The Best Beach Towels That Aren’t Totally Boring

Finding the best beach towels is not an easy task. There are a lot of options! From Turkish towels and towels big enough to fill all of the shady space underneath your umbrellas and next to your beach chair, it can be a bit overwhelming. After all, was the last time you tried a bold towel in elementary school? Not knocking your boring sunbathing go-to, but we’re here to reassure you that the best quality beach towels for grown-ups can come in all shapes, color options, and sizes (and also with tassels, because those are fun too). A good beach towel cannot be confused with a good bath towel—sand-resistant construction can go a long way, trust us.

If you’re looking to reacquaint yourself with patterns, we’ve got what you need. Not into terry cloth? That’s cool, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite 100% cotton beach blanket options too. Need something with a quick drying time? No problem. Something that fits in a beach bag? Consider it done!

Read on for 22 of our top picks for the best overall beach towels, and you’ll be prepared for a sand-free and sunscreen-safe beach trip in no time.