Our top ‘best of both' destinations in the UK and abroad – with a city AND beach to tick all the boxes

The Sun

14-07-2025

CHOOSING where to go on holiday can be a nightmare when you love city breaks but also enjoy a beach vacation.
But there are several places across the world - including in the UK - that offer the thrill of a city and the serenity of a coastal retreat.
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Here are our top spots across the globe for seeing a city or bustling town, while also getting beach time...
Barcelona, Spain
By Cyann Fielding, travel reporter
Barcelona is my all-time favourite city to fly into - as the plane heads out over the city and the ocean, then turns back, you get a glimpse of what this city has to offer... golden beaches and incredible architecture.
For those who love architecture, Barcelona is an absolute must.
Antoni Gaudi's Sagrada Familia may be the most well-known building in the city, the Spanish architect has also designed a number of other spots across Barcelona.
For example, Casa Batlló in central Barcelona features a colourful tiled face and on the inside, feels like a stylish funhouse.
There is also Park Güell - an expansive park designed by the architect between 1900 and 1914.
The UNESCO World Heritage Site features numerous areas to explore, all of which boast bright colours and quirky features.
The city's Gothic Quarter is also worth seeing and is full of pretty alleys and passageways with an array of independent shops and restaurants to discover.
Make sure to dive into one of the restaurants here, as I found the tapas here better than back in the city centre.
If you then want to do a bit of sunbathing, head to the seafront where you will find numerous beaches, well-equipped with restaurants, bars and deckchairs.
My personal favourite is Somorrostro beach, which sits next to the marina s you can watch a number of glamorous boats coming and going whilst you relax.
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Brighton, UK
By Cyann Fielding, travel reporter
There is nothing quite like Brighton anywhere else in the world, let alone the UK.
With long stretching pebble beaches, a historic and pretty pier and a bustling centre - there is so much to explore.
Before heading to the seafront, make sure to check out The Lanes - one of the most famous spots in the city.
This area is essentially a labyrinth of small alleys and lanes that boast a wealth of hidden squares, shops and jewellers.
They date back to the 16th century and locally are known as twittens.
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It is well-worth dedicating a decent amount of time to explore The Lanes, as you can find some real treasures in antique shops, independent boutiques and jewellers.
when you want to grab a pint, head to The Cricketer Arms on Black Lion Street, which was built around 1545 and is thought to be the oldest pub in the area.
Undeniably, Palace Pier is a must too, with a number of fairground rides, bars and restaurants.
After exploring, grab some fish and chips and head to the beach to enjoy the sound of the waves lashing against the pebbles.
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Palma de Mallorca, Spain
By Alice Penwill, travel reporter
Palma is one of those places that you think couldn't get any better, and then you turn the corner and you're at the beach.
The golden city has a beautiful old town filled with designer shops (of which I like to window shop), ice cream parlours, cafes and restaurants.
Then there's the historical cathedral and S'Hort del Rei, which is the lush garden below the Almudaina Palace.
And just when you think you've explored enough, you turn the corner to find a busy harbour and beaches everywhere.
The closest one to the city is Platja de Can Pere Antoni which is a long sandy strip and a great spot for a dip.
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Bournemouth, UK
By Alice Penwill, travel reporter
Beach huts, sand, sea, a fairground and some occasional sun, Bournemouth is your classic UK seaside resort - which is why I love it.
Everything you need is in one place like candy floss stands, the big Ferris wheel, mini-golf Bournemouth Pier and the town is only a ten-minute walk away too.
I usually opt to grab a mint chocolate chip ice cream from one of the small trailers on the promenade and take a seat on the sand, where I either gaze out to sea or search for the herd of cliff side goats.
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Valencia, Spain
By Lisa Minot, Head of Travel
Valencia is my all-time favourite beach city.
Playa de la Malvarrosa is a vast swathe of golden sands lapped by Mediterranean waters, but there's so much more.
The town and beaches are connected by the stunning Turia Gardens - a former riverbed turned green park that snakes between the two and is ideal for strolling or cycling.
The gardens are also home to the futuristic City of Arts and Sciences with its aquarium, museums and opera house.
The gothic cathedral in the Old Town houses what many believe is the Holy Grail - the cup from which Jesus drank at the Last Supper.
Foodies will adore the Central Market (Mercado Central) set within a stunning Art Deco building and one of Europe's oldest and largest functioning markets.
For a panoramic city view, climb the Micalet Tower and after dark, head to the Ruzafa neighbourhood, known for its cool cafes and restaurants and bohemian character.
