10 beautiful coastal cities

With stunning locations and popular tourist attractions, the names below are worthy of being the most beautiful coastal cities in the world.

1. Auckland, New Zealand

Nestled between two harbours and atop a volcano, Auckland, nicknamed the “City of Sails,” has thousands of sandy beaches perfect for everything from surfing to sunbathing. The Auckland Art Gallery also houses over 15,000 artefacts, and you can also visit the sites that were used as filming locations for the famous “Lord of the Rings” films.

2. Barcelona, ​​Spain

Barcelona is the largest city on the Mediterranean Sea. The capital of Catalonia, Spain, attracts around 9 million tourists each year who come to admire Gaudí architecture and the historic Camp Nou football stadium. The city also has some of the best food in the world, notably tapas.

3. Vancouver, British Columbia

If you visit Vancouver, you’ll understand why so many people love Canada’s western city. Stanley Park covers over 400 hectares of river and forest; the University of British Columbia Museum of Anthropology houses one of the best collections of indigenous art in the world. Vancouver is also one of Canada’s most ethnically diverse cities, aims to be the greenest city in the world by 2020, and already gets 93% of its electricity from sustainable methods.

4. Copenhagen, Denmark

Built on two islands in the Baltic Sea, Denmark's capital is filled with bridges, waterfront promenades, and parks. Copenhagen is home to the world's oldest monarchy, the world's second-oldest amusement park in Tivoli Gardens, and craft beer halls that are always packed with tourists and locals alike.

5. Singapore

Comprising 63 islands, the city-state near Malaysia and Indonesia is incredibly diverse, with 38% of its population made up of foreigners. The cost of living is high, but Singapore also boasts UNESCO World Heritage sites, the world's largest collection of Southeast Asian art, and the world's largest infinity pool, located on the roof of the Marina Bay Sands hotel.

6. Chicago, Illinois

Chicago is the third largest city in the United States and is considered the birthplace of modern jazz and blues. Situated on the lower edge of Lake Michigan, the city has a vibrant sports scene, some of the world's best restaurants, unique hotels and the famous Academy of Art - which attracts around 1.5 million visitors a year.

7. Sydney, Australia

Sydney has around 70 beaches and Aboriginal rock pools, as well as a world-famous waterfront. The Royal National Park and the Australian Museum are also popular tourist attractions.

8. San Francisco, California

San Francisco offers stunning views of the nearby Pacific Ocean and the famous Golden Gate Bridge. There are also over 200 miles of bike paths, 1,000 acres of mountains and hiking trails, and one of the largest Chinatowns in the world. Sitting next to San Francisco Bay, you can spot whales migrating along the shore.

9. Tokyo, Japan

Surrounded by the Pacific Ocean, Tokyo is world-famous for its capsule hotels, a unique form of accommodation in the city, and its gold-covered ice cream bars. At Yokohama Stadium, technology even allows for the stadium's surface to be changed. And according to 2008 figures, 36% of Tokyo is national parkland.

10. New York City

Located on the banks of the Hudson River and the Atlantic Ocean, New York is arguably the most famous river city in the world. It is home to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, one of the most visited museums in the world, and Central Park, the most visited park in the United States.

According to Dantri