Welcome to Bandol! On the shores of the Mediterranean Sea, this charming seaside resort is ideally located between Cassis and the Gulf of Saint-Tropez.
It’s famous for its sandy beaches, crystal-clear waters, delicious wines and nearby calanques . Bandol is also a historic temple ofseabed exploration. We warmly invite you to stop by.
In this article, you’ll find a list of 11 ideas for things to do in Bandol on the Côte d’Azur, our opinions in pictures and suggestions for organizing your trip.
This guide is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
1. Stroll through the narrow streets of the Old Town
Why visit?
The old town is thesoul of Bandol. We loved wandering through its colorful streets in the early hours of the morning, before the shops opened. The hustle and bustle so characteristic of Mediterranean cities was just beginning to emerge. The gentle sound of the city’s ponds and fountains adds a hint of coolness that’s particularly pleasant on hot days.
Every morning, on the Place de la Mairie, opposite the port, you can enjoy the atmosphere of the market offering deliciously scented local produce. This square is a bit like the village square. It’s where summer events are held and where people come to enjoy a coffee on the terrace. A real immersion in local life.
To make the most of the early morning hours, we recommend an overnight stay in Bandol. Discover our best places to stay in Bandol.
Practical advice
- Allow 1 hour’s stroll to relax and enjoy a coffee on the terrace, more if you want to go shopping.
- There are a few passages with stairs.
- It’s easy to get to, with the old town above the port.
- There are plenty of restaurants nearby.
- Place de la Liberté market, daily from 8am to 1pm. Find out more here.
2. Admire the dinghies moored in the harbour
Why visit?
A pointu is a fishing boat typical of Provence. Listed as part of France’s intangible cultural heritage, it owes its name to its distinctive shape. He is said to have been born in Marseille in the workshops of an Italian-born carpenter. Since then, he has been magnifying the Côte d’Azur coastline with charm and poetry.
Many are moored along the quayside in Bandol harbor, lulled by the lapping of the waters. You won’t be able to miss them and, like us, you’ll want to photograph them from every angle.
Practical advice
- Allow 15-30 minutes for a stroll around the port. There are also other attractive pleasure boats for enthusiasts.
- Magnificent at sunset.
- On Tuesday mornings, the Grand Marché invades the quay, and the atmosphere is very friendly, but the pointus are less easily accessible.
- You’ll find plenty of restaurants on the quayside, with terraces of course.
- And why not take a ride on a pointu? Find out more here.
WHERE TO STAY IN Bandol
Option 1: near the center
- Hotel Splendid – See prices, photos and availability
- Hotel & Spa Thalazur – See prices, photos and availability
- Hotel la Villa Florida – See prices, photos and availability
Option 2: near Grand Valata beach
- Hotel Les Galets – See prices, photos and availability
- Hotel Eden – prices, pictures and availability
3. Admire Bendor Island (from afar)
Why visit?
Like us, you can only admire it from afar. The island is undergoing a makeover and is temporarily closed to the public. The idea is to restore this jewel of the Mediterranean to better meet today’s environmental requirements, while preserving its unique soul. The new facilities should also make it easier for residents and visitors to live together.
For the record, Île de Bendor, like Île des Embiez (further south), was acquired in the 1950s by Paul Ricard (the father of pastis and motor racing circuits!). We’re talking about the Paul Ricard Islands. But he also wanted to share them with as many people as possible, so that everyone could have an unforgettable time.
The Paul Ricard Islands are one of the main islands on the Côte d’Azur that we recommend you visit.
Practical advice
- For now, a few minutes will suffice to take a few pretty pictures of the island.
- When it’s open, it will take about 10min to cross, and you can spend all day or more there.
- The new project includes new reception and catering facilities. Find out more here.
- Access is by boat only.
4. Lazing in a cove Plage du Capelan
Why visit?
A little wayfrom the town center, Capelan beach is our favorite. It’s located in a calanque! There’s a peninsula in the middle and some vegetation. A real little paradise! The water is crystal-clear, making it a popular beach for underwater enthusiasts.
Thanks to its location, the beach is sheltered from the mistral and easterly winds. We were lucky enough to go in September, and in the early hours of the morning, there was nobody there. In summer, of course, it’s packed to the rafters. It’s worth a look, however, because the place is so pretty.
Practical advice
- Plan to spend a bath, a few hours or a whole day there.
- It’s a pebble beach.
