🗺️ Where to go to the beach in Nice: 12 spots, prices and free areas

Nice sits on the pebble shore of the Baie des Anges, and eight kilometers of promenade are shared by twenty free public sections and about fifteen private clubs (as of 09/2026, Nice beach guide). At Le Galet beach, a lounger costs €26 per day, and a front-row spot costs €28 (as of 09/2026, Le Galet). For free you get pebbles, a shower, and a sea view, and you pay only for the lounger and umbrella.

The author of this article walked the sections from Cap-d'Ail to Cannes and put them into one list. For each spot below, you'll find the surface, water entry, services, how to get there, and the honest catch. That way you'll quickly figure out which stretch of shore fits your budget and your group.

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How Nice beaches work

💡 In short:

All Nice beaches are pebble beaches: without water shoes, getting in and out is tough.
Municipal sections are free, private clubs charge for loungers and umbrellas.
Lifeguards are on duty in season, swimming outside supervised zones is at your own risk.

Our picks by type of trip:

If you need	Choose
Sand instead of pebbles	Plage des Marinières
Free access with a shower	public sections of the Promenade des Anglais
Music, a bar, and a young crowd	Hi Beach
A quiet cove by the rocks	Eden Plage Mala
Swimming below the Old Town walls	Castel Plage

1. Castel Plage

Castel pebble beach with cabanas and palm trees

Castel Plage is the first beach from the port if you walk west along the sea. It sits against the Colline du Château, and the headland shelters the water entry, so it's usually calmer here than in the center. The surface is coarse pebbles, and a rope is stretched at the water's edge: holding onto it makes it easy to get down and back up.

How to get there: from the Old Town, about a 15-minute walk along the promenade (on the map).
Cost: the public section is free, you pay for a lounger and umbrella only at the private Castel Plage restaurant.
Who it's for: those who want to swim below the Old Town walls and get away from the crowds of the center.
The catch: the stones are large and uncomfortable, getting in without water shoes is hard (according to the French Riviera guide).

2. Plage des Marinières

Plage des Marinières lies in Villefranche-sur-Mer, about six kilometers east of Nice (as of 09/2026, Villefranche-sur-Mer beach review). This is the rarest sand on the French Riviera: a flat strip of fine sand, a bay sheltered from the wind, and the water near the shore stays warm and shallow for a long time. If you're tired of stones, this is the place.

How to get there: by train to Villefranche-sur-Mer, about 8 minutes from Nice-Ville station (as of 09/2026, Nice beach guide).
Cost: the public section is free, with several private clubs nearby offering loungers.
Who it's for: families with children and anyone who wants a soft sandy strip.
The catch: in high season, the shore fills up by mid-morning.

3. Blue Beach

Blue Beach sits along the Promenade des Anglais and is open year-round, which is rare for private beach clubs in Nice. It has wooden walkways, wide canvas canopies, and a gentle slope into the water. The public stretch is right next to it, so you choose between the free shore and paid comfort. Well-known hotels stand nearby, including the Negresco and Hôtel West End.

Hotel Negresco prices on Trip.com

How to get there: along the Promenade des Anglais, landmark is the Negresco hotel; about a 25-minute walk from the Old Town (on the map).
Cost: the private section charges for entry and a lounger, priced above the average for the promenade.
Who it's for: those who value wooden walkways and a gentle entry into the water.
The catch: the shoreline is made up of large pebbles, so water shoes will come in handy.

4. Ruhl Plage

Beach with pool and white umbrellas by the sea

Ruhl Plage occupies a central stretch near the Ruhl casino. Wooden mats are laid along the shore, the water is clean and warm, and the depth increases gradually. Parents with children have long favored this spot: there is a children's bathing area nearby where little ones learn to swim under instructor supervision. Adults pay for their stay according to the club's price list.

How to get there: along the promenade near the Ruhl casino, the closest transit is at Place Masséna.
Cost: a lounger costs from 25 to 40 € per day (as of 09/2026, 2026 beach review); Le Meridien Nice prices on Trip.com.
Who it's for: families and anyone who needs a gradual entry into the water.
The catch: small pebbles underfoot, bring swim shoes.

