10 Beach Destinations to Bookmark for When You Want Fun On and Off the Sand

You come for the beach, but after your fill of sun and surf, the treasures of a cool town turn time off into something more. The best beach getaways are a stone’s throw from a quiet burgh or historic pueblo with locally owned restaurants, cozy bookstores, fashionable boutiques and contemporary galleries—meaning you’ll make (or buy) memories you can cherish long after your tan lines fade away. From the Albanian Riviera to one of Rhode Island’s toniest tiny towns, these are the destinations to bookmark when sand between your toes is merely the baseline for a great trip.

Carmel-by-the-Sea, California

You can join Pablo and Paco, Carmel Valley Ranch’s two Sicilian miniature donkeys, on a leisurely stroll to one of the property’s many picnic spots.

Though it’s roughly a square mile in size and devoid of any stop lights, this Central Coast village packs a punch—starting with Carmel Beach, renowned for its sugary-white sand and sunsets. Stroll down cobblestone streets, past fairytale cottages, and learn why writers and artists have flocked to this picturesque stretch of coastline. Today you’ll find dozens of galleries; on the second Saturday of the month you can meet local artists during the Carmel Art Walk, a tour of artist-owned galleries.

After taking in the art, consider popping into some of the in-town tasting rooms of Monterey County wineries, and then dine at one of the creative restaurantsOpens overlay, like the seafood-centric Chez Noir, that have sprouted in Carmel recently. If you want all the bells and whistles, head just 15 miles out of town to Carmel Valley Ranch. With four saltwater pools, a spa and a Pete Dye-designed golf course—not to mention an introduction to falconry and even goat-led hikes through rolling hills—it’s a veritable playground for kids and adults alike.

Canggu, Bali

Canggu’s black-sand beaches are just one of the village’s many draws.

Once a sleepy coastal village known primarily to intrepid surfers who sought perfect breaks here in the 1980s and ’90s, Canggu has transformed into one of Bali’s most vibrant destinations. While surf culture still runs deep—Echo Beach remains a favorite of wave-chasers—you can now find artist-owned galleries like the sleek Sun.Contemporary; stylish clothing boutiques selling hand-woven sarongs and curated vintage; and numerous plant-filled cafes where digital nomads, fueled by matcha lattes and corn fritters, plug away at their laptops. On weekends, head to the Samadi Sunday Market to pick up fresh lychees and dragonfruit, incense, candlenuts and a dadar gulung (coconut pancake) to sustain you as you shop.

Though still relaxed, the village has also seen the development of several new luxury hotels. The latest is Regent Bali Canggu, which debuted in December 2024 with 150 suites and villas—but one of the best is COMO Uma Canggu. Suites are light and airy, and some accommodations come with private courtyards, but you’ll want to spend most of your time at the COMO Beach Club, sipping arrack cocktails and taking in the scene from your swinging daybed.

Porto Ercole, Italy

Porto Ercole—and, as of late, Isolotto Beach Club at the relatively new La Roqqa hotel—is a popular getaway for in-the-know Italians seeking sun, sand and endless spritzes.

Located on Tuscany’s Monte Argentario peninsula, Porto Ercole has long been the preferred escape for well-heeled Romans, who can drive there in just a few hours. But it remained under the radar for years, due in no small part to the many travelers who paid more attention to the region’s rolling hills than its coastline. Slowly, though, word is slipping out, partly due to the 2023 opening of La Roqqa, an impeccably chic boutique hotel with a rooftop bar and restaurant where people pose for photos against the backdrop of the runabout boat-filled harbor—a welcome addition to Hotel Il Pellicano, a Porto Ercole mainstay since the 1960s. But the city seems to be retaining its Old World character, avoiding a surge of souvenir shops and restaurants marketed mostly to tourists.

After a morning sunning yourself at pine tree-framed La Feniglia beach and swimming in the crystal-clear water, pop into town to shop for decorative ceramics, leather sandals and linen dresses, capping off the excursion with a few scoops of gelato. To view the sunset, head to Forte Stella, a star-shaped fortress on a promontory overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea that was built by the Spanish in the 1500s.

