The 10 Best Beach Cities in the World

The best of both worlds: a vibrant city to explore by day and a golden beach to relax on when you need a break. These ten cities prove you never have to choose between culture and sand.

The beach-city legends

Rio de Janeiro sets the standard, where Copacabana and Ipanema are woven into the city's very soul. Barcelona combines Gaudí and Mediterranean beaches, while Sydney's Bondi is a way of life.

Sun, sea and culture

Cape Town, Lisbon and Tel Aviv pair world-class beaches with rich history and buzzing food scenes. San Sebastián tucks one of Europe's finest urban beaches beneath its pintxos bars.

Tropical city escapes

Miami, Honolulu and San Diego deliver year-round sunshine, surf culture and glamorous seaside living. Wherever you go, these cities let you swap museum halls for the shoreline in a matter of minutes.