10 Of The Best European Cities With Culture And Beaches

Forbes

3 days ago

Beautiful summer landscape of the coast of the Baltic Sea getty
For travelers who enjoy a combination of culture and chill out time, Europe has some of the best cities that combine beautiful beaches and top cultural experiences. From interesting architecture and world-class museums to golden coastlines and attractive seaside promenades, here are some of the top destinations for sun, sand and culture.
Panoramic view of La Concha beach, San Sebastian, Spain getty
The summer jazz festival in this delightful Basque city in Northern Spain attracts all the top names. The 2025 lineup featured Jamie Cullum, Hermeto Pascoal and Andrew Bird. The 2026 dates are 22-26 July. During the day, chill on the glorious sandy Bahía de La Concha and feast on some of the best pintxos (tapas) you'll find anywhere.
Pirita Beach, Tallin, Estonia Focus/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
Take a trip to Pirita, a beach near Tallinn, the capital of Estonia. The beach is hemmed with a pineforest and is less than 30 minutes from the city by public transportation. The city has much to offer culturally too. The annual multi-genre Tallin Music Week (9—12 April 2026) or for art lovers, essential to visit are Kai Art Centre in the Noblessner former shipbuilding area and Tallinn Art Hall in the historic center for contemporary art. Also great is Fotografiska, an internationally renowned photographic art center and for a completely unique experience, Flo Kasearu House Museum is a site-specific art project by a contemporary artist Flo Kasearu in her home, attic, basement and backyard.
Facade of the Royal Palace of Naples (Palazzo Reale di Napoli) in Piazza del Plebiscito getty
The historic centre of Naples is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and there's plenty to see from the 17th-century Royal Palace and gardens to the San Carlo Theatre, founded in 1737, and today, the oldest opera house in the world still in operation. Beaches nearby are plentiful including just below Palazzo Donn'Anna in the Posillipo neighborhood where there's a large, sandy beach. If private beach clubs are more appealing, try Bagno Elena or Lido Sirena.
Nice white sand beach at Le Grau du Roi, France's Languedoc coast, is known as Plage de l'Espiguette near Port Camargue getty
Although the coast of Languedoc-Roussillon isn't as obvious a holiday destination as the Cote d'Azur, it has just as much to offer with less crowds, even in peak season. And Montpellier, a medieval city founded around 1200, is an excellent base for a visit to the area. Culture lovers will enjoy the Fabre Museum, with European works from the Renaissance to the present day, and a full wing dedicated to contemporary artist, Pierre Soulages. If visiting in the summer, the annual Radio France Music festival showcases top international talents featuring hundreds of mainly free classical, opera, jazz and DJ music concerts. The city's closest nice beaches are along Le Petit Travers, a long narrow strip of sand dunes between La Grande Motte and Carnon. The beaches are easily accessible by car (free parking) or by bus and tram. In addition to the public beaches, there are several chic private beach clubs including Le Bikini and La Voile Bleue. 5.Riga, Latvia
Riga is known for its stunning Art Nouveau architecture, lively music and arts scene. From the historic Old Town—a UNESCO World Heritage Site—to its buzzing cafés, galleries and festivals, Riga offers a lot culturally. If you visit in August or September, check out the contemporary art festival Survival Kit organised by the Latvian Centre for Contemporary Art (LCCA). Vecāķi Beach, in Riga's Northern District, Latvia, is a well-known seaside spot about a 15-minute train from the main station in Riga. The beach spans roughly two kilometers along the Gulf of Riga, offering fine golden sand and a gentle entry into the sea. 6.Barcelona, Spain
Barceloneta beach, Barcelona, Spain getty
Catalonia's cosmopolitan capital is a culture lover's dream with architectural masterpieces by Antoni Gaudí as the main attraction. Sagrada Famíli, the gigantic basilica still under construction, Park Güell a whimsical delight filled with mosaic-covered structures, colorful tiles, and stunning views over the city and Casa Batlló, a surreal residence known for its dragon-like roof. Just minutes from the city center, popular spots like Barceloneta Beach are lively and energetic, lined with beach bars (chiringuitos), restaurants, and plenty of space to relax or play volleyball 7. Valencia, Spain
Picturesque urban beach very close to the city centre of Valencia getty
Sunny Valencia on the east coast of Spain is the country's third largest city (after Madrid and Barcelona) and offers many of the same cultural attractions of these two better known cities. For starters, visit IVAM, the Institute of Modern Art, Spain's first museum of Modern Art when it launched in 1989 and today it is the country's second largest (after the Reina Sofia in Madrid). Valencia as the birthplace of paella has a fantastic foodie scene and has seven kilometers of sandy beaches including Malvarrosa beach, within easy access of the city center. 8.Athens, Greece
The famous celebrity beach Astir at Vouliagmeni district in south Athens, Greece getty
You don't need to catch a ferry to the Greek islands to take a dip in the Aegean Sea — Athens offers its own stretch of inviting coastline, once known as the Apollo Coast and now referred to as the Athenian Riviera. Alternate the beach with visiting ancient cultural landmarks that span thousands of years: the Acropolis, home to the iconic Parthenon, a symbol of ancient Greek civilization and the National Archaeological Museum housing one of the world's richest collections of ancient Greek art. 9.Nice, France
City of Nice on the French Riviera looking along the beach. getty
Nice, a city that blends the elegance of Cannes with the grittiness of Marseille, is also a city of festivals: two of the biggest are the Nice Jazz Festival (July) and Carnaval de Nice (February). And art lovers will be thrilled by Nice's museums: the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MAMAC) for modern works (don't miss the Yves Klein galleries) or Musee Massena, with plenty of historic artwork and artefacts. And two single artist museums, are both fantastic: Musee Matisse and Musee National Marc Chagall. The long sandy beach can be accessed from the charming Promenade des Anglais. 10.Dubrovnik, Croatia
A panoramic view of the walled city, Dubrovnik Croatia getty
Dubrovnik is not only famous for its historic Old Town, medieval walls and as a film location for Game of Thrones but also for its stunning Adriatic beaches. The beaches are mainly pebbled but the main attraction is the crystal clear, turquoise water. Popular bathing spots include Banje Beach and Lapad Beach, just a stone's throw from the city's cultural attractions.