Todos Santos, Mexico

Lounging by Hotel San Cristóbal’s pool is one dreamy way to recharge after a day spent exploring the town of Todos Santos. 

One of Mexico’s Pueblos Mágicos—places celebrated for their beauty, culture or history—Todos Santos has evolved from a quiet Baja outpost into a haven for artists and surfers searching for something more soulful. The nearby beaches, like San Pedrito and Las Palmas, are gorgeous—perfect for long days of sunbathing, surfing or doing absolutely nothing—but you’ll find the area’s true spirit in town. Wander its cobblestone streets and you’ll stumble upon working artist studios in restored colonial buildings, hundred-year-old murals and craft markets showcasing the work of local artisans.

You could spend an entire day dipping into the trendy boutiques selling hand-embroidered dresses, woven beach blankets and Mexican pottery, but be sure to make time for mezcal tastings and fish tacos. Book a stay right on the ocean at Hotel San Cristóbal, which perfectly channels the area’s boho vibe. From the beachfront rooms you can watch local fishermen launch their panga boats in the morning and then enjoy their catch that night for dinner at Benno, the hotel’s Mexican-Mediterranean spot.

Dhërmi, Albania

The town of Dhërmi straddles a buzzy beachfront and a stone village up in the mountains.

Set along a slope of the Ceraunian Mountains that leads into the Ionian Sea, Dhërmi is home to whitewashed stone cottages and some of the most stunning beaches on the Albanian Riviera. Gjipe, with its turquoise waters surrounded by steep cliffs, is jaw-dropping, while the spacious, pebbled Dhërmi Beach is incredibly convenient—from here, trade your flip-flops for sneakers, stretch your hamstrings and explore the town’s steep streets. Visit the Orthodox and Byzantine churches that dot the mountainside, including the blue-domed Church of Saint Spyridon and the Monastery of Saint Mary, which offers a sweeping view of the city. Shop for locally made honey and handwoven rugs at small shops whose goods spill out onto the cobbled streets. And be sure to try traditional Albanian fare like byrek (savory pies) filled with minced lamb or spinach and feta.

For the ultimate sunset dinner, head to the Zoe Hora hotel’s eponymous fine dining restaurant high up in the village (though Zymo Square, the more informal spot, serves excellent traditional Albanian food with live music) and then make your way down to the numerous beach clubs for a night of dancing. (Electronic music lovers, take note: Each June, the city plays host to Kala, a weeklong music and wellness festival.) Bed down at La Brisa Boutique Hotel on Dhërmi Beach, and enjoy the property’s rooftop pool and lively beach bar.

Westerly, Rhode Island

Westerly’s elegant Ocean House is among the East Coast’s most esteemed beach stays.

This ritzy Rhode Island beach town offers the quintessential New England experience, complete with windswept beaches, a historic lighthouse and overstuffed lobster rolls. After a morning spent building sandcastles on Misquamicut Beach, head into town to find the perfect summer read at Martin House Books; if you stay put in Watch Hill, grab a black raspberry cone at St. Clair Annex, a family-owned shop that’s been scooping ice cream since 1887, and take a nostalgic spin on the Flying Horse Carousel, said to be the oldest continuously operating carousel in the country.

Also in the upscale Watch Hill district, you can ogle grand shingled mansions that are home to more than a few famous names, and then check into the iconic Ocean House, a Victorian-style property on 13 beachfront acres designed to replicate the original 1868 resort. Play croquet on the lawn, go sailing and join in for a lobster boil on its private beach. For a more intimate stay, consider the Ocean House’s sister property, Weekapaug Inn, which dates back to 1899.

Melides, Portugal

A rugged coastline, numerous artisan shops and plentiful opportunities for wine tasting: It’s little wonder Melides is a favored getaway for creatives.

Just 90 minutes south of Lisbon, tucked into Portugal’s laid-back Alentejo region, Melides is emerging as the next cool-kid seaside retreat. Design icons of fashion and architecture, drawn by the town’s rugged beauty and creative energy, have long kept homes here; that energy now has a focal point in Melides Arts, a hybrid arts center and residential property that hosts exhibitions and cultural events. Just outside town, Praia de Melides stretches wide and wild, backed by dunes and a pine forest.

