Dreaming of sandy beaches, crystal-clear waters, and palm trees swaying in the breeze? While hopping on a plane for a tropical getaway might not always be feasible, there’s a simple way to transport yourself to paradise without leaving home: music.
Certain songs have a magical ability to evoke the sensation of being on vacation, instantly whisking you away to far-off destinations and infusing your day with a dose of wanderlust. From catchy beach tunes to laid-back island melodies, here are some songs guaranteed to make you feel like you’re on vacation, no matter where you are.
Best vacation songs
“All Summer Long” by Kid Rock
A nostalgic rock anthem that reminisces about the carefree days of summer spent with friends and loved ones.
“August” by Taylor Swift
A song about summer love complete with salt air, sun on your back, and months slipping away.
“Coconut Woman” by Harry Belafonte
A Caribbean calypso song that tells the story of the coconut woman, a vendor selling coconuts on the beach.
“Come Fly With Me” by Frank Sinatra
A timeless jazz standard that invites listeners to embark on a romantic adventure around the world.
“Come Sail Away” by Styx
A progressive rock epic that transports listeners on a fantastical journey through the high seas and beyond.
“Don’t Worry Be Happy” by Bobby McFerrin
An uplifting and infectious song that reminds listeners to embrace positivity and let go of their worries.
“Holiday” by Madonna
An upbeat pop anthem celebrating the joys of taking a break and escaping from the routine of everyday life.
“Hot Fun in the Summertime” by Sly and the Family Stone
A funk-infused anthem celebrating the vibrant energy and good times of summer.
“Island in the Sun” by Weezer
A breezy alternative rock song evoking images of sunny beaches and palm trees swaying in the breeze.
“Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini” by Bryan Hyland
A fun and playful tune recounting the adventures of a girl in her new bikini.
“I’ve Been Everywhere” by Johnny Cash
A country classic detailing the singer’s travels to various cities and towns across the country.
“Jambalaya (On The Bayou)” by Carpenters
A catchy country tune celebrating the flavors and culture of Louisiana with references to Cajun cuisine and the bayou.
“Leaving on a Jet Plane” by John Denver
A folk-pop ballad about saying goodbye and embarking on a journey, whether it’s for adventure or heartache.
“Margaritaville” by Jimmy Buffett
A laid-back, tropical tune that invites listeners to escape to a carefree island paradise.
“Mexico” by James Taylor
A serene and melodic ballad that paints a vivid picture of escaping to the tranquil beauty of Mexico.
“Miami” by Will Smith
A hip-hop ode to the vibrant city of Miami, with infectious beats and catchy lyrics celebrating its culture and nightlife.
“No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problem” by Kenny Chesney
A carefree country song that celebrates the freedom of living life on your own terms.
“Old Town Road” by Lil Nas X
A genre-blending hit that combines elements of country and hip-hop, telling the story of a cowboy’s journey along an old town road.
“On the Road Again” by Willie Nelson
A country ballad about the joys and freedom of life on the open road, perfect for long summer drives.
“Permanent Vacation” by Aerosmith
A rock anthem about escaping the everyday grind and embracing a carefree lifestyle.
“Rum and Cola” by Andrews Sisters
A vintage swing song celebrating the simple pleasure of enjoying a rum and cola on a sunny day.
“School’s Out” by Alice Cooper
A classic anthem celebrating the end of the school year with rebellious energy and catchy riffs.
“Soak Up the Sun” by Sheryl Crow
An upbeat and catchy song celebrating the simple joys of summertime and sunshine.
Related: 16 Self-Care Songs to Boost Your Mood
“Some Beach” by Blake Shelton
A humorous country song about seeking refuge from life’s stresses on a peaceful beach.
“Summer Lovin’” from Grease
A catchy and nostalgic duet from the musical Grease, capturing the excitement and romance of summer flings.
“Summertime” by Will Smith
A hip-hop homage to the joys of summer with infectious beats and catchy lyrics.
“Summertime, Summertime” by Jamies
A feel-good doo-wop track capturing the essence of summertime fun and romance.
“Surfin USA” by The Beach Boys
An iconic surf-rock anthem that celebrates the thrill of catching waves and soaking up the sun on California’s coast.
“Take It Easy” by Eagles
A laid-back rock anthem that encourages listeners to take life as it comes and enjoy the ride.
