Hythe (/ˈhaɪð/ ^ⓘ) is an old market town and civil parish on the edge of Romney Marsh in Kent, England. Hythe is an Old English word meaning haven or landing place.

The name Hythe derives from the Old English for 'landing place'.

The earliest reference to Hythe is in Domesday Book (1086) though there is evidence of the area having been settled since Roman times.

The town has mediaeval and Georgian buildings, as well as a Saxon/Norman church on the hill and a Victorian seafront promenade. Hythe was once defended by castles at Saltwood and Lympne. Hythe Town Hall, a neoclassical style building, was completed in 1794.

Hythe's market once took place in Market Square (now Red Lion Square) close to where there is now a farmers' market every second and fourth Saturday of the month. Hythe has gardening, horse riding, bowling, tennis, cricket, football, squash and sailing clubs. Lord Deedes was once patron of Hythe Civic Society.

As an important Cinque Port, Hythe once possessed a bustling harbour which, over the course of 300 years, has now disappeared due to silting. Hythe was the central Cinque Port, sitting between Hastings and New Romney to the west and Dover and Sandwich to the east.

According to Hasted, a French fleet approached Hythe in 1293 and landed 200 men, but "the townsmen came upon them and slew every one of them: upon which the rest of the fleet hoisted sail and made no further attempt".

In 1348, the Black Death afflicted Hythe, and in 1400 the plague further reduced the population.