Imogen Calderwood
CRYSTAL-CLEAR waters, pink-tinted coral and golden sands have won a Spanish paradise a place in the world’s top ten beaches.
The Playa de ses Illetes, which graces the smallest Balearic island of Formentera, came sixth in the TripAdvisor Traveller Choice Beaches Awards for 2014.
Only accessible by ferry from Ibiza, the beach of Illetes stretches almost the entire length of the island – from La Savia to Espalmader – and offers a perfect spot to swim, snorkel and relax.
Barbara Messing, chief marketing officer for TripAdvisor, said: “For those fed up with the long cold winter, there’s real no better cure than an escape to one of these award-winning beaches.
“Even if you can’t go to one of these stunning beaches soon, just looking at the photos will take you away for a moment until you can plan a trip.”
The playa successfully fended off competition from some of the world’s more exotic locations to earn the award, based on ratings and reviews on TripAdvisor from the last 12 months.
One reviewer said: “When I first saw this beach I was in heaven, and I’ve gone back every year since.”
Another added: “It’s my favourite zen point in the world, I’ll never get tired of it. Paradise exists!”
The top three are the Baia do Sancho in Brazil, Grace Bay in Turks and Caicos, and the Flamenco Beach in Puerto Rico.
We went to this beach some 30 years ago, and it was stunning then, beautiful crystal clear waters and white sands. Glad to hear it has not been spoilt.
It was also partly a nudist beach then, don’t know if it still is.
See British beaches were not even mentioned, yet there are some nice beaches in the U.K for those that do not like too much sunshine and Spanish food.
Love both.
Looks perfect, not sure if that would be a good place to go to in the Winter though as I would not think it is that warm, sea would be cold in the Winter? I have been to some nice beaches in Brasil as well, more tropical, white sands, but you always wonder how long it will be before you get mugged over there, wear plastic watches, take your gold off, take nothing expensive, almost learnt that the hard ways 20 years ago. The voilence in Spain is not too bad compared to many Countries.