Top 10 Beach Cities

Venice Beach, Santa Monica, Malibu – all of these are found in or around the Los Angeles area, which is probably why it’s synonymous with beaches, waves, relaxation and good vibes. If Baywatch can be filmed in Santa Monica, you know that Los Angeles county has a reputation for beaches that can’t easily be topped. Although celebrities can often be found at several of their beaches, L.A.’s beaches in general have something for everyone, with plenty of surfing and volleyball to be found wherever you go.

There are many good reasons why Cancún is such a popular destination for spring breakers across North America, and that’s because this Mexican city is where relaxing and partying hard can come together so seamlessly and in ways that few other places can. Even considering how crazy things can get off their beaches, it’s the beaches themselves that are some of the best things about Cancún: they’ve got something for everyone, whether you’re out enjoying a Cerveza by the sand, or if you’re surfing or parasailing.

With the high-quality resorts, glorious weather and unique culture alone – not to mention its surfing and volcanoes – it’s no wonder Honolulu is such a popular tourist destination at any time of the year. But more than any of that, the laid-back Hawaiian capital’s most impressive assets are its beaches, with Waikiki in particular making for an amazing view from whichever beach-side resort you might be staying at.

One of France’s prime destinations in the summertime, Nice and its surrounding area has 35 different beaches, some of which are private and cost about 16 euros to use, and some of which lie along the Promenade des Anglais. Although many of the beaches are covered in pebbles, the French Riviera is still too amazing not to visit, so it’s no surprise that it’s such a huge tourist spot for celebrities and everyday vacationers alike.

Aside from the Sydney Opera House, one of the other major landmarks that basically defines Australia’s biggest city, Sydney also has on offer its world-famous Bondi Beach. Although it’s only one of many other beaches within a city that combines a lifestyle of sun and sand with the hustle and bustle of a huge metropolis, Bondi is the place to be for relaxation, surfing, and people-watching – even if the water might have the odd shark or whale swimming inside it.

It’s full of big houses and other kinds of rich property, and there’s little wonder why: this city has some of the best beaches you’ll see just about anywhere, not to mention the mountains overlooking them. Cape Town’s beaches welcome all kinds of different water-based activities depending on which ones you go to: beaches like Milnerton are ideal for surfing, and Clifton Beach is for those who like to enjoy a day in the sun without wind distracting them.

Few cities epitomize beach culture quite like Rio – in fact, you can rarely find pictures of the city on the Internet without at least some of them being shots of their beaches! Ipanema and Copacabana are among their most famous ones, and people can be found walking around in their swimwear and Havaianas, relaxing, or playing sports like soccer or volleyball at many points along this Brazilian city’s miles’ worth of beaches.

Of its over 35 miles’ worth of beaches, this city’s most famous and most happening one is by far South Beach, which is full of hotels, clubs, bars and other choices for enjoying the nightlife in the most wild way Miami can offer. Other beaches like Virginia Key are best for those who like windsurfing, and the city’s beaches in general offer a nice contrast between relaxation and pure excess. Welcome to Miami!

It’s a city well-known for its architecture, its nightlife options and its lifestyle, but its beaches are certainly a sight to behold in their own right. The Barceloneta Beach – which brings in about 7 million people per year – is almost a mile long, and there are also about half a dozen white-sand beaches around the city lying on the Mediterranean coastline. They weren’t that glamorous initially, but the buildup to the 1992 Summer Olympics helped give the city’s beaches a major facelift.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

- Tel Aviv, Israel
- Brighton and Hove, England
- Bali, Indonesia
- Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Both the view of the beaches as well as the color of the water look like something you’d see in your fantasies, so it’s hardly a surprise that any of the Greek Island beaches have made their way to the top spot on this list. Whether you’re in Santorini or Crete or Mykonos or Kefalonia, these beaches are simply a feast for the senses, combining swimming, relaxing, and other recreational activities with the most visually stunning beaches you’ll find anywhere.

Do you agree with our list? What do you think is the best beach city in the world? With new top 10s published daily, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.