These underrated beaches in Staten Island and the Bronx were just named the best beaches in NYC
South Beach is Staten Island's low-key showstopper. Just a short ferry ride from Manhattan, followed by a quick bus or walk, this Atlantic-front stretch delivers serious mini-vacation energy without the airfare. Volleyball courts, a long fishing pier and wide swaths of sand make it easy to forget you're still within city limits. Bonus points for the pizza— some of Staten Island's best slice shops are a stroll away, ready to reward your beach day appetite. It's free of South Beach Miami's pricey cocktails, but you can still work on your tan like a pro.
Orchard Beach, tucked inside Pelham Bay Park, is the Bronx's only public beach and embraces that distinction with style. This mile-long, half-moon cove was nicknamed the 'Riviera of New York' back in the Robert Moses era, and the retro charm still shines through. Expect snack stands, two playgrounds and enough courts for basketball, volleyball and handball to keep things lively. The water's calm, the views stretch toward City Island and post-beach seafood—think fried clams or lobster rolls—is practically mandatory.
Neither of these borough-born beaches gets the same Instagram love as Queens' surf scene or Brooklyn's boardwalks, but that's part of the appeal. You'll skip the crush of tourists while still getting plenty of shoreline to stretch out on. They're also two of the easiest beaches to pair with a proper neighborhood adventure—South Beach for old-school Staten Island dining, Orchard Beach for a Bronx seafood blowout.
In a city where most summer escapes require long drives, packed trains or both, these two sandy gems are hiding in plain sight. If you're tired of the same old stretch of sand, it might be time to swap Hamptons FOMO for a MetroCard and a sense of curiosity. The best beach day of your summer could be closer than you think.
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The Sun
19 hours ago
- The Sun
Tiny island crowned one of Europe's most underrated is ‘golden oasis' – with beaches that claim to make you healthier
A TINY island in the Atlantic Ocean has been labelled one of Europe's best hidden gems and we bet you've never heard of it. The Portuguese gem is nicknamed "the golden oasis," thanks to it's huge golden beaches said to cure sickness, excellent diving and party feasts. 7 7 Studying the number of searches and Instagram hashtags different destinations gained, Avis, found Porto Santo as the second most underrated island in Europe. Dubbed a "golden oasis suspended in the Atlantic Ocean" by Visit Madeira, Porto Santo boasts sprawling sandy beaches along its coasts despite being the smallest inhabited island in the Madeira Archipelago. Its biggest is the five and a half-mile-long Porto Santo Beach, which features such calm and crystal-clear waters that it was named the best beach in Europe by the European Best Destinations, back in 2022. But what is particularly unusual about this spot is that the sands are said to have healing qualities. High levels of calcium, magnesium, phosphorous, sulphur and strontium are found in the sand, and are thought to help regenerate skin and boost red blood cell growth. So, a wander along the beach may be more beneficial than getting some fresh air and vitamin D. Away from the destination's flagship beach, the island has many more stunning coves to explore. At Cabeço da Ponta Beach along the south east coast, holidaymakers can expect a more touristy vibe with numerous restaurants and bars to explore. João do Cabeço Restaurant, for example, serves traditional Madeiran dishes such as picado, which translates as chopped meat, and is beef cut into small cubes and fired up with garlic and pepper then eaten using either forks or toothpicks. Make sure to grab a poncha as well, a Madeiran cocktail made with sugar cane brandy, lemon or orange juice and honey. Then there's Calheta Beach on the west coast, which is described as the "perfect playground for children," thanks to its mix of clear waters, sand dunes and rock pools, which are home to octopus and crabs. The beach is edged by a small selection of shops, bars and restaurants, including the hugely popular Onda Azul, which is famous for its 'bolo do caco', - a type of Madeiran bread with garlic butter, that the chef makes by hand. On a clear day, visitors can catch a glimpse of the neighbouring island of Madeira from the beach. Over on the east coast of the island, travellers will find Cotrim Beach - an often deserted bay, carved out of the rocks of by millions of years of wind and sea erosion. Marine life flourishes in this spot, making it great for snorkelling. For a Blue Flag-awarded beach, head to Fontinha Beach, which is one of the most popular spots among locals and tourists, and is situated in one of the island's busiest areas as it fronts the island's capital of Vila Baleira. The waters around the entire island provide great diving opportunities. Even at depths of 40 metres, conditions are usually quite clear, allowing explorers to see sunken ships and an abundance of marine life like sea spiders, rays, moray eels and barracudas. Two ships were purposely sunk off the coast in 2000 and 2016 to create artificial reefs - they