30 Largest Coastal Cities in the World

Our Earth is vast with lots of countries and thousands of cities in it. Do you know the diameter of our Earth is 12,742 km? But we are not going to calculate the dimensions of planet Earth. Today, you will accompany me on a journey to find the largest coastal cities in the world. By the way, do you have any idea of how many of the world’s largest cities are coastal? And overall, how many coastal cities are there in the world? Let’s find out. 

A. What are Coastal Cities?

The cities that are located in the transition area or the interface between land and sea are known as coastal cities. It also includes large inland lakes. Coastal cities also have access to large seas and oceans through ports and major rivers. (See What are the Seven wonders of the World?)

B. How many Coastal Cities are there in the World?

You know that 70% of the world is covered with water bodies and these water bodies are lined with continents. Several coastal areas are populated and many of them are still less populated. Here is the list of all the populated coastal cities and among them, some are the largest coastal cities in the world.

1. Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
2. Aden, Yemen
3. Alexandria, Egypt
4. Algiers, Algeria
5. Amsterdam, Netherlands
6. Anchorage, Alaska
7. Auckland, New Zealand
8. Bangkok, Thailand
9. Barcelona, Spain
10. Bergen, Norway
11. Boston, Massachusetts
12. Brest, France
13. Brighton, England
14. Cadaqués, Spain
15. Camden, Maine, USA
16. Cannes, France
17. Cape Town, South Africa
18. Caracas, Venezuela
19. Charleston, South Carolina
20. Chennai, India
21. Chicago, Illinois
22. Colombo, Sri Lanka
23. Copenhagen, Denmark
24. Cua Van, Vietnam
25. Dakar, Senegal
26. Dubai, United Arab Emirates
27. Dublin, Ireland
28. Durban, South Africa
29. Edinburgh, Scotland
30. Fuzhou, China
31. Galveston, Texas
32. Hampton, Virginia
33. Havana, Cuba
34. Helsinki, Finland
35. Hong Kong, China
36. Honolulu, Hawaii
37. Ilulissat, Greenland
38. Istanbul, Turkey
39. Jakarta, Indonesia
40. Karachi, Pakistan
41. Kotor, Montenegro
42. Kuwait City, Kuwait
43. Kyoto, Japan
44. Libreville, Gabon
45. Lima, Peru
46. Lisbon, Portugal
47. Los Angeles, California
48. Luanda, Angola
49. Lunenburg, Canada
50. Manarola, Italy
51. Manila, Philippines
52. Melbourne, Australia (See Does it Snow in Australia?)
53. Mersin, Turkey
54. Miami, Florida
55. Mobile, Alabama
56. Mogadishu, Somalia
57. Monrovia, Liberia
58. Montevideo, Uruguay
59. Muscat, Oman
60. New Orleans, Louisiana
61. New York City
62. Newport News, Virginia
63. Nice, France
64. Norfolk, Virginia
65. Nouakchott, Mauritania
66. Oia, Greece
67. Oslo, Norway
68. Panama City, Panama
69. Paternoster, South Africa
70. Pattaya, Thailand
71. Perth, Australia
72. Polperro, England
73. Port Fairy, Australia
74. Port-Au-Prince, Haiti
75. Portland, Maine
76. Rabat, Morocco
77. Reine, Norway
78. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
79. Rovinj, Croatia
80. Saint George’s, Bermuda
81. Saint-Denis, Réunion (See How many Arab countries are there? What are their names?)
82. San Diego, California
83. San Francisco, California
84. San Juan, Puerto Rico
85. Santa Monica, California
86. Santorini, Greece
87. Sanya, China
88. Sausalito, California
89. Savannah, Georgia
90. Seattle, Washington
91. Shanghai, China
92. Sidi Bou Said, Tunisia
93. St. John’s, Newfoundland
94. St. Petersburg, Russia
95. Stockholm, Sweden
96. Surat, India
97. Sydney, Australia
98. Taipei, Taiwan
99. Tallinn, Estonia
100. Tampa, Florida
101. Tokyo, Japan
102. Tromso, Norway
103. Vancouver, British Columbia
104. Venice, Italy
105. Virginia Beach, Virginia 

C. Which are the Largest Coastal Cities in the World?

Here you will get to know about how many of the world’s largest cities are coastal and the names of the largest coastal cities in the world. They are not only large but also provide a wide range of experiences for the visitors all year round.