Nearby is the Albufera Natural Park, Spain 's largest freshwater lagoon and near the rice paddies that provide the main ingredient for the city's legendary paella dish.
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Hastings, UK
By Lisa Minot, Head of Travel
Hastings may have been down-at-heel and outshone by its brighter, glitzier neighbour Brighton in years gone by but there's a huge amount of charm to this traditional seaside resort.
Just like Margate, the town is having something of a renaissance with arty types adding a gritty edge to its traditional bucket-and-spade background.
The historic Old Town - a charming maze of narrow streets and timber-framed houses - is at the heart of the revival with independent boutiques, antique shops and of course, those artisan coffee shops sitting alongside traditional pubs.
The town's burgeoning food and drink scene has something for everyone from the historic Stag Inn in the Old Town to trendy new start-ups in little sister St Leonards.
Pelham Beach offers classic seaside amusements and is really family-friendly but for those seeking a little peace and quiet, the shingle beaches towards St Leonards are perfect.
Its historic pier was destroyed by a devastating fire in 2010 but a multi-million pound restoration project saw it rise from the ashes, with the new design even winning the RIBA Stirling Prize for architecture in 2017.
The town now offers a combination of old and new - from Hastings Fishermen's Museum providing a glimpse into its maritime past to the Hastings Contemporary art gallery with its impressive collection of modern British art.
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Sydney, Australia
By Sophie Swietochowski, assistant travel editor
Canberra may be Australia 's capital city, but Sydney is its beating heart - or at least in my opinion, after spending several months working there in my early twenties.
It has a culturally diverse personality that's on par with London, New York or Paris, which you'll find in its vast restaurant scene or impressive entertainment (I implore you to find a music venue with a better view than that of the Sydney Opera House).
What puts it in another league to the destinations mentioned above, though, is its 50 or so miles of unspoilt coastline and jaw-dropping beaches that are frequently named among the best in the world.
Each one attracts a different crowd.
Bondi, is undoubtedly the most famous, loved for its energetic surfer vibe and laidback brunch spots looking out towards crashing waves.
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You won't find a Bondi dude hanging out at Manly, however.
This beach, north of the main city, offers two kilometres of sand overlooking foamy teal waters.
Milk Beach, a teeny shore backed by craggy rocks, is in a quieter patch and attracts more of a local crowd, however my favourite has to be Brontë.
The grass-backed shores sit just south of Bondi.
There's no end-of-the-weekend scaries here, thanks to weekly Sunday Sips sessions at the Surf Life Saving Club with live music and sausages being sizzled on the barbie.
Lisbon, Portugal
By Caroline McGuire, Head of Travel - Digital
Portugal is spoilt for choice when it comes to seaside cities, but Lisbon is up there among my favourites across the whole of Europe, thanks to its walkability, fantastic food and stunning buildings.
Nos Alive, the city's best-loved music festival, regularly features headliners to rival Glastonbury 's - this summer, Olivia Rodrigo, Muse and Nine Inch Nails were all on the bill.
I went a few summers ago to see Radiohead and spent the days mooching on the beach or filling up on Portuguese grub, before heading to the concert at nighttime.
And there was plenty of food to fill up on... my favourites include Pastels De Nata at the Confeitaria Nacional shop at Praça da Figueira and the indoor Time Out Food Market, with food stalls from some of the city's best restaurants.
For something a bit fancier, there's the Seen Sky bar at the Hotel Tivoli, which arguably has the best views over the city, with live DJs and Mediterranean sharing plates.
Finish that off with some fantastic nightlife in the Barrio Alto, a 15th century warren of streets that come alive in the evenings as locals head for drinks at the many bars.
Work off your hangover the following day with a trip to one of the city's many nearby beaches - whether you're looking for picturesque coves like Praia dos Galapinhos or surfing at Praia de Carcavelos, there is something for everyone and many can be reached by train.
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Edinburgh, Scotland
By Caroline McGuire, Head of Travel - Digital
Edinburgh is one of my favourite UK cities.
Whether it's a chance to catch some of the UK's best comedians at the Edinburgh festival, a foodie break or a Christmas jaunt, the city shows off its best side at all times of year.
Among my favourite places to eat are The Wedgwood restaurant, offering fancy food in unpretentious surroundings and Stockbridge Market - a farmer's market s elling everything from hot dishes to cakes and cheese.
For sampling some of the country's best gins, head to the Edinburgh Gin factory, where you can even create your own custom-made gin in their bespoke lab.
