Picturesque UK town 'rivals Amalfi coast' with colourful houses and pretty beach
A charming UK seaside town has regularly been compared to Italy's dreamy Amalfi Coast, thanks to its colourful buildings, beautiful harbour and picture-perfect surroundings.
Brits looking for a budget-friendly dupe to the Italian hotspot may want to add Ramsgate, Kent, to their travel list, with its golden sandy beaches and coastal walks that are the stuff of any intrepid explorer's dream. Add in that it boasts some of the warmest climates in the UK, and it's no surprise that it's long been a firm favourite with UK holidaymakers.
Ramsgate offers all of that quintessentially British seaside charm too courtesy of the abundance of fish and chip shops, arcades, ice cream parlours and pubs that line its promenade.
However one of the biggest highlights has to be the Royal Harbour - the only harbour in the UK to be given this status after King George IV was impressed by a visit to the coastal spot. The marina is lined with a series of colourful waterfront buildings that echo those pictures you'll have seen on social media of Positano, which is famed for its pastel-hued buildings nestled into a lush green valley. The lines of boats that fill Ramsgate's harbour are also pretty impressive - and again, it's easy to see why it's often compared to the Italian holiday hotspot.
Meanwhile Ramsgate Main Sands with its golden shores and swim-friendly waters is always popular when the British weather actually offers sunshine and balmy temperatures. The Blue Flag beach has plenty of shops and restaurants nearby, not to mention it offers facilities such as toilets, parking and deckchair hire. If you have a dog, be warned that pooches are banned between May 1 and September 30. There are lifeguards at the beach this summer until July 13, and then again from July 19 through to September 7, between 10am and 6pm.
For those who love a bit of adventure rather than just laying out on a towel, there's plenty to try out in the area including the likes of scuba diving, kayaking, boat trips, paddleboarding and kitesurfing, as well as plenty more watersports.
For those who prefer to be on land, you'll be spoiled for choice whether you want to enjoy a spot of birdwatching, want to play a round of golf, or just make use of the various sports centres to stretch your legs. Of course there are also those gorgeous hiking and cycling trails that await, with routes that cater to everyone whether you're after an easy scenic stroll, or want to take on a more challenging hike (and reward yourself with fish and chips afterwards!).
When the British weather is being miserable - because let's face it, it happens more than we'd like over the summer months - then Ramsgate boasts plenty of museums and galleries you can explore. One day out that's popular is also a trip to the Ramsgate Tunnels, an underground labyrinth that extends for over three miles around the town. There are guided tours so you can learn all about their fascinating history while taking in the awe-inspiring surroundings.
You can find out more on visitramsgate.co.uk.
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