sit around 30 metres below the ocean's surface and are home to numerous different species. Other outdoor activities popular on the island include watersports such as windsurfing and also mountain biking, golf, horse riding and fishing. Porto Santo is known as the 'Golden Island' for more than just its beaches. There is also The Porto Santo Biosphere Nature Reserve, home to more than 2,110 species - with some existing only on the island. And the island has a long history as well, as centuries ago in 1418, the island provided explorers with safety from the rough seas. Having been sent off course by strong winds, Portuguese navigators João Gonçalves Zarco and Tristão Vaz Teixeira discovered the island and named it Porto Santo meaning 'Blessed Harbour'. Then, around 28 years later, a navigator named Henry appointed Bartolomeu Perestrelo as Governor of the island and his daughter eventually married Christopher Columbus. 7 The Italian explorer and navigator is then believed to have spent quite some time on the island, preparing for his trip where he discovered America. Travellers can visit the 15th century house, called 'Christopher Columbus House Museum' where the explorer is believed to have lived in the capital of Vila Baleria, which is full of portraits of Columbus and maps. Vila Baleira sits around a main square and is home to the stunning 17th century Church of Nossa Senhora da Piedade. Whilst the outside of the church blends in with the surrounding white-washed and terracotta-tiled buildings, inside visitors will find an ornate Gothic chapel. Many festivals take place in the capital throughout the year as well including Festas de São João towards the end of June. Locals gather in honour of the island's patron saint, to watch a fireworks display, dance and enjoy traditional food and drinks such as ginger cake and hot wine. And to honour the famous explorer, Columbus Festival takes place at the end of September with concerts, performances and even a realistic 16th century market. 7 For foodies, there is Nossa Senhora da Graça Feast - a religious festival where locals gather at a chapel by the same name, to have a banquet before heading off on a procession and having a party. If you can't make the feast in mid-August, the check out Casa d'Avo, which is the best rated restaurant on the island with one guest saying it was "one of the best steaks" they've ever had. Another claims it to be "the best place on Porto Santo to get a great meal". As for things to do with kids, Quinta das Palmeiras features a mini-botanical garden, spanning across 5,000 square metres. It is a great spot for kids to explore and spot a number of different bird species including parrots and macaws. If you wish to visit the island, the quickest way to get there is to fly from Lisbon - which takes just under two hours. Or if you are staying on Madeira, then you can opt for a day trip via the two-and-a-half-hour long ferry from Funchal, typically costing around £100. For holidaymakers wishing to stay on the island itself, there are several hotels and aparthotels - many of which are all-inclusive and sit close to beaches. 7 One option is Vila Baleira Village, which is referred to as "an oasis of endless beauty" according to Visit Madeira. The hotel features a minimalist vibe, with an outdoor pool, bar and restaurant - all just five minutes from Porto Santo beach. TUI also offers bookings at a couple of hotels on the island - Hotel Pestana and Pestana Ilha Dourada Hotel and Villas. At Hotel Pestana, there is a child-friendly outdoor pool and indoor adults-only pool, a reading room and Turkish baths. Pestana Ilha Dourada Hotel and Villas offers similar facilities and is a five-minute walk from Combro Beach. Portugal's lesser-visited areas including Algarve-alternative beaches A SUN reporter recently headed to Portugal's lesser-visited areas - here's what they thought... Portugal has so much more to offer than the sun-kissed beaches of the south, especially if you like your vitamin D fix mixed in with a healthy dose of adventure and a side of culture. Our first port of call was Portugal's only national park, the strikingly beautiful Peneda-Geres, where a week of hiking, cycling and traditional cuisine awaited us. It's not just an army that marches on its stomach, but small children, too, and thus with every walk came the chance to sample local mountain cuisine. Our route from the tranquillity of the mountains would not take us to the coast, at least not yet, but instead to the Douro Valley. Famed for its terraced hills where the vineyards produce some of the world's finest port wine, it also benefits from a Mediterranean climate. The station walls at Pinhao are adorned with beautiful blue and white azulejos — traditional Portuguese tiles — depicting scenes from the region. Situated on the Silver Coast, which is a great alternative to the Algarve, Nazare has thankfully retained its charm, despite the rising number of visitors coming to see the waves and daring surfers. But as we discovered, for those wanting a little more variety and adventure in their winter break, Portugal has an abundance of alternatives waiting to be explored. A Portuguese expert has also shared the top hidden places for families – from secret wild islands to hidden caves. Plus, there is a secret side to Portugal that has been crowned one of the best places in Europe to visit this year. 7
