If you’re a city dweller who loves the sea then these amazing destinations have the best of both worlds
Shopping & chilling in Barcelona, Spain
This legendary Catalonian paradise is in the perfect location, on the northeast coast of Spain – offering a bustling city with beautiful beaches and warm seas.
A Mecca for weekend visitors, the city is home to some amazing places for sightseeing, including the famous Gaudí architecture and Park Güell Barcelona. For families or couples there’s Zoo Barcelona or Aquarium Barcelona while footy fans will enjoy a tour of the spectacular Camp Nou, home to Barcelona FC. For shopping, the Passeig de Gràcia is the hottest spot in town, home to designer labels such as Stella McCartney, or try El Born in the Old Town, where independent shops, artisan cafés and restaurants have an authentic Spanish feel. With over 300 sunny days a year, the beaches are an escape from the bustle of the city, and a favourite is Barceloneta, with a beautiful promenade full of restaurants and bars, and lounger hire for a day of relaxation. If you’re after peace and quiet, then consider Nova Icaria beach – it’s popular with locals, but only at weekends.
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Stay at the Ilunion Barcelona for seven nights, breakfast included, from £879 including flights from London Stansted on 2 June, with Lastminute.com
Sand dunes & sea views in Abu Dhabi, UAE
Abu Dhabi offers something for every traveller, from stunning sand dunes to a vibrant city, all with guaranteed sunshine.
One of the main coastal stops is family favourite Saadiyat Beach, where you’ll find everything from yoga classes to water sports on offer along its stretch of beautiful white sands. Corniche Beach is home to turquoise waters and a boardwalk that’s immaculately kept. It’s also split into areas for couples, groups, families and a quiet zone.
Away from the beautiful shores there’s plenty to keep you busy, from the Louvre Abu Dhabi, an art lover’s dream of historical and cultural works of significance, to the stunning Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. With the desert on your doorstep, you can surf some of the world’s tallest dunes or enjoy a unique horse-riding experience with Sir Bani Yas Stables. Explore the local markets for a taste of the authentic or splash the cash with some designer shopping at Yas Mall.
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Stay at the 5T Intercontinental Abu Dhabi for seven nights all-inclusive from £1,351 per person when booked online. Price is based on two adults sharing with flights departing from London Heathrow on 18 July 2022. Book via Tui.co.uk
Coastal dreams in Sydney, Australia
The first stop on many trips to Australia is the city of Sydney. With its mix of cosmopolitan vibes, famous landmarks, a vibrant food and drink scene and the fact it’s surrounded by some of the world’s most beautiful beaches – you can see why.
Home to over 100 coastal and harbour beaches, including Bondi Beach, known for its quality surfing, and the calming Palm Beach, which is the setting for Home & Away, there is something for everyone. Lesser-known beaches include Camp Cove, with its beautiful harbour, and Milk Beach, which has some amazing views of Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Heading into the city, you can enjoy exploring the famous Opera House or take a boat tour of Sydney Harbour, before whale watching in the Pacific Ocean. Enjoy cocktails at Bar 83, which is 83 floors above ground level at the top of the iconic Sydney Tower, or Coogee Pavilion is one of the best coastal rooftop bars in the area. The Rocks is the perfect shopping destination, with quirky boutiques tucked down narrow alleyways, or try Westfields Sydney, home to 250 high-street stores.
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A 13-day Sydney, Melbourne, and Port Douglas trip costs from £2,259pp in Nov 2022. Price includes return flights from London Heathrow with Singapore Airlines, internal Australia flights and six-day car hire from Cairns. Book by 30 June by calling Travelbag on 0208 023 8515 or visiting Travelbag.co.uk
Surf & turf in San Diego, California
California’s most southern city San Diego offers the best of both worlds – numerous neighbourhoods to explore on land and 31 beautiful beaches, each with something unique to offer. The Gaslamp Quarter neighbourhood is where you will find some of the city’s amazing bars, including stylish speakeasies (secret cocktail bars) such as Realm of the 52 Remedies, which has an Asian twist. Little Italy is home to incredible restaurants and a weekly farmers’ market and North Park is great for exploring vintage fashion and bookshops.
Set against the busy city there are wide sandy beaches and secluded coves to discover at La Jolla Shores. Nearby, you’ll find The Children’s Pool, which is home to some of San Diego’s adorable seals and their cubs. Watch from the deck above or head to Ocean Beach to try your hand at surfing on the world-class Pacific Ocean waves.
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Stay at the Hyatt Regency Mission Bay Spa and Marina, from £216 per night including breakfast, via Haytt.com; British Airways fly direct from London Heathrow to San Diego from £457. Visit Ba.com
Words: Zoe Bishop.