Antibes is an ideal destination for seaside vacations. Located between Nice and Cannes, this human-sized town boasts magnificent beaches. Whether you prefer small coves or large beaches with lots of activities, you’ll be delighted! For a relaxing holiday with plenty of swimming in store for young and old alike, follow the guide!
Find our selection of the city’s most beautiful beaches, with our own photos, tips and a map to help you plan.
This guide is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
Antibes’ best beaches – map
In Antibes, you’ll find beautiful beaches, mostly of fine sand, although some are pebbled. The largest are located in Antibes’ seaside resort, “Juan-les-Pins”, while the “wildest” are at Cap d’Antibes. They are all off-limits to dogs. We remind you that at any time of year, some beaches may be covered with seaweed (Posidonia meadows). This is essential for their renewal.
Why not take in the city’s iconic sights after your swim? To help you plan your stay, read our article on the best things to do in Antibes.
Here’s a map of the beaches listed in this article, to help you find your way around:
1. Ponteil beach
Why we love it
We love this beach because it offers one of the most beautiful views on the Côte d’Azur. It’s not your typical beach, but we fell in love with it.
Located on Cap d’Antilles, it faces inland, so you can enjoy views of the Antibes fortress and the mountains in the background. And in some seasons, these mountains still have snow-capped peaks!
Access
- Ponteil district.
- Easy access on foot from downtown (15min). You can also take bus line 14 to the “Parking du Ponteil” stop. To plan your route, visit the official public transport website here.
- Parking nearby, but quickly full.
Practical information
- Sand beach
- Gentle slope
- Supervised beach in season
- Shower and toilet
- Handiplage” site (adapted showers and toilets, personalized welcome in season…)
- Numerous restaurants nearby, you can find our full list in our article on the best restaurants to eat in Antibes.
- To find out more, read our dedicated article.
WHERE TO STAY IN Antibes
Option 1: near the ramparts
Close to the ramparts, to enjoy the charm of the old town and all the restaurants.
Hôtel la Villa Port – See prices, photos and availability
On the beach side (Ponteil and Salis) with views of the ramparts and mountains.
Hôtel La Jabotte – See prices, photos and availability
In Juan-les-Pins, in the heart of the peninsula.
Hôtel La Villa Cap d’Antibes – See prices, photos and availability
2. Plage de la Garoupe
Why we love it
Plage de la Garoupe, on the Cap d’Antibes peninsula, is one of the most charming beaches on the Côte d’Azur. We enjoyed the fine sand, crystal-clear water and elegant ambience. The atmosphere is both relaxed and refined, with a view of the mountains!
Here you can swim, eat or go hiking.
It’s a place where you can refocus on nature and calm.
Access
- Cap d’Antibes district.
- Difficult access from downtown (1-hour walk). We advise you to travel by car. If you don’t have one, we recommend you take bus lines 2 and 15 to the “Eden-Roc” stop, then finish on foot. To plan your route, visit the official public transport website here.
- Parking nearby, but fills up quickly.
Practical information
- Fine sand beach
- Shallow slope
- Unsupervised beach
- Showers and toilets
- Beach not accessible
- You’ll find several restaurants right on the beach.
3. Plage de la Salis
Why we love it
Close to Plage du Ponteil, this long sandy beach also offers a beautiful panorama of the old town. On the other side, it overlooks the pretty Cap d’Antibes. The setting is relatively quiet, as it is located in a residential area. We particularly recommend it for families, as the slope is gentle and the water shallow. Enjoy the beach with complete peace of mind! What’s more, it’s located right next to the water sports center, so it’s sure to please even the sportiest sports enthusiasts. It specializes in sailing, and offers activities for people with reduced mobility, with 3 adapted trimarans. For more information, visit the official website here.
Access
- Salis district.
- Easy access on foot from downtown (20min walk). For a quicker journey, take bus line 14 to the “Handiplage” stop. To plan your route, visit the official public transport website here.
- Nearby parking lot at the nautical base (5min), but quickly filled up.
Practical information
- Fine sand beach (the part next to the nautical base is made up of small gravel)
- Gentle slope
- Supervised beach in season
- Showers and toilets
- Handiplage” site (adapted showers and toilets, personalized welcome in season…)
- We recommend eating at La Maison de Bacon, a 15-minute walk away. To find out more, read our article on the best restaurants to eat in Antibes!
