Top 10 most beautiful seaside destinations

  • Travel guide
Written on25.11.25
meilleures destinations balnéaire

In need of escape, sun and warm sand?

There's nothing like a seaside holiday to recharge your batteries, discover new horizons and savor the sweet smell of vacation.

At ATC Routes du Monde, we have selected for you the most beautiful seaside destinations where relaxation, idyllic landscapes and cultural discoveries come together perfectly. Get your suitcases ready... Set a course for escape!

Here's our selection of the 10 most beautiful destinations for a must-explore seaside break.

For nature lovers

1) Portugal

Golden beaches and crystal-clear waters

Portugal, from north to south, is a complete seaside destination. It invites you to discover its diverse coastal regions for lazy moments under a sunny climate. Whether on the iconic beaches of the Algarve, the wild expanses of the Alentejo, or the family-friendly resorts near Lisbon and Porto, you'll always find charming spots, authentic fishing ports and spectacular landscapes. Towns like Cascais or Nazaré are must-see stops for a holiday combining sea and culture.

Our seaside holiday in the Algarve

séjour balnéaire portugal
destination balnéaire grèce
Archipelago, beaches and history

2) Greece

Mediterranean postcard

Heaven of the Aegean Sea, the Cyclades archipelago is a paradise for photographers and travelers in search of charm. Its islands, from the famous Santorini with its white houses clinging to the caldera to the festive Mykonos, offer an incomparable diversity. Landscapes alternate between sandy beaches, secluded coves and thousand-year-old archaeological sites. Crystal-clear waters beckon bathing and water sports. Outside the famous capitals, islands like Naxos or Paros bring a touch of tranquility and authenticity, ideal for extending the trip.

Diving enthusiasts, exotic discoveries

3) Guadeloupe

A palette of colors and flavors

From Grande-Terre to Basse-Terre, the Guadeloupe offers a thousand faces of a tropical paradise.

A mosaic of landscapes and flavors, if Grande-Terre, with its turquoise lagoons, lively towns like Sainte-Anne, and its iconic Pointe des Châteaux, promises fine sandy beaches, Basse-Terre offers another adventure. This part of the island, dominated by theSoufrière volcano,is a paradise for nature lovers. Hike through refreshing waterfalls, or dive into the Cousteau Reserve at Malendure to explore its spectacular seabed.

Our Caribbean seaside holiday

destination balnéaire guadeloupe
séjour balnéaire polynésie
Lush nature, culture and the good life

4) French Polynesia

A paradise archipelago for lovers of remote escapism.

French Polynesia is the promise of a seaside voyage to the heart of the South Pacific, an absolute paradise for any traveler. From the iconic Bora Bora and its stilts over an unreal lagoon, to the volcanic peaks of Tahiti and the motu of the Tuamotu, each archipelago reveals a unique facet. The turquoise waters teem with spectacular marine life, perfect for diving. Away from the beaches, Polynesian culture brings a touch of authenticity and warmth, for a stay that blends relaxation, underwater adventures and cultural discoveries.

Volcanoes, lagoons and spicy flavours: the jewel of the Indian Ocean

5) Mauritius

A tropical paradise of culture and luxury

Mauritius, located in the heart of the Indian Ocean, is a destination synonymous with idyllic beaches and strikingly blue waters. It is distinguished by its many natural attractions: lush volcanic mountains, verdant sugarcane fields, and of course, a lagoon protected by a coral reef. Here, travelers can explore multicultural cities like Port-Louis, relax on the shores of Flic en Flac or discover the Land of Seven Colors. It's a complete destination, perfect for a honeymoon or upscale family vacation.

destination balnéaire île maurice
destination balnéaire Zanzibar
Spice Archipelago: wild beaches, Swahili history and dhows on the lagoon

6) Zanzibar

Spices and beaches of a thousand colors

Zanzibar is a Tanzanian archipelago in the Indian Ocean, world-famous for its sandy beaches, crystal-clear waters and spice plantations.

