A leading cultural metropolis and iconic Côte d’Azur city with beautiful Belle Époque facades, Nice also boasts numerous beaches. It’s the perfect destination for a relaxing city break! From the touristy stretches along the Promenade des Anglais to the lesser-known coves, we’re sure you’ll find what you’re looking for in Nice.
Here you’ll find our selection of the city’s best beaches and a few nearby, 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.
Nice’s best beaches – map
In Nice, you’ll find beautiful pebble beaches and a few coves to the east.
But there’s much more to do in and around the city: see our guide.
Here’s a map of the beaches listed in this article, to help you find your way around:
1. Coco Beach
Why we love it
We love this beach, or rather this cove, which is frequented more by locals than tourists. As well as the turquoise waters, it’s a truly secluded spot, far from the hustle and bustle of the city. Access is via the coastal path, which we enjoyed walking along. While the coves of this natural site have a lot of charm, we don’t recommend them for families. Swimming is unsupervised and the rocks are quite steep. This site is dangerous in rough seas.
Access
- Mont-Boron district.
- To get there from the city center, we recommend you take the 98 bus and get off at the “Théodore de Banville / Lorrain” stop next door. To plan your route, visit the official public transport website here.
- There is no parking nearby. On the other hand, you’ll find places to hang your bikes.
Practical information
- Small coves of sand and pebbles.
- Steep slope.
- Unsupervised swimming.
- Shower.
- Beach not accessible to people with reduced mobility. Access via the coastal path. Some sections may be difficult to reach.
- The nearest restaurant is Le Plongeoir, a ten-minute walk away.
WHERE TO STAY IN Nice
Our favorites: neighborhoods and hotels
On the waterfront, with sea view:
Anantara Hotel – See prices, photos and availability
In the new town, close to the sea:
Hotel Apollinaire, elegant and bright – See prices, photos and availability
In the old town, with all the charm:
AparthotelAMMI Vieux Nice very practical and pleasant – see prices, photos and availability
2. La Plage de la Réserve
Why we love it
Plage de la Réserve is located next to the Coco Beach nature reserve. Like this one, it is frequented more by locals than tourists. We were seduced by the “wild” side of this beach. Indeed, it’s nestled in the middle of the rocky coastline. Made of pebbles, it’s surrounded by numerous coves and a few terraces designed to make it easier to sit on the rocks. Access is by steep, narrow stairs. We don’t recommend it for families, as swimming is not supervised. Like Coco Beach, this beach is dangerous in rough seas. Find out more in our dedicated article!
Access
- Mont-Boron district.
- From the city center, we recommend you take the 98 bus and get off at the “La Réserve” stop. It will then take you less than ten minutes to get to the beach. To plan your route, visit the official public transport website here.
- There is no parking in the immediate vicinity. The nearest are at Port Lympia. We recommend the Entrecasteaux parking lot, open 24 hours a day. It is open-air and fee-paying.
Practical information
- Small pebbles.
- Steep slope.
- Unsupervised swimming.
- Showers.
- Beach not accessible to people with reduced mobility. Access via the coastal path.
- The nearest restaurant is La Réserve de Nice (gourmet), less than a 5-minute walk away, as is the nearby Le Plongeoir.
3. Opera plage
Why we love it
This public beach (also known as Plage de l’Opéra) has a popular private section with a Mediterranean restaurant and deckchair, umbrella and cabana rentals. This private section, dating from 1889, is the oldest in the city! As far as we were concerned, we only enjoyed the public area. Located on the eastern edge of the Promenade des Anglais, next to the Opera. As it’s made of pebbles, we advise you to bring slippers if you want to swim! There are also beach volleyball courts. So the atmosphere can be lively! Last but not least, this beach offers beautiful panoramic views of the Château hill and the nearby Castel beach.
Access
- Old Nice district.
- Easy access on foot from the old town and from the city center via tramway T1, “Opéra – Vieille Ville” stop. To plan your route, visit the official public transport website here.
- There are several pay parking lots within a 5-minute walk, including the Saleya parking lot.
Practical information
- Pebble beach.
- Gentle slope.
- monitoring
- Showers.
- Not accessible to people with reduced mobility. Otherwise, access is easy from the Promenade des Anglais, but you’ll need good shoes to walk on the pebbles.
