05/28/2026
15 Most Beautiful Beach Towns Around the World
2. Bald Head Island, North Carolina
“This small, serene island off the coast of Southport, North Carolina, is where I grew up spending my summers. It’s small, family-friendly, and you only get around by golf cart, which gives it such a unique vibe,” says Fora travel advisor Sarah Young. Part of the Brunswick Islands, Bald Head Island is home to the oldest still-standing lighthouse in North Carolina, “Old Baldy,” and many scenic opportunities for hiking, biking, kayaking, and relaxing on the beach. “It’s my go-to place every summer, and it’ll always be my most special beach destination,” adds Young.
From an island off of North Carolina to a coastal village on Japan’s Izu Peninsula, these are the most beautiful beach towns in the world.
