The artificial beach in Cardiff Bay Beach may be hidden but it's far from secret. Photo / Getty
The artificial beach in Cardiff Bay Beach may be hidden but it's far from secret. Photo / Getty
It's the holiday dilemma that has ruined holiday plans and has torn families asunder: Beach holiday, or city break?
Do you head out of town for the scenic strands or go for an itinerary of culture and sights of the big city.
In many cases you can have both. If you know where to look.
There are plenty of places - even in landlocked European capitals - where you can feel the sand between your toes, only a tram stop away from the cities' other main attractions. Here are out top secret urban beaches from around the world.
Paris' public beach on the banks of the River Seine has brought sunbathing to the Left Bank. Photo / Getty
Come summer, Most Parisians head to the coast of Normandy or the South of France. For those who can't escape, there is a small oasis on the banks of the Seine.
In 2002, tonnes of sand were trucked to the spot between Pont Neuf and Pont de Sully. The Paris Plage is the perfect place to set up a deckchair with your paperback, on a summer day. It's also within sight of the Eiffel tower – just to remind you that you aren't actually in the Bahamas, and going for a swim is deeply in advisable.
Berlin Mitte: Die Strandbar Mitte on the river Spree. Photo / Messerschmidt, Getty Images
Strandbar Mitte, Berlin, Germany
In the heart of urban Berlin, you mustn't be surprised to be asked: "which way to the beach?"
A stretch of sand across the water from Bode Museum and Monbijou Park has space for 200 deck chairs. It's also home to resident DJs and their collection of Latin-inspired records. Take shade under a palm tree and soak up the atmosphere.
Geothermal: The Icelandic water will be warm, even when the weather isnt. Photo / Jekaterina Nikitina, Getty
Nautholsvik Geothermal beach, Reykjavik, IS
Iceland's rugged coastline shaped by geothermal activity is famed for black volcanic beaches. However, in the town there is a patch of white sand that could be straight from Barbados.
The water at the Nautholsvik Geothermal Beach is also heated to Caribbean temperatures, though this is through geothermal activity rather than sun rays.
The artificial beach in Cardiff Bay Beach may be hidden but it's far from secret. Photo / Getty
Cardiff Bay Beach, Cardiff, UK
In the Welsh capital the summer arcade on Cardiff Bay is a great place to visit with the kids.
Hidden in the heart of the city, this is a proper old fashioned pleasure beach, complete with a Ferris wheel, arcade games and food for sale. It's hardly a secret though. Quarter of a million people visit each summer, but it all adds to the fun of the fair.
East Enders: Royal Victoria Beach from the Thames Cable Car. Photo / Getty
Docklands Beach, London, UK
The East End isn't on the top of most tourist's lists when they come to London. But they're missing out. The docklands are converted into a sandy beach each summer and the location is used for paddleboarding and wakeboarding events.
It's also a short cable-car ride away from the 02 Centre, across the Thames.
Dubrovnik: Banje beach with the Croatian capital behind. Photo / Getty
Banje Beach, Dubrovnik, CR
The Croatian City is famous for its fortified medieval walls. The Byzantine cathedral and picturesque red-roofed houses have made it a perfect filming location for Hollywood blockbusters and TV epics.
However, tucked below the walls, near the Lazareti is Banje Beach. This secret beach is a favourite with locals and accessible by boat or by a set of treacherous stairs. Once you've made it to the beach, the golden sands and blue Dalmatian waters will be well worth the effort.
Banje is also home to a Mediterranean restaurant which transforms into a nightclub, come nightfall.
