By Lana B.
There’s nothing like relaxing on a pristine beach and looking out at the sea. Unfortunately, when you’re in or near a large city, the “pristine” part of that equation is far from guaranteed. When major population centers don’t take a proactive stance on maintenance, dirty and polluted beaches are the result.
However, if you know where to look, you can find well-kept, clean, attractive beaches where your dream of a combined beach and city vacation can become a reality. Here are five of the best options.
Marseille, France
Marseille is a great jumping-off point for exploring the many beautiful beaches of the French Riviera, but even without leaving the city, you can visit Prado Beach, Catalan Beach, and Prophet’s Beach, all of which are well-maintained and attractive.
Water quality is also generally good. Despite the industry and shipping in the city, the local authorities are vigilant in this area, and the beaches are generally safe for swimmers—although as with any urban area, it’s best to keep an eye out for warnings, especially after heavy rain.
Nassau, Bahamas
Although it doesn’t have the absolute best beaches in the Bahamas—for those you have to venture out to the smaller islands—Nassau certainly offers plenty of choices when it comes to clean, attractive beaches. Take your pick of Cable Beach, Cabbage Beach, or the aptly-named Paradise Beach for the classic combination of beautiful white sands, blue ocean, and palm trees.
Honolulu, Hawaii
If you’re looking for a city in the USA with truly pristine beaches, your best bet is to skip California and grab a flight out to Hawaii. Honolulu, and the island of Oahu in general, has numerous beaches, which are very clean and close to all the amenities offered by a city.
The really good news is that the water is remarkably clean for an urbanized area, and at locations such as the world-famous Waikiki Beach it’s generally safe to swim. The State takes a proactive stance toward water cleanliness, which helps the situation.
Perth, Australia
Perth has the best beaches in Australia, which is no small boast, as the Land Down Under possesses an embarrassment of riches when it comes to sand and sea. In the capital of Western Australia, there are 19 beaches just in the city itself—all with excellent standards of cleanliness.
For the absolute best Perth has to offer, head to the pure white sands of Cottesloe Beach; whether you’re after swimming, snorkelling, surfing, or just want to sunbathe in beautiful surroundings, your expectations will be surpassed.
Barcelona, Spain
Barcelona is a brilliant option for a city and beach vacation—not only is Catalonia’s capital one of the most fascinating cities in Spain, but it also boasts nearly three miles (4.5km) of coastline, with some excellent and well-kept beaches, the most famous being Barceloneta.
When it comes to cleanliness, despite the challenge posed by the constant influx of tourists, the city does very well. Constant focus by the local government on removing litter and testing water quality makes Barcelona a world-beater in this area.
Want to discover more cities with great beaches or general advice and information about cities around the world? The CrowdsourcedExplorer.com community has put together information about over five thousand cities worldwide—all of it sourced from the local inhabitants.
This piece was prepared online by Panuruji Kenta, Publisher, SEVENSEAS Media