10 Quiet Beach Towns Travelers Are Choosing Over Crowded Hotspots This Summer

While there’s plenty to be said about popular beach destinations like South Beach in Miami or Venice Beach in Los Angeles, skipping those big-name spots in favor of a small coastal town can feel like a hidden discovery. Think uncrowded beaches, locally owned boutiques and eateries, and accommodations that are often more affordable, as well as being easier to secure. Your day might start with a peaceful stroll along the shore and end with sunset cocktails where locals often outnumber the tourists. 

As an increasing number of travelers are searching for more under-the-radar coastal escapes, these up-and-coming beach towns are quickly gaining attention. Of course, that means there is no better time than now to book, before the secret gets out and everyone else finds them too.

Sleepy Ithaca has managed to escape the spotlight for many years, often overlooked, with most heading to neighboring Kefalonia. But that’s about to change with the lush, hilly island used as a filming site for this summer’s The Odyssey, an adaptation of Homer’s ancient Greek epic. Long known as the mythical island of Odysseus, Ithaca is surrounded by water in shades of deep emerald and turquoise. Its coast is indented with secluded coves holding idyllic beaches like Frikes, steps from the fishing village of Frikes.

Frikes makes a lovely, tranquil base with lots of charm and easy access to beaches along the north coast, including Frikes, just a few minutes’ walk away, while Kourvoulia, offering pebbly shores and crystal-clear water, is only a bit further. It’s also home to cozy, family-run tavernas serving fresh seafood.

While many visitors to Greece fly into Athens before heading to one of the country’s many islands, there are some fantastic beach towns on the mainland, including Nafplio. Located on the Peloponnese Peninsula, it’s long been a popular spot for weekend getaways among Athenians. More recently, it’s had more interest from foreign visitors seeking coastal beauty, history, and culture away from the massive tourist crowds. Just a two-hour drive from the capital, Nafplio has a picturesque, pedestrian-friendly Old Town with bougainvillea-lined streets and magnificent architecture influenced by the Venetians, Ottomans, and Byzantines. It’s also an ideal base for exploring ancient sites like Mycenae.

There are many enticing beaches nearby, including Karathona, renowned for its powdery white sands and turquoise water, while Arvanitia, Kiafas, and Kondili provide a more tranquil atmosphere for relaxation. No matter where you go, you’ll have opportunities for sunbathing, swimming, and various water sports.

Known as the “island of wellness and vitality,” Losinj has long been popular with Croatians, yet most tourists coming from outside the country miss it. Located in the Kvarner Gulf between the Istrian Peninsula and the northern mainland, the island’s purifying sea air, medicinal herbs, and aromatic pine, lemon, and eucalyptus trees make it an idyllic wellness retreat. Thanks to the new summer flights offered by airlines like Ryanair and EasyJet to Pula, where a ferry departs to Mali Losinj, many visitors will soon be discovering it.

Mali Lošinj is the perfect beach town for your escape, with an excellent mix of easily accessible beaches, like Veli Žal and Čikat Bay, the premier spot for beach lovers with water sports and luxury hotels. The sandy beach is surrounded by pine forest for shade, plus activities like swimming, snorkeling, diving, windsurfing, and sailing can all be enjoyed. 

The seaside resort of Soulac-sur-Mer sits at the northern tip of the Médoc peninsula in southwestern France, offering four miles of soft, pale golden sands across three main beaches: Plage Centrale, Plage des Olives, and Plage de l’Amélie. All are backed by dunes and pine forests, while fronted by water popular for windsurfing, kitesurfing, and enjoying refreshing dips, all staffed by lifeguards during the summer months. 

The town itself has old-world charm with Neoclassical architecture and several historic monuments. That includes the 13th-century Gothic-style Basilica of Notre-Dame de la Fin des Terres and the 18th-century Fort de l’Eguillette, known for its stunning views of the surrounding area. There are also art galleries featuring works by local artists and a wide range of shops and markets selling everything from locally made crafts and clothing to souvenirs. 

While popular with Italians, Elba Island is much less visited by international travelers than other islands along the country’s coast. The largest in the Tuscan archipelago, it’s best known for its “white beaches” on the northern coast. Made up of dramatic white cliffs, white pebbles, and remarkably clear, turquoise waters ideal for snorkeling, this is where you’ll find Portoferraio. It’s home to the island’s most unspoiled stretches with Spiaggia di Sansone, Padulella, and Capo Bianco all easily accessible from the town center.

Beyond the shore, visitors can explore Napoleon’s former winter home, Villa dei Mulini, his former summer residence, Villa San Martino, and two historic fortresses, Forte Stella and Forte Falcone. There’s also a pretty harbor with shops, bars, and restaurants. 

