Beach or Mountains? Seven Stunning Destinations that Deliver the Best of Both Worlds
When planning the ideal destination for a gorgeous getaway, is it a pristine sandy beach or breathtaking mountain vistas that travelers are after? For those who find the prospects of sunning on the shore as appealing as hiking in the mountains, there’s no need to pick between the two. In fact, when making a decision on where to travel, 37%* of travelers look for destinations with great beaches and 17%* look for destinations with mountainous surroundings, so why not look for a location that has the best of both? With a mission to make it easier for everyone to experience the world, we have identified some of the most spectacular spots where the beach meets mountains.
Soufrière, St Lucia, Lesser Antilles
For an idyllic destination that combines impossibly Instagrammable beaches with hiking routes through a lush landscape, look no further than the Caribbean paradise of St. Lucia. After a dip in its enticing blue waters, adventurers can opt for an invigorating hike by taking on this St Lucia Gros Piton Climb Challenge. A UNESCO World Heritage-listed site and featuring one of two volcanic peaks on the island, this six-hour-long hike will treat travelers to amazing panoramas as they make their way along the winding mountain trail. Following a day of exploring, they will get to know the surrounding rainforest and gleaming blue West Indian waters - the climb to the top is certainly well worth the effort!
Where to stay: Featuring villas with private pools, Sugar Beach, A Viceroy Resort is located right on the crystal white sands of the aptly named Sugar Beach. These grounds are ideal for capturing some truly legendary vacation pics, with the towering peak of Petit Piton rising dramatically from the North. After an exciting day of delving into all that the island has to offer, guests can relax at the resort’s Temazcal outdoor sauna - a traditional dome-shaped Mesoamerican sweat lodge.
Ithaca, Greece
The small, unspoiled Greek island of Ithaca is renowned from Homer’s Odyssey as the mythological homeland of the story’s hero, Odyssesus. Free from the crowds that descend upon some of Greece’s more mainstream vacation destinations, this quiet island promises to surprise visitors with its pretty pebbly beaches buffeted by turquoise waters and charming historic villages that stand sentinel across the more mountainous interior. Getting around Ithaca is best done by car, as the island is relatively small and easy to navigate. There are also a number of scenic routes to explore, ranging from Vathy to Stavros, with recommended pit stops at Anogi and Exogi for an authentic taste of rustic village life.
Where to stay: Serene lake views are the highlight at Likoudis Villas Suites, as the accommodation provides a patio, balcony, and swimming pool from which travelers can admire the beautiful surroundings. The apartment offers modern furnishings with a fully equipped kitchen, and is the perfect setup for a night-in if guests fancy that.
Makarska, Croatia
Located along the Dalmatian coast between Split and Dubrovnik, the picturesque port town of Makarska lures travelers with its fragrant pine forests, rugged cliffs, and the iridescent blue-green waters of the Adriatic. While the town itself is small enough to explore on foot or by bike, for those in the mood to explore off the beaten track, this E-Bike Tour at Historical Villages of Makarska is just the ticket - as it leads tourists to the Botanical garden of Kotišina and into a 400-year-old fortress, decked out with photos and videos of Biokovo mountain.
Where to stay: Apartments Beso is situated right on the beachfront, just a few minutes away from St. Peter Lighthouse, in the center of Makarska. These accommodations offer sweeping views of the port and Biokovo mountain. Just imagine tucking into a home-cooked meal on the balcony while gazing out at the myriad boats sailing in and out of the shimmering blue harbor to get the picture.
Kauai, Hawaii
Also known as the “Garden Isle,” the Hawaiian island of Kauai is a true tropical paradise with dramatic cliffs, lush rainforests, and miles of golden-sand beaches. As tempting as it might be to lounge about and just soak up all its beauty, renting a car to explore more of its inviting coastal towns, secret beaches, and iconic waterfalls is a must. It takes about three hours to get from one end of the North Shore (Haena) to the West Side (Polihale) - a scenic drive to one of the island's most lengthy stretches of pearly white sand. Travelers who are looking for a spectacular sight should definitely visit Koke’e State Park, a tumble of Jurassic scenery with emerald foliage and coral-colored cliffs. Then, take a hike along one of the seven trails or the road up to the Kalalau Lookout for unparalleled views of the coast.
