Seaside resort facts for kids
A seaside resort is a special kind of resort town or village that is located right on the coast, next to the sea. Sometimes, a town can even get an official title, like Seebad in Germany, if it meets certain rules to be called a seaside resort. If the main reason people visit is for the beach, it might be called a beach resort. These places are popular spots for holidays and fun!
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What Makes a Seaside Resort Special?
Seaside resorts are designed for people to relax and have a good time by the ocean. They usually have lots of things to do, like swimming, sunbathing, and playing in the sand. Many resorts also offer exciting activities and places to stay.
Why Do People Love Seaside Resorts?
People have loved visiting the seaside for hundreds of years. The fresh air, the sound of the waves, and the chance to swim or play in the sand are all big attractions. It's a great way to escape busy city life and enjoy nature.
Fun Activities at the Beach
At a seaside resort, you can often find many fun things to do. These might include building sandcastles, playing volleyball, or trying out water sports like surfing or paddleboarding. Some resorts even have piers with amusement rides or arcades.
A Look Back: History of Seaside Resorts
The idea of going to the seaside for holidays became popular a long time ago. At first, people thought sea air and water were good for their health.
When Did Seaside Resorts Begin?
In the 18th century, doctors started suggesting that bathing in the sea could help people feel better. This made places like Margate in England, established in the 1750s, become some of the very first seaside resorts. People would travel there to "take the waters."
Early Seaside Towns
As more people wanted to visit the coast, towns began to build special facilities. They added places to stay, bathhouses, and promenades for walking. Heiligendamm in Germany, founded in 1793, is the oldest seaside resort in continental Europe.
How Did They Become Popular?
In the 19th century, with the invention of the railway, it became much easier for people to travel. This meant that more families, not just the wealthy, could visit the seaside. Places like Blackpool in England grew very quickly, becoming huge holiday destinations.
Famous Seaside Resorts Around the World
Today, seaside resorts are found all over the globe, each with its own unique charm.
European Coastal Gems
Europe has many historic and beautiful seaside resorts.
- Brighton in England is famous for its pier and lively atmosphere.
- Ostend in Belgium offers wide beaches and a long promenade.
- The Baltic Sea coast in Germany, with resorts like Binz, is known for its unique beach chairs called Strandkörbe.
- In the Mediterranean, places like Positano in Italy and Nesebar in Bulgaria are stunning.
Popular Resorts in Other Continents
Seaside resorts are also very popular outside Europe.
- In Australia, Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast is a major tourist spot, known for its surfing.
- Miami Beach in the United States is famous for its sunny weather and vibrant nightlife.
- Cancún in Mexico is a well-known destination for its beautiful Caribbean beaches.
- Sochi in Russia, often called the "Caucasian Riviera," is a large resort city on the Black Sea.
- In South Africa, Durban and Cape Town offer warm beaches and great holiday experiences.
What Can You Do at a Seaside Resort?
Beyond just the beach, seaside resorts offer a wide range of activities and experiences.
Entertainment and Attractions
Many resorts have special entertainment options. This can include amusement parks, water parks, aquariums, or even casinos, like the famous one in Monte Carlo. There are often shops, restaurants, and cafes to explore.
Local Culture and Food
Visiting a seaside resort also gives you a chance to experience local culture. You can try fresh seafood, enjoy local festivals, and learn about the history of the area. Some resorts, like Nesebar in Bulgaria, are even UNESCO World Heritage Sites because of their history.
Protecting Our Coasts: Being a Responsible Tourist
When visiting seaside resorts, it's important to be a responsible tourist. This means helping to keep the beaches and ocean clean.
Keeping Beaches Clean
Always put your rubbish in bins and avoid leaving anything behind on the beach. This helps protect marine animals and keeps the environment beautiful for everyone.
Respecting Nature
Many seaside resorts are close to important natural areas. Be mindful of local wildlife and plants. Following rules and guidelines helps preserve these special places for future generations.
Images for kids
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Barcola, a holiday seaside resort in antiquity as well as in the 19th century with the Miramare Castle and later
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Heiligendamm in Mecklenburg (Germany), established in 1793, is the oldest seaside resort in continental Europe.
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Brighton, The Front and the Chain Pier Seen in the Distance, early 19th century
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Seaside facade at Monte Carlo, 1870s
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The Strandkorb became a symbol of seaside tourism by the end of the 19th century, especially on the southern Baltic Sea coast.
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Seasideness being displayed in Morecambe
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Hyams Beach in the Jervis Bay Territory, which is renowned for its brilliantly white sand.
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Manly Beach in Sydney, a popular beach spot.
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Surfers Paradise, one of the most frequently visited tourist spots in Australia.
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Ostend beach and the promenade pier, panoramic view
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Nesebar
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Sunny Beach
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The coast around Golden Sands with the neighbouring nature park
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Albena
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Sozopol
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Opatija
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Map of the French coastline showing various resort areas
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A beach in Batumi
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Steep coast at Darss West Beach, near Ahrenshoop
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Kurhaus of Binz on Rugia island, one of the most famous German seaside spas, which showcases the typical resort architecture of the Pomeranian coast
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Aerial view of the Sassnitz seaside resort and the nearby Jasmund National Park chalk cliffs, Rugia island
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Hotel in Kranidi.
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Aquila Rithymna Beach in Rethymno.
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Beach at Nauthólsvík
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The seafront in Bray, County Wicklow
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Kilkee Strand on the west coast of Ireland
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Positano and its sea
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A beach in Taormina
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Map of Lithuanian and Russian resorts on the Curonian Spit
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Hel
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Quarteira
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"Mangalia Port", Mangalia
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The "Caucasian Riviera", Sochi, ca. 1909
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Cape Town, also known as the "Mother City" is the most visited tourist destination in South Africa, with many beaches sprawling across its metropolitan area
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Coffee bay is a small seaside resort on the Wild Coast, known for the Hole-in-the-wall, its views and beaches
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Durban is a major holiday destination on South Africa's east coast and is renowned for its warm weather all-year round
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Margate is a well-known holiday destination on South Africa's east coast and is one of the most visited in the country
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Port Elizabeth is a seaside city in the Eastern Cape province and is renowned for its surfing, temperate climate and its beautiful beaches
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Hondeklip Bay is a coastal and fishing village on the west coast and is also well known for its unspoiled beaches and its rock and tidal pools
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Barcelona - Barceloneta beach
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Margate (Kent), the first seaside resort of England, established in the 1750s
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Scarborough's South Bay
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The Grand Pier and donkey rides at Weston-super-Mare
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Llandudno Pier
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