We Asked Travel Experts to Name the Most Underrated Beach Towns in the World – Here’s What They Said

Famous beach towns like Miami Beach, Antibes, Cabo San Lucas, and Copacabana have plenty to offer, but the fact that they are so well-known means that your visit is probably going to come with a high price tag and excessive crowds. If you prefer a quieter beach escape that brings the opportunity for relaxation and adventure, consider one of the world’s highly underrated beach towns instead.

These towns offer more of a local vibe and a relaxed pace of life, while surrounded by incredible beauty. Not to mention, they often provide a better value for your money. Some may enjoy being elbow-to-elbow with others, but I prefer a place for slowing down, enjoying the moment, and a more authentic atmosphere. If that’s you, any one of these underrated beach towns is sure to make for an idyllic escape. 

To help guide the way, we’ve gathered insights from travel experts and local specialists who know these places best.

You’ve probably heard all about famous towns along the French Riviera like Saint-Tropez, Nice, and Cannes, but so has everyone else. The good news is that there are more tranquil Côte d’Azur beach towns that have remained under the radar of most, including Beaulieu-sur-Mer. This lesser-known gem offers Belle Époque charms and idyllic beaches like La Petite Afrique, flanked by cliffs with pine trees for shade. You can toss down a towel on the quieter east end or relax on a sunbed at one of the two beach clubs. Beyond the sand, you can stroll the waterfront, hike coastal paths, and visit attractions like Villa Kérylos, a recreation of an ancient Greek residence with stunning sea views.

The laid-back beach town of Himarë on the Albanian Riviera offers a peaceful alternative to its more popular neighbors like Ksamil. Yet visitors can experience a unique culture with both Greek and Albanian spoken here, something that influences the local traditions, architecture, and food. Of course, Himarë also boasts an array of breathtaking beaches lapped by clear turquoise water, including Livadi, Filikuri, and Gjipe, a secluded stretch tucked into a canyon. You’ll find all the usual necessities for a beach getaway, from fresh seafood to opportunities for snorkeling, kayaking, and SUP, along with boat tours that will take you to “secret” pirate caves. 

Be sure to wander through the 4th-century walled old town and visit Himarë Castle for panoramic views of the coast, the Ionian Sea, and the surrounding mountains. 

“Himarë is far more of a typical, authentic Albanian coastal town,” says Oliver, CEO of True Summit Adventures, who has a home nearby. For a standout local experience, Oliver points to Porto Palermo: “It’s a historic castle in a beautiful natural harbor, and in late summer it hosts a contemporary music festival that’s one of the best-kept secrets on the Riviera.”

Originally a Viking fishing village, Tenby is a picturesque beach town with an interesting history and beautiful stretches of sand. It’s surrounded by 13th-century walls, fortified after becoming a Norman stronghold about 100 years earlier, with colorful buildings along its streets that make it enjoyable to explore. “Tenby gives you everything people fly to the Amalfi Coast for, only with fish and chips and a pint at the end of it,” says Nicholas Barrett, Travel Editor at Wales.org. “You’ve got pastel Georgian houses curving above three sandy beaches, all inside medieval walls.”

Step through the Five Arches, the primary surviving medieval gate leading into the town center, to discover a wide range of shops, fashion boutiques, fish ‘n chips eateries, upscale restaurants, and ice cream parlors. The Tenby Museum and Art Gallery is worth a look, with exhibits that include archaeological artifacts. When you’re ready to hit the beach, Castle Beach is popular, just steps from town. The Blue Flag stretch (certified for its pristine condition) is overlooked by the ancient ruins of Tenby Castle and is ideal for swimming. 

Steve Hull, Founder of South Wales Guide, recommends venturing beyond the main beaches: “Walk down South Beach to Penally Sands — it’s unofficially Tenby’s fifth beach, often missed by visitors, and it feels much more remote with driftwood washed ashore and wide open space.”

