LONDON – Summer is finally in full swing in the Northern Hemisphere, and many people find themselves facing the tough decision of a city break or a beach escape as they start planning a holiday. But for visitors looking for the best of both worlds online travel advisor Cheapflights.com has created its list of the Top 10 city beaches. Reuters has not endorsed this list:
1. Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
No trip to Rio is complete without a stop at Copacabana. This two-and-a-half mile stretch of sand is busy with sunbathing, kite flying, rollerblading and loads of beach sports. The iconic black and white wave of the Copacabana promenade, which trails the length of the beach, is a hot spot for tourists and residents alike. From the beach there are great views of Sugarloaf Mountain, the Corcovado and the azure waters of the Atlantic Ocean. And if the sun gets too hot, there are plenty of places to cool off with a caipirinha (Brazil’s national cocktail). Other beaches to check out in and around Rio de Janeiro are Ipanema, Prainha Beach and Praia Vermelha.
2. Camps Bay, Cape Town, South Africa
Just 10 minutes outside the city sits Camps Bay, the most popular of the beaches of Cape Town. Camps Bay has a little bit of something for everyone, including surfing spots, places to scuba dive, grassy picnic lawns, upscale seafood restaurants and open air markets. Victoria Road is the main street along the beach, and it has tons of pubs, restaurants, hotels and shops. If you’re looking for other places to catch some rays in Cape Town, check out Clifton Beach, Boulder Beach and Mnandi Beach.
3. Barceloneta Beach, Barcelona, Spain
Barcelona not only offers its visitors world-renowned Spanish culture, cuisine and architecture, but it’s also a great spot to sit and relax along the Mediterranean Sea. Barceloneta is a two-mile stretch of beach located right in the city in one of Barcelona’s oldest neighborhoods. Chiringuitos (beach bars) line the length of the beach along with hotels, casinos, shops and restaurants. And after dark, Barceloneta has an exciting nightlife scene. After you’ve seen Barceloneta, other beaches to visit include Icária Beach and Stiges Beaches.
4. Waikiki Beach, Honolulu, Hawaii, United States
Located in the heart of Hawaii’s capital city, Waikiki is a year-round spot for the traveler seeking sun and sand. The quintessential turquoise waters of Waikiki Beach have been a popular spot for relaxation as far back as the early 1900s when Hawaiian royalty would visit in search of great surfing. And if sunbathing isn’t for you, the options for beach activities are abundant, including surfing, snorkeling and scuba diving. There are great places for a stroll, including the Waikiki Beach Walk and the Waikiki Historic Trail as well as a number of other popular sites, including Pearl Harbor and Nuuanu Pali Lookout.
5. Costa de Caparica, Lisbon, Portugal
Just south of Lisbon lies the Costa de Caparica where sand seems to stretch for endless miles. Despite being a popular spot for visitors looking to soak up some Vitamin D, Costa de Caparica is never overly crowded. There’s a bus from Lisbon that stops five minutes from the beach, and there’s also a local bus that takes visitors from beach to beach along the coast. Once you’re there, be sure to check out the beach bars and live music. If you’re visiting Lisbon and want to check out other beaches, visit Guincho and Carcavados…
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