Urban Beach Vacations

A few weeks ago, we introduced some urban get-away spots that have it all: beautiful, relaxing beaches alongside edgy shopping and a virbant nightlife. Here's five more cityscape-lined beaches to explore:

New York, USA: Despite being one of the biggest, most densely populated cities on earth, New York has several beaches where New Yorkers can escape from city life and get their sand fix. Coney Island in Brooklyn is a favorite getaway, with Brighton Beach and Manhattan Beach popular places to soak up some rays.

Berlin, Germany: Despite being a landlocked city miles from the coast, Berlin boasts several urban beaches. Strandbar Mitte, one of the less touristy, is located right on the river Spree and is where Berliners come to relax on stripy deckchairs, enjoy mojitos on sand shipped in to create an artificial beach right on the river bank and watch the boats float by.

Tel Aviv, Israel: The Israeli capital boasts several beaches within its limits; Gordon-Frishman beach is about as central as you can get in Tel Aviv, and the Gordon salt water pool attracts many people who come for an early morning workout. The beach is wide and sandy and is one of the hippest places to be in Tel Aviv, with beach bars, DJs, volleyball courts and Tel Aviv’s trendy crowd coming to enjoy the Mediterranean shore. A great place to catch a tan and people watch.

Sydney, Australia: Surely one of the most famous city beaches, Sydney’s Bondi is a well known surf spot and modern coastal resort. Dozens of cafes, bars and restaurants look out over the beach, which is backed by attractive parkland and is popular with rollerbladers, skaters and cyclists. Quickly reached from downtown Sydney using local buses, Bondi is Australia’s most iconic beach.

Los Angeles, USA: The beaches of Los Angles are famed around the world thanks to the Baywatch adventures of bikini clad Pamela Anderson. There are 20 plus beaches to choose from; Manhattan beach (not to be confused with the beach in New York by the same name) has great views of Santa Monica bay and is a favourite with walkers; pocket size El Matador beach is a quieter, romantic spot ideal for couples, and Redondo is the perfect family beach with a long paved path for the kids to bike, skate and run free.

For more vacation ideas visit RTM's Destination Reviews Section.