Cities with exotic beaches are often considered to be adventurous places in the world, and people from all over are drawn to them.
There is something magical about a sprawling city with well-maintained beaches connected to them. In my humble opinion, the beaches of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, steal the spotlight from the below list.
Rio is enormous, surrounded by jagged mountains, and the heart of the city spills into its lively beaches. I don't know of another place that has such a dramatic contrast between town and beach.
That said, here is a shortlist of the most exotic and popular beach cities in the world.
1. Cape Town, South Africa
The city of Cape Town is situated on a rugged peninsula between the Indian and Atlantic Oceans with iconic Table Mountain as its backdrop. It has a glittering coastline with a beach to suit every mood and moment.
It provides a variety of options such as exciting beach bars, private coves, and safe swimming for the avid beach enthusiast.
Some of the famous beaches in Cape Town are listed below:
- Clifton Beaches
- Camps Bay
- Llandudno
- Boulders Beach
2. Barcelona, Spain
Barcelona is one of my favorite cities in Spain, It is the capital of Catalonia and one of Spain's most livable and energetic cities. There is a myriad of beaches along the 4.5km of Barcelona which a beach lover can choose.
Some of the prominent beaches in Barcelona are listed below:
- Barceloneta
- Playa del Bogatell
- Sant Sebastià
- La Nova Icaria
- La Mar Bella
- Llevant
- Nova Mar Bella
3. Honolulu, Hawaii
Honolulu, the capital city of Hawaii, is famous for its beautiful and exotic beaches. It is located on the beautiful Oahu Island of Hawaii. It is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world.
For the beach lover, there are ample numbers of fascinating beaches in Honolulu.
Some of them are:
- Waikiki Beach
- Ala Moana Beach
- Halona Blowhole
- Sunset Beach
- Hanauma Bay
- Kakaako Beach
- Sans Souci Beach
4. Miami Beach, Florida
Miami Beach, a city in Florida, has a large number of beach resorts and is one of the popular destinations for spring break parties.
It is located on a barrier island east of Miami and Biscayne Bay, and it is divided into 3 different beaches:
- South Beach – “The Most Popular”
- Mid Beach – often referred to as “Miami Beach”
- North Beach
5. Nice, France
The French city of Nice has many as 30 beaches, which span several miles of the coastline. Some of these are rocky. However, smooth rocks are shockingly comfortable to relax on.
This Some of the popular beaches in Nice are:
- La Plage Publique de Beau Rivage
- Castel Plage
- Blue Beach
- Villefranche Plage
- Le Sporting
- Ruhl Plage
- Plage Mala
- Opera Plage
6. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Rio de Janeiro, Rio as it is known, is the second-largest city in Brazil and one of Brazil's most popular and frequented tourist destinations for decades.
The city is bursting with culture and pulsating with a deep sense of history and heritage. Rio has some of the BEST beaches and is home to millions of inhabitants.
People from all walks of life assemble almost daily to jog, cycle, swim, sunbathe, play beach volleyball, football, or just socialize with friends, families, and visitors.
Some of the well-know beaches in Rio are:
- Copacabana
- Ipanema (My favorite)
- Barra da Tijuca Beach
- Prainha Beach
- Praia Vermelha
7. Tel Aviv, Israel
One of the beautiful things about Tel Aviv is how close it is to the Mediterranean Sea. From May to September, Tel Aviv's beaches attract thousands of beach lovers from Israel and abroad.
The long stretch that makes up Tel Aviv beach is actually split into several beaches, each with its own specialties.
Some of the famous beaches in Tel Aviv are:
- Tzuk Beach (Hof HaTzuk)
- Tel Baruch Beach (Hof Tel Baruch)
- Metzitzim (Hof Metzitzim)
- Religious Beach (Hof haDati'im)
- Hilton Beach (Hof Hilton)
- Gordon-Frishman Beach (Hof Gordon-Frishman)
- Banana Beach
- Dolphinarium (Drummers) Beach (Hof HaTofim)
- Alma Beach (Hof Alma)
8. Sydney, Australia
Sydney is the state capital of New South Wales and is the most populous city in Australia. There are around 100 beaches located around the town and along its far-reaching north and south coasts. The fantastic coastline and the beautiful beaches add further to the intriguing charm of the city.
Some of the famous beaches in Sydney are:
- Palm Beach
- Whale Beach
- Avalon Beach
- Manly Beach
- Dee Why Beach
- Bondi Beach
- Tamarama
- Bronte
- Coogee
- Watsons Bay
9. Vancouver, British Columbia
Beaches in Vancouver are often overlooked, and each of them boasts its own ambiance and personality.
Some of the famous beaches in Vancouver are:
- Jericho Beach
- Spanish Bank
- Kitsilano Beach
- Ambleside Beach
- Wreck Beach
If you LOVE cities but ALSO want a vacation that has beaches, consider some of these. If you are a couple traveling, one likes cities, and the other beaches take these cities into consideration.