If you're looking for a spot of culture, then Edinburgh castle is obviously a must, as is the Real Mary King's Close which takes visitors through the old streets of Edinburgh that haven't changed since the 17th century.
And then, the beaches.
I always make sure to head out to one of the city's many beaches when I visit - admittedly more for a bracing walk than a paddle and sunbathe.
Portobello Beach is a lovely sandy beach with a promenade, where you can buy a size of pizza and a cocktail, and enjoy the view.
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Los Angeles, USA
By Helen Wright, travel writer
Los Angeles is surely the ultimate city by the sea.
The infamous sunset over Santa Monica pier and cycle path to Venice Beach are equally as famous as the Hollywood Sign and palm tree-lined Beverly Hills.
For me, L.A. is the ideal holiday destination if you want to pretend you've swapped life at home for a super glossy A-List lifestyle.
There is so much to do in Los Angeles, absolutely everyone will find something they enjoy.
If you love museums and galleries, you may be surprised to discover that Los Angeles has more museums than any other city in the world.
From the Grammy Museum to the Getty, you are spoilt for choice.
Of course, Hollywood is known for its star-studded history and movie studios.
On the Hollywood Walk of Fame, you can follow the stars along the boardwalk, take a behind-the-scenes studio tour at the Warner Bros.
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Studio and get your thrills on rides and attractions themed around your favourite films at Universal Studios, which is right in the middle of the city.
For me, the best thing about Los Angeles is the enviable California lifestyle.
Head to West Hollywood for shopping and lunch at Mamie Kitchen.
Grab an iced coffee from Or Bar Coffee on Santa Monica BLVD, before heading out to the beach.
On Santa Monica beach you can grab a deckchair on the sand, stroll the beach path past the outdoor gym and famous pier, or rent bikes and take on the whole 26-miles from Malibu to Torrance.
Just remember you have to come back…
I tend to go as far as Abbott Kinney Blvd and stop for boutique and vintage shopping, excellent restaurants like Great White Cafe and atmospheric dive bars by night.
At Hinano Cafe, drinks are cheap and you'll rub shoulders with bikers, students, tourists and city guys stopping for a cold beer on the way home.
Blackpool, UK
By Helen Wright, travel writer
Blackpool is a stand-out city by the sea for so many reasons.
A nation's favourite, this northern beach town has a hearty mix of British seaside history, iconic architecture, lively nightlife and its own waterfront theme park.
All of this is perfectly set along a seven-mile-long golden sandy beach.
Start the day with pancakes at HIVE café on Church Street, before a little potter around the quirky shops and vintage emporiums.
I always take a relaxed ride on a vintage tram along the seafront from the Pleasure Beach to Fleetwood and back.
It's like going back in time.
If you're looking for a budget day at the beach, grab a spot on the sand and paddle in the gentle water before the tide goes too far out.
Those who want to explore a bit more, Blackpool has some iconic buildings, including the Blackpool Tower and Winter Gardens, that celebrate the golden age of Brit beach life.
The North Pier is the more chilled-out of the two piers on Blackpool seafront.
For a more serene day in the 'pool, pick up a £2 Mr Whippy and wander along the pier above the waves.
The Central Pier is my favourite, with family attractions, twinkly arcades and a fun ferris wheel.
Theme park fans can't miss Blackpool Pleasure beach with its famous roller coasters, The Big One and the Big Dipper.
But the best attraction is the Steeplechase, where you can race your mates on mechanical horses.
I have been riding this one since I was tall enough to get on.
There is no better time to check out Blackpool than during the Blackpool Illuminations festival.
The whole city is lit up with a sea of rainbow fairy lights and it's beautiful.
WHEN it comes to Agadir, the city is just under four hours from the UK, reports Kara Godfrey, deputy travel editor.
As Morocco's largest seaside resort, it has huge stretches of beaches with some popular with surfers.
Along with 300 days of sunshine, you can expect high temperatures even in winter, reaching highs of 25C.
It is affordable too - a study by Which? last year found Agadir to be one of the cheapest for package holidays.
Popular attractions include Souk El Had, one of the largest markets in Africa, as well as the many hammans in the city for an authentic Moroccan spa experience.
Seven night, all-inclusive breaks were on sale for as little as £300 at four-star resorts.
Otherwise the cheapest flights are with Ryanair, starting from £19.99, or Loveholidays have an all-inclusive week-long break from £299.
There is also an overlooked European city that's a better summer holiday alternative with 'bread' saunas and new Ryanair flights.
Plus, the UK's 'worst city break destination' is home to the country's cheapest pint.
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