12 best beaches in Nice – list, photo, description, map
The Côte d'Azur is a popular holiday destination for tourists from all over the world. Everything is done here to ensure that guests get the most out of their vacation. And people of different incomes visit the coast. Many parts of the territory near the sea are private. You have to pay to stay here. But the prices are quite democratic: in addition, the owners offer flexible rates. In municipal areas, guests are offered a standard set of services: shower, toilet, changing cabins. The beaches of Nice welcome tourists with any holiday budget.
castel
If you move towards the city from the port, then Kastel is the first place for swimming. It is quite picturesque here: a narrow strip of bulk sand adjoins the foot of the Chateau hill. There are quite a lot of pebbles on the shore, it is felt when walking barefoot. The depth increases quickly enough: for the convenience of vacationers there is a cable. Holding on to it, it is easy to go down into the sea and climb back. Even a few hundred meters from the shore, the water is clear.
All accessories on Castel are paid. Sunbeds can be rented for the whole day or half a day. There is a fresh water shower to wash off adhering sand and sea salt. There are changing cabins and toilets. So that vacationers do not get bored, pleasant music sounds from the speakers. Castel consists of 2 parts: paid, equipped for recreation, and free. The public part is somewhat worse: it has more pebbles, no toilets and sunbeds. But there are still many tourists.
In the paid zone, the audience is decent, it is quiet and calm here. This is a place for respectable tourists with a certain income. A pleasant addition to a lazy rest is the promenade. It is wide and long, equipped with cycle paths and pedestrian zones. The public walks around here all day long.
marinier
This is a great democratic place to stay: both wealthy tourists and those with a modest budget come here. There are several reasons for this:
- Great length. You can sit on a strip of coastline a kilometer long.
- The surface is strewn with such small pebbles that some vacationers mistake it for coarse-grained sand. True, there are still large pebbles and boulders along the edges.
- No problems with parking. There is a paid parking lot for 400 places near Marinière.
- Calm in the bay at any time of the year. From the north and northeast winds, the bay is protected by rocks and a hill covered with forest. You can swim even when the sea is stormy.
- The train station is located nearby: it is convenient to come to Marinières from Nice by train.
- The administration offers vacationers a lot of activities. Diving, rental of yachts and catamarans are developed here. You can ride a bike along the promenade.
- Marinier is surrounded by cafes and small restaurants: you can have a bite to eat on a budget. Excellent local wine for sale.
- The territory is patrolled by lifeguards, but only during the high season.
- Smoking is allowed in the designated area.
But it is important to prepare for some inconvenience. Mariner offers a rather limited level of service. There are showers, toilets, you can rent sunbeds. There are no parasols or shaded areas available, so those who like to lounge in the shade should bring their own awning. The depth increases quite quickly: it is inconvenient for tourists who come with children, and tourists who are unsteady on the water.
blue beach
Blue Beach is located next to the Promenade des Anglais. It is designed for the most demanding customers. Here you can not only enjoy the warm sea and the hot sun, but also:
The recreation area is wide, shady canopies are installed everywhere. Guests are offered comfortable sun loungers. You can rent them for different times. Entry into the water is gentle, the depth increases gradually. For ease of movement along Blue Beach, wooden paths have been laid. The high price of the entrance ticket cuts off the noisy youth: a respectable audience rests on the Blue Beach. Difficulties in communication do not arise: all staff speaks English.
Blue Beach is ideal for those tourists who prefer to rent a hotel near the beach. The most popular hotels are located along the coastline: Hotel Negresco 5 and Hôtel West End Promenade 4. But there is a significant fly in the ointment in a barrel of sweet honey: an entrance ticket to Blue Beach is quite expensive. And the entire coastal area consists of large pebbles. For a comfortable bathing experience. It is recommended to purchase special shoes.
Steering wheel
This is a great location next to Le Meridien Nice 4. The coastal area is strewn with small pebbles, so for ease of movement you need to purchase special swimming shoes. But along the coast there are paths made of wooden mats. There is always clean and warm water on the Rul, the depth increases gradually. This place has long been chosen by parents with young children.
There is a children's swimming pool on the territory, where children learn to swim under the supervision of experienced instructors. The wheel boasts its own restaurant. Here you can order dishes and drinks of local and European cuisines. The staff is able to speak not only in French or English, but also in Russian.
Gravet
This beach is municipal in the city of Antibes, access is open to everyone. Tourists call Gravet the most picturesque in the vicinity of Nice. There is a transparent shallow sea, white fine sand. From the side of the port, the coast is protected by a breakwater, so there are no waves. Gravet is an ideal holiday destination for families with small children. It is quiet here, the highway is located at a considerable distance, the depth of the sea increases gradually.
The kids enjoy playing along the coastline. But it is important to take into account that only port employees can park a car in the parking lot. And the service is quite modest: shower, toilet, changing cabins. Lifeguards supervise the area during the holiday season. You can have a bite to eat in coastal cafes and restaurants. It serves excellent fish and seafood dishes.
Neptune
Despite the fact that you will have to pay for the entrance, Neptune is a rather popular place among tourists. This is determined by a number of advantages:
- Cleanliness and neatness. The territory is constantly cleaned, garbage is taken out of the tanks. Tourists are not bothered by an unpleasant smell.
- Own cafes. There is a varied cuisine, fish and seafood dishes predominate. Some establishments offer children's menus.
- Nearby is a shady park. This is a favorite place for couples with children.
- If you get tired of a beach holiday, you can explore the local attractions. Nearby are a museum and an art gallery.
