21 February, 2013 - TripAdvisor^®, the world’s largest travel site*, announces the winners of its 2013 Travellers’ Choice® Beaches Awards, based entirely on feedback from millions of TripAdvisor travellers. 

Rhossili Bay in Swansea has been crowned the UK’s number one beach and third best in Europe beating almost every other beach in Spain, Greece and Italy. The Welsh beach even placed in the world’s top 10 above those in Hawaii, the Caribbean and more exotic locations.

Woolacombe Beach in Devon was named the UK’s second best beach while Cornwall’s Porthminster Beach took third place.

“These awards recognise the best beaches in the UK and beyond, according to those that really matter – travellers that have visited these beaches and given them the highest levels of praise,” commented Emma Shaw, TripAdvisor spokesperson. “Huge congratulations to Swansea’s Rhossili Bay for beating many of the most exotic beaches across the globe.”

Swansea beats Sardinia in the seaside stakes

Swansea’s Rhossili Bay is officially the UK’s number one beach, and, taking third place in Europe and 10^th in the world just goes to prove that you don’t have to travel thousands of miles for a great beach.  

Rhossili Bay is the largest expanse of white sand on the Gower Peninsula and stretches for three miles. The beach’s vast stretch of sand and towering cliffs make it popular with surfers, paragliders and ramblers. The village of Rhossili is steeped in history and the wreck of the Helvetia, which ran aground on Rhossili Bay in November 1887 can still be seen on the beach today.

Councillor David Phillips, Leader of the City and County of Swansea said, “We are delighted, but not surprised, that Rhossili Bay has been acknowledged by the world’s leading consumer travel website. We hope that many more visitors continue to enjoy its outstanding natural beauty.”

Triple win for Dorset

In a triple celebration for Dorset, the county is home to three of the UK’s top 10 beaches: Hengistbury Head in fifth place, Weymouth Beach in seventh and Sandbanks in eighth. 

Sicily celebrates world win

Italy’s Rabbit Beach in Sicily has been crowned the number one beach in the world. Situated on the small island of Lampedusa, it is a totally unspoiled nature reserve that can only be accessed by boat and is one of the few rare places in the Mediterranean where loggerhead sea turtles go to lay their eggs. Grace Bay in Providenciales, Turks and Caicos takes the runner up spot.

Award winners were determined based on the most highly rated beaches by travellers in TripAdvisor reviews. Unlike any other honours, TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice winners are based on millions of valuable reviews and opinions from travellers around the world. 

For the complete 2013 Travellers’ Choice Beaches Awards winners and more reviews, opinions and candid traveller photographs, go to http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/TravellersChoice-Beaches. (please note this link will be live with 2013 results on Wednesday 20^thFebruary).

To see the best hotels for luxury, service and more, as honored in TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards for Hotels from January, go to http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/TravellersChoice-Hotels

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For more information please contact Hayley Coleman: 077 398 27951 / hcoleman@tripadvisor.com  

TripAdvisor’s Traveller Choice Beaches Awards winners:

UK:

1. Rhossili Bay, Rhossili – Swansea

2. Woolacombe Beach, Woolacombe – Devon

3. Porthminster Beach, St Ives – Cornwall

4. Longsands Beach, North Tyneside – Tyne and Wear

5. Hengistbury Head, Bournemouth – Dorset

6. Fistral Beach, Newquay – Cornwall

7. Weymouth Beach, Weymouth – Dorset

8. Sandbanks, Poole – Dorset

9. Filey Beach, Filey – Yorkshire

10. St. Brelade's Bay Beach – Jersey

Europe:

1. Rabbit Beach, Sicily – Italy

2. Playa de las Catedrales, Ribadeo – Spain

3. Rhossili Bay, Rhossili, Swansea – Wales, UK

4. Playa de ses Illetes, Formentera – Spain

5. Woolacombe Beach, Woolacombe, Devon – England, UK

6. Elafonissi  Beach, Elafonissi, Crete – Greece

7. Iztuzu Beach, Dalyan – Turkey

8. La Pelosa Beach, Stintino, Sardinia – Italy

9. Porthminster Beach, St Ives, Cornwall – England, UK

10. St Pauls Bay, Lindos, Rhodes – Greece

World:

1. Rabbit Beach, Sicily – Italy

2. Grace Bay, Providenciales – Turks and Caicos

3. Whitehaven Beach, Queensland – Australia

4. Baia do Sancho, Fernando de Noronha – Brazil

5. Flamenco Beach (Playa Flamenco), Culebra – Puerto Rico

6. Playa de las Catedrales, Ribadeo – Spain

7. Lopes Mendes Beach, Ilha Grande – Brazil

8. Horseshoe Bay Beach, Southampton Parish – Bermuda

9. Eagle Beach – Aruba

10. Rhossili Bay, Rhossili, Swansea – Wales, UK

Note to Editors

Awards selection:

The Travelllers' Choice Beaches Awards are based on the quality and quantity of traveller reviews and ratings for beaches on TripAdvisor gathered over a 12-month period since the 2012 awards.