5. Plage de la Gravette

Plage de la Gravette is in Antibes, west of Nice. It is a municipal beach, and entry is open to everyone. On the harbor side the shore is sheltered by a breakwater, so there are almost no waves, and the sea is shallow and clear. The bottom slopes gently, which is convenient for children.

How to get there: by train to Antibes, then walk through the Old Town to the harbor (on the map).
Cost: entry is free, there are few paid services, and there is a shower, toilets, and changing cabins.
Who it's for: families with small children and anyone looking for calm swimming away from the waves.
The catch: parking near the beach is only for harbor workers, so you will have to leave your car farther away.

6. Neptune Plage

Nice pebble beach with bathers and a sailboat at sea

Neptune Plage charges an entry fee, and it is one of the best-kept sections of the promenade. The grounds are cleaned all day, and its own cafes nearby serve a fish menu and dishes for children.

How to get there: along the Promenade des Anglais, west of the central beaches (on the map).
Cost: entry and a lounger are paid; there is an all-inclusive ticket and a multi-visit pass.
Who it's for: couples with children and those who value cleanliness and service.
The catch: medium and small pebbles, so entering the water is more comfortable in shoes.

7. Eden Plage Mala

Red umbrellas of Mala Beach beneath the cliffs

Eden Plage Mala is tucked into a cove at Cap d'Ail. High cliffs close it in on all sides, so it is quiet and there is almost no wind in any weather. A steep staircase leads down to the water, and during the day it heats up, so the descent and climb back up become a challenge. Divers prize the cove for its clear water and rich seabed.

How to get there: by car or bus to Cap d'Ail, then on foot along the promenade (on the map).
Cost: loungers and canopies are pricier than the coastal average; boat trips along the cove on GetYourGuide.
Who it's for: those seeking seclusion and willing to handle the stairs.
The catch: there are few parking spots at the top, and locals arrive on weekends.

8. La Bocca

La Bocca is in the western part of Cannes, and entry is free for everyone. In the morning the shore is clean, and smoking is prohibited on the grounds. The surface is fine white sand, soft and pleasant to walk on. The only paid items are loungers and canopies, while the shower and changing cabins are free. Active visitors can use a catamaran, a yacht, and water skis.

How to get there: along the waterfront and promenade in the western part of Cannes (on the map).
Cost: entry is free, catamaran and water skis at rental rates.
Who it's for: couples and younger visitors who value open space even at peak season.
The catch: the toilet is outside the grounds, and getting down with a stroller is difficult.

9. Hi Beach

Hi Beach is built around modern design and entertainment. The private beach is divided into zones, and you choose between loungers near the stage or a quieter edge. In summer they host parties here, and Wi-Fi works across the entire grounds. Young couples and music lovers come here.

How to get there: along the Promenade des Anglais, on foot from the center or by bus (on the map).
Cost: entry is paid, lounger and drinks from the club menu.
Who it's for: young couples and those who come for music and the bar.
The catch: it is noisy during the day, so for quiet it is better to go to other sections.

10. Paloma Beach

Paloma beach cove seen through pine branches

Paloma Beach is in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat and keeps a slightly old-fashioned 1950s-60s atmosphere. The private section has a paid entrance, but there is a free area nearby. The shore is made up of medium pebbles, wooden walkways lead to the water, and the last few steps you take are over stones. The five-star Grand Hotel Cap Ferrat stands right above the bay.

Rates at Grand Hotel Cap Ferrat on Trip.com

Getting there: from Nice by bus to Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, then along the shore (see map).
Cost: entrance to the private section is paid, the free section only has a restroom.
Who it's for: couples and those who appreciate views of villas, vineyards, and gardens.
The catch: the restrooms are cramped, and there are many steps at the entrance.

11. Carlton Beach

Carlton Beach operates in Cannes, about 30 kilometers from Nice (see map). In high season, it mostly admits guests of local hotels, and a walk-in visitor will have a hard time finding a spot. The area is screened off, and waiters with drinks bustle between the tables. Activities include yacht and catamaran rentals, and kids are frankly bored here.

Getting there: by train to Cannes, then along the Croisette promenade (see map).
Cost: service from the club menu, entrance for hotel guests.
Who it's for: affluent couples and those who want to combine swimming with a stroll along the Croisette.
The catch: pets are not allowed, and outside guests are rarely accepted.