At first thought, the Scottish Highlands might sound like an odd choice for a beach vacation. But if a mix of dramatic mountains, intriguing history, championship golf, dolphin sightings, and long stretches of beautiful sands sounds enticing, there may be no better spot than Nairn. This highly underrated seaside town, not far from Inverness, has award-winning sandy beaches for swimming, surfing, kayaking, and beachcombing.

It’s also a premier destination for dolphin watching as well as frequent sightings of other marine mammals like porpoises and seals. If you like to golf, the championship links at Nairn Golf Club is one of Scotland’s most spectacular courses, with sea views from every hole. 

Located on the southern tip of the Nicolya Peninsula, Montezuma is a remote beach town that’s all about embracing nature. It’s an artistic community with a bohemian vibe in a jungle-meets-ocean setting. Think impromptu street performances, colorful art installations, yoga retreats, and drum circles. The main beach is Playa Montezuma, where one can enjoy strolling and watching sea turtle releases, while just a short distance away, Playa Las Manchas is a white sandy beach with clear turquoise water bordered by volcanic rocks, making it ideal for snorkeling and swimming.  

Montezuma Waterfall is right downtown, while the forests are filled with wildlife, including sloths, howler monkeys, white-faced capuchins, coatis, iguanas, and more than 200 bird species, including scarlet macaws. Two reserves, Romelia Wildlife Refuge and Cabo Blanco, help preserve the area’s remarkable biodiversity.

The small town of Loreto on the Sea of Cortez offers sandy beaches and a lush backdrop of the Sierra de la Giganta Mountains. It’s the perfect place for an adventure on the water, with so much marine life, it’s been referred to as the “World’s Aquarium.” Many visitors come to watch for whales in the winter, most notably blue whales, the largest animal on the planet. But sperm whales, humpbacks, fin whales, Bryde’s whales, and occasionally orcas, can all be seen here too. You’ll also have a wide range of beaches to choose from, including Playa Oasis near the town center and the more remote Isla Coronado, accessible by boat, with empty stretches of white sand lapped by cobalt water. 

The town itself was founded in 1697 as the capital of the Californias before California became part of the United States. Check out its past, revealed in the many colorful colonial buildings and the Loreto Mission in the historic center, where you’ll also find an array of fun shops and mouthwatering eateries.

While Huatulco has become increasingly popular with U.S. tourists, thanks to the expansion of non-stop flights, it’s still an underrated paradise. Located along the Pacific Coast at the foothills of the Sierra Madre del Sur mountains, about 300 miles south of Acapulco, it’s known for its more than 35 beautiful beaches, set within nine bays. Unlike many beaches on the Pacific, as the shoreline faces south rather than west. That means the waves aren’t as powerful, providing the opportunity for safe snorkeling and swimming.

Huatulco is also a top spot for whale watching in the winter and viewing wildlife in the jungle, including over 115 bird species, wildcats, and white-nosed coatis. Plus, for a small town, you’ll find many outstanding eateries to fuel all your adventures, with everything from authentic mole to international eats. 

During a road trip along the west coast of New Zealand’s South Island, I stumbled upon Hokitika and found it to be one of the country’s most charming towns. It has a long, sandy coastline that extends for miles, perfect for strolling while watching for little blue penguins. Sightings are rare during the day as they mostly come ashore at night, often nesting in the patches of coastal scrub, making it worth spending some time here. 

During the day, snap a selfie at the famous driftwood “HOKITIKA” sign and beachcomb for treasures like pounamu (greenstone). It’s a highly valued, durable type of nephrite jade found only in this specific area. If you aren’t lucky enough to find it, many of the town’s shops sell pounamu jewelry and sculptures. Surfing and fishing are popular, but swimming is generally not recommended due to the powerful waves. Be sure to stick around until dusk to take advantage of one of the best vantage points for watching the sunset over the Tasman Sea. 

