The beauty of a beach town is multifaceted. On one hand, there are all of the natural elementsâwhether itâs the shimmering blue waters, the white-sand beaches, or the rocky coastline. On the other hand, you have the human-made features: the charming cottages, the boats bobbing in the harbor, and the boardwalks sandwiched between the sea and the oceanfront structures. This combination breeds an inherently relaxed atmosphere, one where you canât help but slow down and appreciate the splendor around you.
While youâll find photogenic beach towns worldwide, we wanted to discover the ones where beauty reigns supreme. As part of our search, we tapped a few travel experts to share their picks for the most beautiful beach townsâdiscover their answers below.
Encinitas, California
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Thereâs no shortage of laid-back beach towns in California, but Brandon Berkson, the founder of Hotels Above Par, says one in particular stands out. âEncinitas blends vintage flair with surf culture, offering everything from quirky thrift stores like Flashbacks to legendary surf shops such as Hansenâs and Concept Surf Shop. Its farm-to-table restaurants showcase the areaâs fresh, coastal vibe, while Moonlight State Beach is the perfect spot to surfâor simply watch the action from the sand,â he tells Travel + Leisure. âWith sun-drenched streets and a carefree energy, Encinitas feels like a Beach Boysâ song come to life: timeless, relaxed, and unmistakably Californian.â
Bald Head Island, North Carolina
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âThis small, serene island off the coast of Southport, North Carolina, is where I grew up spending my summers. Itâs small, family-friendly, and you only get around by golf cart, which gives it such a unique vibe,â says Fora travel advisor Sarah Young. Part of the Brunswick Islands, Bald Head Island is home to the oldest still-standing lighthouse in North Carolina, âOld Baldy,â and many scenic opportunities for hiking, biking, kayaking, and relaxing on the beach. âItâs my go-to place every summer, and itâll always be my most special beach destination,â adds Young.
Praiano, Italy
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âJust down the coast from the famous Positano, Praiano is equally stunning but far less hectic,â says Alicia Walter, creator at The Passport Couple. âThe small town hugs the cliffs with postcard views in every direction, and nearby beaches, like the one under the Fiordo di Furore bridge, feel like scenes from a movie.â Berkson recommends staying at Casa Angelina, which he describes as an âexceedingly chic, dreamy, white-on-white boutique hotel perched high above the piercingly blue Tyrrhenian Sea.â As the sun begins to go down, he suggests heading to Il Pirata, âa romantic restaurant carved into the rocks, perfect for celebrating birthdays and milestones.â
Nosara, Costa Rica
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âIf you were to close your eyes and picture a surf town, I believe the image that would come to mind is actually Nosara,â says Fora travel advisor Nicole Campoy Jackson. âNosara is the definition of a romantic barefoot beach life; itâs that easygoing, wet-hair, jungle-meets-sand beach town. Fresh from a surf, you jump back on your 4Ă4 and hit the dirt roads in search of an iced coffee and a breakfast burrito. By night, youâre sun-kissed at a bar with only three walls, having a citrusy tuna ceviche and a passion fruit margarita.â
Todos Santos, Mexico
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Berkson describes Todos Santos as Caboâs âcooler, quieter, younger sibling,â one that offers a âslower pace and a true taste of Baja California Sur.â Tucked between mountains, desert, and the ocean, the beach town has all sorts of photogenic momentsâbut Berkson shares that itâs the collection of âthoughtfully designedâ boutique hotels that really shine. âUnlike the sprawling resorts in Cabo, places like boho-chic, four-key Desierto Azul offer serene escapes with a twist, turning off Wi-Fi on Sundays to encourage guests to embrace the laid-back desert rhythm. Nearby, Villa Santa Cruz features upmarket yet unpretentious accommodations, including tented beachfront suites and warm-hued hacienda-revival architecture. They even have a few stables with horses for guests to ride along the shore,â he explains.
Kiama, Australia
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It should come as no surprise that Australia, a country famous for its breathtaking coasts, has some of the worldâs most beautiful beach towns. Although there are more than a handful of these relaxed, oceanfront destinations to visit, itâs nearly impossible not to mention Kiama. About an hour and 45 minutes south of Sydney, Kiama is more than your classic coastal village. Perhaps most notably, itâs home to the worldâs largest blowhole; Kiama Blowhole shoots water nearly 100 feet high. When not admiring this natural wonder, go surfing, explore the ocean pools and volcanic rock formations, or admire the historic terrace houses from the 1880s.