A surf and sand paradise backed by lush jungle teeming with tropical birds, monkeys, and sloths,  Nosara is the place to live out the quintessential barefoot beach life, even if only for a temporary retreat. Located along the northern Pacific coast of the Nicoya Peninsula in Guanacaste, the “green season,” May through August, is a great time to enjoy fewer crowds, lower prices, and outstanding surfing conditions in the afternoon. The top surf spot is Playa Guione. It’s a sparsely developed stretch surrounded by nature, while offering consistent waves for everyone from beginners to experts. At the end of the day, it’s all about sipping passionfruit margaritas and enjoying fresh ceviche. 

A beach vacation in Canada? You might be surprised to learn that coastal getaways in Nova Scotia have been in high demand. Lawrencetown, along the eastern shore, is a premier surfing destination all year-round. It’s ideal for those seeking scenery, nature, and surf, with Lawrencetown Beach offering consistent, high-quality waves. Just a short drive east of Halifax, it even has a surf school. There are supervised swimming areas available in July and August, but proceed with caution due to strong riptides and currents.

The white sand stretches for a mile, ideal for strolling, beachcombing, and watching the surfers from the dunes. Or, hit the Salt Marsh Trail that runs along the ocean, offering views of the coastline and birdwatching opportunities. 

Located at the southernmost tip of Vancouver Island, about 25 miles from Victoria, Sook is a seaside enclave home to picturesque beaches and opportunities to watch all sorts of wildlife. Take a stroll on the wharf, watch the fishing boats come in, and buy just-caught fish and seafood from the fishermen. In French Beach Provincial Park, you’ll find trails winding through the forest that lead to deep rock pools for refreshing dips. The beach along the Strait of Juan de Fuca is ideal for swimming, picnics, and sightings of seals, sea lions, otters, orcas, and gray whales. 

A peaceful, walkable town that comes alive in the summer, Avila Beach is charming, walkable, and offers a half-mile stretch of sandy beach. It’s popular for swimming, surfing, picnicking, sunset-watching, and gathering around a fire beneath a star-filled sky. In town, there are lots of fun boutiques, galleries, and surf shops to browse, selling everything from coastal treasures and beachwear to unique souvenirs. You’ll find many restaurants serving local fare, including fresh seafood that can be complemented by regional wines. 

Insider tip: Avila Valley Barn is a family-owned farm nearby with a market that sells fresh produce and baked goods. You might want to stop by to pick up picnic ingredients before spending a day at the beach.

With an increasing number of travelers seeking a more relaxed vibe than typical beach resort towns, the barrier island town of Nags Head in the Outer Banks is gaining popularity. It offers nostalgic charm, a family-friendly atmosphere, and extensive public beach access, with over 40 access points to 12 miles of powdery sands providing plenty of room for all. Just a few of the activity options include horseback riding along the surf, casting a line from shore, kite-flying, parasailing, and hang gliding across the dunes. Lifeguards are on duty from about mid-June through mid-August. 

On the sound side, families with kids can take advantage of the calm water, ideal for little ones to splash around in. Attractions like miniature golf and go-karts are popular too.                                                             

One of the top destinations for families seeking a beach getaway, Rehoboth Beach is home to many enticing beaches and one of the best boardwalks in the country. The mile-long boardwalk provides access to the sand, while lined with an amusement park, shops, eateries, and benches for relaxing and people-watching. Plus, during the summer, there are frequent free concerts at the bandstand. For a more tranquil atmosphere with fewer crowds, head to nearby Deauville Beach or Cape Henlopen State Park, which offers nature trails and beaches between the bay and the Atlantic. 

The coastal village of Watch Hill has been surging in popularity as a “hidden gem” alternative to much busier spots like Cape Cod or Martha’s Vineyard. It’s often described as a lower-key version of nearby Newport, with similar grand Victorian mansions and cottages, providing a touch of Gilded Age glamour. It’s an enticing mix of historic character and unspoiled beaches without the big crowds, ideal for peaceful strolls and sunbathing. 

The most family-friendly stretch is Watch Hill, also known as Carousel Beach. It sits just to the right of the historic carousel, the nation’s oldest still in operation, dating to 1876. There are lockers for safe storage of valuables along with umbrella and beach chair rentals. Napatree Beach is a continuation of Watch Hill Beach, extending two miles west into Fisher’s Island Sound. Families with children might want to head to the calmer waters at Watch Hill Cove on the west side by walking to the end of Fort Street, staying to the right after the Napatree entrance.