While secluded, remote coastal destinations have an enduring appeal, a great beach town offers travelers top hotels, restaurants and cultural attractions, as well as the requisite sandy feet, endless waves and ocean sunsets for a great beach holiday.
We went further than the Miamis and Honolulu of the world to come up with these five beach town suggestions. As always, seek site-specific travel advice and observe local customs regarding appropriate beach attire and beach behavior.
Turkey
Constantinople
Istanbul has enough sights, sounds and history to fill several itineraries – ancient palaces and modern art, delicious street food and high-end restaurants, vibrant nightlife and the ubiquitous calls to prayer that ring out from the city’s mosques. But it also has the Princely Islands, about an hour by boat (via public ferries, sea buses or private boats). The cluster of nine islands, four of which are inhabited, has hiking trails, car-free roads and, of course, beaches, with sandy coves spilling into the warm waters of the Sea of ​​Marmara. Public beaches and beach clubs can be found on the three largest islands, Heybeliada, Büyükada and Burgazada. Aim to visit daily to avoid the crowds.
After your return, take a stroll along the banks of the Bosphorus or dive into the hustle and bustle of the Beyoğlu district. You can find a glass of Turkish wine at Solera Winery or head to Çukur Meyhane, a casual tavern loved by locals and visitors, for an anise-flavored raki or three.
France
Marseille
Marseille, France’s second largest city, has been reviving its reputation in recent years, with an influx of creative professionals breathing new life into the port — as well as the preparations needed to host a number of sailing events for its Olympic Games. this summer. But Marseille’s heady mix of French, Italian and North African cultures has long made it a vibrant destination. The city is buzzing with great food (beyond the famous bouillabaisse) and vibrant art found in galleries and the streets that line the walls of the trendy Cours Julien neighborhood. And if you head to the water’s edge, you’ll find locals of all ages perched on craggy limestone cliffs, sharing wine and taking a dip in the clear, turquoise waters of the Mediterranean.
Sandy beaches can be found along the Corniche de President John F. Kennedy in the city’s 7th arrondissement as well, including the family-friendly Plage du Prophete and, closer to the city center, the Plage des Catalans. All are easily accessible by bus, bike or on foot. Wherever you choose to dive, you’ll be spitting away at plenty of beachside bars and cafes, perfect for a post-swim apero.
South Korea
Busan
From world-famous barbecue to K-pop to an exchange rate that’s pretty favorable to the US dollar, the reasons to visit Korea are so many these days that the country’s excellent beaches can be overlooked. That would be wrong, especially in Busan. Korea’s second largest city has a waterfront scene to match rival Miami Beach, with impressive mountains, Buddhist temples and hiking trails, as well as a thriving restaurant and nightlife scene. Haeundae Beach is Busan’s best-known, thanks to a nearly mile-long stretch of golden sand and azure waters surrounded by attractions such as the Sealife Busan Aquarium, seafood tented restaurants, and the pedestrian-friendly Dongbaek Park. Other beaches worth exploring include Gwangalli Beach, which on Saturday nights hosts drone shows with changing themes and musical accompaniment. More beach fun can be found at Bay 101 Yacht Club, where you’ll find plenty of restaurants, shops and yacht tours on the Busan waterfront.
Wisconsin
Milwaukee
For Midwestern beachgoers, the shores of Lake Michigan are well-traveled, thanks to stunning county and state parks, the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Seashore, and Chicago’s undeniably epic urban beaches. But Milwaukee, Wisconsin’s largest city, shouldn’t be overlooked by any shore-loving visitor to the area, thanks to the city’s 1,400 acres of seaside beaches and parks. Some of these include Bradford Beach, which has lifeguards on duty and volleyball courts, an ice cream stand and a tiki bar. South Shore Beach, which offers city views and, in true Wisconsin fashion, a beer garden. and Tietjen Beach in Doctor’s Park, a semi-secluded sanctuary with excellent birding. Of course, Milwaukee’s extensive brewery scene, art museum, and baseball tradition make the city worth a visit, as does its jam-packed summer festival season, which includes Summerfest. The nine-day festival, held over three weekends in June and July, features a 600-artist lineup with acts ranging from Motley Crue and Tyler Childers to Lil Uzi Vert and SZA.
Spain
Like Sebastian
San Sebastián, or Donostia in the local Basque language, has long been a destination for travelers looking to explore Basque culture, feast on culinary treasures and enjoy the stunning waterfront location that hugs the Bay of Biscay. The city’s beaches, backed by verdant mountains, also deserve your attention, especially in the summer months when the cool waters of the Atlantic are as refreshing as they are necessary. La Concha, with its curved shape and golden sand, has been famous since its time as a resort in the 18th century. Ondarrata and Zurriola are must-visits for surfers and also host live beach volleyball, soccer and tennis matches. And in the summer months, you can take a short ferry ride to Isla Santa Clara, where you’ll find a pocket-sized beach with bars and a natural saltwater pool.
After a day by the water, you’ll be more than ready to hit the town — bite-sized treats are a staple of the city’s gastronomy, and range from skewers of anchovies, olives and peppers to grilled bites of foie gras over bread. Wash it all down with a dry Basque-style cider or a glass of cold Txakoli wine.
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