bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

helpersCheckIsPostiesArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

hooksAmpRedirectArticle

articleSchemaContent

liveArticle

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

moreOnThisArticles

urlAlias

commentCount

authorLocations

authors

corrections

sponsorType

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

socialHeadline

headline

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

publishedDate

additionalInfoBoxes

images

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

createdDate

sponsor

paywallTypes

pdfFiles

seriesReverseOrder

series

disableOffPlatformContent

published

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

body

keywords

readingTime

customTimezone

liveContents

It sits just two hours by ferry across the Aegean Sea from the ominous around-the-clock tremors on the island of Santorini, but Elafonissi in Greece has been named the world’s best beach by Tripadvisor.
On the western tip of Crete, Elafonissi’s pink-looking sand and clear, warm water made it this year’s winner, according to the travel company.
It listed Banana Beach in Thailand in second place and Aruba’s Eagle Beach in third.
The rankings were based on reviews and ratings submitted to Tripadvisor during the 12 months to December 1, 2024. Covering 100 beaches across 50 countries, the 2025 edition saw 2024’s poll-topper, Praia da Falésia in Portugal’s Algarve, drop to fourth.

However, Elafonissi’s accolade has arguably been overshadowed by concerns about seismic activity around the huge Santorini caldera to the north – which is 12km, or 7.5 miles, wide – with more than 20,000 tremors and earthquakes recorded in the area over the past three weeks.
Seismologists cannot predict whether there could be a major earthquake imminent in the region or whether Santorini could blow. Again.

In or around 1600BC, a massive volcanic eruption at Santorini covered the island in 60 metres (200ft) of volcanic deposits.
Thought to be one of the biggest in history, the cataclysm probably destroyed the Minoan civilisation on Crete, around 150km south, with an apocalyptic barrage of ash, earthquakes, fire, rocks and tsunamis.
The Greek government has warned that Santorini is unlikely to have as busy a tourism season this year as in the past. That downbeat assessment could in turn affect footfall to neighbouring islands, resorts and attractions, including the world’s best beach.

Seismologists in the United States recently warned of magma movement in another of the world’s so-called supervolcanoes – the 50km-wide caldera under Yellowstone National Park.


Indonesia is hungry for rendang, tempeh to get on Unesco’s intangible culture list

An art lover’s guide to Paris, from Mona Lisa at the Louvre to van Gogh to a Dali museum

Thailand aims to cut visa-free stay to 30 days to curb abuse by tourists

Insiders’ guide to Manila, Philippine capital and cultural melting pot

Tourism

World’s best beach is in Greece, says Tripadvisor. The problem? It’s near a supervolcano

Elafonissi on the Greek island of Crete has been named the world’s best beach in 2025, but seismic activity in nearby Santorini might keep tourists away. Photo: TNS

Eagle Beach in Aruba was ranked the world’s third best beach in 2025 by Tripadvisor.

The caldera of Santorini, where seismic activity continues. Photo: Reuters

The Abyss geothermal pool is one of the many signs of geothermal activity in Yellowstone, in the US state of Wyoming. Seismologists just warned of another magma movement under the national park. Photo: AFP

Why there’s more to Palau than diving, from wood carving to ancient monoliths

A woodcarver crafts a traditional storyboard, an intricately designed piece of art that illustrates Palau’s history and legends, at Tebang Woodcarving Shop in Koror, Palau. Photo: AP

A wreck from the 1970s in Shipwreck Cove, a popular site for snorkellers at the Rock Islands Southern Lagoon near Koror, Palau. Photo: AP

There are at least 1,500 fish species in the turquoise waters around Palau. Photo: AP

Visitors to Tebang Woodcarving Shop (above) in Palau can buy the traditional storyboards or take a woodcarving class. Photo: AP

The bimonthly 680 Night Market is held under the Japan-Palau Friendship Bridge linking Koror Island with Babeldaob Island. Photo: AP

Jewellery from local sellers at the 680 Night Market in Palau. The bimonthly event features live entertainment, food and local crafts. Photo: AP

Badrulchau stone monoliths on Babeldaob Island, Palau. Photo: AP

12 of Europe’s best castles, from stately Windsor to Disney inspiration Neuschwanstein