- You can visit the restaurant in the private “Opéra Plage” section, or take advantage of the very good addresses in the old town. Find out more in 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 du Centenaire (handiplage)
Why we love it
Plage du Centenaire is a large pebble beach along the Promenade des Anglais. It’s one of only 2 handiplages in Nice, along with Plage de Carras, which we’ll tell you about later. Supervised in season, we think this beach is ideal for families as the slope is gentle and there are plenty of facilities (showers, toilets, private beach restaurants). And it’s right next to the city center, making it a great place to relax after sightseeing! In season, you can take advantage of temporary facilities such as volleyball courts.
Access
- Jean-Médecin district.
- Easy access on foot from downtown (20min walk).
- Numerous pay parking lots are available within a 10-minute walk (Parking Palais de la Méditerranée, parking Ruhl Méridien…).
Practical information
- Pebble beach.
- Gentle slope.
- Supervised swimming in summer.
- Shower and toilet.
- The beach has the “handiplage” label, an access ramp, adapted showers and toilets 100m away, and handiplagists are on hand in season.
- You’ll find a number of private beach restaurants nearby (Le Galet, Ruhl Plage), as well as good addresses in the Jean-Médecin district. Read our dedicated article to find out more!
5. Lantern Beach
Why we love it
Plage de la Lanterne is one of the few dog-friendly beaches in Nice. You’ll see plenty of them on this beach, and if you have one, you can let it roam free, keep it on a leash or muzzle it, depending on its size. It’s also a beach where fishing is permitted. We therefore recommend this beach for fishing enthusiasts and dog owners. Otherwise, we advise you to choose another beach from our selection for greater peace and quiet and to be closer to the city center.
Access
- Caucade district.
- Easy bus access from downtown with line 12, “Carras / Promenade” stop. To plan your route, visit the official public transport website here.
- Les Bosquets parking lot is a 5-minute walk away.
Practical information
- Pebble beach.
- Rather gentle slope, but the beach is a little uneven.
- Unsupervised swimming.
- Showers.
- Beach not accessible to people with reduced mobility.
- Several restaurants can be found on the beach.
- Dogs are allowed on this beach.
A LITTLE MORE patience
All the photos, maps, information, good addresses to make your stay in Provence a success, will soon be gathered in a single ebook!
If you wish to be informed of the publication of our guide on Provence, subscribe:
6. Carras beach (handiplage)
Why we love it
Plage de Carras is adjacent to Plage de la Lanterne. Close to streetcar T2 (Carras stop), it’s easy to get to. We liked it because it offers a beautiful view of the Nice coast, all the way to Mont-Boron. The water was particularly clear. The beach is accessible to people with reduced mobility and offers a wide range of facilities, including a beach volleyball court. Water sports enthusiasts will be delighted at the jet-ski base, where you can rent canoes and other equipment. For more information, visit the official website here. The airport is also nearby. You’ll be able to see the planes landing at close quarters. Finally, like all the other beaches in Nice, remember to bring appropriate footwear so you don’t hurt yourself on the pebbles!
Access
- Fabron district.
- Easy access from downtown with T2, Carras stop, and bus 12, “Carras / Promenade” stop. To plan your route, visit the official public transport website here.
- Les Bosquets parking lot is a 5-minute walk away.
Practical information
- Pebble beach.
- Gentle slope.
- Supervised swimming in summer.
- Showers.
- Accessible to people with reduced mobility (handiplage label).
- The Promenade des Anglais offers a wide range of beachside restaurants.
7. Beach sailboat
Why we love it
We love this pebble beach for its ideal location near the famous Carré d’Or district. It’s also one of the few beaches in Nice where you can find a bit of sand outside the summer period, on the site of private beaches that aren’t set up out of season. The view over Nice and the Baie des Anges is also very pleasant. We recommend that you take a few steps along the Promenade des Anglais to admire this sculpture in homage to the French of North Africa, and in particular the Harkis. The dates 1830, 1962 and 2012 refer respectively to the conquest of Algeria, its independence and the erection of this stele.
Access
- Carré d’Or district.
- The town center is right next to the beach. You can easily get there on foot.
- There is plenty of parking nearby. We recommend the Palais Masséna’s secure pay parking lot.
Practical information
- Pebble beach.
- Gentle slope.
- Unsupervised swimming.
- Showers and toilets.
- Beach not accessible to people with reduced mobility.
- In summer, you can enjoy the restaurants on the adjacent private beaches. Otherwise, we invite you to let yourself be tempted by one of the very good downtown addresses we’ve listed in this article.
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
8. Lenval Beach
Why we love it
Like Plage de la Lanterne, this beach is dog-friendly. It has the advantage of being a little closer to the city center than the Lanterne. This pebble beach has a few uneven and rocky sections, as you can see in the photo. We recommend this beach to all animal lovers, as well as to those wishing to avoid the crowds of downtown beaches, especially in season.
