Thinking of visiting Antibes in winter? Good idea, as the atmosphere isn’t at all the same as in summer. You’ll escape the tourist crowds of the high season, while enjoying the splendid Mediterranean scenery of this human-sized town.
Here are our tips for visiting Antibes in winter: activities, weather, temperatures…
Plus information on how to spend Christmas and New Year’s Eve on site.
This review is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the area anonymously, making our own choices, and paying all our bills in full.
Visiting Antibes in winter: is it worth it? Our review
Our review
In our opinion, visiting Antibes in winter is well worth it, especially if you don’t like crowds. You’ll even be able to enjoy more of the monuments and museums, which remain open during the winter period. Although the colors of the landscape are less vibrant than under a summer sun, the hues are interesting, and always enhanced by the Provençal façades that bring cheerfulness, even in winter! And should a gale blow, take a stroll along the Promenade de l’Amiral de Grasse, to admire the waves breaking against the ramparts!
Whether in summer or winter, it’s one of our favorite towns on the French Riviera.
You’ll also enjoy some of the finest views of the snow-capped Alps, easily visible from Antibes. Last but not least, it’s the perfect time to visit the big cities in the surrounding area, which are often unaffordable and crowded in summer: Nice, Cannes and Monaco.
At the end of winter, especially in February, the south of France celebrates: Carnaval de Nice, Fête du Citron in Menton, Carnaval Provençal in Saint-Tropez, Fête du Mimosa in Mandelieu-la-Napoule, there’s something for everyone! Finally, only on the Côte d’Azur can you ski in the morning and put your feet in the sand in the afternoon. In fact, the Isola 2000 ski resort is only 1h30 from Nice, and offers a view of the Mediterranean Sea from the slopes!
Benefits
- the peaks of the Alps are covered in snow,
- it’s easier to park and get around,
- the crowds are smaller,
- temperatures are more bearable than in summer,
- almost everything remains open,
- in February, there are lots of festivities,
- hotels are less expensive (except during Carnival).
Disadvantages
- It’s getting colder,
- the risk of rain is low, but still higher than in summer,
- some water sports are unavailable or not recommended,
- sea water is colder.
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
Weather, temperatures and conditions
Antibes enjoys a mild Mediterranean climate. Winters are pleasant, with minimum temperatures of 5°, but averaging 14°.
Water temperature never drops below 12°, averaging 13°-14°. Even though sunbathing is no longer in season, it’s still possible to swim in a wetsuit (or even in a bathing suit!).
As the days are shorter in winter, you’ll be able to admire superb sunsets even before dinner.
It may snow, but since Antibes is by the sea, the snow never lasts long.
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Things to do in Antibes in Winter
In winter, activities are pretty much the same as in summer, apart from swimming, sunbathing and water sports.
You can:
- Visit Antibes’ many museums (Musée Picasso, Musée Peynet et du Dessin Humoristique, Musée de la Carte Postale, Musée Fernand Léger…),
- Explore Antibes’ heritage (Fort Carré, Cathedral, churches…),
- Stroll through the old town and discover its craftsmen and merchants,
- Visit the Marché Provençal for fresh seasonal produce,
- Enjoy the deserted beaches,
- Walk along the ramparts and Port Vauban,
- Feel alone in the world on the Tirepoil trail,
- Admire the panorama from Cap d’Antibes,
- Stroll through theBotanical Gardens of Villa Thuret.
You can, near Antibes:
- Visit Nice and enjoy its many museums,
- Discover Cannes and its Croisette in the calm of winter,
- Let Monaco surprise you,
- Let yourself be charmed by the Provencal hinterland,
- Visit the French Riviera with an excursion,
- Skiing at Isola 2000.
- Visit the region’s charming villages
To find out more, read our article on the best attractions in Antibes.
What you can’t do in winter in Antibes:
- Sunbathe for several hours on the beach,
- A wide range of water sports,
- Night markets (July and August only).
How to get to Antibes
To get to Antibes, you can choose the train option. TGV high-speed trains take you from Paris (5h), Lyon (with TER connections, 5h), Marseille (2h) and many other European cities. Departing from Toulon and Cannes, the short journey is made by TER.
See the available schedules and book your train tickets now.
If you’re traveling by car from elsewhere in France, you can reach Antibes via the A6, the A8, the Autoroute du Soleil, or the national and departmental roads.
If you’re coming to Antibes from Italy, you can take the A10 freeway or the A8 freeway from Ventimiglia.
Finally, if you’re traveling by car from other European countries, you’ll need to plan your itinerary around your point of departure, using European freeways like the A8 or the Italian A10 (or Autoroute des Fleurs).
You can also fly to Nice, which is served by major European cities. You can also rent a car on arrival in Nice at the train station or airport, and drive to Antibes.
Please note that traffic can be heavy, especially during peak and vacation periods. We recommend that you check traffic conditions and plan your route in advance. In addition, make sure you have a motorway sticker in the countries concerned, if necessary, and that you respect the Highway Code of the countries you will be crossing.
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.
Christmas in Antibes
In the South, festivities are the order of the day, and the festive season is no exception. Spending Christmas in Antibes can be a great idea. Every year, the town offers a wide range of events. Some time before Christmas, the city is decked out in luminous decorations, ideal for a night-time stroll. A Christmas market is usually held on the Esplanade du Pré des Pêcheurs. In Juan-les-Pins, an ice-skating rink and an educational farm will be in place for the end of the year. Last but not least, it’s easy to go back to childhood with the rides and attractions on the squares, and the Ferris Wheel, also present in summer.
In addition to these installations, a number of other highlights mark the end of the year. Parades with floats and live performers are organized. There was even a giant stuffed animal parade in 2022! As the holidays approach, check out the city’s official website here for more information.
New Year’s Eve in Antibes
For New Year’s Eve, Antibes usually organizes a parade and fireworks display in the bay of Juan-les-Pins on January 1: a real eye-catcher! If you want to do as the locals do, don’t be shy and take the New Year’s Day Bath. This free swim usually takes place on the morning of January 1st on Plage de la Salis. The area is designed to accommodate between 300 and 500 people! Afterwards, you can refresh yourself with drinks and pastries.
The festivities don’t stop there: after New Year’s Day, the theater hosts a New Year’s concert.
SHE MADE THE TRIP Claire
