Turn by Turn Gorgeous: 14 Seaside Paths Where Every Corner Is a Postcard

Some coastlines refuse to have a bad angle. These walks give you cliff light, sea spray, and the kind of views that make you stop mid step with a goofy grin. They are easy to follow, full of benches and scenic pauses, and never short on places to grab a cold drink or a hot snack when you are done. Every pick includes start points, timing tips, and simple notes so you can relax into the rhythm of waves and footsteps. Pack a light layer, sturdy shoes, and a phone you have already put in airplane mode so you do not rush. The ocean will do the rest.

Sentiero Azzurro, Cinque Terre, Italy

The Blue Path links the five villages of Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore with steady cliff views. Start in Monterosso and aim for Vernazza to keep the sun behind you in the morning and the village framed perfectly as you arrive. Sections open and close for maintenance, so buy the Cinque Terre card in town and check the day’s status before you commit. Steps are frequent and railings are in place where the drop is dramatic which keeps the walking straightforward. Bring cash for lemon granita or focaccia in the harbors because you will have earned it. The train connects villages in minutes, which lets you walk one leg, eat, and ride back with a smile.

Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk, Sydney, Australia

This paved and well signed walk threads headlands, rock pools, and beaches with plenty of places to sit and stare at the Pacific. Start early at Bondi to watch surfers take the first sets and follow the path south past Tamarama, Bronte, and Clovelly. Ladders and stairs keep you above the spray but close enough to feel the breeze and hear the tide echo under the cliffs. Coffee kiosks appear exactly when you want one and ocean pools make perfect post walk swims. In late afternoon the light turns gold on the sandstone and every sea stack glows. Buses back to Bondi or the city make the logistics easy and stress free.

Seven Hanging Valleys Trail, Algarve, Portugal

Between Praia da Marinha and Praia de Vale Centeanes this path hops across limestone headlands that look sculpted by an artist with a bright palette. Start at Marinha for the classic arch view and follow waymarks along the rim to blowholes, sea caves, and small coves that appear like secrets. The footing is mostly firm, though rock can be sharp which makes closed shoes a smart choice. Carry water since shade is limited and the sun bounces off pale stone on cloudless days. Low wind days make the sea glass calm and the color almost unreal. Finish with a swim and a plate of grilled fish in Carvoeiro before calling a taxi back.

Camí de Ronda, Costa Brava, Spain

Once used by fishermen and patrols, this coastal path now delivers pine scented air and cove after cove of blue water between S’Agaró and Calella de Palafrugell. Boardwalks and stone steps thread cliffs and beaches with frequent access points, which lets you set your distance to your mood. Start in Llafranc for a pretty promenade warm up, then round to Calella for whitewashed houses and bobbing boats. Small ladders drop to water where you can snorkel on calm mornings with little effort. Spring and autumn bring the softest light and fewer sun umbrellas which suits photographers. Buses and short taxi rides connect the towns, so you can wander without a schedule.

Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço, Madeira, Portugal

The far east of Madeira narrows to a wind brushed peninsula painted in ochre, copper, and sea blue. The path is straightforward with gentle climbs to ridgeline lookouts where sea both north and south fills your vision. Start early for calm air and watch cloud bands slide like curtains across the horizon. Benches appear at perfect intervals and a small café at the end surprises many first time walkers. Bring a wind layer since gusts can arrive without warning, then vanish in a minute. On the way back the angles shift and new coves appear that you missed on the approach.

Causeway Coast Way, Northern Ireland

From Portballintrae to Ballintoy you get a sampler of basalt cliffs, sea arches, and boulder beaches with the Giant’s Causeway as a crown jewel. Begin at the Giants Causeway Visitor Centre and walk east to let the morning sun light the hexagons. Follow the cliff top path for an elevated view before dropping to the stones where waves hiss along the edges. Signed routes continue toward Dunseverick Castle ruins and quiet coves that feel cinematic even in moody weather. The trail is well maintained, with gates and steps where needed, which keeps the focus on the view. Buses shuttle the coastal villages which makes a one way walk simple.

St Ives to Zennor, South West Coast Path, England

This stretch of Cornish coast folds into granite headlands and flowered moor with Atlantic blue always just below your shoulder. Leave St Ives behind the harbor and keep to the waymarked cliff path as seals pop up like punctuation marks in the coves. The walking is undulating with short rocky scrambles that reward you with wild beaches and quiet benches. Pack a picnic and plan a long pause halfway because the views are too good to rush. Catch a bus back from Zennor and warm up in a pub that smells like wood smoke and fresh scones. Spring gorse blooms paint the slopes and autumn light turns the water a deeper shade of blue.