“The Girl from Ipanema” by Frank Sinatra
A bossa nova classic that paints a picture of the beauty and allure of a girl from Ipanema beach in Brazil.
“Those Lazy Hazy Crazy Days of Summer” by Nat King Cole
A nostalgic tune evoking the carefree spirit of summer days spent lounging in the sun.
“Toes” by Zac Brown Band
A laid-back country tune that invites listeners to kick back, relax, and enjoy life’s simple pleasures.
“Twist and Shout” by The Beatles
An iconic rock ‘n’ roll song that never fails to get listeners on their feet and dancing.
“Two Tickets To Paradise” by Eddie Money
A rock classic that captures the excitement and anticipation of embarking on a journey to paradise.
“Under the Board Walk” by The Drifters
A soulful R&B classic capturing the romance and allure of a seaside rendezvous.
“Vacation” by The Go-Gos
A pop-rock anthem about the excitement and anticipation of going on vacation and leaving your worries behind.
“Walk Like An Egyptian” by The Bangles
A catchy pop-rock tune with infectious rhythms and lyrics inspired by Egyptian imagery and dance.
Related: How To Use Calming Music for Stress Relief
Music channels that sound like vacation
Let us take over the DJ responsibilities so you can skip the tedious manual playlist construction and get right to what matters: relaxing.
Explore our channels curated around music legends like Bob Marley, Kenny Chesney, Pitbull, Jimmy Buffett, and Shaggy. Escape to the sounds of the Caribbean, Latin America, Hawaii — or just a local dive bar.
Put one of these channels on your car radio or the SiriusXM app and just let it play. You’ll feel like you’re on a beach somewhere in no time.
Don’t have SiriusXM yet? Start listening today!
Bob Marley’s Tuff Gong Radio (Ch. 19)
Bob’s hits, family music, and more – Listen Now
All of Bob Marley’s music is in one place, including rare gems, his family’s prolific recordings, and music from Tuff Gong, the family label he founded. Make any day better hangin’ with the Marleys.
Caliente (Ch. 152)
Red-hot Latin music mix – Listen Now
Salsa, bachata, reggaeton, and more, where the sounds of the Caribbean and the Americas collide and where Latin music and culture meet.
Escape (Ch. 149)
24/7 easy listening music – Listen Now
Whenever you listen, you’ll always hear the world’s most beautiful easy listening music with great melodies that you can hum along to.
No Shoes Radio (Ch. 59)
Kenny Chesney’s music channel – Listen Now
Music from and chosen by Kenny Chesney, including special rare recordings, live concerts, unplugged moments, and No Shoes Nation drop-ins.
Pitbull’s Globalization (Ch. 13)
Worldwide rhythmic hits – Listen Now
Open format club DJs dropping the biggest hits from all genres around the world, from pop and hip-hop to Latin and dance.
Radio Margaritaville (Ch. 24)
Escape with Jimmy Buffett music – Listen Now
Parrotheads, your ship has come in. From multi-platinum singer, songwriter, and author Jimmy Buffett comes a radio paradise of great music.
Rockbar (Ch. 713)
Hard-rock hits jukebox – Listen Now
Serving up tunes with a dive bar vibe. Raise a glass and the volume to top-shelf rock on the rocks. AC/DC, Van Halen, Metallica, Aerosmith, Led Zeppelin, Nirvana, Linkin Park, Pearl Jam, and more.
Shaggy’s Boombastic Radio (Ch. 332)
Dancehall, reggae, and afrobeats – Listen Now
Love Reggae? Hear the sounds of Jamaica with music from artists including Bob Marley, UB40, Burning Spear, Jimmy Cliff, Chronixx, and more.
Yacht Rock 311 (Ch. 311)
’70s and ’80s smooth-sailing soft rock – Listen Now
Drift off with soft rock from the late ’70s and early ’80s from artists like Michael McDonald, Christopher Cross, Steely Dan, and other titans of smooth music. It’s the kind of rock that doesn’t rock the boat.
App-exclusive channels that sound like vacation
Hawaiian Vacation
Hawaiian-style music – Listen Now
Red White & Booze
Country bar anthems – Listen Now
Reggae Vibes
Downtempo reggae – Listen Now
Tropix
The rhythmic beat of the tropics – Listen Now
Vacation
Sun-soaked island music vibes – Listen Now