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Coastal Towns and Villages

Up and down the coast, along sandy beaches or tucked in rocky inlets, discover picturesque villages and thriving coastal towns, all beckoning to be admired and enjoyed.

In the southern region of the state charmingly situated between beaches are the towns of Kennebunk and Kennebunkport, both of which frequently top the list of best coastal towns to visit in Maine. Each have a rich maritime history, delightful shopping and award-winning dining. Ogunquit is just down the road and this seaside village is complete with an adorable cove full of moored boats. Marginal Way, a mile-plus long path edging the sea, is ideal for taking in the ocean views.

MidCoast Maine is fantastic for finding charming coastal towns. Along Route 1 are communities so picture-perfect, you will want to move to Maine just to live in any one of them. Fortunately, these towns have many hotels and bed & breakfasts so you can at least spend a weekend pretending you are a Mainer. Rockland has long lured fans of seaside towns with its popular Maine Lobster Festival, Farnsworth Art Museum and vibrant arts and culture scene. Next up the road are Rockport and Camden. Rockport was home to the once-famous Andre the Seal, who spent his winters at the New England Aquarium in Boston and his summers wild and free in Rockport Harbor. His statue can be found in the park. In Camden, windjammers are waiting to be boarded and Camden Hills State Park’s many trails offer unparalleled views of area.

Take a scenic drive off Route 1 and you’ll find villages like Harpswell and Georgetown. These coastal delights specialize in the quiet life. Situated on islands, once you cross the bridge you know you’re someplace special. On the hunt for a lobster roll? These coastal villages are home to some of the state’s best lobster shacks including Five Islands Lobster Company.

Penobscot Bay has many of the cutest coastal towns. Castine and Blue Hill are considered two of the prettiest villages in Maine, and the scenic drive to Stonington is breathtaking. Once you arrive, you can get your fill of music, theater and more at the Opera House.

Bar Harbor is epically charming and frequently tops the lists of best coastal towns in the country.

Farther DownEast Maine, (which is north-east if you want to get technical) Winter Harbor and Lubec are appealingly cozy. Winter Harbor is cute enough to have two lighthouses in its harbor.

Explore the Places To Go tab above for coastal Maine town maps and itinerary ideas to explore more of Maine’s wonderful coastal towns and villages.