- It’s also a smoke-free beach.
- It’s easily accessible by the coastal road or, on foot, by the coastal footpath.
- The place is steep, but there’s an access ramp. However, the beach is not accessible to people with reduced mobility.
- The best place to park is near the tennis club, on the town side.
- Tip: bring swimming shoes, mask and snorkel.
- Restaurant Le Méditerranée is just above the beach. Find out more here.
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.
5. Visit Saint-François de Sales Church
Why visit?
At the very top of the Place de la Liberté, facing the sea, we really appreciated the sobriety of the Église Saint-François de Sales. It reflects the image of the city. Built in the mid-18th century, it originally comprised a single nave. The two side aisles were opened a few decades later.
The pastel colors of the interior paintings are of great delicacy, barely revealed by the building’s filtered daylight. But it’s its small, square bell tower, topped with a simple clock fitting, that intrigued us. It symbolizes the humility of the building.
Practical advice
- Allow 10-20min depending on your interest.
- The church is at the end of the town hall square.
- There are steps in the access passages, then a staircase.
- Restaurants abound in the square.
- You can find service times on the official website here.
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6. Tasting at the Bandol wine library
Why visit?
A visit to the Maison des Vins wine library in Bandol is an opportunity to taste the region’s wines and find out more about the vineyards. It was one of the first to benefit from the AOC appellation in 1941. Bandol wines are the fruit of 25 centuries of winemaking tradition.
You’ll learn about the history of this exceptional terroir, which faces south and the sea, and enjoys a unique climate: 3,000 hours of sunshine a year! You’ll also learn more about the region’s know-how. And when, like us, you take your tasting to the terrace, you’ll choose your beverage as a connoisseur. So rosé, white or red?
Practical advice
- Allow 30min to 1h depending on your interest.
- The Maison des Vins is easy to get to, opposite the Casino Partouche de Bandol.
- It’s located in the city center, with many restaurants all around.
- The casino parking lot is on the other side of the quay.
- Open Monday to Saturday, 10am to 1pm and 3pm to 7pm. Find out more here.
7. Take a dip Renecros beach
Why visit?
Behind the harbor lies theRenecros cove. We particularly appreciated this very large public beach, just a stone’s throw from the town center. It is well sheltered and protected from the wind. You’d think it was a natural swimming pool, especially as the sand is fine, almost white, and the water turquoise.
Renecros beach is a gently sloping family beach, ideal for children. It is supervised from June to September. You’ll also find pedal boats, private beaches and numerous restaurants and hotels. They say you can even swim there in winter!
Practical advice
- Stay there as long as you need to.
- The beach is not accessible to people with reduced mobility.
- Easy access from the port of Bandol via the Corniche de Bonaparte.
- Located close to the city center, there are many restaurants nearby.
- 2 private beaches: Karma Beach Bandol and Le Petit Golf.
- Mattress and pedal-boat hire.
- Showers and toilets nearby.
- Renecros beach is a smoke-free beach.
- Find out more here.
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8. Take a boat trip in the Parc des Calanques
Why visit?
The Parc des Calanques, which stretches from Cassis to Marseille, is not far away. It’s the promise of an exceptional experience in protected natural surroundings and breathtaking landscapes. We went by land, but a boat cruise is the ideal opportunity to see these unique and unspoilt places from a different angle.
On your visit, you can either visit the calanques of Marseille alone, or discover the two massifs, Cassis and Marseille, all the way to the calanque of Sormiou, where you’ll see the famous Marseille cabanons. Whatever your choice, visiting out of season is always more pleasant when the area is almost deserted.
Practical advice
- 3h to 3h30 depending on the option chosen.
- Boarding and return to Bandol port.
- Bring sun cream, sunglasses, cap and bottle of water.
- Book now: see prices, photos and availability.
9. Lounging on the Plage du Grand Vallat
Why visit?
Grand Vallat beach lies to the east of Bandol. It’s Bandol’s first beach from Sanary. It is named after the small river that separates Bandol from Sanary. Most of it is white sand, with a few pebbles. We followed the palm-lined promenade to Bandol’s casino and harbour.
Opposite the beach, the former Hôtel des Bains, with its magnificent 1930s pergolas, is a splendid sight. Its name has changed to La Résidence, but its architecture is as elegant as ever. The beach is also known as Plage de la Résidence.
Practical advice
- Time for a swim or an extended sunbath.
