There’s much more to the scenery of a good beach than clear blue waters, white sand and a warm breeze. While those features certainly don’t hurt, the throngs of people who flock to these beaches can be a sight in and of themselves. Check out these five beaches where you can kick back, dig your toes into the sand and people watch the day away.
Venice Beach, Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles’ Venice Beach attracts every type of beachcomber, from bodybuilders and surfers to street magicians and performance artists. Toned and tan bodies fly by on beach cruisers and rollerblades, while fortune tellers read tarot cards on the boardwalk. On the sand, you’ll find a vibrant mix of bikinis, beach-bound dogs, volleyball players, yoga enthusiasts and more. Weekends are also filled with the beat of the beach when a weekly drum circle turns Venice into an outdoor jam session.
Ipanema, Brazil
It’s hard to resist the siren’s song of Rio de Janeiro’s Ipanema Beach, the very same sands made famous by the Bossa Nova hit “The Girl from Ipanema.” The beaches of Ipanema seem to attract endless waves of Brazil’s most beautiful people, but there’s far more to see here. Casual games of soccer and volleyball fill the sands, while surfers and swimmers bobble in Ipanema’s famed waves. Surrounding restaurants, bars and shops keep the crowds coming.
Saint-Tropez, France
France’s Saint-Tropez attracts all sorts of visitors, from the very wealthy to families on vacation. The three miles of Pampellone Beach, or Plage de Pampellone, are ripe for people-watching, thanks to a plethora of chic beach resorts and exclusive clubs that bring the rich and famous to Saint-Tropez’s shores. With a constant Spring Break-style atmosphere, there’s plenty to set your eyes on on Plage de Pampellone.
Magen’s Bay Beach, St. Thomas
The shores of the Caribbean are filled with travelers from around the world, but for the best people-watching, head to the tropical isle of St. Thomas. Here, the calm waters and stunning beach of Magen’s Bay attract plenty of beach-goers for a day of people-watching on one of the Caribbean’s top beaches.
Paradise Beach, Mykonos, Greece
Add people-watching as one more reason to visit the famed isle of Mykonos, where Paradise Beach hosts everyone from budget backpackers to celebs for late nights of partying on the beach. With night clubs that keep the music and booze flowing until dawn, you’re in for a night of Greece’s best beachside people-watching.
(Main image: seier+seier)
