Beach cities are amazingly vibrant because of their trades thanks to the seas. If you don’t want to decide between a beach vacation and an urban escape, then this might be the best way to go. After a morning of museum hopping and gallery browsing, head to the beach for sun and sand before heading out on the town again. Sometimes when it comes to travel, you can have it all. So here we go with the 10 Beach Cities that are Perfect summer Travel Destinations
1. Auckland
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Auckland, based around 2 large harbours, is a major city in the north of New Zealand’s North Island. The quality of living here is third best in the world after Vienna and Zurich. Mission Bay Beach is minutes from Downtown. In central Queen Street, the iconic Sky Tower has views of Viaduct Harbour, which is full of superyachts and lined with bars and cafes.
2. Barcelona
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Barcelona, the cosmopolitan capital of Spain’s Catalonia region, is defined by quirky art and architecture, imaginative food and vibrant street life. Its restaurant scene, anchored by the central Boqueria market, ranges from fine dining to tiny tapas bars. It is home to Primavera sound, a well-known summer festival mixing independent and established artists.
3. Vancouver
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Vancouver, a bustling west coast seaport in British Columbia, is among Canada’s densest, most ethnically diverse cities. A popular filming location, it’s surrounded by mountains and invites outdoor pursuits of all kinds, but also has thriving art, theatre and music scenes. Vancouver features some of the world renowned mountain biking trails.
4. Copenhagen
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Copenhagen, Denmark’s capital, sits on the coastal islands of Zealand and Amager. the central district, contains 18th-century, rococo Frederiksstaden, home to the royal family’s Amalienborg Palace. And then there is Strøget which is one of Europe’s longest pedestrian streets with a wealth of shops, from budget-friendly chains to some of the world’s most expensive brands. The stretch is 1.1 kilometers long and runs from City Hall Square to Kongens Nytorv.
5. Singapore
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Singapore, an island city-state off southern Malaysia, is a global financial centre with a tropical climate and multicultural population. In circa-1820 Chinatown stands the red-and-gold Buddha’s Tooth Relic Temple, Little India offers colorful souvenirs and Arab Street is lined with fabric shops. Singapore is also known for eclectic street fare, served in hawker centres such as Tiong Bahru and Maxwell Road. Check out the infinity pools atop tall hotel buildings.
6. Chicago
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Chicago is known for its skyscrapers and museums. It is also considered the modern birthplace of jazz and blues. In 2014, it had 50.2 million international and domestic visitors. Chicago’s culture includes the visual arts, novels, film, theater, especially improvisational comedy, and music. Chicago lays claim to a large number of regional specialties that reflect the city’s ethnic and working-class roots. Included among these are its nationally renowned deep-dish pizza.
7. Sydney
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Sydney, capital of New South Wales and one of Australia’s largest cities, is best known for its harbourfront Opera House, with a distinctive sail-like design. Massive Darling Harbour and Circular Quay are hubs of waterside life, with the towering, arched Harbour Bridge and esteemed Royal Botanic Gardens nearby. Sydney Tower’s 268m glass viewing platform, the Skywalk, offers 360-degree views of the city, harbour and suburbs.
8. Tokyo
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Tokyo, Japan’s bustling capital, mixes the ultramodern and the traditional, from neon-lit skyscrapers and anime shops to cherry trees and temples. The opulent Meiji Shinto Shrine is known for its towering gate and surrounding forests. The Imperial Palace sits amid sprawling public gardens. The city is famed for its vibrant food scene, and its Shibuya and Harajuku districts are the heart of its trendy teen fashion scene.
9. Dublin
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Dublin’s medieval buildings include 13th-century Dublin Castle and imposing St. Patrick’s Cathedral, founded in 1191. Temple Bar is a riverside nightlife and cultural quarter, home to the Irish Film Institute. Bustling, largely pedestrianised Grafton Street is the city’s principal shopping area, also famed for its buskers.
10. Helsinki
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Helsinki is a small European capital located on the gulf of Finland. On busy Senate Square, the neoclassical Helsinki Cathedral stands in contrast with Uspenski Cathedral and its cupolas. It has a vibrant film community and holds the Helsinki International Film Festival. It also holds the inexplicable but entirely real air guitar world championship.
Sources: travel.nationalgeograhpic , 500px.com