“Most tourists head straight for Franz Josef Glacier and miss out on a town with a true, genuine creative soul,” says Warwick Woodley, Founder of NZ Golden Visa. “The pounamu carvers here will happily discuss the cultural significance of the stone they’re shaping — something you simply won’t find in destinations like Queenstown.” Woodley also recommends Hokitika Gorge at dawn: “The glacier-fed water turns an almost unreal turquoise in early light, and if you’re lucky you’ll have the swing bridge to yourself.”

Esperance, located on the southern coast of Western Australia, is a gateway to Cape Le Grand National Park, home to stunning beaches like Lucky Bay. It boasts a nearly three-mile-long stretch of chalk-white sands where one can see kangaroos hopping about. Swimming, snorkeling, and kayaking are just a few of the activities that can be enjoyed in the brilliant cobalt water that laps it. There are many other beaches too, including West Beach, known for its surf breaks. You’ll find more on islands offshore in the Recherche Archipelago, along with wildlife like sea lions and fur seals, and a pink lake, located on Middle Island.

In town, learn more about the town’s past and other options for things to see and do at the historic Museum Village, which includes the Esperance Visitor Centre. Esperance is also renowned for its eateries serving local seafood and its artisan shopping, with many independent boutiques.

On Palawan Island, El Nido seems to steal the spotlight, which means it also attracts the big crowds. Port Barton is an outstanding alternative as one of the most underrated beach towns in the Philippines. Not only is it less crowded, but it’s more affordable, the snorkeling is better, the white sand beaches are breathtaking, and it has a more rustic fishing village feel with cafes, beachfront bars, and hammocks. From here, it’s also easy to visit Pamuayan Falls or take a boat trip to view sea turtles and snorkel some of the top sites. 

On the Central Coast of Oregon, Lincoln City offers seven miles of sandy beach. It’s ideal for a more budget-friendly escape with many options for low-cost lodging and free outdoor activities. In fact, you can even search for the more than 3,000 hand-blown glass floats that are hidden along the shore every year, thanks to the Finders Keepers promotion, making beachcombing a lot more fun. Kite-flying and long strolls are popular too. On a warm summer’s day, many head to Devils Lake for a swim, while nearby Siletz Bay Park provides calm waters popular for kayaking. 

You’ll find a surprisingly good food scene here as well, with everything from clam chowder, succulent Dungeness crab, salmon, and halibut to seafood omelets, pizzas, and burgers. Head to High Street with its classic Victorian buildings to shop, attend the theater, or relax in the harbor area. 

Having spent a lot of time in Fort Bragg while growing up, I’m surprised that it hasn’t become more popular. That doesn’t mean you won’t encounter any tourists, but it is far less busy than many California beach towns, and there’s a long list of things to do. Glass Beach is the most famous attraction, the site of an old dump. Colorful pieces of glass have been worn down over time by the waves, resulting in smooth pieces in hues of green, blue, pink, amber, and occasionally red, the most coveted color. MacKerricher State Park, just north, has a boardwalk leading to a number of sandy coves with tidepools to search through, along with frequent sightings of seals that like to lounge on the rocks just offshore. 

“Fort Bragg is worth considering as a less expensive alternative to Mendocino, or a stop on a longer road trip on Northern California’s Highway 1,” says Jessie Beck, Founder of Where’s Jessie B. “MacKerricher State Park is also a rare spot where you can camp very close to the beach — beach camping isn’t all that common in Northern California.” When it comes to eating, Beck is unequivocal: “The main thing not to miss is the crabs. Head to Noyo Harbor, and if you see Dungeness crab on the menu, order it.”

Set along the Atlantic coast between St. Augustine and Daytona Beach, Flagler offers a tranquil atmosphere with six miles of uncrowded shoreline. It’s a place to enjoy an old Florida-style coastal experience, from relaxing on the cinnamon colored sand to surfing, fishing, and kayaking. There are many lush parks in the area, along with galleries for browsing local art, fun shops, and rooftop restaurants that host live music that can be enjoyed while dining with an ocean view.