Ramsgate is a seaside port town and civil parish situated within the district of Thanet in eastern Kent, England. It occupies one of the most easterly points of the United Kingdom, located approximately 78 miles from central London in an east-south-easterly direction. The town forms part of the Isle of Thanet and is closely associated with its neighbouring towns of Broadstairs and Margate. Administratively, it serves as a significant coastal settlement within the local government district, having been incorporated as a municipal borough in 1884 before becoming part of Thanet in 1974.

The area began as a fishing and farming hamlet, with the earliest references appearing in the Kent Hundred Rolls of 1274–5 under names such as Remmesgate. Christian missionary St Augustine landed near Ramsgate in AD 597, establishing a historical link to the Shrine of St Augustine. The town became a member of the Confederation of Cinque Ports in 1483 and developed a Royal Harbour, the only one of its kind in the United Kingdom, constructed between 1749 and 1850. Its strategic proximity to mainland Europe made it a chief embarkation point during the Napoleonic Wars and the Dunkirk evacuation in 1940.

Ramsgate is an amalgamation of a coastal fishing community and an inland farming area, defined by the East Cliff and West Cliff. The town features promenades along cliff tops, parks, and sandy beaches, alongside elegant Georgian townhouses and Victorian architecture built during its Regency heyday. Notable landmarks include St Augustine's Church, The Grange, and the Grade-II listed Ramsgate station. The town also contains the Deep Shelter tunnels, opened in 1939 to house 60,000 people, with part of the network accessible to visitors since 2014.

As one of the great English seaside towns of the 19th century, Ramsgate attracted writers, artists, and philanthropists, including Augustus Pugin and Vincent van Gogh. The town offers a vibrant cafe culture and stunning views, drawing visitors to its coastline and historic environment. In 2017, Ramsgate was designated a Heritage Action Zone by Historic England to stimulate economic growth through its historic landscape. The area retains a rich history of British military and cultural significance, from Roman settlement evidence to the landing of Viking chieftains.

The population of Ramsgate was recorded as 41,907 in 2021, though other sources cite 42,027 for the same year. The main industries are tourism and fishing, supported by a marina with over 800 moorings and cross-channel ferry services. The town experiences an oceanic climate with over 1,800 hours of sunshine annually. Transport access is provided by Southeastern train services from London and the Medway Towns, alongside the nearby Kent International Airport, which was formerly RAF Manston.