- The administration of Neptune offers rental of accessories at different rates. You can buy an entrance ticket with the all-inclusive option. And you can pay for everything separately. Tourists staying in hotels nearby are offered subscriptions for several visits.
The coastal strip is strewn with medium and small pebbles: for ease of movement along the coast, it is recommended to purchase special shoes. But in such a coating there are also positive aspects: the water near the coast is always clean and transparent. Neptun offers guests rental of sun loungers, places under shady canopies, fresh water showers, toilets, changing cabins. The depth increases gradually: children like to splash in shallow water.
Mala
Eden Plage Mala is located at some distance from the port. In order to find yourself on the coast, you need to walk along the promenade for about 3 km. But Mala is worth it: it is a wonderful picturesque bay with the purest transparent water. Mala is protected from all sides by high cliffs: it is quiet and calm here in any weather. To get to the sea, you have to go up a steep staircase.
In the heat of the day, it heats up, so the descent and ascent turn into an attraction. The service is ordinary: sunbed rental, awnings, showers, toilets; rental of catamarans and yachts. Boating along the coast is popular. Divers have chosen the bay for diving: there is clear water and stunning underwater views. Eden Plage Mala is deserted on weekdays, but on weekends locals come to take a break from the hustle and bustle.
By the way, you should take into account the difficulties with parking: there are few parking spaces at the top. And the prices for renting sun loungers and awnings are higher than in other places: remoteness affects. There are 2 restaurants on site. The menu is delicious and varied, so no one goes hungry. Many tourists consider Eden Plage Mala to be the pearl of the Cap d'Ail coast.
La Bocca
This place occupies the 6th line in the ranking of resorts in Nice. La Bocca is open to everyone: no entrance fee is required. In the morning it is quite clean here, smoking is prohibited on the territory. But people with disabilities or parents with strollers have difficulty descending: the stairs are quite steep. The coast is strewn with fine white sand, walking here is pleasant and soft. A set of paid services is standard: rent of sun loungers, shady canopies.
Showers and changing cabins are available free of charge. But there is a problem with the toilet: it is located outside the territory of La Bocca. Guests who prefer activity can rent a catamaran, ride a yacht or water ski, or go scuba diving. Lifeguards patrol the area during the season. There are many pavilions with cheap food around: you can have a budget meal in them.
La Bocca is chosen by romantic couples or young people with a limited budget who want to have fun. Wealthy conservative guests prefer to rest in other places. Morals on La Bocca are free: topless sunbathing is allowed. And the main advantage of the site is the availability of free space even at the peak of the high season.
Hi Beach
An ideal place for those who prefer modern design and entertainment. The private beach is divided into zones:
Tourists use Wi-Fi throughout. And during the holiday season, you can become a member of an incendiary party. Hi Beach is chosen by young couples with children and party-goers, everyone is welcome here.
Paloma
Paloma is a picturesque place, but a bit old-fashioned. It is impossible to see glamorous youth or inveterate party-goers here. Those who appreciate the unique comfort of the 50-60s of the XX century go to Paloma. Entrance to Paloma is paid. But there is a free lot nearby. The coastal area is made of medium-sized pebbles, wooden paths are laid to the water. But to enter the water, you have to overcome 50 steps of large pebbles.
Such an attraction is unlikely to appeal to tourists with children. But Paloma has a natural protection from the prevailing winds. The coastal area is covered by a rocky shore. From any point of the coastal strip, wonderful views of the azure expanse of the sea, villas, vineyards and orchards open up. Slightly old-fashioned sunbeds and umbrellas look advantageous on dark pebbles. Some tourists think that they have plunged into the atmosphere of a mid-twentieth century feature film.
The service is quite common: rental of sunbeds, sunshades; showers, toilets and changing rooms. The latter are clearly not enough. Of the activities, yachting and water skiing are common. Along the coast there are restaurants and bars serving fish and seafood dishes. In the free part of all services only toilets. But they are tight and uncomfortable. Tourists resting here change clothes in front of their neighbors. This bothers few people.
Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat, A Four Seasons Hotel 5 – luxury hotel–palace, area of 7 hectares, heated pool with sea water (33 m), 3 restaurants
Carlton
Carlton is one of the most attractive holiday destinations. It is located 30 km from Nice, and during the season only local hotel guests relax here. Tourists traveling in the high season who are staying elsewhere are unlikely to be able to reserve a spot for themselves. The entire coastal area is lined with screens that protect guests from prying eyes. Helpful waiters scurry between tables with trays full of freshly prepared dishes and soft drinks.
Guests are offered:
The territory of Carlton is completely blocked: an outsider is unlikely to pass here. And visitors with pets are not allowed to enter. Guests who prefer to combine passive and active rest are offered rental of yachts, catamarans, water skis. An excellent panorama of the surroundings opens up from anywhere in Carlton. Here are fashionable palaces, villas, the famous Croisette. Entertainment events are constantly organized. Carlton is a territory for wealthy tourists and wealthy romantic couples. Children of any age will be frankly bored here.
Bird of Africa
This place occupies the 9th line in the ranking of resorts in Nice. It is deserted because the way to it lies through the yacht port of Beaulieu-sur-Mer. The territory is strewn with coarse sand, walking along the coast is pleasant. But the water is often cloudy (again because of the sand). Ptit Afriq is picturesque: palm trees and shrubs grow around. But the bay itself is quite narrow, so the water is a little crowded.
The infrastructure is standard: umbrellas, sun loungers, shower, toilet, changing cabins. Of the activities – a volleyball court and yacht rental. When the wind changes, jellyfish enter the water area: you should be careful when entering the water.