Come, let us start the journey to know the 30 largest coastal cities in the world.

1. Edinburgh, Scotland

It is the capital city of Scotland and the second most populated city in the country. The Annual Fringe Festival organized here is one of the largest international performing arts festivals in the world. It covers an area of about 264 sq. km (102 sq. mi). 

2. New Orleans, Louisiana

This coastal city is famous for its non-stop nightlife and casual culture, such that it got the nickname The Big Easy. You can enjoy the best jazz, historic, French Quarter, and Creole cuisine, along with the world-famous Mardi Grass. The city covers a land area of 906.10 sq. km (349.85 sq. mi). (See Where is it 70 Degrees year round in The United States?)

3. Venice, Italy

This floating city is famous for its romantic essence and gondolas. The city was built on more than 100 islands in the Adriatic Sea and it is close to the only city existing on water. You will love the water taxi rides and the historic center along with other attractions. The city covers an area of about 414.57 sq. km(160.07 sq. mi). Also, check out What is a Gondola ride?

4. Bangkok, Thailand

Among the largest coastal cities in the world, this city is full of floating markets, the best street food, and winding canals. You will get to experience the stunning Buddhist art and architecture along with Wat Phra Kaew, a Buddhist temple in the Grand Palace. It is one of the most popular temples in the city. The city is spread over an area of 1,568.737 sq. km (605.693 sq. mi).

5. Honolulu, Hawaii

This coastal city is famous for the Bishop Museum, which holds the largest collection of Polynesian and Hawaiian artifacts in the world. The temperature of the region always ranges between 20-30° Celsius (68-87° Fahrenheit) and rarely crosses 32° Celsius (90° Fahrenheit). This city is spread over an area of 177.2 sq. km (68.41 sq. mi). (See Is Hawaii in the Northern Hemisphere?)

6. Miami, Florida

It is known as the flashy star of Florida. The city is known as Magic City because of its beach life and sports, namely, boating, fishing, scuba, snorkeling, and sailing. The city is also an international hub for arts. The city is spread over an area of 143.1 sq. km (55.25 sq. mi).

7. Istanbul, Turkey

It is the largest city in Europe with various tourist attractions. There are various popular destinations to enjoy the cuisine, vibrant markets, and natural Turkish baths. The city is spread over an area of about 2,576.85 sq. km (994.93 sq. mi). Must read Where is Turkey Situated?

8. Perth, Australia

This coastal city is the capital of Western Australia and has the Indian Ocean surrounding its coasts. This city is among the largest coastal cities in the world, that is laden with beautiful beaches, botanical gardens, and national parks with protected wildlife areas. The annual music festivals like Stereo sonic and Future Music are the major attractions of the place. The city spreads to an area of 6,418 sq. km (2478 sq. mi). (See What States don’t get Snow?)

9. Oslo, Norway

This coastal city is the capital of Norway and is located on the southern coast of Oslo fjord (an inlet). The major attractions here are the Viking Ship Museum where they hold 3 Viking ships and the green spaces like Frogner Park. It is the best city for bike rides and picnics. The city is spread over an area of 454 sq. km (175.29 sq. mi). (See What are the Four Seasons in the Philippines?)

10. Dubai, United Arab Emirates

This amazing coastal city has the tallest building in the world along with the only 7-star hotel in the world. There are various malls that are their primary tourist attractions along with some of the futuristic architecture to see. This once deserted land covers an area of 4,110 km sq. (1,588 sq. mi). However, to increase the land area, they are creating 5 man-made islands, almost making it to the top of the largest coastal cities in the world with a total of 3,900 sq. km (1,500 sq. mi). Also, check out Why Dubai is called the impossible city?

