The world's most popular coastal cities

1. Auckland, New Zealand

Nestled between two harbors and atop a volcano, Auckland has thousands of sandy beaches, perfect for everything from surfing to sunbathing. The Auckland Art Gallery has 15,000 works and is nearby, where the Lord of the Rings movies were filmed.

2. Barcelona, ​​Spain

Barcelona is the largest city on the Mediterranean Sea. The capital of Catalonia attracts 9 million tourists a year to see Gaudí architecture and the Camp Nou stadium. It also has some of the best food in the world, like tapas.

3. Vancouver, British Columbia

Come to Vancouver and you will understand why so many people love this city. The city has the vast Stanley Park, the world-famous Museum of Anthropology, and the goal of becoming the greenest city in the world by 2020, with 93% of its electricity coming from sustainable energy, making Vancouver more special than anywhere else.

4. Copenhagen, Denmark

Built on two islands in the Baltic Sea, the Danish capital is interconnected by bridges, walkways and parks. Copenhagen is home to the world's oldest monarchy and the world's second-oldest amusement park.

5. Singapore

Comprising 63 islands, the city is 38% foreign-born, making it culturally diverse. It has a high cost of living, but also has UNESCO heritage sites, the largest art collection in Southeast Asia and the world's largest infinity pool at the Marina Bay Sands hotel.

6. Chicago, Illinois

Chicago is the third largest city in the United States and the birthplace of jazz and blues. Situated on the lower edge of Lake Michigan, the city boasts a vibrant sports scene, some of the world’s best restaurants, luxury hotels and a renowned Art Institute – attracting up to 1.5 million visitors a year.

7. Sydney, Australia

Sydney has 70 beaches, rock pools, the Royal National Park, the Australian Museum so it's no surprise it appears on the list of the world's most popular coastal cities.

8. New York, USA

Nestled on the Hudson River and the Atlantic Ocean, this is undoubtedly the world's most famous seaside city. Other accolades include the most visited Metropolitan Museum of Art in the world, and the most visited Central Park in the United States. A trip to New York will please anyone.

9. Dublin, Ireland

Dublin's location on the Irish Sea has helped make it a cultural capital, and the setting for Ulysses and Dubliners. It also boasts more green space per kilometre than any other European capital, and the Guinness Brewery is a tourist attraction.

10. Helsinki, Finland

The capital of Finland, Helsinki, is located on the Gulf of Finland and is the northernmost metropolis in the European Union. The Helsinki Archipelago consists of around 330 islands, offering a respite from the hustle and bustle of busy city life.

11. Lisbon, Portugal

Portugal's largest city sits on the banks of the Tagus River and accounts for nearly 30% of the country's population. Lisbon is famous for its seafood, coffee culture, Europe's largest oceanarium, and beautiful coastal parks.

12. Dubai, United Arab Emirates

The only city in the world with 7-star hotels, overwater and underwater villas, and the tallest buildings in the world. Is there anything Dubai can't do?

13. Perth, Australia

Often overlooked by Sydney and Melbourne, Perth, the capital of Western Australia, is close to the wild Indian Ocean. The city has beautiful beaches, seven national parks with wildlife sanctuaries and botanical gardens. Perth also attracts visitors with its quality music festivals.

14. Istanbul, Türkiye

The largest city in Europe, Istanbul is located on the continental divide, built on both sides of the Bosphorus Strait. Here you will visit the Blue Mosque, bustling markets and famous Turkish baths.

15. Venice, Italy