One of the best beaches in the world is right here in the US. Siesta Beach in Florida’s Sarasota County has just earned a spot among the world’s most breathtaking coastlines—ranked the 12th best beach in North America and 42nd best globally on The World’s 50 Best Beaches list for 2025.
Each year, The World’s Best Inc. consults over 1,000 global travel professionals as judges to nominate top coastline contenders from locations around the world. Their handpicked Beach Ambassadors, or on-the-ground travel experts with local knowledge, then offer up detailed insights of each beach destination. The result? A list that highlights not only the most scenic beaches, but the ones that deliver a full and top-tier sensory escape.
Siesta Beach was the only US destination to make the cut this year. Beating out heavyweights from Hawaii, California, and beyond, the dreamy Gulf Coast shore has now officially captured the hearts of international travel experts.
It’s one of three fabulous beaches on Siesta Key, a barrier island in the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Sarasota. According to the World’s Best team, Siesta Beach stands out thanks to its “powdery, blindingly white sand, made up of 99% pure quartz from the Appalachian Mountains.” And it’s true, unlike many other beautiful beaches in the US, Siesta’s sand has a silky, sugar-fine texture: “The main attraction of Siesta Beach is the uniqueness of its white powdery sand that you don’t see just anywhere, ”says Condé Nast Traveler travel specialist Haley Covel, of Cove Travels. “And having it at our fingertips right here in the US is truly something special.”
Beyond its coastline, what really sets Siesta Key apart is its unpretentiousness. “It’s an incredibly chill—and walkable—beach town,” Covel says. You can walk from the beach to a taco stand, grab a frozen daiquiri, and be in flip-flops the whole time. It’s ideal for families, but just as beloved by couples and solo travelers who want to slow down and soak it in. Plus, according to Covel, the beach is patrolled by lifeguards, making it a safe haven for young swimmers. Not to mention, the calm Gulf waters are perfect for snorkeling, paddle boarding, or simply floating about.
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