- A few beachside parking spaces are reserved for bicycles.
- To find out more, read our dedicated article.
OUR TPS FOR RENTING YOUR CAR IN Provence
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
- Choose a car that is powerful enough (the roads are steep) but compact (some passages are narrow).
- Think of thecomplete insurance (some roads are tortuous and narrow).
- There is a lot of demand, book it early.
4. Plage des Ondes
Why we love it
This little beach on Cap d’Antibes, sheltered from the wind, made a lasting impression on us with its tower. The latter may look very old, but it only dates back to the 1960s. It was built when the beach was private. It is said to have served as a dressing room for actress Martine Carole, during the filming of Un Soir sur la Plage (1961). With its fine sand and crystal-clear water, this beach looks like a postcard. However, its small size means it can be filled quickly. It also borders a road, which can cause noise pollution in high season. The rest of the year, don’t worry, traffic’s not that heavy! This is one of our favorites, as its gentle slope and abundance of fish make it ideal for snorkeling. And on a clear day, you might even catch a glimpse of the Îles de Lérins!
Access
- Cap d’Antibes district.
- Difficult access from downtown on foot (50-minute walk). We recommend taking line 15 to the “Plage des Ondes” stop, or line 2 to the “Eden-Roc” stop from downtown. To plan your route, visit the official public transport website here.
- There is no parking nearby. We recommend parking in the Port of Gallice parking lot (20min walk).
Practical information
- Fine sand beach
- Gentle slope
- Unsupervised beach
- Showers
- Beach not accessible
- There are few restaurants nearby, but you’ll find the Pêcheurs restaurant a 15-minute walk away. To find out more, read our article on the best restaurants to eat in Antibes!
5. Plage de la Gravette
Why we love it
Plage de la Gravette is the beach in downtown Antibes. Its charm is undeniable, as it lies at the foot of the old city walls. Although very busy due to its location close to all amenities, it is pleasant with its fine sand and turquoise waters. Separated from the port by a stone dike, it offers unparalleled views of the city’s iconic sculpture: Le Nomade . Created by Barcelona artist Jaume Plensa, it was permanently installed on Quai Henri Rambaud in 2010. From the beach, you’ll see this silhouette of white letters facing out to sea. Finally, we recommend this beach if you’re looking for a sheltered spot with little swell.
Access
- Quartier du Vieil Antibes.
- Easy access from the city center (10-minute walk).
- Several parking lots nearby, the closest being Q-Park Pré aux Pêcheurs (5-minute walk).
Practical information
- Fine sand beach
- Gentle slope
- Unsupervised beach
- Showers
- Beach not accessible
- A multitude of restaurants can be found in the old town, just a stone’s throw from the beach! To find out more, read our article on the best restaurants to eat in Antibes!
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6. Grande Plage de Juan-les-Pins
Why we love it
If you’re looking for space, we recommend a swim at the Grande Plage de Juan-les-Pins. At just 250m long, even though it’s very busy, there’s sure to be plenty of room for you, even in high season! As far as we’re concerned, we went at dawn and there was nobody there. The colors of the sky and sea were magnificent in the morning light. We also really enjoyed the pedestrian promenade along the beach. It is equipped with benches, very practical for removing sand from your feet before putting on your shoes! Close to all amenities, this beach is ideal for families. It is also popular with volleyball players. On a clear day, you’ll be able to see the splendid Esterel massif in the distance! Please note that some parts of this beach are private.
Access
- Juan-les-Pins district.
- It’s a 35-minute walk from Vieil Antibes and a few minutes from downtown Juan-les-Pins. You can also take the B and 15 bus lines to get closer. To plan your route, visit the official public transport website here.
- There are plenty of parking lots nearby, but they fill up quickly.
Practical information
- Fine sand beach
- Gentle slope
- Supervised beach
- Showers and toilets
- Accessible beach
- Numerous beachside restaurants. To find out more, read our article on the best restaurants to eat in Antibes!
