Travelling is the closest thing we get to dreaming in real life; the discovery of places new, unique and breath taking, a world apart from our own and a world away from the conventional day-to-day of bus-hopping, hot-desking and lunchtime meal deals. Magic as home can be, it can never beat that ineffable sensation of discovering something new.
If your favourite version of ‘new’ is a good, pensive view, then it’s likely that you’ll be looking for somewhere coastal to travel on your next excursion. What follow are some of the world´s most rewarding coastal destinations – all of which are best discovered at walking pace. Come along, and find out which coastal city deserves to receive your footfall.
Dubrovnik, Croatia
Dubrovnik is one of the more popular coastal cities to grace lists like this one, and not just for the fact that it’s graced our screens in fantastical TV shows a-many. The UNESCO-listed Old Town (the key location for such TV shows) is small enough that you can explore it on foot and with ease, within a day. Ancient stone streets, hidden alleyways and spectacular views await you – not to mention some stunning routes along the city walls.
Lisbon, Portugal
Portugal is a beautiful country often overlooked, despite its winning coastal cities and climate. And when it does make people’s holiday lists, it’s usually Porto that gets first look-in. This is your sign, though, to try Lisbon: a stunning coastal city awash with culturally colourful neighbourhoods and scenic viewpoints that can’t be beat. I hear the wine is pretty good, too.
Southampton, England
Now, Southampton might not be at the top of anyone’s bucket lists as a place to visit in and of itself. And understandably so. However, as the departure point for many cruises from Southampton, this unassuming harbour city is well worth exploring on its own terms before you think to set sail to somewhere more interesting (perhaps even on this very list). A key draw is Southampton’s maritime history, as displayed by the Sea City Museum.
Bergen, Norway
Bergen is Norway’s second-largest city after Oslo, and a picturesque harbour city with a cultural feel of all its own. If you want a leisurely coastal walk somewhere that feels homely and holiday at the same time. Bergen is absolutely the place to go – and its seafood is unmatched anywhere else in Northern Europe.
Valletta, Malta
Malta is already a hugely popular holiday destination for sun-and-sea getaways, so it should be no surprise that coastal capital Valletta makes this list – with its centuries of history and seaside charm to offer the on-foot holiday-goer.
Cádiz, Spain
Likewise, the Spanish coast is no great secret when it comes to coastal magnificence; that said, perhaps Cádiz is. This peninsular city offers atmospheric plazas, sandy beaches and traditional tapas bars all within walking distance of each other.
