Travel

10 Most Relaxing Beaches in the World: Only 2 Are in the US

BY Tribune News Service TIMEMay 20, 2026 PRINT

By Jim Harrington
The Mercury News

Tropea Beach, which sits on the Tyrrhenian Sea in the southern part of Italy’s Calabria region, is the world’s most relaxing beach, according to a new study.

Eagle Beach in Palm, Aruba, and Playa Norte in Isla Mujeres, Mexico, rank at No. 2 and No. 3, respectively, in this study from Hot Spring Spas, a spa pool manufacturer, which was published by Travel + Leisure.

Two U.S. spots also made the list—and, not surprisingly, both are in Hawaii. Ka’anapali Beach in Lahaina, Maui, came in at No. 5, while Poipu Beach Park in Kauai ranked at No. 8.

To determine which beach was the most relaxing, Hot Spring Spas representatives reportedly looked through Tripadvisor to see which reviews mentioned the word “relaxing” the most times. Tropea Beach had the top tally, with 300 reviews using the word “relaxing.”

“The benefits of visiting a beach for relaxation are many, from the salty air and the natural scenery, to the warmth and sunshine,” Aaron Sampson, the general manager at Hot Spring Spas, said in a statement printed by Travel + Leisure. “Visitors can switch off and gain more mental clarity as well as physical benefits too.”

Sampson went on to say that the study shows “just how valuable relaxation and daily wellness is, with it being a primary reason that many people make the trip to one of the beaches ranked.”

Hot Spring Spas’ 10 Most Relaxing Beaches

  1. Tropea Beach (Tropea, Italy)
  2. Eagle Beach (Palm, Aruba)
  3. Playa Norte (Isla Mujeres, Mexico)
  4. Balandra Beach (La Paz, Mexico)
  5. Ka’anapali Beach (Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii)
  6. Playa Varadero (Varadero, Cuba)
  7. Manly Beach (Sydney)
  8. Poipu Beach Park (Kauai, Hawaii)
  9. Bávaro Beach (Bávaro, Dominican Republic)
  10. Anse Lazio (Seychelles)

Copyright #YR@ MediaNews Group, Inc. Visit at mercurynews.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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