A beach in summer with a large amount of people

Beach Vacations

The beach holiday is the platonic ideal of vacations: what nearly every traveler, whether active or armchair, dreams of. Soft sand, shady palms, a cold drink, a warm surf—what more could you want? It's no wonder so many ad campaigns hang their hook (and their products) on this seaside ideal: brands of beer, lines of clothes, models of cars. Travel + Leisure writers and editors are no strangers to the allure of the shore, and so search the world for the best beach vacations it can offer.
Spain, Malaga Province, Antequera. A view of San Sebastian square in the city center, early in the day, where it is located the church with that name and the street that leads to the old arabic castle or Alcazaba in the background.
This Is the Sunniest City in Europe — and It's the Birthplace of Pablo Picasso
People on surf boards and paddle boards in the ocean at Crete
Greece's Largest Island Is Packed With Ancient History, Gorgeous Resorts, and a Stunning Pink-sand Beach
Teenage girls relaxing on the beautiful beach, People enjoying summer vacation by the ocean.Girls walking on the beach. Cloudy sky and pier in the background. Folly Beach, South Carolina USA.
This South Carolina Beach Town Is a Local Favorite — and It's Just Outside Charleston
Malecon boardwalk and palm trees, with Cayo Afuera island in distance. | Location: Esperanza, Vieques, Puerto Rico.
How to Plan the Perfect Trip to Vieques, Puerto Rico
Scenic view of British Virgin Islands against sky during sunny day, Tortola
This Caribbean Island Is Home to a Lush National Park, a 400-year-old Distillery, and Stunning White-sand Beaches
Carlsbad waterfront beach houses with dock, California
This Coastal California Town You've Never Heard of Has Luxe Resorts, Colorful Flower Fields, and Lots of Live Music
Aerial of Shoal Bay Beach umbrella's, Anguilla
20 Best Things to Do in Anguilla — Stellar Snorkeling and Live Music Included
Two trees growing in sea, Edisto Island, South Carolina
How to Plan the Perfect Trip to Edisto Island, South Carolina
The pier at Old Orchard Beach in Maine, USA on a beautiful sunny day.
The 11 Best Beaches in Maine
Lounge chairs on the beach in Belize
The Best Times to Visit Belize for the Ultimate Tropical Vacation
Yellow wildflowers grow in a field in front of Highland Lighthouse, also known as Cape Cod Light (1857) on a mild May morning.
The Best Times to Visit Cape Cod for Smaller Crowds, Pleasant Weather, and Lower Prices
Aerial view of buildings along the coast of Isla Mujeres
How to Plan the Perfect Trip to Isla Mujeres, Mexico
Mother and daughter pass a bookstore in Downtown Sag Harbor
How to Plan the Perfect Trip to Sag Harbor, New York
Aerial panorama of the Pacific Coast Highway hugging the beach and curving between the ocean and the town of Malibu, California.
How to Plan the Perfect Trip to Malibu, California
Worth Ave in Palm Beach, Florida
This Florida County Is Ideal for a Mother-daughter Trip — With Chic Hotels, Beautiful Beaches, and Relaxing Spas
Tourist walking down the street in Positano, Italy on the Amalfi Coast
How to Visit Positano, Italy’s Iconic Summer Hot Spot on the Amalfi Coast
Aerial view of the pool area along the beach at the
The Best Family-friendly Beach Resorts in the Caribbean
People relaxing and beach of Comporta, Sines, Alentejo, Portugal
This Charming Beach Town Is Called the 'Hamptons of Portugal' — and It's Home to a Massive Flock of Flamingos
Flying over Galveston Texas Sea Wall and Beach
Galveston, Texas, Is a Beach Destination Packed With Culture and History — How to Visit
The winding road taking you down to the water in Atrani town on Amalfi coast
10 Dreamy Amalfi Coast Towns to Visit in Italy
Monastery of Agios Ioannis Thymianos at Kos island
This Gorgeous Greek Island Has Ancient Ruins, Beautiful Sandy Beaches, and a Charming Old Town
Aerial view of tro beach in the sunny afternoon. Juanillo beach, Dominican Republic.
29 Best Tropical Vacations Around the World
The coastline along South Florida in Fort Lauderdale, Florida
15 Best Family Beaches in Florida
Hammock hanging on trees on beach in Caye Caulker, Belize
This Tiny Caribbean Island Is the Perfect Laid-back Beach Escape
Beach Chairs and Umbrella on Isla Holbox, Mexico
How to Plan the Perfect Trip to Isla Holbox
Malta, Gozo Island, Xlendi, watchtower and salt pans at sunset
This Small Mediterranean Island Is a Hidden Gem With Historic Towns and a Stunning Coastline
Beach with Umbrellas-Hilton Head Island,South Carolina
12 Best Beach Towns on the East Coast
Wild birds by a creek at Kiawah Island.
This Small South Carolina Island Has 10 Miles of Pristine Beaches and One of the Best Resorts in the State
Exterior view of The Ritz-Carlton Naples with the ocean and beach in the foreground as a boat sails by
This Family-favorite Florida Resort Feels Like a Relaxed Country Club — and Every Room Has a Gulf Coast View
Lighthouse on Sullivans Island near Charleston, South Carolina.