Access
- Les Baumettes district.
- Easy access by streetcar (T2, “Lenval Hôpital” stop) and by bus (line 12, “Lenval / Promenade” stop). To plan your route, visit the official public transport website here.
- There are several parking lots nearby. The nearest is the Indigo Nice Lenval parking lot, a 5-minute walk from the beach.
Practical information
- Pebble beach.
- Gentle slope.
- Unsupervised swimming.
- Showers.
- Beach not accessible to people with reduced mobility.
- You’ll find a number of restaurants and snack bars on the Promenade des Anglais and on Avenue de la Californie, where the tramway line is located. In summer, you can dine at the nearby private Cocoon Beach.
- Dogs are allowed on this beach.
9. Magnan Beach
Why we love it
Plage Magnan is adjacent to Plage Lenval. However, it is much busier, especially in summer, when bathing is supervised. We therefore recommend it for families in season. Beware, however, of the rocks lining the beach. Otherwise, you’ll enjoy swimming with your children in this clear water! We recommend you bring a small picnic, as the snack bars are a little far away. You’ll find garbage cans on the Promenade des Anglais, which runs alongside the beach.
Access
- Baumettes district.
- Easy access by streetcar (T2, “Lenval Hôpital” stop) and by bus (line 12, “Lenval / Promenade” stop). To plan your route, visit the official public transport website here.
- There are several parking lots nearby. The nearest is the Indigo Nice Magnan parking lot, a 5-minute walk from the beach.
Practical information
- Pebble beach.
- Gentle slope.
- Supervised swimming in summer.
- Showers and toilets.
- Beach not accessible to people with reduced mobility.
- You’ll find a number of restaurants and snack bars on the Promenade des Anglais and on Avenue de la Californie, where the tramway line is located. In summer, you can dine at the nearby private Cocoon Beach.
Subscribe to our Newsletter
- Get away from it all with Region Lovers’ beautiful destinations!
- Once a month
- Advertising-free
10. Plage des Ponchettes
Why we love it
Let’s head east of Nice to talk about Plage des Ponchettes. We really enjoyed this beach, ideally located near Vieux Nice. Although the beach is made of pebbles, a beach volleyball court is set up in summer, providing small stretches of sand. However, we prefer it out of season, as it’s very busy in summer. We recommend an evening visit, as the sunsets are magnificent. Finally, the stretch of the Promenade des Anglais that runs alongside it is very pleasant. Here you’ll find bars and restaurants.
Access
- Old Nice district.
- Easy access on foot from the old town and from the city center via tramway T1, “Opéra – Vieille Ville” stop. To plan your route, visit the official public transport website here.
- There are several pay parking lots within a 5-minute walk, including the Saleya parking lot.
Practical information
- Pebble beach.
- Gentle slope.
- Supervised swimming in summer.
- Toilets, showers.
- Beach not accessible to people with reduced mobility. You have to climb down a few steps to reach the beach.
- You’ll find plenty of restaurants and bars on the Promenade des Anglais. You can also take advantage of the very good addresses in the old town. Find out more in our dedicated article!
11. Plage des Bains Militaires
Why we love it
This pebble beach is located next to the Plage de la Réserve and the Port Lympia nautical base. Some even prefer to use the dock stairs to get to the water faster. We love this place, frequented more by locals than tourists. The water is crystal-clear and there’s more room to set up than in the nearby natural sites of the Reserve and Coco Beach. Even though the pebbles are quite small, we advise you to take swimming shoes, as there are some fairly large rocks in the water. Finally, we find this site less dangerous than the nearby creeks. However, don’t go in rough seas.
Access
- Mont-Boron district.
- To get there from the city center, take the 98 bus and get off at the “La Réserve” stop next door. To plan your route, visit the official public transport website here.
- There is no parking in the immediate vicinity. The nearest are at Port Lympia. We recommend the Entrecasteaux parking lot, open 24 hours a day. It is open-air and fee-paying.
Practical information
- Small pebble beach.
- Gentle slope.
- Unsupervised swimming.
- Showers.
- Beach not accessible to people with reduced mobility.
- The nearest restaurant is La Réserve de Nice (gourmet), less than 5 minutes’ walk away, as is Le Plongeoir, located nearby.
