Beautiful Beaches: Experience Culture and Views

Some people enjoy spending a week lounging on the sand, reading a book, or sipping a cocktail. Others experience a rapid onset of boredom. Finding a beach that fits different travel preferences can be challenging, but there are places in the world where visitors can enjoy the ocean while also learning about the local culture.

These sun-drenched locations, which range from Israel to Spain, offer picture-perfect beaches as well as a healthy dose of regional arts and culture.

Positano, Italy

Positano, a village perched on a cliff, brings up images of multiple rows of orange and blue-striped beach umbrellas next to the Mediterranean. The Church of Santa Maria Assunta, whose historic majolica tiled dome is visible in the scene's foreground, is one of many places to explore. While this idyllic image is not wholly untrue, there is still much to discover.

From Nocelle in the east to Bomerano in the west, hike the five-mile Path of the Gods, a former mule path that passes through Amalfi hillside villages and gives great views. Day trips to Sorrento and Capri, which both have train access to Pompeii, are essential.

Coronado, California

Coronado Island, which is only a short bridge away from San Diego, has five glistening beaches (the sand is known to literally sparkle due to the presence of mica deposits in the region). Presidents like FDR and William Taft, as well as Hollywood legends like Katherine Hepburn and  Cary Grant, as well as Marilyn Monroe when Some Like It Hot was filmed there, have all stayed at the venerable Victorian-style Hotel del Coronado. The historic hotel has a museum that displays artifacts and memorabilia in the former ice house.

By day, surfing, kayaking, and sandcastle-building are popular activities. By night, wander the mile-long Orange Avenue cafés, bookstores, and art galleries. Allow time to attend a live theater performance at Lamb's Players or the Coronado Playhouse.

Barcelona, Spain

Laid-back Barcelona is ideally situated on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea in Catalonia, which is part of northeastern Spain. Go to Bogatell Beach in the Poblenou neighborhood, which is family-friendly and lined with bars, or the well-known Barceloneta Beach, which has an esplanade running along it. Or perhaps give up the sand and take a catamaran cruise around the harbor.

Visit the fantastical modernist wonders of Antonio Gaudi, such as the Parc Güell, Casa Batlló, and Sagrada Familia, as well as the Picasso Museum, which is home to over 4,200 of his works in a collection of Gothic buildings in the Ribera neighborhood. Soak up some culture alongside your daily dose of sunshine.

Highlights of the collection include Picasso's cubist interpretation of Diego Velaquez's original Las Meninas series. 

Tel Aviv, Israel

The cosmopolitan and vivacious Tel Aviv knows how to relax by the Mediterranean Sea's turquoise waters with its more than a dozen remarkable beaches. Jerusalem, Hilton, Bograsha, and Mezizim Beach are some of the most well-liked locations in the area.

Visits to Tel Aviv would be incomplete if they did not include the Tel Aviv Museum of Art, the trendy Neve Tzedek neighborhood, or the beautiful streets of Jaffa, the city's historic port. Only a one-hour drive separates you from Jerusalem and all of its revered landmarks, including the Wailing Wall, the Temple Mount, and the Tower of David citadel.

Goa, India

This section of India's western coast and the resort areas in North Goa is very popular with tourists from other countries and the country's expanding middle class. (South Goa's beaches typically are more sedate and remote.)

With the blending of Portuguese and Indian customs, there is a rich culture to experience and relaxed days on sandy regions like Palolem beach. Visit the Basilica of Bom Jesus, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception churches. You can also stroll through the vibrant Latin Quarter or stop by Moda Goa, a historical and costume museum housed in a 450-year-old Goan villa and the brainchild of the late indigenous fashion designer, Wendell Rodricks.

Conclusion

Beaches are typically known solely for being destinations for fun and relaxation. However, what if you could add a bit of culture into the mix? That's exactly what you get with our list above. There's often a lot more to some beaches than meets the eye.