There’s nothing quite like an amazing town right out on the water, but of course some are always going to be better than others. Here are some of the most amazing coastal towns out there and why they are worth seeing.

St Ives

St Ives in Cornwall England used to be a quite fishing village but not is a popular spot for people to go on vacation. The town has an active art scene, lively culture, plenty of restaurants, pubs, and cafes to choose from, and of course a beautiful beach.

Cudillero

Cudillero on the northern coast of Spain is rumored to have been established by the Vikings. It has been a fishing village for most of its history and today still makes most of its money that way just after what it makes from tourism. The historic town is interesting to explore, and the beaches are great.

Whitby

Whitby England is a long time fishing village but also a classic resort town with some rich history to discover. The town is known for its amazing fresh fish, and a great way to eat it is to head over to one of the fish and chip shops. You might have to line up to get your fix, but the wait is well worth it.

Budva

Budva Montenegro is located on the Adriatic island off the main shore and is a popular resort spot. In the 1970’s it was an incredibly popular spot with the Hollywood elite, and with it’s soft sand, clear water, and interesting town history it’s easy to see why.

Salerno

Salerno Campania Italy is the place to go when you’re looking for something a little more authentic than the Amalfi area. The ancient city is located on the Tyrrhenian Sea and retains both Medieval buildings as well as more modern ones. Many of the Italian restaurants use ancient recipes so you can literally get a taste for the town and its history.

Polignano a Mare

Polignano a Mare in Apulia Italy is one of the more authentic places that you can stay by the sea in Italy. Many of the historic buildings in town have been converted to hotels or inns so there are a lot of authentic places to stay in. The food there is like no other, with plenty of fresh fish and local olive oil to go with.

Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik Croatia is one of the most popular spots for tourists in all of the Mediterranean, and the town is protected by UNESCO because of its historic prominence. There are a lot of really great resorts there, water activities to do like sailing, and some really fun festivals to attend during the summer.

Amalfi

Amalfi Campania Italy is the largest resort on the Amalfi coast. It’s history dates back to the 6th century, and its closeness to big cities like Naples, Pompeii, Herculaneum, and Positano make it a popular day trip spot for beach goers.