Forio, Italy
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âFor a quieter escape from the busy Amalfi Coast, Ischia is a must. Itâs not as famous as Positano or Sorrento, which makes it even more special,â says Young. She notes her favorite spot is the area outside the Mezzatorre Hotel, which is just a few minutes from the beach town of Forio. âThe water is crystal-clear, and itâs your own slice of heaven. Iâll always remember floating in the water with my mom last summer for hoursâbecause of the high mineral content, you can literally float for hours,â she says. When youâre not floating around, make a point to visit Forioâs harbor and historic center, and check out the Torrione, the impressive coastal watchtower built in 1480.
St. Ives, England
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Cornwallâs roster of beautiful beach towns is stacked. Many feature delightful white-washed cottages, winding cobblestone streets, and turquoise waters more commonly associated with the Mediterranean or Caribbean. St. Ives is especially stunning. The coastal town, originally a fishing village, is known for its turquoise ocean, rugged coastline, and all things maritimeâfresh seafood, fishing boats, and historic cottages and boathouses now converted into galleries, studios, and vacation homes.
Shimoda, Japan
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âA quiet coastal town on the Izu Peninsula, Shimoda offers crystal-clear waters, soft sand, and a peaceful atmosphere,â says Walter. âWe had no idea there were beach towns like this in Japan. You can take a luxury train ride from Tokyo and be surfing or riding bikes along the coast in just a few hours.â Venture to Shirahama Beach, about 2.5 miles outside of central Shimoda, for that aforementioned soft white sand and decent surfing conditions; there are also shops where you can rent beach gear and grab quick bites.
Santa Margherita Ligure, Italy
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âSanta Margherita and its more famous neighbor Portofino are some of the most picturesque stretches of Italian coastline, perhaps tied with the cliffside splendor of Amalfi,â says Jackson, who describes the area as a âmix of sandy and rocky beaches with colorful umbrellas all lined up right next to charming towns, lush gardens, and hilltop wineries and olive groves.â âSomehow, if you look back at it from the water, it fits all of that into one perfect view,â she says, adding that the scene is best âpaired with a sunset cocktail and a snack of fritto misto.â
Bar Harbor, Maine
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A gateway town to Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor, Maine, is the perfect example of that blend of human-made and natural beauty. To witness both simultaneously, stroll along the Shore Path, which starts at the Town Pier next to Agamont Park, at sunrise. Look out for the Bar Harbour Inn, the Porcupine Islands, and Egg Rock Light, a lighthouse dating back to the 1870s. Be sure to also take a drive down the 27-mile, very scenic Park Loop Road to take in the views.
DeiĂ , Spain
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âMallorca is one of my favorite places, and I always recommend doing a boat day to explore the islandâs different beaches. Each one has its own vibe, and thereâs nothing like hopping between them while enjoying the stunning coastline,â says Young, who also recommends having lunch at Sa Foradada, located in the small coastal village of DeiĂ . Mallorcaâs âcrown jewel,â DeiĂ boasts cliffside ocean views, an idyllic town, and turquoise watersâyouâll definitely want to take a dip in Cala DeiĂ .
Careyes, Mexico
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âThe tiny towns and stunning, less-developed coastline of Careyes, and its neighbor Manzanillo, just south of Puerto Vallarta, are hard to beat,â says Jackson. âThis stretch of coast was bought in 1968 by an Italian banker who set out to create a creative community here, with a good portion of its beautiful landscape purposefully left untouched. The community and the coastline are the draw, more than the town itself, though it has a very welcoming, barefoot atmosphere.â
Coral Bay, U.S. Virgin Islands
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âSt. John feels like stepping into a postcard with beaches like Trunk Bay, Maho Bay, and Cinnamon Bay. The water is clear, and the sand is soft and white. The island has a laid-back, untouched vibe, making it ideal for relaxation,â says Young. There are two main towns on the island, Cruz Bay and Coral Bay, and the latter is on the quieter side. Though damaged by Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017, the village welcomes visitors with its easy-going atmosphere. Find classic beach bars like Skinny Legs and incredible panoramic views from the highest point of elevation on the island.
Muizenberg, South Africa
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South Africaâs capital might be a bit larger than your typical beach town, but, according to Jackson, it should be on every beachgoerâs must-see list. âCape Town is my favorite beach city in the world. Seeing the massive, beautiful peak of Table Mountain, the city center at its base, and a truly beautiful coastline just beyondâitâs an embarrassment of riches,â she says. âYouâll go for the penguins on Boulders Beach and stay for the iconic Camps Bay, the windy Cape of Good Hope, the surfer vibes of Muizenberg, the cool, old fishing village style of Kalk Bay, and the little beaches between.â Muizenbergâs historic and colorful changing cabins are especially photogenic; plus, the water is warm and calm, perfect for anyone just learning to surf.
