The brilliant beach holidays for 2025 to book now
Pining for the beach again? Beat the winter blues with knowing your next sunny escape is booked and firmly in the diary
Days are shorter, evenings are colder and pumpkin spice lattes have reappeared on every coffee shop menu – yes, it's time to pack away your flip flops, as summer is well and truly over.
However, if, like us, the arrival of autumn and winter signifies it’s time to plan your 2025 beach holiday, then we've got plenty for you to get excited about. From sandy stays in southern Italy to beachfront breaks in Montenegro, TUI has all the inspiration you need for your next sun-filled escape – perhaps in a destination you've never considered, too.
If you're looking for a beach getaway during the 2025 summer holidays, then why not head to the Dalmatian Islands in Croatia or the Portuguese archipelago of Madeira, both of which offer exceptional seafood and wine in addition to stunning coastline.
If you'd prefer to travel out of peak season, Malta boasts year-round sunshine as well as beautiful bays, while many of the Greek islands are best visited late spring or early autumn, thanks to cooler temperatures and fewer crowds.
And for a beach holiday outside of Europe, perhaps explore Taghazout in Morocco? The sleepy fishing village has become a hit with surfers and sand worshippers alike in recent years.
Whether you suffer from the winter blues or not, it's always good to have a guaranteed dose of Vitamin D on the horizon. Here’s our round-up of brilliant beach holiday spots for 2025, so you can start planning right away…
Puglia, Italy
This spectacular part of Italy lies in the south (it's the heel of Italy's 'boot') and has the longest coastline of all the country's mainland regions.
Breathtaking beaches can be found all the way down Puglia's coast, from the small town of Peschici in the north, where you'll find golden sand and shallow, calm waters ideal for paddling; to popular resort Pescoluse in the south, which is often called 'The Maldives of Puglia' and has family-friendly amenities.
May, June and September are the best times of year to visit, as temperatures hover around the mid-20s (perfect for lazy days spent on a sun lounger) and public beaches are less crowded.
Book a beach holiday to Puglia with TUI from £483 per person.
Brač, Croatia
Stretching from Rab in the north of Croatia down to Dubrovnik in the south, the Dalmatian Islands are a chain of 79 islands and islets on the eastern edge of the Adriatic Sea.
The largest is Brač, accessible from the mainland city of Split, which wows visitors with its pretty harbours, pine forests and idyllic rocky coves.
Beach bums cannot miss Zlatni Rat (pictured), a peninsular-shaped white pebble beach that's regarded as one of the most beautiful in Europe. It offers sunbathing, water sports and paradisiacal photo opportunities from both its east and west side.
Book a beach holiday to Brač with TUI from £423 per person.
Taghazout, Morocco
Taghazout is just a 30-minute drive from busy port city Agadir but it's a world away in terms of pace, ambience and scenery.
A laid-back fishing village, where wooden boats bob mesmerically in its small harbour, Taghazout is a hotspot for surfers thanks to its world-class waves.
In addition, its amber-sand shores and relaxed vibe is becoming popular with beach obsessives looking for a restorative getaway.
The recent influx of visitors to Taghazout mean there are increasingly more hotels – from grand resorts perfect for bigger families to smaller boutiques – along with restaurants, cafés and shops in the area. If there was ever a time to visit, 2025 would be it, as Morocco's hidden gem is fast becoming discovered.
Book a beach holiday to Taghazout with TUI from £249 per person.
Skopelos, Greece
Part of the Northern Sporades archipelago that sits off the east coast of Greece, Skopelos is the quintessential Greek island, so much so that is was the setting for the 2008 film Mamma Mia!.
Winding cobbled streets lined with white and blue houses, endless views across the sparkling Aegean Sea, waterfront tavernas serving freshly-caught fish – you'll find it all here along with some of the most beautiful beaches you've ever laid eyes on.
Skopelos' sandy stretches and secluded, rocky coves are most often surrounded by verdant scenery, as the island's pine trees flourish near the water's edge. The likes of Panormos, Kastani and Stafilos beach are all firm favourites, but it's very hard to go wrong.
Book a beach holiday to Skopelos with TUI.
Madeira, Portugal
While it's an autonomous region of Portugal, Madeira lies off the north-west coast of Africa, with Morocco being its nearest mainland neighbour.
