Italy’s Rabbit Beach has been crowned the number one beach in the world by Trip Advisor reviewers.

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 took the runner-up spot.

In Europe, Playa de las Catedrales in Ribadeo took second place while Swansea’s Rhossili Bay in Wales was a surprise third and was even voted 10th best in the world.

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.

Councillor David Phillips, leader 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.”

The UK had another two entries in Europe’s top 10, with Devon’s Woolacombe Beach coming fifth and Porthminster Beach in Cornwall being voted in ninth place.

Italy’s only other entry in the top 10 was Sardinia’s La Pelosa Beach in eighth place.

Award winners were determined based on the most highly rated beaches by travellers in Trip Advisor reviews.

Trip Advisor Travellers’ Choice winners are based on millions of reviews and opinions from travellers around the world.

Europe

1. Rabbit Beach, Sicily – Italy
2. Playa de las Catedrales, Ribadeo – Spain
3. Rhossili Bay, Rhossili, Swansea – Wales, the UK
4. Playa de ses Illetes, Formentera – Spain
5. Woolacombe Beach, Woolacombe, Devon – England, the 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, the UK
10. St Pauls Bay, Lindos, Rhodes – Greece

World

1. Rabbit Beach, Sicily – Italy
2. Grace Bay, Providenciales – Turks and Caicos Islands
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, the UK

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