A BEACH with sand that never gets hot has landed on a list of the world’s best and it’s the only one in the US to receive the honor.
The American beauty spot joins iconic stretches across the world on the 2025 list of The World’s 50 Best Beaches.
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Sitting on an eight-mile barrier island near Sarasota, approximately an hour from Tampa, Siesta Beach offers clear water, fine white sand, seashells, and plenty of places to relax right by the shore.
It’s been ranked the number one beach in the US and placed 42nd worldwide.
It also came in 12th on the North American list.
The beach is known for its powdery white sand that stays cool underfoot.
The World’s Best Beach List called it “a coastal treasure” with “silky sand.”
Its sand is made of 99% pure quartz, which helps it reflect heat.
The quartz came from the Appalachian Mountains, according to experts.
The unique sand means even on the hottest summer days, visitors can walk barefoot without discomfort.
The beach’s standout features continue to earn it global attention.
“Siesta Beach is also known for its pristine surroundings, free from large developments, which helps preserve its natural beauty and makes it one of the top beaches to visit in the US,” the World’s 50 Best Beaches website notes.
Besides its beach that looks straight out to the Caribbean, Siesta Key has a relaxed, small-town charm.
It features two cozy village centers and a free trolley that takes people to the beach and around the island.
Earlier this year, Tripadvisor named it the top beach in the US.
It also landed fourth on Tripadvisor’s global beach rankings.
According to the World’s Best Beach ranking, the list is built using votes from travel experts.
It also includes the world’s most iconic beaches, from Zanzibar to Bermuda.
Researchers also teamed up with “Beach Ambassadors” – travelers who’ve visited the top spots around the world.
The list mixes iconic beaches with lesser-known stunners.
Cala Goloritze in Italy took the No. 1 ranking overall this year.
Entalula Beach in Palawan, Philippines followed in second place.
The World’s Best Beaches 2025
- Cala Goloritze — Italy
- Entalula Beach — Philippines
- Bang Bao Beach — Thailand
- Fteri Beach — Greece
- PK 9 Beach — French Polynesia
- Canto De La Playa — Dominican Republic
- Anse Source d’Argent — Seychelles
- Nosy Iranja — Madagascar
- Ofu Beach — American Samoa
- Grace Bay — Turks & Caicos
- Turquoise Bay — Australia
- Boulders Beach — South Africa
- Pink Beach — Indonesia
- Shoal Bay East — Anguilla
- Detwah Lagoon — Yemen
- Voutoumi Beach — Greece
- One Foot Island — Cook Islands
- Playa de Rodas — Spain
- Playa Balandra — Mexico
- Pontal do Atalaia — Brazil
- Wharton Beach — Australia
- Cayo de Agua — Venezuela
- Seven Mile Beach — Cayman Islands
- Cayo Zapatilla — Panama
- Baia do Sancho — Brazil
- Horseshoe Bay — Bermuda
- Pulau Palambak — Indonesia
- Freedom Beach — Thailand
- The Baths — British Virgin Islands
- Anse Georgette — Seychelles
- Ffryes Beach — Antigua & Barbuda
- Grand Anse — Grenada
- Le Morne Beach — Mauritius
- Bahia de Las Aguilas — Dominican Republic
- Meads Bay — Anguilla
- Porto Katsiki — Greece
- Nudey Beach — Australia
- Bon Bon Beach — Philippines
- Saadiyat Beach — United Arab Emirates
- Goyambokka Beach — Sri Lanka
- Playa Punta Uva — Costa Rica
- Siesta Beach — Florida, USA
- Paje Beach — Zanzibar
- Klein Bonaire Beach — Bonaire
- Cathedral Cove Beach — New Zealand
- Santa Giulia — Corsica, France
- Gardner Bay — Ecuador
- Keem Beach — Ireland
- Kuramathi Sand Bank — Maldives
- La Pelosa — Italy
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