The Norman gate at Windsor Castle, in Berkshire, England. Photo: Shutterstock

Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria, Germany, during a winter storm. Photo: Shutterstock

Built in 1886, Neuschwanstein Castle, in Germany, served as the inspiration for Disneyland’s Sleeping Beauty Castle. Photo: TNS

Chateau de Chantilly, an hour outside Paris, France, is known for its stunning architecture, rich history and vast grounds. Photo: TNS

Alcazar of Segovia, in Spain, at sunset. Photo: Shutterstock

The medieval Castle of Bran in Transylvania, Romania, often touted as Dracula’s castle or as connected to medieval ruler Vlad the Impaler. Photo: Shutterstock

Prague Castle, in the Czech Republic, is one of the largest castles in the world, and includes St Vitus Cathedral (above). Photo: Shutterstock

At night Buda Castle in Budapest, Hungary, is especially spectacular. Photo: Shutterstock

Blarney Castle in Blarney, near Cork, Ireland is famous for its Blarney Stone, which is supposed to confer eloquence on people who kiss it. Photo: Shutterstock

Moszna Castle in Poland has 99 turrets and 365 rooms. Photo: Shutterstock

Windsor Castle, in England, has been the home of 40 monarchs, and is open to visitors throughout the year. Photo: TNS

Predjama castle and caves in southwest Slovenia. Photo: Shutterstock

Eilean Donan Castle, in the Scottish Highlands, was built in the 13th century to protect the area from Viking raids. Photo: Shutterstock

Kreuzenstein Castle, in Lower Austria, has been used as a location for a number of film and TV locations. Photo: Shutterstock

At Mongolia’s winter festival, yurts, music and milk tea serve as odes to nomadic culture

An archer at the Mongols Nomadic Winter Festival in Ulaanbaatar. Photo: AFP

Musicians in traditional Mongolian dress perform during the nomadic culture festival in Ulaanbaatar. Photo: AFP

A man in traditional Mongolian dress stands outside a Mongolian yurt during the seven-day festival part of efforts to boost tourism during the country’s bitter winters. Photo: AFP

A man in Mongolian dress dances inside a yurt during the festival. Photo: AFP

A hunter holds his eagle at the festival. Photo: AFP

An archer in a traditional Mongolian dress during the festival. Photo: AFP

People in celebrate inside a yurt during the festival. Ulaanbaatar resident Darkhan Altantsetseg called the festival “a nice way of reminding us that our culture is so rich”. Photo: AFP

People in traditional Mongolian dress walk past ice sculptures during the festival. Photo: AFP

Local snacks served inside a yurt during the festival. Photo: AFP

A woman serves traditional Mongolian fermented milk inside a yurt at the festival. Photo: AFP

A woman in traditional Mongolian dress inside a yurt during the festival. Photo: AFP

Shenzhen travel guide: how to get a visa on arrival, which apps to download and cashless payment in the Chinese city

To get to places in Shenzhen like Dongmen Pedestrian Street (above), Hong Kong residents without the right visa can apply for one on arrival. That’s not all you need to know - we break down the essentials for your trip from Hong Kong. Photo: Shutterstock

WeChat is useful for electronic payments and for its mini-programs – apps within the app. Photo: Shutterstock

The simplest option within Hong Kong to reach Shenzhen is to take the MTR East Rail Line to Lo Wu or Lok Ma Chau stations. Photo: Erika Na

Shenzhen taxis can be ordered via Didi Chuxing, the Chinese equivalent of Uber. Photo: Shutterstock

Alipay accepts foreign-issued credit cards and can be used to make e-payments in Shenzhen. Photo: Shutterstock

Baidu Maps is more accurate than Google Maps in Shenzhen. Photo: Shutterstock

Lifestyle

Travel & Leisure

Tripadvisor just named Greek beach Elafonissi the best in the world. But earthquakes at nearby Santorini caldera are a cause for concern


Tripadvisor just named Greek beach Elafonissi the best in the world. But earthquakes at nearby Santorini caldera are a cause for concern.


Greece

Earthquakes