9 of the best city destinations with beaches, from Miami to Sydney to Rio

Talking of music, Copacabana and adjoining Ipanema Beach both have iconic songs written about them. Barry Manilow released Copacabana in 1978 and back in 1964, Bossa Nova classic “The Girl from Ipanema” evoked images of youthful beauty.

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The song became an international hit and won a Grammy – no one seems to mind that ipanema means “stinking pond” in Brazil’s indigenous Tupi language.

2. Mumbai

Just 4km from the centre of Mumbai, Chowpatty Beach is a microcosm of India. Often crowded, always polluted, cricket matches are won and lost on its sands and people gather for picnics only to find themselves surrounded by herds of hungry cows.

As in much of India, poverty and wealth are never far apart. Marine Drive runs along the shoreline and is home to some of Mumbai’s most expensive properties – but you don’t need money to watch the sun set into the Arabian Sea in a collision of crimson and tangerine.

3. Brighton, UK

Situated on the south coast of England, less than an hour from the capital by train, the city of Brighton and Hove, also known as London-by-the-Sea, is one of Britain’s most popular destinations – and not just with tourists.

Long a magnet for artists, actors and musicians, Brighton channels a Bohemian vibe with a dash of quirkiness.

Look no further than the Royal Pavilion, which was completed in 1823 and celebrates its bicentenary this year. The opulent, if unconventional palace draws on Indian and Chinese architectural influences and appears to be on the wrong continent.

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When you’ve finished gawping, make your way to The Lanes, a compact area of the city filled with independent shops, cafes and galleries. Then it’s time for the beach.

As you limp and hobble towards the water’s edge you’ll discover Brighton’s worst-kept secret. The beach has no sand, only smooth, rounded pebbles.

4. Barcelona

5. Hoi An, Vietnam

Formerly one of the busiest trading ports in Southeast Asia, today Hoi An bustles with tourists who sightsee and have clothing tailored for a fraction of the price they would pay at home. At night, lanterns illuminate the Old Town, creating a fairy-tale feel (lantern-making workshops are a hit with visitors).

Rather than staying in the centre of the city, many travellers opt for a beachside base. An Bang’s white sands and sparkling blue waters have featured in CNN’s list of 100 Best Beaches in the World and are only 3km from the Old Town. Hire a bike and pedal between the two.

6. Sydney

Sydney is blessed with more than 100 surf beaches and coves, but one blond sweep 7km from the centre of Australia’s largest city is better known than all the rest.

At Bondi Beach, seasoned surfers glide along azure waves and awestruck beginners sign up for lessons. Vigilant lifeguards rescue thousands of bathers every year – they also treat jellyfish stings and keep an eye out for great white sharks.

Fear not, the chances of encountering one are slim but if you’re still worried, there are saltwater swimming pools at each end of the beach.

7. Miami

Miami’s South Beach is a glamorous see-and-be-seen neighbourhood where millionaires are two a penny. Money is no object and life is one long party. Celebs are as commonplace as art deco buildings, the ocean is an inviting turquoise and the sand is as white as washing powder.

In “SoBe”, boutiques are always trendy, restaurants chic and innovative, and nightlife is never less than glitzy and sophisticated.

Ten minutes across the MacArthur Causeway, downtown Miami is where the work gets done. Offices in the central business district, Biscayne Bay and marinas combine to create one of America’s most stunning city skylines, particularly after dark.

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Enjoy a stroll along Miami Riverwalk and Bayfront Park, take in a Miami Heat NBA basketball game or learn about Cuban food, music and dance in Little Havana.

8. Sanya, China

Spend the day scuba diving or snorkelling over coral reefs, try your hand at surfing or join a tropical rainforest hiking tour that ends with a muscle-soothing dip in a hot spring. After the sun has slipped beneath the horizon, head towards the bright lights for dinner and a show.

Afterwards, haggle your heart out in the night markets then unwind in one of Sanya’s many bars.

9. Athens