Forbes has crowned Ogunquit, Maine the most beautiful village in the United States, placing it at number 28 on its 2025 list of the World’s 50 Most Beautiful Villages. This cozy coastal town on Maine’s southern shore offers sandy beaches, rocky cliffs, and postcard-perfect charm that’s impossible to resist.
Unlike much of Maine’s rugged coastline, Ogunquit Beach offers a rare three-mile stretch of soft sand that’s ideal for walking, sunbathing, or dipping your toes into the Atlantic. The beach sits between the ocean and the Ogunquit River, giving visitors miles of shoreline to explore without crowds of rocks underfoot.
Start your morning on Marginal Way, a paved 2.5-mile path hugging the cliffs and dotted with benches for soaking in ocean views. From May through October, you can take to the water on a nature cruise or whale-watching tour for a new perspective.
Food here is as memorable as the scenery. The Front Porch serves fresh seafood and hosts a lively piano bar, while The Greenery Cafe dishes out lobster rolls, chowder, and pastries perfect for a hearty breakfast or casual lunch. For dessert, Harbor Candy Shop offers handcrafted chocolates and classic New England sweets.
Culture seekers will love the Ogunquit Playhouse, a historic theater open since 1933, and the castle-like Ogunquit Memorial Library, which feels like stepping into a storybook. Shops like Abacus Gallery showcase Maine-inspired art, décor, and jewelry.
The most beautiful villages in the world
- Bibury, England
- Hallstatt, Austria
- Reine, Norway
- Giethoorn, Netherlands
- Gásadalur, Faroe Islands
- Oia, Greece
- Bourtange, Netherlands
- Kotor, Montenegro
- Shirakawa-go, Japan
- Batad, Philippines
You can read the full list on Forbes.
