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Trip Ideas
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.
Latest Stories
America’s Best Small Beach Town Has World-class Waves — Plus Delicious Restaurants and Charming Boutiques
America’s Best Small Lake Town Has Dazzling Waters, Uncrowded Beaches, and a 20-mile-long Tunnel of Trees
12 Beautiful Beach Towns to Visit in Spain
A Local's Guide to the Best Beach Towns in California — With Epic Surfing, Beloved Seafood Restaurants, and Storybook Charm
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I Live in Italy — and These Are the Best Beach Towns in the Country
This Florida Destination Has Rare Dune Lakes, Quartz Crystal-sand Beaches, and the First Permanent Underwater Sculpture Garden in the U.S.
I've Lived in Florida for 27 Years — and These Are the Best Affordable Beach Vacations in the State
10 Best Beach Towns in North Carolina, According to Locals
This Is the Sunniest City in Europe — and It's the Birthplace of Pablo Picasso
Greece's Largest Island Is Packed With Ancient History, Gorgeous Resorts, and a Stunning Pink-sand Beach
This South Carolina Beach Town Is a Local Favorite — and It's Just Outside Charleston
How to Plan the Perfect Trip to Vieques, Puerto Rico
This Caribbean Island Is Home to a Lush National Park, a 400-year-old Distillery, and Stunning White-sand Beaches
This Coastal California Town You've Never Heard of Has Luxe Resorts, Colorful Flower Fields, and Lots of Live Music
20 Best Things to Do in Anguilla — Stellar Snorkeling and Live Music Included
How to Plan the Perfect Trip to Edisto Island, South Carolina
The 11 Best Beaches in Maine
The Best Times to Visit Belize for the Ultimate Tropical Vacation
The Best Times to Visit Cape Cod for Smaller Crowds, Pleasant Weather, and Lower Prices
How to Plan the Perfect Trip to Isla Mujeres, Mexico
How to Plan the Perfect Trip to Sag Harbor, New York
How to Plan the Perfect Trip to Malibu, California
This Florida County Is Ideal for a Mother-daughter Trip — With Chic Hotels, Beautiful Beaches, and Relaxing Spas
How to Visit Positano, Italy’s Iconic Summer Hot Spot on the Amalfi Coast
The Best Family-friendly Beach Resorts in the Caribbean
This Charming Beach Town Is Called the 'Hamptons of Portugal' — and It's Home to a Massive Flock of Flamingos
Galveston, Texas, Is a Beach Destination Packed With Culture and History — How to Visit
10 Dreamy Amalfi Coast Towns to Visit in Italy
This Gorgeous Greek Island Has Ancient Ruins, Beautiful Sandy Beaches, and a Charming Old Town
30 Best Tropical Vacations Around the World
7 Best Beaches Near Merida, Mexico, for Soft Sand, Blue-green Waters, and Thousands of Flamingos
15 Best Family Beaches in Florida
9 Best Beach Towns in Texas, According to Locals
This Tiny Caribbean Island Is the Perfect Laid-back Beach Escape
5 Beach Vacations You Can Take for Less Than $100 a Day
This Car-free Island in Mexico Has Incredible Beaches With Bioluminescent Waters — and Beautiful Boutique Hotels
10 Best New Jersey Beach Towns, According to Local Experts
This Small Mediterranean Island Is a Hidden Gem With Historic Towns and a Stunning Coastline
12 Best Beach Towns on the East Coast
This Small South Carolina Island Has 10 Miles of Pristine Beaches and One of the Best Resorts in the State
This Family-favorite Florida Resort Feels Like a Relaxed Country Club — and Every Room Has a Gulf Coast View
How to Plan the Perfect Trip to Sullivan's Island, South Carolina
This Often-overlooked European Island Is the Perfect Year-round Destination — With More Than 300 Days of Sunshine Each Year
7 Under-the-radar Beach Towns in Mexico — Including One With Thousands of Flamingos
20 Best Things to Do on Oahu, According to Locals
This Anguilla Resort Brings Guests on a Chef-Led Experience to Harvest Their Own Salt
The Best Beach Hotels to Get Married at Around the World, According to Wedding Planners
20 Best Things to Do on St. John — From an Underwater Trail to a Floating Taco Bar
20 Best Places to Visit in Puerto Rico — From Uninhabited Islands to Bioluminescent Bays
How Celebrating My Son's First Birthday in Costa Rica Changed the Way I Think of Family Travel
20 Best Scuba Diving Destinations in the World
10 Beloved Beach Destinations That Are Even Better in Shoulder Season
20 Best Things to Do on St. Barts, From Buzzy Beach Club Parties to Serene Hikes
T+L’s Review of The Aerial, BVI
America's Best Small Beach Town Is an Old Florida Gem With Crystal-clear Waters and a Scenic Bike Path
This Less-visited Region in Southern Greece Has Idyllic Coastlines, Stunning Beaches, and Almost No Crowds
One of the Best Islands in the Bahamas Has Luxe New Vacation Homes With Private Beach and Marina Access
This Charming Florida City Has Quaint Inns, Pristine Beaches, and Year-round Appeal
This Italian Beach Town Is a Local’s Secret — With Cliffside Beach Clubs, Crystal-clear Water, and Incredible Food
This Underrated Mexico Destination Is Set Across 9 Bays — With Laid-back Beach Towns, Bioluminescent Waters, and Charming Hotels
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
13 Ways to Celebrate Christmas in Florida, From Disney Parties to Boat Parades
This Island Off Florida's 'Forgotten Coast' Has the Best Beach in the U.S., According to Dr. Beach
12 Best Beaches in Miami with Turquoise Waters and Stunning White Sand
Lost Cultures: Living Legacies
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