After a swim or a horseback ride on the beach, head into town to browse artisan tableware at Vida Dura, taste regional wines or settle in for a long, leisurely lunch of grilled sardines and pão Alentejano. (You can even pick up local crafts while getting travel advice at the Melides tourist office, located in an old mill at the center of town.) Having strolled to your satisfaction, check into the new Hotel Vermelho, a Relais & Chateaux property with 13 uniquely decorated rooms featuring colorful Alentejo tiles and, on the walls of some accommodations, hand-painted art.

Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, France

Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s abc kitchens riviera, at the Maybourne Riviera hotel, touts expansive water views along with refined, seafood-forward Mediterranean plates.

Situated between Monte Carlo and Menton on the quieter eastern end of the Côte d’Azur, Roquebrune-Cap-Martin is a refined escape, and, unlike its flashier Riviera neighbors, this coastal enclave charms with artistic legacy. Wander the cobbled lanes of the hilltop medieval village of Roquebrune and explore the 10th-century Château de Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, perched high above the Mediterranean.

Down below, the coast remains unspoiled, with rocky coves, pebbled beaches and dazzlingly clear water. Stay at Hôtel Le Roquebrune, a beautiful boutique property with a private beach, or the Maybourne Riviera, a sleek hotel perched on the cliffside with gobsmacking views out its glass-front facade. And if you can swing it, do not miss the hotel’s seafood restaurant, Ceto by chef Mauro Colagreco.

Stari Grad, Croatia

The ancient town of Stari Grad can trace its history back to the fourth century B.C.

Located on the northern side of the island of Hvar, Stari Grad is one of the oldest towns in Europe, having been colonized by the Greeks in the fourth century B.C. (Its name literally means Old Town)—and next spring, when United Airlines launches its first nonstop flight to Split, Croatia (SPU), the jumping-off point for reaching the island, visiting it will get even easier. While nearby Hvar Town draws the party crowd, Stari Grad offers a quieter stay rooted in history. After a dip in the crystal-clear waters at Žukova Beach, meander along the Stari Grad Plain, a 2,400-year-old agricultural landscape and landmark site where you can sip walnut grappa and local wines at the Hora Hvar vineyard.

In town, buy dried bouquets of lavender from souvenir stalls, enjoy a coffee at an open-air cafe in Ploča Square and marvel at the quiet Venetian-style alleyways, especially if you’ve just come from heavily foot-trafficked Dubrovnik. Don’t miss Tvrdalj Castle, the 16th-century summer home of poet Petar Hektorović, with its serene fishpond and hidden gardens. For a contrast to all the history, the Nordic-inspired Maslina Resort offers a modern, design-forward escape overlooking the Adriatic.

Santa Teresa, Costa Rica

Nantipa, a Tico Beach Experience, exemplifies some of Santa Teresa's chief draws: restorative wellness offerings and golden-sand beaches.

This former fishing village on the southern tip of Costa Rica’s remote Nicoya Peninsula is now a laid-back surfer’s paradise, as well as a favorite of supermodels and actors. Beaches like Playa Santa Teresa and Playa Hermosa, with their golden sand and rolling waves, remain the heart of the action—ideal for sunrise surf sessions or long beach strolls. But the town itself has grown into a haven for the wellness set, drawing visitors with its yoga retreats, oceanfront meditation classes and earthy shops stocked with hand-poured candles, essential oils and other feel-good finds. Restaurants lean into the healthy-luxe vibe, serving poke bowls and freshly pressed juices.

Book a bungalow at Nantipa, a Tico Beach Experience, an eco-friendly hotel just steps from the shore that combines Scandinavian minimalism with boho warmth. Enjoy a massage in the open-air spa surrounded by palm trees, or sign up for one of the hotel’s numerous experiences, like deep-sea fishing, horseback riding and guided hiking in nearby Cabo Blanco Nature Reserve.