- The beach is not accessible to people with reduced mobility.
- Easy access from the waterfront.
- Pay parking is available at the casino.
- The beach is supervised in summer.
- Mattresses and parasols for hire.
- Shower on the beach.
- Restaurants are nearby.
- Grand Vallat beach is a smoke-free beach.
- Find out more here.
10. Kayak off into the sunset
Why visit?
Bandol has a long tradition of water sports, and you’ll find plenty of activities to take advantage of all that its coastal location has to offer. After all, it was in Bandol in 1943, in the midst of the Occupation, that scuba diving was born, making the town the place to discover the underwater world.
Even the famous Captain Cousteau refers to it in the opening pages of his book Le Monde du Silence. Instead of diving, however, we preferred a half-day kayak trip to watch the sun set over the bay from the sea.
Practical advice
- Allow around 3 hours for the walk, including lunch on the beach at Château de Cride.
- Easy access from the Paul Ricard promenade.
- Free parking.
- Bring a bottle of water and sun cream.
- Book today: see prices, photos and availability.
11. Swimming Casino beach
Why visit?
Apart from its fine sand and turquoise waters, it’s the beach’s facilities that make it particularly attractive. We found a beach volleyball court, a water sports center offering a wide range of activities, and a garden perfect for a siesta in the shade. Everything you need for a family break.
The beach is made of fine golden sand. There’s a bit of seaweed, but we loved dipping our toes in. It is gently sloping, with no rocks or pebbles. Given its downtown location and the many services it offers, it is very popular in summer. We have devoted a full article to it.
Practical advice
- Casino Beach is a great place to spend the day.
- It is easily accessible from the waterfront.
- The casino parking lot is adjacent to the beach.
- People with reduced mobility are welcome. Seahorse and Tiralo chairs are available.
- Restaurants nearby.
- Mattresses and parasols for hire.
- Shaded green spaces and palm tree-lined pedestrian promenade.
- Find out more here.
PLAN YOUR STAY IN Bandol
- What to do in Bandol (coming soon)
- Best hotels to stay in Bandol (coming soon)
- Best restaurants (coming soon)
- Bandol’s most beautiful beaches (coming soon)
Things to do in Bandol: other ideas
Follow the Bandol Classic hiking trail
Do you like walking? So are we. Departing from the port, a hike of just over 3 hours takes you to the heights of the town, offering spectacular views over the Bay of Bandol. The Bandol Classic skirts the coast before passing through the forest to reach the peaks and return to the town. It is also less busy than the famous coastal path. Find out more here.
Sunbathing on Lido Beach
Lido beach is located east of Bandol, in the commune of Sanary-sur-Mer. It’s huge and windy. It’s the perfect place to rent a stand-up paddle and enjoy the bay. Awarded the “Handiplage” label, it offers all the pleasures of the beach and water sports to people with reduced mobility from April to September. Swimming is supervised during the summer months, school vacations and weekends. Find out more here.
An evening at the Casino
The style of the Bandol casino contrasts with that of other casinos on the French Riviera. Built in the late 1920s, it opened its doors in 1930. A far cry from the opulence of the Belle Époque. Here, modernist lines are sober and uncluttered. But inside, we found everything that promises an excellent evening: slot machines, roulettes, black jack, poker… But also cinema and shows and, of course, a bar and restaurant. Find out more here.
Things to do in Bandol with children
If you come to Bandol with children, there are many of our favorite activities for them too:
- Casino Beach, with its playgrounds and shady rest areas perfect for naps.
- A stroll along the harbor to admire the pointus.
- A boat trip to observe the cetaceans.
- The Bandol Classic walking tour around the town, with a picnic lunch.
- A visit to Parc Zoa in Sanary-sur-Mer, a botanical and animal park and educational farm. Find out more here.
Things to do in Bandol when it rains
Rain may be rare on the Côte d’Azur, but rainy days are long. Here are our tips for bringing them to life:
- Bandol’s cultural program offers a wide range of events and activities. Consult the agenda here.
- Spend a few hours at the casino.
- Bowling. Find out more here.
- Enjoy the local gastronomy.
- Choose relaxation at the Hotel Thalazur Bandol Ile Rousse thalasso institute. You can also choose to stay here. See prices, photos and availability.
Excursions around Bandol
Why not take advantage of your stay in Bandol to visit the surrounding area? Islands, coastline or hinterland, the choice is yours.
