Tucked away on the Kent coast, one postcard-perfect seaside spot is quickly gaining a reputation as Britain’s very own slice of the Amalfi Coast. Ramsgate is often overlooked in favour of its louder, busier neighbours, but in recent years it has become a surprise star of early summer getaways, according to Kent Online.
With its sweeping esplanade, striking Italian-style architecture and dazzling blue sea views it’s just two hours from London by train or car and offers a distinctly continental vibe. Visitors describe the town as having a “cosmopolitan atmosphere,” and on a sunny day, you might just forget you’re in Britain altogether.
At the heart of the Amalfi comparisons is the town’s Boating Pool on Westcliff Promenade. Framed by two grand pavilions, this palm-lined pool offers sweeping sea views and a relaxed alfresco scene that wouldn’t feel out of place in Positano.
“If you told someone you were on the Amalfi Coast they’d believe it,” Kent Online writer, Chris Britcher said.
One pavilion houses a cafe serving hearty seaside classics, while the other features a bar, perfect for sipping a pint as the sun dips low.
One visitor said on TripAdvisor: “Lovely to potter around. Lots of places to see, the sailor’s church is lovely. Bars and restaurants to sit outside and look over the harbour.”
Ramsgate delivers a visual punch that surprises first-timers and long-time locals alike.
Elsewhere, the town boasts artisan delis, vintage boutiques, a café-ringed marina, and a sweeping chalk cliff coastline with award-winning beaches just a short walk away.
The path to Viking Bay in nearby Broadstairs is especially popular for a breezy hike with a rewarding pint at the end.
History lovers can head underground to explore the UK’s largest civilian wartime tunnels, while fans of pub culture will be impressed by Ramsgate’s claim to the world’s biggest Wetherspoons, housed in a Grade II-listed former concert hall with sea views.
And while Ramsgate may not boast the yachts and limoncello of Italy’s coast, what it does offer is more accessible, less crowded, and, as the early summer sun warms its stone facades, increasingly irresistible.