The Most Colourful Beaches in the World
Beaches aren’t everybody’s cup of tea when visiting new places. Many prefer to be out and about taking in the sights and exploring rather than relaxing on the sand or partaking in watersports. But what if the beach was a beach with a difference? Providing a perfect photo opportunity, that certainly wouldn’t require any filtering, these are some of the most unusually coloured beaches around the world.
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Ramla Bay, Gozo
Natural Feature
Not to be confused with Ramla Bay in Malta, it’s Malta’s sister island in Gozo that is home to Ramla Bay, popular for its glowing red-orange coloured sand. Set in northern Gozo between the villages of Nadhur and Xaghra, the best way to reach Ramla Bay is via Nadhur’s main road. Although this is the largest and most popular beach in Gozo and is frequented by Gozitans and tourists alike, it is never overcrowded, even in high season. If the sand isn’t eye-catching enough, the beach also has a statue of Holy Mary holding a baby Jesus, paying tribute to the Gozitan’s strong religious beliefs. Take a walk up to the purpose-built viewing gallery, close to Calypso Cave, and take in the impressive views all in one location.
Papakōlea Beach
Natural Feature
One of a mere four green sand beaches in the world, Papakōlea Beach is located at the south point of Hawaii’s Big Island and is enclosed in a cinder cone of the Mauna Loa volcano. Also known as Mahana Beach and The Green Sand Beach, there is only one way to reach the rich green sands, and that is via a somewhat rugged trek. However, the sight before you makes it worth your while. The cylinder cone formed approximately 49,000 years ago and it is from the olivine-rich lava that once poured out that the green sand is produced. The beach trapped the olivine crystals, which are coarse and dense and cover the beach, giving the green appearance. The locals commonly refer to this unique sand as “Hawaiian Diamond” and on close inspection, it is easy to see why.
Balos Beach, Crete
Natural Feature
We have a glorious range of trips in Greece – will you join us for an island adventure?
Red Beach
Natural Feature
Our eight-day island-hopping Epic Trip in Greece spends the last two days on the beautiful island of Santorini.
Hyams Beach
Natural Feature
Reynisfjara Beach
Natural Feature
As far as stunning locations go, Reynisfjara Beach is close to perfection. Lying next to a small fishing village named Vík í Mýrdal, this beach was used as one of the locations for Game of Thrones. The unusual black sand throughout the beach is enclosed by natural formations of basalt rock columns, towering cliffs, caves and volcanic structures. The black sand derives from volcanic lava hitting the surrounding cold Atlantic ocean and instantly cooling to form what is today known as the black sand. Rather than fine, the sand here has a coarse and pebbly consistency, not too unlike gravel and making Reynisfjara Beach more of a sight-seeing place rather than a sunbathing one. Like stepping into another world, it is hard to believe that this black sand beach was purely formed naturally.
A visit to this otherworldly natural phenomenon is part of our five-day Epic Trip in Iceland.
Glass Beach
Natural Feature
Check out our top trips for beach therapy or browse our full collection of premium small-group adventures.
Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip
meet our Local Insider
Hanna
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?
2 years.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?
It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.
WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?
I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!
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Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.