11. Lisbon, Portugal

This coastal city is also the capital and largest city of Portugal as well as Europe. It is situated beside the Tagus River and is famous for its café culture along with the seafood. It is the home of some of the largest and most famous coastal parks in Europe along with its largest indoor aquarium. Also, this city covers an area of 100 sq. km (38.61 sq. mi). (See Why can’t We go to Antarctica?)

12. Los Angeles, California

This coastal city has many things to discover with more than 870 museums and galleries. This second largest city in the United States has diverse food, amazing live music, oceanic views, and of course lots of traffic and is also one of the largest coastal cities in the world. This house of angels covers an area of 1,299.01 sq. km (501.55 sq. mi). (See What State has the Highest Humidity?)

13. Helsinki, Finland

This coastal city is the capital of Finland and is located on the Gulf of Finland. Its archipelago consists of more than 330 islands. This city is extremely popular for its winter sports and covers an area of 715.48 sq. km (276.25 sq. mi). 

14. Hong Kong, China

With one of the most beautiful skylines in the world, this coastal city has 1233 skyscrapers, with Victoria Peak being the highest point in the city. This city has the major international port in the country. It is also known as the culinary capital of street food. Being one of the most expensive cities in the world, it covers an area of 2,754.97 sq. km, making its name on the list of the largest coastal cities in the world. (1,063.70 sq. mi). (See What do People Eat in China?)

15. Dublin, Ireland

It is the cultural capital of the country and is located on the Irish Sea. This city is way greener than any other European city, and it is considered the most popular tourist attraction according to the Guinness Brewery. This city covers an area of 117.8 sq. km (45.5 sq. mi). (See What is the Smallest City in the World?)

16. New York City

Among the largest coastal cities in the world, this city is located along the Hudson River and the Atlantic Ocean. It is one of the most popular cities in the world due to its presence in songs and other television platforms. It is the home of The Metropolitan Museum, which is the most visited museum in the world. This city is spread over an area of 1,223.59 sq. km (472.43 sq. mi). (See Is St Augustine Oldest City in the US?)

17. Tokyo, Japan

This city is bordered by the Pacific Ocean. It is considered the technological wonder in the world. Many wonders and new inventions are there to witness in the city. You can even get to experience the Capsule hotel and gold ice cream cones. It covers an area of about 2,194.07 sq. km (847.14 sq. mi), making it the largest city in Japan and also one on the list of largest coastal cities in the world. (See How Tall is Average Man in Japan?)

18. San Francisco, California

This city is famous for its views of the Pacific Ocean and the Golden Gate Bridge. These scenes are considered postcard shots of the world. You can experience bike rides on the 200 miles of bike paths in the city – your love for adventure and thrill will be satisfied by the 1000 acres of mountain and hill ranges. You can spot migrating whales from the San Francisco Bay and explore the world-famous Chinatown. This city covers an area of about 600.59 sq. km (231.89 sq. mi). (See What body of Water connects Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean?)

19. Sydney, Australia

This coastal city is filled with almost 70 beaches along with rock pools and the world-famous waterfront. Notable places in this coastal city are the Australian Museum, the Royal National Park, and various other places. This city covers an area of about 12,368 sq. km(4775.3 sq. mi) and is a major name among the largest coastal cities in the world.

20. Chicago, Illinois

This city is considered the birthplace of modern jazz and blues. It is the third-largest city in the United States, located at the bottom edge of Lake Michigan. This cosmopolitan city has an amazing sports scene at Wrigley Field. Also, there are the best hotels, the famous Art Institute, and much more. This city is spread over an area of 607.44 sq. km (234.53 sq. mi). (See What is the Northern Most State in the U.S.?)

