On the Waterfront

In the world’s great cities shaped by water, the shoreline comes alive on buzzing promenades, shimmering rivers, and romantic canals

There’s something magical about exploring the world’s great cities via their waterfronts. By the water, a city’s past and present unfold at once – where at one time the water powered trade and industry, today traces of bygone eras sit alongside the hustle and bustle of the modern world. Life at the waterfront reveals the heart and soul of a place: how local people go about their daily routines and how they enjoy what their city has to offer. 

You never forget your first glimpse of Venice. Arriving by water taxi from the airport, La Serenissima (“the most serene”) reveals itself gradually, exactly as it would have appeared to merchants centuries ago – an unforgettable skyline of bell towers, domes, and terra-cotta rooftops. Entering the Grand Canal, you encounter a city built entirely around water – where tiny bridges crisscross the labyrinthine canal network as delivery boats and gondolas glide beneath, transporting supplies, schoolchildren, and tourists alike. Waterfront cafés serving small shareable dishes of cicchetti (small snacks) and elegant palazzo hotels provide the perfect vantage point to watch daily life go by.  

Venice’s car-free status means water is intertwined with most experiences, from the sounds of water lapping mooring posts and trips by vaporetto (water bus) to visiting the rainbow-hued houses of the island of Burano, and the city gathering at the water’s edge for the colorful pageantry of the Regata Storica rowing festival. 

Once you’ve experienced Bangkok’s ultra-modern retail and culinary scenes, the waterways that thread through the city offer a complete change of pace. The magnificent Chao Phraya River acts as the city’s spine, weaving its way from the neon-lit skyscrapers of Siam and Sukhumvit to Old Bangkok, the historic heart. In a city packed with busy roads, taking a river ferry is by far the best way to explore Bangkok’s cultural treasures, including the porcelain-covered tower of Wat Arun, the Grand Palace, and Wat Pho with its reclining golden Buddha.  

Away from the Chao Phraya, the region of Thonburi reveals a more traditional side of Bangkok through its klongs, narrow waterways once used as trading routes. Hire a private longtail boat to float beneath palm trees past teak stilt houses and the aromatic floating kitchens. Ask the boatman to drop you at Jim Thompson House, a beautifully preserved example of Thai wooden architecture with a must-visit silk store.  

Bangkok’s floating markets are another instance of how water operates as the lifeblood of daily living. For a more authentic experience away from tour groups, head to Khlong Lat Mayom in the Taling Chan district, popular with locals for its seafood, noodles, and weekend community atmosphere. Ordering mango sticky rice from a floating vendor is a must. 

One of the world’s most striking juxtapositions of old and new is found along Shanghai’s waterfront. On one side of the Huangpu River is the Bund, lined with preserved buildings from Shanghai’s colonial past. On the other side tower the futuristic skyscrapers of Pudong, including the spaceship-shaped Oriental Pearl Tower, where nightly LED displays create dazzling reflections on the water.  

The promenades are popular meeting places for locals: joggers and tai chi practitioners in the early morning, then later, families, couples, and groups of friends gathering to socialize. Time your walk on the Bund for golden hour, when the colonial buildings glow amber while Pudong’s neon skyline dramatically comes to life.  

Mumbai’s waterfront serves up a dazzling mix of contrasts and insights into Indian daily life. The sweeping seaside boulevard of Marine Drive – nicknamed “the Queen’s Necklace” thanks to its curving sweep of nighttime lights – takes you past luxury condos and bustling fishing villages. The beaches of Juhu and Girgaon Chowpatty come alive around sunset with couples strolling and impromptu cricket games springing up on the sand. For a refreshing treat, stop by Bachelorr’s for one of its famous Alphonso mango milkshakes.  

In South Mumbai’s Colaba district, the Gateway of India – an arch monument built in 1924 to commemorate the visit of King George V – is a popular landmark and local meeting point. This compact, historic waterfront captures Mumbai’s melting-pot atmosphere, where colonial buildings, street sellers, and ferries clash with the frenetic energy of the modern city. Skip the crowds by visiting early morning or charter a private yacht to watch the stunning sunset at sea. 

Lisbon’s proud seafaring history of Ferdinand Magellan and Vasco da Gama is reflected in its stunning waterfront. Begin your explorations at Praça do Comércio, a grand public square where marble steps lead directly into the Tagus River, once the ceremonial entrance for dignitaries arriving by boat. Continue west to Ponte 25 de Abril, which bears more than a passing resemblance to San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge. Nestled beneath it is LX Factory, a former industrial area transformed into a vibrant hub of street art, restaurants, and boutique shops.  

Beyond the bridge lies Belém, famous for pastel de nata pastries and its historic tower, which once guarded the city from river invasions. Belém also reflects Lisbon’s contemporary side through the striking MAAT – Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology, part of a wider riverfront regeneration. 

While Gaudí’s masterpieces may grab the headlines in Barcelona, travel insiders head for its Los Angeles-style waterfront and beach scene. At the end of La Rambla lies Port Vell and the Rambla de Mar walkway. Nearby, the triangular district of Barceloneta, once an 18th-century fishing village, is now a lively hub of golden beaches, chiringuito beach bars, and narrow streets filled with traditional restaurants. The promenade attracts joggers and skaters, while outdoor gyms provide plenty of people watching.  

For a quieter atmosphere, continue along Passeig Maritim past the Frank Gehry fish sculpture to Icària and Bogatell beaches. The chiringuitos here stay open year-round. Try the paella at locals’ favorite Can Fisher overlooking the beach. 

For the original Californian waterfront experience, it’s hard to beat Santa Monica, near Los Angeles. Here, 3.5 miles of beachfront stretch along the bay, offering incomparable sunsets and a healthy, outdoor lifestyle to match. The vistas feel familiar even to first-time visitors, from the iconic pier and solar-powered Ferris wheel to the original Muscle Beach fitness area. Joggers, skaters, and cyclists make a beeline for what locals affectionately call “The Strand,” while others settle into beachfront restaurants for sunset dining. 

For a classic perspective on the coastline, head to Palisades Park, perched on the cliffs above the Pacific. It’s the perfect spot for cinematic views of crashing surf and the Santa Monica mountains, all bathed in that million-dollar, honey-colored California glow.