13 Coastal Villages You’ll Fall in Love With (+Photos)

There’s just something about small coastal villages that big cities can’t quite match. Life slows down, the air smells like salt, and you actually notice the smiles from strangers. The local charm sneaks up on you.

If you’re after a peaceful escape, a coastal village might be the perfect place to recharge. Maybe you’re into fresh seafood, ocean sunsets, or just wandering old streets—these little towns have a way of making you feel at ease.

13. Cudillero, Spain

Once a small fishing village on the northern coast of Spain, Cudillero is now a popular spot for tourists who want access to the beach and great seafood without the crowds. Overlooking the Bay of Biscay, you’ll be able to see beautiful buildings like the palace ground of the Fundacion Selgas-Fagalde and the historic church called Iglesia El Pito.

Scenery is unparalleled in Cudillero, and some of the town’s most picturesque spots include the overlook of Cabo Vidio and the blue waters at the beach called Playa del Silencio.

12. Hvar Town, Croatia

Hvar is an island on the Adriatic Sea just off the coast of Croatia and the biggest town on the island is Hvar Town. You’ll find no cars on the marble streets of this fortified city, but you will find up to 20,000 visitors per day during the high season. Gothic palaces are penned in by formidable 13th-century walls and just outside those walls sit beautiful clear water beaches.. A short boat ride takes you to the nude beaches of the Pakleni Islands. This town has a wild side. Known for partying at all hours of the day, Hvar Town has a reputation for craziness and a younger crowd.

11. Ketchikan, Alaska

Ketchikan is famous for its Tlingit totem poles. In fact, it’s renowned for boasting the most totem poles in the world. You can catch a glimpse of these at Potlatch Park, Saxman Totem Park, or Totem Bight State Park; most are re-carvings of older totem poles, however. For the real deal, head to the Totem Heritage Center, which displays a collection of 19th-century totem poles salvaged from abandoned villages in the area.

The picturesque Newton district of Ketchikan features pretty buildings spreading uphill from the glassy water, including the historic 1930 First Lutheran Church. But for even more charm, you can stroll the boardwalk along the Creek Street Historic District.

10. Nazare, Portugal

Ask the locals and they’ll tell you — Nazare has the best beaches in Portugal. The long, sandy beaches make for a great seaside escape and the active Atlantic calls to the big wave surfers. Take a seat on the cliff side on Saturdays to see Portugal’s largest net fishing boats bring in massive hauls.

The local women will walk through the spectating crowd selling artisanal goods. And while you tour the clean, white houses of town looking for your next seafood treat, just look out into the ocean and imagine a 24-meter (78-foot) wave. In 2013, Garrett Macnamara road such a wave at Nazare to break a world record. The large waves are caused by an underwater canyon just off the coast.

9. Yelapa, Mexico

If it weren’t for lush green trees and sandy beaches separating them, you’d be hard pressed to tell the blue bay waters from the blue sky. Yelapa is located on the Bahia de Banderas, one of the world’s largest bays. If you think sunbathing on pretty sandy beaches is for couch potatoes, try your hand at deep sea fishing. Better yet, you can go snorkeling or paragliding. Or perhaps a horseback ride to the simple Yelapa Fall where you can wade in the pool will be more to your liking.

This small Mexican village has a road that connects the fishing community to Puerto Vallarta, but the town is most accessible by water taxi. Plenty of tours run to Yelapa, but the town empties in the afternoon after all the water taxis leave.

8. Paternoster, South Africa

One of the oldest fishing villages in South Africa, the Western Cape town of Paternoster is known for its lobsters, white-washed fisherman’s cottages, and for its dramatic beach – considered one of the most beautiful on the country’s West Coast.

With the sea at their disposal, visitors here can snorkel, kayak, scuba dive and kitesurf, among other activities. At nearby Cape Columbine is South Africa’s last manually controlled lighthouse, which is a rare sight anywhere in the world.

7. Kennebunkport, Maine

Situated in York County, the town of Kennebunkport is a popular summer destination, and tops our list of the most charming small towns in Maine. First making its fortunes on shipbuilding, this industry soon gave way to tourism once northeastern urbanites discovered just how beautiful this slice of coastline truly was. Boating trips and fishing are popular here – as are its beaches.

The Dock Square area features many souvenir shops, galleries, and seafood restaurants – all set in charming buildings that feel authentic in their New England style. Included as part of Kennebunkport is the tiny village of Cape Porpoise. Easily reached from town, this settlement, with its sparse housing and lonely lighthouse, feels remote and peaceful.

6. Henningsvaer, Norway

A charming fishing town, Henningsvær is a splendid cluster of islands located in the Lofoten archipelago. The coastline is dotted with lively-colored traditional Norwegian homes which appear to be emerging from the sea.

Several visitors come to this little town to enjoy activities such as diving, and mountain climbing. Henningsvær is known for its picture-perfect vistas and amazing art galleries that are spread out around the town while Vågakallen mountain stands high in the background. Must visit places in the town include the Galleri Lofotens Hus (a museum and a gallery), Engelskmannsbrygga, and the Kaviar Factory.

5. Beaufort, South Carolina

Set on Port Royal Island, Beaufort is known not just for its beautiful coastal scenery, but also for its well preserved early-to-mid 19th and late 18th century buildings. Accordingly, a full 304 acres of Beaufort has been designated as a National Historic Landmark. Included in this area is Beaufort’s downtown, which features the ever-charming Old Point area, its heritage houses boasting upper and lower balconies drenched with greenery.

The Penn Center – a former school for freed slaves – now charts the history and culture of African-Americans. For nature, stroll along the scenic Spanish Moss Trail – a former railroad – or just enjoy the atmosphere at the manicured Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park.

4. Airlie Beach, Australia

A quintessential beach resort town on Whitsunday Coast in Queensland, Australia, Airlie Beach is the gateway to the Whitsunday Islands and the extremely distinguished Great Barrier Reef. High on nightlife with several clubs and backpacker bars dotting the little town, Airlie Beach offers the perfect opportunity for plenty of water activities such as day cruises, sailing trips, snorkeling, scuba diving, jet skiing and much more.

You could also enjoy air tours over the town and its nearby islands. For swimmers, it is best to head to the man-made lagoon as the beach on Airlie is inhabited by a great population of jellyfish.

3. Mendocino, California

If you’re searching for a peaceful and gorgeous getaway, you’ll want to consider visiting Mendocino, which is located about three and half hours north of San Francisco. Mendocino is located on a bluff, overlooking the Pacific Ocean in an area famous for its stunning, rugged coastlines.

It is an artist colony, where you can check out the galleries and shops for works by local artists. Mendocino has also earned a reputation for being the perfect destination for romantic getaways and outdoorsy activities, such as biking or hiking.

2. Etretat, France

Étretat is a small village on the Normandy coast in northwest France. This resort town on the English Channel is known for its spectacular white chalk cliffs and three natural arches that have inspired such artists as Courbet and Monet. Guy de Maupassant wrote short stories here. It’s famous, too, as being the last place The White Bird was seen in 1927; the plane was carrying two aviators trying to fly nonstop between Paris and New York.

1. Positano, Italy

Be prepared for stunning scenic beauty when you visit Positano, a small village in the hills above the Amalfi Coast. Positano transformed itself from a poor fishing village to a tourist hotspot after John Steinbeck wrote about it in Harper’s Bazaar in 1953.

A key sight is the church of Santa Maria Asunta, home to a black Madonna and a spectacular dome made of majolica tiles. Positano has been featured in several films, and hosts an international cartoon festival.