An archipelago comprising of four islands, Madeira has a warm climate and is a brilliant holiday destination at all times of year.
For those wanting a rejuvenating beach retreat, the islands have plenty to offer, including stretches of shoreline with volcanic black sand.
Praia do Seixal on Madeira's north coast is thought to be the best black-sand beach, while Praia da Calheta in the south and Praia de Machico further east (pictured) are the places to go if you prefer your sand golden in colour.
Book a beach holiday to Madeira with TUI from £276 per person.
Skiathos, Greece
Another one of Greece's Northern Sporades islands, Skiathos has more of a buzz about it.
The Old Harbour brims with cafés, restaurants and bars, which are ideal for a sundowner or two after a day spent on the beach. Speaking of which, Skiathos has 60 beaches to explore, most of which are sandy as opposed to pebble.
The must-visit beach on the island is Koukounaries (pictured), which is thought to be the most beautiful in all of Greece. Its golden sand and shimmering water are backdropped by rows and rows of pine trees. You'll find sunbeds and parasols for hire here, as well as opportunities for water sports.
Book a beach holiday to Skiathos with TUI from £291 per person.
Ischia, Italy
The Italian island of Ischia sits in the Gulf of Naples, less than 20 miles from the ancient city itself.
Offering an alternative to the busy Centro Storico and sought-after pizzerias nearby on the mainland, however, Ischia is a volcanic island boasting mineral-rich thermal waters and picturesque beaches.
Maronti, in the south of the island, is Ischia’s biggest beach; its long stretch of golden sand gives way to the beautiful blue Tyrrhenian Sea. Maronti is known as the 'smoking beach', as volcanic hot springs and gas bubbles can heat the sand and create mystical-looking steam clouds.
For maximum sea and sand time, visit in May and September, when temperatures are warm but not sweltering, and there are fewer visitors around.
Book a beach holiday to Ischia with TUI from £411 per person.
Cagliari, Sardinia
If you've never ventured to Sardinia, Cagliari and its surrounding area is a fantastic place to start.
Cagliari is Sardinia's capital, and it overflows with history, from the majestic castello and walled medieval quarter to the 13th-century Pisan-Romanesque cathedral.
Outside of the city, the Cagliari region (located on Sardinia's southern coast) is home to an array of beaches. Pretty Cala Regina has chalky pebbles and shallow water, Mari Pintau (pictured) is a spectacular, sweeping crescent beach, and Punta Molentis showcases dazzling white sand and aquamarine sea surrounded by towering cliffs.
Be sure to find a waterfront bar for a refreshing glass of vermentino (Sardinian white wine) when the sun begins to set.
Book a beach holiday to Cagliari with TUI from £595 per person.
Malta
Malta, an archipelago located between Sicily and the North African coast, is said to be blessed with 300 days of sunshine a year.
While the majority of Malta's coastline is rocky and better for diving and snorkelling around (thousands of people visit each year to explore historic wreckages under Malta's glistening waters), there are a smattering of magnificent sandy bays that will entice and excite beach fiends.
Mellieħa Bay on Malta's north coast is a Blue Flag beach that's both sheltered and family friendly. Shallow water slowly descends into turquoise sea, so it's the perfect spot to paddle or snorkel. There's a huge range of water sports to try out here too, if you're feeling energetic.
Book a beach holiday to Malta with TUI from £205 per person.
Budva, Montenegro
Budva, a medieval town that faces onto the Adriatic Sea, is Montenegro's answer to Dubrovnik – the better-known holiday hotspot in neighbouring Croatia.
Budva's Old Town, which is sectioned off by stone walls constructed by the Venetians, brims with cobbled streets, charming piazzas and quaint archways. In the more modern harbour, there are smart restaurants, bars and chic nightclubs.
For beach dwellers, Budva has 35 beaches in total and there are plenty just a pebble's throw from the town centre. Mogren Beach is popular with locals and visitors thanks to its two sandy bays, as is Jaz Beach, which is home to several beach bars overlooking the crystal-clear water and surrounding hills.
Montenegro's largest island, Sveti Nikola, is known locally as 'Hawaii' and doesn't disappoint in the beach department either. It's accessible via a quick ferry from Budva harbour.
Book a beach holiday to Budva with TUI from £397 per person.
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Looking for more sea, sun, and sand? Head over to our holiday website to check our handpicked collection of island holidays.
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