How to Plan the Perfect Trip to Sullivan's Island, South Carolina
View of Paphos with the Orthodox Cathedral of Agio Anargyroi, Cyprus
This Often-overlooked European Island Is the Perfect Year-round Destination — With More Than 300 Days of Sunshine Each Year
Drone point of view on hidden small beach, surrounded by tropical palm trees in San Pancho, Nayarit, Mexico.
7 Under-the-radar Beach Towns in Mexico — Including One With Thousands of Flamingos
The Annual King Kamehameha Day Parade on Saturday June 11 in Waikiki Beach.
20 Best Things to Do on Oahu, According to Locals
Aerial view of the Four Season Resort and Residences Anguilla
This Anguilla Resort Brings Guests on a Chef-Led Experience to Harvest Their Own Salt
Wedding setting at Wild Dunes
The Best Beach Hotels to Get Married at Around the World, According to Wedding Planners
Aerial view of a sailboat moored in St.John, USVI
20 Best Things to Do on St. John — From an Underwater Trail to a Floating Taco Bar
High angle shoot of Turtle Beach, Culebrita Island, Puerto Rico
20 Best Places to Visit in Puerto Rico — From Uninhabited Islands to Bioluminescent Bays
Sunset on the beach in Santa Teresa, Costa Rica
How Celebrating My Son's First Birthday in Costa Rica Changed the Way I Think of Family Travel
Assorted images of Heron Island underwater on the southern great barrier reef
20 Best Scuba Diving Destinations in the World
Villefranche-sur-mer on the French Riviera in summer
10 Beloved Beach Destinations That Are Even Better in Shoulder Season
Aerial view of boats off the coast of St Barths
20 Best Things to Do on St. Barts, From Buzzy Beach Club Parties to Serene Hikes
Black woven hammock between two palms at Aerial Buck Island resort
T+L’s Review of The Aerial, BVI
Boca Grande Lighthouse & Shoreline, Gasparilla Island,Florida
America's Best Small Beach Town Is an Old Florida Gem With Crystal-clear Waters and a Scenic Bike Path
view of Stoupa beach, located in Messinia, Greece
This Less-visited Region in Southern Greece Has Idyllic Coastlines, Stunning Beaches, and Almost No Crowds
View of the Coral Cottage from the water at the Briland Club in the Bahamas
One of the Best Islands in the Bahamas Has Luxe New Vacation Homes With Private Beach and Marina Access
Aerial view of St. Augustine, Florida
This Charming Florida City Has Quaint Inns, Pristine Beaches, and Year-round Appeal
Aerial view of pebble beach and clear blue water with a cliff of magenta and yellow florals
This Italian Beach Town Is a Local’s Secret — With Cliffside Beach Clubs, Crystal-clear Water, and Incredible Food
Huatulco, a coastal area located in the state of Oaxaca (Mexico) where the foothills of the Sierra Madre del Sur mountains meet the Pacific Ocean.
This Underrated Mexico Destination Is Set Across 9 Bays — With Laid-back Beach Towns, Bioluminescent Waters, and Charming Hotels
Sunshades on the beach from Juan les Pins on the French riviera
This Small Beach Town Hidden Between Cannes and Nice Is a Local Favorite — With White-sand Beaches, Quaint Cafes, and Hotels That Feel Like Home
Christmas stocking on palm tree at Crandon beach, Key Biscayne, Miami, Florida
13 Ways to Celebrate Christmas in Florida, From Disney Parties to Boat Parades
Four Seasons Enclave in Cabo, resort and estate renderings
These Mexico Vacation Homes on 50 Beachfront Acres Will Have All the Trappings of a Luxury Resort
Gulls in flight at dawn. Dr. Julian G. Bruce Saint George Island State Park, Florida
This Island Off Florida's 'Forgotten Coast' Has the Best Beach in the U.S., According to Dr. Beach
Couple walking on the beach, Bal Harbour, Florida
13 Best Beaches in Miami With Turquoise Waters and Stunning White Sand
Aerial view of Destin and Miramar Beaches in Florida
These Florida Beach Towns Have Locals on Call to Give You Live Travel Tips
Panoramic of the bay of Pechón in Cantabria Spain
11 Best Beaches in Spain With Turquoise Waters and Golden Sand
A surfer standing on a beach in Oahu
12 Best Beaches on Oahu With Stunning Views and Epic Waves
Downtown aerial of Fernandina Beach, Florida near Jacksonville.
This Florida Beach Town Offers Southern Charm, a Shrimp-themed Festival, and Year-round Family Fun
View of empty Praia da Zambujeira do Mar beach with ocean waves, cliffs and stones, wet golden sand and green vegetation at wild Rota Vicentina coast, Odemira, Portugal.
11 of the Best Beaches in Portugal
Aerial of Cancun beach with boat
10 Beach Destinations Perfect for a Mother-daughter Vacation
Aerial view of Bermuda
10 Beach Destinations for Your Next Girls Trip
View of people on the beach at Brighton Pier in Brighton, England
This Seaside Resort Town Near London Has Victorian Pubs, Global Cuisine, and a Vibrant LGBTQ+ Scene
Panorama of the Celafu medieval old town and beach in Sicily, Italy
16 Most Beautiful Beaches in Italy
Navagio beach in Zakynthos Greece
20 Best Beaches in Greece With the Bluest Water You've Ever Seen