Beyond idleness, the main island, Unguja, is home to Stone Town, a UNESCO site that is the cultural heart of the region. This labyrinthine city reveals a rich blend of Arab, Persian, Indian and European influences, visible in its unique architecture. An ideal destination for combining safari on the African continent with a seaside holiday, Zanzibar also offers exceptional diving excursions and sunset dhow (traditional boat) trips.

Our seaside holiday in Tanzania

Endless beaches, colonial history and Merengue rhythms

7) Dominican Republic

Between idleness and discovery.

The Dominican Republic is the most visited island in the Caribbean, famous for its white-sand beaches and huge resorts on the coast of Punta Cana.

However, the island offers impressive diversity, from the wild peninsula of Samaná to the refreshing mountains of Jarabacoa. The capital, Saint-Domingue, is home to the first colonial city in the New World, a UNESCO World Heritage Site rich in history and architecture. With a sunny climate, musical ambience and varied activities, it guarantees a stay from seaside luxury to cultural immersion.

destination balnéaire république dominicaine
destination balnéaire Yucatán
Mayan cultures, mysterious cenotes and Riviera Maya beaches

8) Yucatán

Nature and seaside luxury.

The Yucatán, Mexico's peninsula bordered by the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, is a multifaceted destination.

It is the cradle of the Maya civilization, offering impressive archaeological sites such as Chichén Itzá. Its unique geology is marked by cenotes, the natural freshwater wells sacred to the Mayans, perfect for diving. While the east coast, the Riviera Maya, attracts beach lovers with towns like Cancún and Playa del Carmen, the rest of the peninsula offers tourism morefocused on ecotourism, local gastronomy and exploring colonial towns like Mérida.

The secret of Europe: mountains, Riviera and ancient remains

9) Albania

Between Mediterranean history and unspoilt landscapes

Located at the crossroads of the Mediterranean and the Balkans, Albania is an up-and-coming destination, renowned for its Albanian Riviera along the Ionian Sea, which offers beautiful beaches with turquoise waters like those of Ksamil and great value for money.

Inland, historical heritage is omnipresent, including the UNESCO sites of Butrint andthe museum towns of Ottoman architecture, Gjirokastër and Berat. Nature lovers can explore the Albanian Alps (the "Cursed Mountains") for spectacular hikes.

Our seaside holiday in Albania

destination balnéaire albanie
destination balnéaire Philippines
Jade Archipelago: volcanoes, rice terraces and exceptional diving

10) The Philippines

Between natural adventures and warm smiles.

The Philippines is a immense archipelago in Southeast Asia, famous for its marine and terrestrial biodiversity.

It's the destination par excellence for diving enthusiasts in Palawan or on the island of Cebu, who will find turquoise lagoons, World War II shipwrecks and whale sharks. Exploration doesn't stop at the beaches; the interior of Luzon Island reveals the spectacular rice terraces of Banaue, dubbed the "Eighth Wonder of the World". Each island offers a unique atmosphere, from volcanic landscapes to tropical forests, guaranteeing a memorable adventure.

The call of the ocean, an invitation to travel

Head for the world's most beautiful beaches for a relaxing getaway.

From the wild coasts of Portugal to the secret coves of Greece, from the paradisiacal beaches of Guadeloupe and French Polynesia to the turquoise lagoons of Mauritius or Zanzibar,the world abounds with destinations where white sand and crystal-clear water are king.

Let yourself be seduced, too, by the Caribbean charm of the Dominican Republic, the natural beauty of Mexico's Yucatán, the authenticity of Albania or the crystal-clear waters of the Philippines.

With ATC Routes du Monde, turn those dreams of escape into reality. Our seaside holidays adapt to all your desires: solo, as a couple, with family or friends. Take advantage of personalized accompaniment for an authentic experience.

 

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