21 of the best beach towels to take on holiday in 2024
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Warmer weather is finally here, which means it's time to invest in one of the best beach towels to take along on your next seaside trip or beach getaway. Beyond simply for drying off after a refreshing swim, a premium beach towel offers unparalleled comfort for lounging, reading, picnicking, and sun bathing. Whether your travels lead you to the sun-drenched shores of Santorini, the quaint coastal cottages of the UK (think: inviting hot tubs and charming houseboat Airbnbs), or simply to your local park for a leisurely day out, a chic beach towel will add a dash of luxury to any outing.
The best beach towels are more than mere accessories; they are versatile additions to your beach bag that will bring comfort and style to your outdoor experience. Crafted from a range of high-quality materials, such as soft and absorbent cotton or quick-drying microfibre, these towels offer plushness and durability. Plus, generously-sized options can even double up as a chic sarong for post-swim lounging or as a textured throw to pep up a sun lounger or garden furniture.
Whether you prefer classic stripes, vibrant tropical prints, or striking geometric designs, there's a beach towel to suit every taste and personality in our edit. If you're jetting off to exotic shores or simply soaking up the sun closer to home, choose a beach towel that combines durability with aesthetic appeal. It's the perfect accessory for a day of relaxation and enjoyment under the sun.
The best beach towels at a glance:
- Best overall: Pure Cotton Sand Resistant Striped Beach Towel, £14, Marks & Spencer
- Best microfibre beach towel: The Towel, £38, Lululemon
- Best striped beach towel Striped beach towel, £9.99, H&M
- Best sand-free towel: Missoni Home Adam Beach Towel, £102, Farfetch
- Best Turkish cotton: BulutyShop Cotton Turkish Towel, £12.95, Etsy
What is the best type of beach towel?
It’s worth noting what fabric the beach towel is made from. Cotton is one of the most common materials as it’s soft yet absorbent, like this Joules towel. Meanwhile, terry cloth is made from cotton but is woven in loops, meaning there’s more surface area to absorb water but this can result in the towel taking longer to dry itself, like this SoLife towel. Because…carrying a soggy towel home from the beach is far from ideal. There's also microfibre towels, which are a popular choice as they’re fast drying, like the Lululemon towel Some even repel sand, perfect if you hate finding tiny grains at the bottom of your bag weeks later – take this Amazon pick, for instance.
Arguably the most important read: most fun part in picking the best beach towels is the design. Coming in bright colours and fun patterns, you can’t go wrong with classic deck chair stripes like Dock & Bay’s striped poncho, or opt for something bold like M&S' flamingo number so you can spot your sunbed a mile away.
After more outdoor essentials? See our collection of the best picnic blankets, picnic baskets, melamine plates and picnic sets. Elsewhere, we've got round ups of the best garden parasols, best outdoor rugs, best hanging egg chairs and even deck chairs, to bring that beach aesthetic into your back garden. For more from GLAMOUR UK's Commerce Writer Mayola Fernandes, follow her on Instagram @mayolafernandess.
Scroll for our full edit of the best beach towels to take on holiday for in 2024.
1/211. Best beach towel overall
Pure Cotton Sand Resistant Striped Beach Towel
Specifications:
- Fabric - Cotton.
- Size - 160 x 90cm.
Sand-resistant towels are best sellers year in and out so we'll be taking this top pick home before it inevitably goes out of stock. Now we'll just need sunscreen and a cover up…luckily M&S have those, too!
- 2/21
2. Best microfibre beach towel
Specifications:
- Fabric - 100% polyester.
- Size - 180cm x 66cm.
Designed originally for use in a sweaty yoga studio, this microfibre beach towel (or microfiber beach towel, for our US readers) requires minimal drying time after use, given that its primary purpose is to be a travel towel, capable of being packed up back into a bag along with your gym leggings et. al, soon after you've finished using it.
Save money on everything from comfy clothes to high-quality, quick drying beach towels with these Lululemon discount codes.
3/213. Best striped beach towel
Specifications:
- Fabric - Cotton.
- Size - 80 x 165cm.
This classic striped towel would make a great gift if you're heading somewhere with someone special. Made from 100% cotton, it also proves incredibly absorbent, making it both practical and pretty.
4/214. Best machine-washable beach towel
Specifications:
- Fabric - Cotton.
- Size - 100 x 180cm.
We love the rich inky hues and chevron pattern on this stylish beach towel. Whether lounging by the shore or soaking up the sun at a resort, this towel promises to elevate your beach experience with a touch of sophistication. Plus, it's machine-washable, meaning you don't have to worry too much about clean up.
- 5/21
5. Best Turkish beach towel
BulutyShop Cotton Turkish Towel
Specifications:
- Fabric - 100% Turkish cotton.
- Size - 90cm x 180cm.
Handmade in the UK using Turkish cotton yarn, this sand-free towel is sumptuously soft, super absorbent and eco friendly. Plus, if you're one for a hammam at the gym or pool after a hard day at work, then this Turkish beach towel needs to go straight on your wishlist.
6/216. Best quick-drying beach towel
Dock & Bay Cabana Stripe Quick Dry Beach Towel, Whitsunday Blue
Specifications:
- Fabric - Polyester.
- Size - 160 x 90cm.
Crafted from recycled plastic, this sustainably-minded beach towel is compact and lightweight, making it an ideal companion for any beach outing. With added conveniences like an elastic hook for easy drying and a spacious cotton pouch with a drawstring closure, it's a practical choice for taking on long-haul holidays or leisurely days by the sea.
7/217. Best Soho Home beach towel
Specifications:
- Fabric - Turkish cotton.
- Size - 100 x 180cm.