12. Petite Afrique

Petite Afrique hides behind the yacht harbor of Beaulieu-sur-Mer, so it is usually empty. The shore is coarse sand, with palms and shrubs around, but the cove is narrow and the water gets crowded. When the wind shifts, jellyfish drift into the area, so enter the water carefully. Activities here include a volleyball court and yacht rentals.

Pebble beach beneath a high limestone cliff

Getting there: by train or bus to Beaulieu-sur-Mer, then past the harbor (see map).
Cost: free access to the public strip, standard set of services.
Who it's for: those looking for quiet and willing to walk the extra distance.
The catch: the water turns murky from sand after rough seas.

Nice beaches on the map

All twelve spots lie along one stretch of coastline from Cap-d'Ail to Cannes. Open the map below to plan your route for the day and avoid driving across the whole city for nothing.

Beaches of Nice

Places on the map

1Castel Swimming beneath the Old Town walls, coarse pebbles
2Marinière Rare sandy beach in a wind-sheltered bay in Villefranche-sur-Mer
3Blue Beach Wooden walkways and a gentle entry into the water on the Promenade des Anglais
4Ruhl Children's bathing area by the Ruhl casino with a gradually increasing depth
5Gravette Municipal beach in Antibes, sheltered from waves by a breakwater
6Neptune Well-kept paid section with a shaded park behind it
7Mala Quiet cove near Cap d'Ail, enclosed by cliffs, steep steps to the water
8La Bocca Fine white sand, free entry, smoking banned
9Hi Beach Private beach with music, parties and Wi-Fi throughout the area
10Paloma 1950s-60s atmosphere in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat by the Grand Hotel
11Carlton Hotel beach in Cannes, entry mostly for guests
12Petite Afrique Quiet cove behind the Beaulieu-sur-Mer yacht harbour, coarse sand

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

What month is best for swimming in Nice?

The swimming season opens in June and lasts until the end of September. Lifeguards are on duty from mid-June to early September, when the water is warmest. In May the sea is brisk, but the beaches are empty. In October you can still swim on a warm day, but the lifeguard posts are already closed (as of 09/2026, Nice beach guide).

Are Nice beaches sandy or pebbly?

Almost all Nice beaches are pebbly, made up of smooth gray and white stones. One of the few sandy stretches nearby is Marinières beach in Villefranche-sur-Mer. Pebbles are fine for swimming but uncomfortable to walk on, so water shoes will come in handy on almost any stretch. A thick mat is also useful.

How much do loungers cost on private beaches in Nice?

On private beaches in Nice, a lounger and umbrella cost roughly 25-50 € per person per day (as of 09/2026, paid beach overview). The format depends on the club: in some places the price includes a towel and shower, in others the umbrella is charged separately. Public sections have no loungers, but there is also nothing to pay for.

Where can you swim for free in Nice?

Along the Promenade des Anglais there are about twenty free municipal beaches (as of 09/2026, municipal beach guide). They have showers, restrooms, and lifeguard posts, but no loungers or cafes. Bring your own towel or mat and claim your spot before noon. The best water quality is usually at Carras and Coco Beach.

Are jellyfish dangerous near Nice?

The most common species on the French Riviera is the Pelagia noctiluca jellyfish. Its appearance is unpredictable, and it sometimes comes close to shore even in clear water. On contact, rinse the skin with seawater, not fresh water. Check current warnings on the official jellyfish map.

Before your trip, watch a short walk along the Promenade des Anglais: this way you will know in advance where the free sections end.

In short: what to book

Plage des Marinières in Villefranche-sur-Mer offers soft sand in a wind-sheltered cove.
The public sections of the Promenade des Anglais are free, and they do have showers and restrooms.
Hi Beach is divided into zones, with parties in summer and Wi-Fi throughout the area.
Eden Plage Mala near Cap-d'Ail is enclosed by cliffs, but a steep staircase leads down to the water.
Castel Plage sits against the Château hill, and a headland shelters the water entry.

Before your trip, compare nightly rates: see hotels in Nice on Trip.com. The pebbles won't get any softer, but a hotel near the beach you want will save you the walk.

Beaches of Nice: where to swim for free and where to pay for a sunbed