Where to stay: If dining under the stars and serenaded by the sound of crashing waves reads like the perfect escape, then the oceanfront Kauai Shores Hotel in Kapaa, on the east-central coast of Kauai, might just be the ideal spot. From this stunning property, which also boasts a beachfront location, guests can enjoy incredible views of the Waimea Canyon. All in all, visitors will get to experience the best of both worlds. To spice up all this tranquility and relaxation with a dose of adventure, guests can consider booking a helicopter tour that offers a high-altitude perspective of the island’s magnificent volcanic landscapes.
Kota Kinabalu, Borneo, Malaysia
With almost half of its landmass covered by forest, Borneo is the world’s third largest island, stretching across three countries. It’s also a haven for nature lovers, thanks to its abundant diversity of indigenous plant and animal life. Home to Mount Kinabalu, Malaysia’s highest peak, the state of Sabah on the northernmost tip of the island makes for a wonderful vacation destination, popular not only for its verdant rainforests but also for its expansive beaches.
Where to stay: Located in a nature reserve overlooking the South China Sea, Shangri-La’s Rasa Ria Resort & Spa offers lavish views of the region’s glistening beaches, dense jungles, and majestic mountain peaks. Whether guests wish to take it at their own pace with a relaxing cruise along the Kinabatangan River or want to kick it up a notch with an intrepid trek through the bush, there’s plenty to inspect here.
Bay of Islands, New Zealand
Made up of over 140 subtropical islands off the coast of New Zealand’s North Island, the Bay of Islands is a diverse playground of untouched beaches and extraordinary volcanic landscapes. There are so many dense forests, secluded bays, and a rich history to explore that renting a car in the Bay of Islands is highly recommended as this makes it possible to cover more ground. Regardless of where curiosity may take travelers though, a stop in Kerikeri is a must. The Mission House, New Zealand's oldest house that’s also referred to as Kemp House, can also be found in this beautiful town. For keen walkers, a trip along the Kerikeri river bank up to Wharepuke and Rainbow Falls is an ideal experience with amazing views, which little ones may also enjoy as the track is a great and safe option for children.
Where to stay: Located in Paihia near the Opua Forest, Craicor Boutique Apartments is the perfect base for hiking. It flaunts fabulous sea views of the water, as Te Ti Bay Beach is just 1.3 km away. Surrounded on all sides by greenery and flowers, these apartments make for a restful getaway for travelers to unwind, rejuvenate, and spend quality time with friends and family.
*Research commissioned by Booking.com and independently conducted among a sample of 32,300 respondents across 32 markets (including 2,000 from the US, 800 from Canada, 1,800 from Australia, 500 from New Zealand, 800 from Spain, 800 from Italy, 1,800 from France, 1,800 from the UK, 1,800 from Germany, 800 from the Netherlands, 500 from Denmark, 500 from Sweden, 400 from Croatia, 800 from Switzerland, 800 from Belgium, 800 from Ireland, 500 from Austria, 1,800 from Mexico, 800 from Colombia, 1,800 from Brazil, 800 from Argentina, 1,800 from India, 800 from China, 500 from Hong Kong, 800 from Thailand, 800 from Singapore, 500 from Taiwan, 800 from Vietnam, 800 from South Korea, 1,800 from Japan, 500 from UAE). In order to participate in this survey, respondents had to be 18 years of age or older, had to have traveled for leisure in the past 12 months including an overnight stay, planning to travel for leisure in 2024 and involved in travel planning. The survey was taken online and took place in January and February 2024.