Time Out
4 days ago
- Time Out
Prospect Park just unveiled its first official nature trail system
Brooklyn's Backyard just got its first set of official breadcrumbs. Prospect Park Alliance and NYC Parks have launched a formal nature trail system: five marked routes winding through 250 acres of woodlands, meadows and waterways, inviting New Yorkers to roam while keeping fragile habitats safe from trampling feet and wagging tails. For years, visitors carved their own paths through the park's upland forest, sometimes creating charming shortcuts, other times cutting across sensitive ground. Now, after a comprehensive mapping project, those routes have been sorted into two camps: the keepers, which are now blazed and signed and the ones left to quietly rewild with the help of downed branches and newly planted native trees and shrubs. Each of the five trails offers its own personality. The Midwood Loop winds a half mile through dense forest, rewarding walkers with a steep overlook of the watercourse. The Ravine Loop, just under half a mile, is paved and scenic, tracing the waterway past the Ambergill Cascade before climbing into the oak canopy and topping out at the Boulder Bridge with views high above the ravine. The Peninsula Trail hugs the lake's edge beneath a canopy of shade trees, leading to a rustic shelter at the very tip of the peninsula. Lullwater Trail is the longest at nearly a mile, with paved stretches and waterside detours, plus postcard-worthy views of the Boathouse and Binnen Falls from the Lullwater Bridge. The Fallkill Trail is the shortest and most secretive, an unpaved path to two viewpoints of the park's hidden waterfall, which reopened to the public in 2023 after decades behind fencing. Park president Morgan Monaco says getting lost in the woodlands is part of the magic, but formalizing the paths is key to protecting them. Since the pandemic, the park's wooded areas have seen a surge in foot traffic—a welcome sign for public health, but a challenge for native plants and wildlife. The launch comes with another accolade: the Old Growth Forest Network has named Prospect Park Brooklyn's official Old Growth Forest, recognizing it as the oldest known forest in the borough. With more than $15 million invested in restoration over the past 20 years (including planting over half a million trees, plants and shrubs), the Alliance hopes the new system will help ensure this green sanctuary stays healthy for generations.
Time Out
6 days ago
- Time Out
An ambitious new greenway plan could bring 40 miles of paths for NYC pedestrians and cyclists
Imagine tracing Manhattan's edge without once being nudged into traffic or cruising the waterfront from Far Rockaway to College Point with nothing but river views and a smug sense of smugness between you and the skyline. That's the dream baked into New York City's newly unveiled 'Greater Greenways' master plan, a 40-mile boost to the city's pedestrian and bike path network, stitched across all five boroughs like a giant, very scenic zipper. Released Wednesday by the city's transportation and parks departments (with an assist from the Economic Development Corporation), the plan is the first formal roadmap for greenway growth in more than 30 years. It takes the city's existing 500 miles of mixed-quality greenways and, in theory, turns them into a seamless web for walking, running and cycling—one where gaps vanish and detours through traffic are a distant memory. The six 'priority corridors' read like a cyclist's bucket list. Southern Queens would get a 7-mile link from Spring Creek Park to Brookville Park near JFK, potentially letting some of the airport's 35,000 employees ditch the shuttle bus for handlebars. Staten Island's North Shore would see 10 miles of waterfront path between the Goethals and Verrazzano-Narrows bridges. Upper Manhattan's existing greenway could be smoothed into a continuous ride. There's even a long-term proposal to turn much of Broadway into a car-free greenway, because if Times Square can go pedestrian, why not the whole ribbon? Construction on the new miles could start as soon as 2028, though the city has offered neither a total price tag nor a promise that every segment will get built. That's in part because the plan exists thanks to a 2022 City Council law (championed by Councilmember Carlina Rivera) that Mayor Eric Adams allowed to become law without his signature—a political nudge that delayed the report's debut by seven months. Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez framed the greenway plan as a quality-of-life upgrade: 'Our street is the backyard for many residents... all New Yorkers, regardless of their socioeconomic background, should be able to enjoy our waterfront and be able to bike and walk safe.' Bike advocates like Jon Orcutt of Bike New York see it as a ready-made to-do list for the next mayor. In the meantime, projects like the Harlem River Greenway in the Bronx are proof that the city can close network gaps when it wants to. The question now is whether this big, beautiful vision makes it out of the binder and onto the pavement.