HAVE FUN WITH THESE activities
- Great kayak trips in:
Saint-Tropez to the Ramatuelle reserve
Cassis to the calanques - Helicopter flight from Cannes
- Shuttle service along the coast between Nice and Saint-Tropez
- Bike tours: eBike in Nice – Mountain biking in the Esterel massif
7. Sun Beach
Why we love it
This beach is the furthest from Le Vieil Antibes, although it’s only a 20-minute drive. We enjoyed this long, palm-fringed beach. Unlike the other beaches mentioned above, it is not very busy. With its fine sand and gentle slope, it’s ideal for families. On the other hand, there can be a lot of music in high season, as many beach restaurants are located nearby. Are you a thrill-seeker? This is the beach for you. You’ll find a water sports equipment rental service (ski, wakeboard, stand-up paddle…). To find out more, visit the official website here. You’ll be able to enjoy these activities in complete peace of mind, as there’s a special channel dedicated to them.
Access
- Quartier du Golfe-Juan, Vallauris.
- Difficult access on foot, but the beach is 5 minutes from the “Golfe-Juan-Vallauris” TER stop. To plan your itinerary, visit the official SNCF website. The car is a good solution for accessing this slightly off-center beach.
- 2 parking lots are nearby.
Practical information
- Fine sand beach
- Gentle slope
- Supervised beach in season
- Showers and toilets
- Beach not accessible
- Numerous beachside restaurants. Take a look at our article on the best restaurants to eat in Antibes.
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Other beaches
Keller private beach
Antibes-Juan-les-Pins, like most Côte-d’Azur towns, has several private beaches. These stretches of beach, often owned by hotels, restaurants or local authorities, offer sunbeds and umbrellas for hire by the day, usually in season. Keller Beach is undoubtedly the most popular. Run by the same family since 1988, it includes a panoramic restaurant, Le César, serving Mediterranean dishes. Located on Plage de la Garoupe, it offers a wide range of services (hot showers, private changing rooms, anti-medusa net…). For more information, visit the official website here.
Private beaches: Les Pêcheurs, Belles Rives, Royal Beach
These private beaches are owned by hotels:
- Plage Les Pêcheurs: this Cap d’Antibes beach, with swimming pool, water sports activities and gourmet restaurant, belongs to the Beach Hotel (5 stars): see photos and availability.
- Belles Rives plage: located in Juan-les-Pins, this beach is part of the famous 5-star Hôtel Belles Rives, where writer Francis Scott Fitzgerald penned his masterpiece Gastby le Magnifique: see photos and availability.
- Royal Beach: part of the Ponteil beach, with a seafood restaurant and terrace. It is part of the Royal Hotel (4 stars): see photos and availability.
Beaches near Antibes Juan-les-Pins
Antibes is located between Cannes and Nice, so there are plenty of beaches nearby:
- Plage du Midi (Cannes): this long sandy beach to the west of the Croisette is one of our favorites. In fact, we’ve listed it among the most beautiful beaches in Cannes.
- Plage de la Réserve (Nice): this tiny pebble beach is ideal for swimming in low season, as it is surrounded by rocks that catch the sunlight. This makes the water temperature seem warmer! Stay tuned for our article on Nice’s best beaches.
Frequently asked questions
When to swim in Antibes
Antibes enjoys a mild to warm Mediterranean climate. The water temperature never drops below 13°, even in the depths of winter. However, swimming is recommended between June and October. In summer, the Mediterranean Sea heats up to 26°. So you can swim all year round on the Côte d’Azur. A word of advice: opt for a wetsuit in low season!
What beach activities are available in Antibes?
Most of Antibes’ beaches offer activities. We recommend the Grande Plage de Juan-les-Pins for volleyball or jet-skiing. Are you more of a sailing enthusiast? See you at Plage de la Salis! You can also rent all kinds of water sports equipment (towed buoys, water-skiing, etc.) at Plage du Soleil.
Are there any recommended family beaches in Antibes?
Yes! Antibes has many beaches with gentle slopes and lifeguards in season. We recommend the Plages du Ponteil and de la Salis, as well as the Grande Plage de Juans-les-Pins and the Plage du Soleil.
Where are the best places to dive and snorkel in Antibes?
For snorkeling, we recommend Plage des Ondes, which is shallow and generally rich in fish. You can also go to Plage de la Garoupe. For diving, we recommend the coves of Baie des Milliardaires. If you’re a beginner, why not opt for a first dive?
Are there jellyfish in Antibes?
Jellyfish can be found in Antibes waters and along the beach, especially in summer. This remains fairly random, but in general the beaches of Juan-les-Pins are spared.
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Our articles are coming!
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- Most beautiful beaches of Provence (coming soon)
- Most beautiful villages of Provence (to come)
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