As summer approaches, purchasing this absorbent towel is a must buy for beachgoers. Made from plush Turkish cotton, it's specifically crafted to resist fading in sunlight, ensuring a durable investment for numerous beach getaways ahead.
8/218. Best classic beach towel
Specifications:
- Fabric - Cotton.
- Size - 136cm x 70cm.
This clever towel boasts a velour side for luxurious lounging and a terry loop side for efficient drying post-swim. Made in Turkey from 100% cotton, it offers softness and absorbency in a timeless stripe design that'll always remain in style.
9/219. Best pink beach towel
SKIMS Signature Swim logo cotton-terry beach towel
Specifications:
- Fabric - Cotton.
- Size - 165cm x 101cm.
You might recognise SKIMS for its ultra-soft wardrobe essentials, but did you know they also offer beach towels? Featuring an all-over logo print, this cotton beach towel mirrors the same luxurious feel as the brand's clothing, making it a consistently soft choice for your holiday adventures.
10/2110. Best designer beach towel
Specifications:
- Fabric - Cotton.
- Size - 136cm x 70cm.
Drawing from art, architecture, and fashion, Danish brand HAY creates its pieces with precision. This Oeko-tex certified beach towel in a matcha hue, adorned with a check pattern, is a great example of the brand's commitment to elevated design.
11/2111. Best Loewe beach towel
LOEWE Paula's Ibiza Anagram cotton towel
Specifications:
- Fabric - Cotton.
- Size - 170 x 95cm.
Featuring the brand's signature logo, this Loewe towel is anything but understated. Its reversible design makes it a statement accessory, promising to elevate your next getaway with an air of luxury.
12/2112. Most vibrant beach towel
Specifications:
- Fabric - Cotton.
- Size - 79 x 152cm.
Featuring a coral-inspired pattern against a soothing baby blue backdrop, this Marks & Spencer beach towel creates the illusion of texture while offering a plush surface for your sunbathing sessions. Dreamy, or what?
13/2113. Best beach towel with fringe edging
Sand Shell Pembroke Stripe Cotton Towels
Specifications:
- Fabric - Cotton.
- Size - 100 x 150cm.
Taking cues from classic deck chairs, this stunning beach towel evokes memories of sunny days by the British coast. Available in four sizes – bath sheets, bath towels, hand towels, and face cloths – you can complete your bath towel collection and bring the largest size with you for a day at the beach.
14/2114. Best wave pattern beach towel
John Lewis + Matthew Williamson Wave Hand Towel, Mustard
Specifications:
- Fabric - Cotton.
- Size - 150 x 100cm.
Wavy prints are trending everywhere right now, so we're nabbing a couple of these towels right away to take full advantage of John Lewis' free delivery. Plus, being crafted from 100% cotton, you can trust it's worth every penny. While we're partial to the mustard hue, it also comes in a charming blue variant.
Save money on everything from mattresses to living room furniture with these John Lewis discount codes.
15/2115. Best Anthropologie beach towel
Specifications:
- Fabric - Cotton.
- Size - One size.
With warmer days ahead, we're eagerly adding this chic Alexandra Farmer beach towel to our baskets. Crafted from pure cotton, it's conveniently machine washable and serves as the ideal accessory for beach outings, picnics, and post-swim drying sessions.
16/2116. Best statement beach towel
Specifications:
- Fabric - Cotton.
- Size - 178cm x 102cm.
Crafted against a cobalt background adorned with tonal blue serpents, this eye-catching beach towel is a masterpiece in its own right. Made from super-soft cotton, it’s made from a high absorbency 520-GSM weave that will dry you in an instant.
17/2117. Best large beach towel
Maximus Stripe Cotton Beach Towel
Specifications:
- Fabric - Cotton.
- Size - 89cm x 173cm.
This vibrant striped towel not only bursts with colour but also features a luxuriously soft cotton build, enhanced with a substantial 480GSM weight, ensuring it's perfect for cosy beachside snuggles. We're particularly fond of its dopamine-inducing hues, lending it a maximalist appeal.
- 18/21
18. Best beach towel set
Catherine Lansfield Rainbow Pink and Orange Beach Towel
Specifications:
- Fabric - 100% cotton.
- Size - 75cm x 150cm.
The perfect accessory for your beach day, these two cotton beach towels in contrasting shades of pink and orange are ideal for drying off after a relaxing swim in the ocean.
Save when you shop for the best beach towels with these Dunelm discount codes.
- 19/21
19. Best blue beach towel
Joules Botanical Bee Cotton Beach Towel Blue
Specifications:
- Fabric - 100% cotton.
- Size - 160cm x 90cm.
Joules beach towels are oh-so-cute and this baby blue bee iteration is going straight in our baskets and off to the checkout. It's washing machine friendly, extra large compared to similar products on the market and unisex, too.
Save money on everything from Spiderman kids beach towels to chairs for poolside lounging with these Wayfair discount codes.
- 20/21
20. Best oversized beach towel
Whale Flotilla Microfiber Oversized Beach Towel
Specifications:
- Fabric - Polyester and polyamide.
- Size - 90cm x 180cm.
If you've never tried a sand-free towel, or at least had a bit of a tester with a friends, then take this as your sign to introduce something new in your beach bag this summer. Sand slips off the silky material like you wouldn't believe and, what's more, you'll get free next day delivery, too.
21/2121. Best printed beach towel
Specifications:
- Fabric - Cotton.
- Size -100 x 160 cm.
Adorned in a vibrant geometric print, Sazy’s beach towel is finished with a pretty tassel edge that adds a playful touch. Not to mention, at 160 x 100cm, it's a rather oversized beach towel, too – perfect for snuggling up in.