Abel Tasman Coast Track, New Zealand

Golden arc beaches, tidal estuaries, and bush shaded headlands make this Great Walk perfect for day sections. Water taxis leapfrog the coast which lets you pick a one way route like Anchorage to Bark Bay with lagoon detours at low tide. The path is wide and graded with frequent signs and side tracks to lookouts and waterfalls. Pack for sun and splash because swimming holes and sea swims are never far from your steps. Weka and fantails keep you company while you eat lunch on driftwood with toes in the sand. Boats and schedules are easy to book, which makes the day feel effortless from start to finish.

Kalalau Trail to Hanakapiʻai, Kauaʻi, USA

The first two miles of the Kalalau trace Na Pali cliffs with green folds and blue water playing tug of war for your attention. Start at sunrise from Hā‘ena State Park with a pre booked entry and shuttle or parking pass. The tread can be muddy after showers, so wear shoes you do not mind rinsing in the stream at Hanakapiʻai. On clear mornings the light hits sea caves and the horizon sharpens enough to see far down the coast. Continue another two miles to the waterfall if conditions are good and you have the energy. Bring a full bottle and leave no trace in a place that feels sacred from the first step.

Fiscalini Ranch Preserve Bluff Trail, Cambria, California, USA

This mile long boardwalk and dirt path floats above tide pools and sea grass on a quiet stretch of Central Coast. Benches are tucked into low dunes and hand carved poems appear on plaques if you keep your eyes open. Harbor seals nap on offshore rocks and pelicans skim wave crests like they own the air. The route is flat and friendly to every pace which makes it perfect for golden hour wanders. Winter brings migrating whales and clouds that turn cotton candy at sunset. Parking is free along neighborhood streets and the ocean soundtrack starts the moment you open the car door.

Cliff Walk, Newport, Rhode Island, USA

Where else can you stroll between Atlantic breakers and Gilded Age mansions without needing a ticket. Join the path near First Beach and meander south as lawns give way to rugged ledges and arched tunnels. Granite sections are uneven which adds a bit of fun without much effort, especially on dry days. Stop often to watch waves stack and collapse against the rocks in a steady rhythm. Early mornings are calm and the light flatters every shingle and chimney across the lawn tops. City buses and rideshares make the return simple if you decide to go one way.

Fira to Oia Caldera Path, Santorini, Greece

This ridge walk feels like a balcony over an old sea and every turn frames white villages against blue water. Start in Fira and pace yourself with short pauses on church steps and stone walls that catch the breeze. The path mixes cobbles and dusty track with a few short climbs that give you a reason to stop and stare every few minutes. Midday heat can be blunt, so aim for early morning with coffee in hand, or late afternoon with the promise of dinner in Oia. Photo stops become constant near Imerovigli where the caldera curves wide and the light lands soft on domes. Bus back to Fira after gelato or walk a shorter section if the mood calls it.

Jeju Olle Trail Route 7, South Korea

Jeju’s Olle network wraps the island and Route 7 is a favorite for sea cliffs, black lava outcrops, and haenyeo culture. The wayfinding ribbons are clear and small cafés pop up just when you want a citrus juice or a bowl of noodles. Walk past Saeyeongyo Bridge and along coastal promenades where waves push up against basalt ledges. Detours lead to quiet temples and small harbors where orange floats and nets make easy photos. Spring camellias and autumn skies give the sharpest color without summer heat. Buses are frequent which turns a one way stroll into a relaxed day out.

Robberg Peninsula Trail, Plettenberg Bay, South Africa

Robberg is a narrow finger of sandstone where the path loops above turquoise water and a seal colony that sounds like a chorus. Choose the shorter Gap route for quick drama or the round the point loop for a half day with sand spit crossings. Boardwalks and ladders keep the steeper spots manageable and the viewpoints are sensibly fenced. Wind can rise fast, so a light jacket helps, and tread carefully on loose sand near edges. On calm days the bay is glass and dolphins track along the shore in small groups. Finish with a swim at Central Beach or a bakery stop back in town.

This article was written by Hunter and edited with AI Assistance