21. Singapore

This coastal city consists of 63 islands and is located near Malaysia and Indonesia. The city has some United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s (UNESCO’s) World Heritage sites along with the largest collection of Southeast Asian Art in the world. The Marina Bay Sands Hotel has the world’s largest rooftop infinity pool. The island city covers an area of 728.6 sq. km (283.1 sq. mi).

22. Copenhagen, Denmark

This coastal city is the largest as well as the capital city of Denmark. It has a large group of bridges, parks, and waterside walkways all connecting to Renaissance City. This city is the home to the second-oldest amusement park in the Tivoli Gardens. Also, among the largest coastal cities in the world, this city is the oldest monarchy in the world. This city covers an area of 179.8 sq. km(69.4 sq. mi). (See Which Country Does The Bahamas Belong To?)

23. Vancouver, British Columbia

This city is located in western Canada. Downtown Stanley Park has a waterfront and woodlands spread over an area of 1000 acres. The best collection of indigenous art in the world is present in the Anthropology Museum at the University of British Columbia. The city is spread over an area of 115.18 sq. km (44.47 sq. mi). 

24. Barcelona, Spain

This coastal city is the capital and largest city on the Mediterranean Sea. This Catalonia region attracts around 9 million tourists annually. This city has rich cultural and tourist attractions, along with the best cuisines in the world. It is spread over an area of 101.9 sq. km (39.2 sq. mi). (See 10 Places with Best Weather in the World)

25. Auckland, New Zealand

The city is located on the top of a volcanic field between the two harbors. This coastal city is full of beaches that give you a great beach experience ranging from sunbathing to surfing and all. The city is also known as the City of Sails. The famous Auckland Art Gallery displays more than 15000 works of national and international arts and you can get to tour the set from the movie, Lord of the Rings. This city covers an area of 607.10 sq. km(234.40 sq. mi). (See Why do people like to go to Croatia?)

26. Nice, France

It is the largest coastal city in France that is located on the Mediterranean coastline. There are more than 30 beaches, including private and personal beaches. The beautiful weather makes your trip more comfortable. This coastal city spreads over an area of 71.92 sq. km (27.77 sq. mi). (See How do you say Sea in French?)

27. Santa Monica, California

This coastal city is considered the most beautiful beach city in the world with its shoreline extending up to 3.5 miles. The beaches are clean and well-maintained and offer walking paths, playgrounds, and restaurants. This city can be visited any time of the year to enjoy some beach fun. It is spread over an area of 41.43 sq. km (16.00 sq. mi). (See How Big is Israel Compared to a US State?)

28. Cape Town, South Africa

This coastal city is lined with the Indian Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean. There are numerous beautiful beaches with a backdrop of mountains. It is the best place to visit for witnessing all the beach fun along with some hiking and trekking adventures. This city spreads over an area of 2,446 sq. km (950 sq. mi).

29. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

This coastal city has a shoreline of about 246,22 km. The city has two world-famous beaches, Copacabana, and Ipanema. The former has the backdrop of Sugar Loaf Mountain and is heavily crowded during New Year’s Eve. An extraordinary variety of food items in the city is found on the beaches for tourists to enjoy. The city covers an area of about 1,221 sq. km (486.5 sq. mi). (See How many States are Along the East and West Coasts?)

30. Kotor, Montenegro

The town is more than 2000 years old, making it the oldest town in Montenegro. The streets are narrow with stone buildings, giving it a completely historical look. The city is along the Bay of Kotor beside Mount Lovćen. Its classic architecture along with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s (UNESCO’s) World Heritage Sites and amazing beachside will give you a memorable experience. It covers an area of 335 sq. km (129 sq. mi).

So, today you got to know about the largest coastal cities in the world. Now you can share this article about how many coastal cities are there in the world with your friends and family. Also, you have learned about how many of the world’s largest cities are coastal. (Also read What is the Importance of Transportation in your Life?)