Discover the vineyards
The Bandol vineyards have made the region internationally famous. The tourist office has 36 that you can visit. The 2 closest to Bandol are Domaine de Frégate in Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer and Domaine des Baguiers in Le Castellet. But you’re spoilt for choice. Find out more here.
If you prefer to get a bird’s eye view of the hinterland, we recommend a day trip between Ollioules, Le Castelet and Sanary-sur-Mer. The route includes a tasting session, but you’ll also discover picturesque villages that are a little less frequented. See prices, photos and availability.
Watching cetaceans in the Mediterranean
Bandol is the ideal place to discover the underwater world of the Mediterranean Sea. We recommend that you take advantage of your stay to observe dolphins and whales in their natural environment. There are a number of excursions on offer in the port, but we recommend you book in advance and choose a full-day option accompanied by a team of “High Quality Whale Watching®” qualified naturalists. See prices, photos and availability.
Go to Porquerolles Island by boat
Another boat trip! There’s no shortage of them in Bandol. This one will take you to an absolutely heavenly island: the Isle of Porquerolles. Get ready to feel like you’re in the Caribbean. Once there, you can swim in the crystal-clear turquoise waters, rent a bike to explore the island or stroll through the village. Allow 1h30 for the crossing and 6h on site. Time to make the most of it. See prices, photos and availability.
Spend a day in La Ciotat
La Ciotat is a discreet town, but one that really knew how to enchant us. You’ll love the charm of the port, the expanse of long golden sandy beaches and the calanques, all within easy walking distance! We urge you to sample its peaceful atmosphere, especially if you’re looking forauthenticity. Be prepared to want to spend a little more than a day there, and therefore sleep. We’ve devoted an article to it, listing our top activities in La Ciotat.
Is Bandol worth a visit?
Absolutely! Bandol is much more than just a seaside destination. With its sandy beaches, crystal-clear waters ideal for diving and renowned vineyards producing exceptional wines, Bandol is a great place to spend some quality time. Whether you’re looking for seaside relaxation, underwater adventures or wine tasting, this charming Mediterranean town is sure to meet your expectations.
Useful tips for visiting Bandol
Where is Bandol?
- Between Cassis and Toulon
- From Cassis to Bandol: 30min drive
- From Toulon to Bandol: 20min drive
- Here is a map to help you find your way:
How to get to Bandol
- The easiest way to get there is by car.
- But you can also come by train. The nearest TGV stations are Marseille and Toulon. From here, you can easily reach Bandol station by the TER line linking Marseille to Hyères. Click here for timetables.
- Bandol is also served by 2 regional bus lines: 880 and 885.
Parking in Bandol
Bandol has 2 underground parking lots and 4 surface parking lots. The first hour is free in summer. Find out more here.
Getting around Bandol
- Getting around on foot is easy, and there are plenty of pleasant pedestrian areas.
- The bus network includes 4 routes adapted for people with reduced mobility, available all year round, with additional timetables in summer. Find out more here.
- You can also rent a bike or scooter. More details here.
Where to eat in Bandol
There are plenty of restaurants to choose from in Bandol, and we’ve picked out a few good ones:
- The Restaurant Au Clair de la Vigne for its local cuisine just a few steps from the beach and its Michelin Bib,
- Restaurant L’Espérance, also listed in the Michelin Guide,
- Restaurant Le Bistrot de Pauline and its home cooking,
- Céciliano, the Italian restaurant, serves fresh pasta,
- Restaurant L’Atelier du Goût for its fresh, tasty dishes,
- Restaurant Shardana, awarded a Michelin star for its seasonal Sardinian cuisine,
- The Restaurant De la Terre au Vin and its à la carte dishes washed down with local wines,
- And don’t forget the delicious ice creams from Maison Gavroche.
Our article with much more information on these beautiful tables will be available soon.
Visiting Bandol in winter
The weather is always fine on the Côte d’Azur, even in winter. And while sea bathing is reserved for the bravest, there are plenty of activities to enjoy without moderation:
- Coastal walks, especially as they are less crowded than in summer,
- A stroll around town and a bit of shopping,
- The local market,
- A tasting at the Maison des Vins wine library,
- Terrace lunch and gourmet dinner,
- A detour through the vineyards,
- A boat trip in the Parc des Calanques,
- A game of bowling,
- A night at the casino,
- And a little thalasso.
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