DISCOVER Nice
- Best things to do in Nice
- Where to stay in Nice: 15 best hotels
- Where to eat in Nice: 20 best restaurants
- The 12 best museums in Nice
- Best beaches
- Visit the Palais Lascaris
- Visit the MAMAC Museum
- Visit the Museum of Photography
- Itineraries: 1 day – 2 days – 3 days – 5 days – 7 days
- Rent a car in Nice (airport or train station)
- Most beautiful villages around Nice
Best private beaches
Beau Rivage Beach
This is one of Nice’s largest private beaches. It was founded in 1935 and is located opposite the hotel of the same name. In addition to the classic facilities of a private beach (restaurant, cocktail bar, sun loungers…), this beach features a spa. Why not enjoy a hammam or massage after your swim? To extend your experience, you can stay at the 4-star Hôtel Beau Rivage.
Castel Plage
Adjacent to the Colline du Château, this private beach is decorated with a blend of old-world charm and contemporary elements. Art Deco structures and works of art from the 20th and 21st centuries (Arman, Ben…) interact in symbiosis. You really feel like you’re out of time! As well as renting deckchairs and towels, you can enjoy the Mediterranean restaurant, featuring seafood.
Blue Beach
The Blue Beach is located in front of the legendary Palais Negresco, a palace, and the Palais de la Méditerrannée, a 5-star hotel known for its casino. At Blue Beach, you’ll find a large, partly covered terrace with tables, umbrellas and benches. For your dining pleasure, there’s a lounge bar specializing in cocktails, and a Mediterranean restaurant. A few activities (water sports, aquagym…) are sometimes offered to help you burn off some energy!
Ruhl plage
Ruhl plage is a veritable institution. It was created in 1920 on the initiative of the Hotel Ruhl manager at the time. He asked one of his doormen, Alfred Malacarne, to take charge of the beach, which he eventually bought. Today, the same family is still at the helm! The result is a restaurant offering friendly, typically Nice cuisine, with a speciality: pain bagnat! Then enjoy the beach and the many mattresses available.
Other beaches around Nice
Plage de la Petite Afrique (Beaulieu-sur-Mer)
Beaulieu’s Petite Afrique beach is an oasis of tranquility on the Côte d’Azur. What we particularly appreciated about this beach was its peaceful, unspoilt atmosphere. Nestled between magnificent cliffs, it offers a spectacular natural setting. We could have spent hours at the water’s edge admiring the view!
With its relative discretion, Petite Afrique beach is perfect for escaping the hustle and bustle of the more famous beaches, offering a more authentic coastal experience on the Côte d’Azur.
Plage de la Batterie (Villeneuve-Loubet)
Villeneuve-Loubet is a seaside resort just 30 minutes’ drive from Nice. It’s an ideal family beach: large in size, it offers a wide range of facilities: showers, toilets, restaurants and private beach sections, beach volleyball court…away from the road, it’s relatively quiet. It’s a pebble beach, but some small sections are sandy.
Plage de la Mala (Cap d’Ail)
If you’re looking for a sandy beach, you’ve come to the right place! Mala beach, nestled in a secluded cove, is renowned for its bewitching charm and crystal-clear waters. Its slightly more challenging access, via a picturesque descent from the coastal road, adds a touch of adventure to your visit.
It’s an ideal beach for swimming and snorkeling.
We loved discovering the beach from above. The cliffs drop sheer into the emerald water.
In our opinion, it’s just a shame that the 2 beach restaurants take up most of the space on this little cove.
Frequently asked questions
When to swim in Nice?
We recommend swimming between May and September. We prefer the months outside July and August to avoid the crowds, even if the water temperature then reaches 24°C. The rest of the year, the sea is cooler, between 18 and 22°C. In winter, it can drop to 15°C, so we recommend wearing a wetsuit!
Are there any sandy beaches in Nice?
No, there are no sandy beaches in Nice. You’ll find a few pebble-free stretches in the small coves of Coco Beach.
PLAN YOUR TRIP TO THE Côte d’Azur
- Inspiration
The most beautiful landscapes in 30 photos
Best things to do on the Côte d’Azur
Most beautiful villages
Best beaches on the Côte d’Azur
Most beautiful gardens
Best boat tours (coming soon)
Most beautiful islands
Secret places
- Practical advice
Successful travel on the Côte d’Azur (coming soon)
Rent a car in Provence – in Nice – in Cannes – in Marseille – in Aix-en-Provence.
Itineraries: 5 days – 1 week – 10 days
Weekend ideas: best-of – romantic – luxury – unusual
- Where to stay
Where to stay on the Côte d’Azur
Best luxury hotels on the Côte d’Azur
Hotels by the sea
Best boutique-hotels
SHE MADE THE TRIP Claire
