Explore these European cities and get a taste of city life and beach life at the same time.
You don’t have to choose between a city break or a beach holiday – here are the best city breaks in Europe that offer both: buzzy cities right next to stretches of sandy beaches where you can relax and nap to the sound of crashing waves, from San Sebastián’s Michelin stars to Porto’s Twenties trams that take you directly to the sea.
Lisbon, Portugal
Best for: A short-hop weekend break
The sun and sea are almost year-round in Lisbon. Stay in Bairro Alto, where locals drink white port and tonics, or Alfalma, where things are delightfully quiet. You should catch a tram when you can to Belem so that you can walk along the Tagus Estuary promenade and eat the best pastel de nata in town. Take tram number 28 for that postcard shot. Public transport takes you only half an hour to Praia de Carcavelos, or you can take the train for 45 minutes to Praia de Guincho.
Barcelona, Spain
Best for: Sunbathers who don’t like standing still
If you barter well enough with hawkers on Barceloneta beach, you’ll find some of the cheapest beers in the city (avoid the Mojitos; they’re weak and consist mainly of ice). First though, line your stomach at MakaMaka, the best – and busiest – burger bar in town, or wander further into Barceloneta’s grid to find family-run tapas bars and bakeries you’ll smell before you see, such as fourth-generation-run Baluard. Pause to enjoy skateboarding displays and impromptu musical performances on the promenade.
Copenhagen, Denmark
Best for: Scandi Design Lovers
When booking a beach holiday, Denmark does not come to mind. But Scandi summers are irresistible – Copenhagen gets 17 hours of daylight in June, with temperatures reaching a mild 20°C on average. After a harsh winter, the locals go to the few beaches around the city to make the most of it. There are 2.5 miles of white sand to stretch out on, dunes to climb, and an ocean where brave visitors can splash about. Amager Beach Park is a short drive from the center.
Islands Brygge, with its wooden pontoon for jumping into the harbour, is another great place for cold-water swimmers.
Bodrum, Turkey
Best for: Yacht-spotting
There is a sweet anonymity that attracts celebrities from all over the world to Bodrum, a low-slung, white-washed town situated against rolling, pine-dotted countryside. The cosmopolitan crowd from Istanbul fills terraces of ocean-front cafes as narrow roads lead to boutique hotels and classic beach clubs away from the shimmering Aegean. A fantastic supper dish like pan-seared sea bass is served at Maçakizi, hidden behind bougainvillaea.
Taking a wellness break at the new Six Senses Kaplankaya, Turkey’s hottest destination right now, is a perfect way to unwind.
Naples, Italy
Best for: A swim with a view
There are winding streets in the old town and a tumultuous Spanish quarter where kids ride scooters and bar crowds spill out onto the streets. This city is best enjoyed in the morning, when it stretches its legs, but as the sun sets, head south, past the new town, which is largely unremarkable. Black sand beaches and silvery water await you on the Gulf of Naples, which is framed by Mount Vesuvius, steaming as it stands behind it.
After an afternoon swim, make sure you dry off just before sunset – the sky over the jaw-dropping hills rising away from the beach is all shades of pink at sunset.
Trieste, Italy
Best for: Post-swim cafe culture
It doesn’t have any ancient landmarks or instantly recognisable art or world-famous restaurants to compare to Italy’s big cities. The soft pink light and wild wind have attracted writers and misfits for decades. You don’t have to travel far to fall in love with the place; just get lost in its alleys and fall in love with it. It crashes below the Adriatic, and locals make frequent trips to the thin strips of beach. Be sure to follow suit.
Get one of the best espressos in Trieste at Caffè degli Specchi, which serves the city’s most popular coffee.
Nice, France
Best for: Mediterranean mooching
Nice isn’t the place to go if you’re looking for glitz on the French Riviera. Located next to flashy Cannes and ritzy St Tropez, it’s anything but an attraction. When you learn it was once part of Italy, it doesn’t even feel like France: a classic Mediterranean mongrel combining old-school Italian culture and faded grandeur with gritty urbanity. Its pastel-hued promenade is dotted with candy-coloured parasols, and the pebble beach is lined with sun loungers.
Le 109 is a revamped slaughterhouse with quirky art exhibitions and techno DJs soundtracking it all.
Split, Croatia
Best for: History buffs
In the city’s Old Town, which is situated in the walls of Diocletian’s Palace, terracotta roofs and polished marble streets have adorned the peninsula for hundreds of years. It was founded by the Romans. Several forward-thinking restaurants jostle for attention along the shady, meandering, car-free streets – try To Je Tako for fresh Mexican sharing plates. The city’s promenade has you able to jump straight into the water if you’re the spontaneous type. There is soft sand on Bene beach, one of Croatia’s rocky coves.
If you want to experience more nature, head out to Krka Falls, where you can swim in crystal clear waters surrounded by the lushest vegetation.
San Sebastián, Spain
Best for: Foodies
San Sebastián’s Old Town is a perfect place to spend days wandering, stopping only for pinxtos stops. You can find the best ones by looking at the crowds outside – no one sits down, so join the locals and drink a few tapas and beer or wine around oak barrels. The toast at Ganbara is brilliant, and La Vina’s cheesecake is a must-visit. Besides the 17 Michelin stars in this town, there are also room-with-a-view restaurants like Akellare and Arzak.
Rather than La Concha beach, locals go to Zurriola beach – it’s quieter and great for watching surfers.
Porto, Portugal
Best for: Arty types
There is something exciting about Porto, the sleepy little sister of Lisbon. There are narrow townhouses stacked on top of one another, creative foodie joints run from affordable bites to fine dining powerhouses (Michelin-star Antiqvvm serves carrot cheesecake with yuzu mousse at Restaurante Cafeina), and quirky design features dominate smart boutique hotels owned by young creatives. From the center of downtown, you can catch a tram to the oceanfront in less than 20 minutes. See classic Portuguese tilework and street art among the wide Atlantic beaches.
The Foz do Douro neighbourhood in Porto offers a window into local life. Dine at Casa Vasco then stroll to the beach for a refreshing paddle.
