. I learned that the hard way in 100°F heat. Go in June or September if you can swing it.




The Tropical Curveball: Sri Lanka’s South Coast

While everyone is fighting for space in Bali, Sri Lanka is having a massive moment right now. It has that barefoot, "I haven't looked at a phone in three days" energy that’s getting harder to find.

Where to go: Hiriketiya Bay. It’s a horseshoe-shaped cove where the jungle literally touches the sand.

The vibe: You’ll see surfers, monkeys, and people eating curry with their hands at beach shacks.

Real talk: The waves can be punchy. I tried to look cool surfing here and ended up doing a somersault in the whitewater while a group of locals cheered/laughed. It’s humble and fun.


The "Actually Affordable" Gem: Algarve, Portugal



The Algarve is the old reliable of beach trips, but for 2026, it’s still the reigning champ of value.

What makes it aesthetic:

The cliffs. You’ve seen the photos of Pontal da Piedade—those yellow limestone arches against the deep blue Atlantic. It’s even better in person. I spent three hours just watching the tide come in at Praia da Marinha, and I swear the colors changed every twenty minutes.


Important caveat:

The water is cold. This is the Atlantic, not a bathtub. I dove in thinking it would be refreshing and my heart nearly stopped. It’s "invigorating," as the locals say, which is code for "you will lose feeling in your toes."


Final Thoughts for Summer 

Don’t chase the "most Instagrammable" spot. Chase the place where you can actually hear the waves and not a TikTok soundtrack. If a beach has a 2-mile hike to get there, that’s usually the one worth seeing.



Plan your next journey with your travel kit


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