The most overrated beaches in the world – and the ones to visit instea | World | News
The first thing lots of people do on holiday is a beach day, with many even planning their entire holiday around a certain beach.
A new study from Ibiza Summer Villas has ranked 100 of the world’s most popular beaches, revealing both the ones most likely to make you leave a negative review, and which ones achieve the opposite effect.
The research team used their skills to analyse a combination of Google and TikTok trend levels, traveller reviews and environmental data to uncover which beaches pose the biggest difference between expectation and reality.
The study only included beaches with at least 1,000 publicly available reviews, in order to ensure maximum accuracy and to avoid outlying results.
Researchers also delved into reviews using terms such as ‘disappointing’ and ‘overrated’ to paint a full picture on each beach’s true popularity.
Here are five of the most overrated beaches:
- Railay Beach, Thailand
Famous for its turquoise waters and striking limestone rock formations, this beach attracts millions of visitors who swarm by boat to take photos of its natural serenity.
However, the beach can get incredibly crowded, with boats completely filling up the shoreline
2. Patong Beach, Thailand
Perfect for swimming and sunbathing, this beach attracts tourists due to its thriving party scene.
Despite this, it possesses only 3.6/5 on Google, with reviewers saying that it is a ‘tourist trap’ and ‘incredibly overcrowded’.
3. Maya Bay, Thailand
This beach is surrounded by towering cliffs and offers stunning natural beauty to those visiting. However, overcrowding caused it to close and reopen under a set of strict rules, including no swimming and limited access.
4. Byron Bay, Australia
Perhaps one of the most famous beaches in the country, tourists flock here to take in its gorgeous sandy beaches and clear waters.
However, 1.57 percent of the reviews on Google are negative and mention aspects such as high rainfall and a poor overall experience
5. Bondi beach, Australia
A victim of its own success, this beach is rife with overcrowding and insanely high prices, with its iconic appearance and position instead falling into the realms of a tourist trap.
Instead of these beaches, why not try one of the hidden gems listed below, offering a far more serene experience with little chance of overcrowding.
5. Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer Beach, France
A perfect beach for travellers seeking to return to nature
4. Tropea Beach, Italy
Due to its unique location position beneath a cliffside town, this beach is the perfect destination for those looking to blend stunning views with history and warm waters.
3. Playa de la Barrosa, Andalusia, Spain
A gorgeous beach with golden sands and a laid-back atmosphere
2. Playa de Bolonia, Andalusia, Spain
A quiet beach combining stretches of stunning sand and ancient Roman ruins
- Playa de la Concha, San Sebastián, Spain
An elegant crescent-shaped beach tops the list, combining urban charm with natural beauty
