Beaches of Nice: how to choose a spot and how much a sunbed costs in 2026

You'll find the beach in Nice just a short walk from your hotel. All that's left is to decide what you need: a lively club with music or a quiet pebble section.

The Nice promenade stretches along the Baie des Anges for almost eight kilometers (overview of Nice beaches, 06/16/2026). The beaches run in a continuous strip from the airport to the old port. About twenty of them are free public beaches, while roughly fifteen more are occupied by private clubs with loungers and restaurants. Pebbles cover almost the entire shore; sand has been artificially added in only two sections.

Below, we'll break down where the water entry is safest, how much a lounger costs in 2026, where to find real sand in Nice, how to get there without a car, and which beaches allow dogs.

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Nice beaches: what to know in advance

💡 In short:

• Nice beaches sit between the airport and the port; from the center you can walk to the water in 10-15 minutes (on the map).
• Sand here is artificial and exists in only two sections: by Beau Rivage and on Plage des Ponchettes.
• Lifeguard stations for the 2026 season opened on June 6 and do not operate on all beaches (TBM06).
• Centenaire and Carras beaches operate as Handiplage, with free assistance for bathing.

The strip starts at the airport, at Plage de la Lanterne, and ends at the rocky coves beyond the port. The central part, from Place Masséna to the old town, is the busiest: here you'll find public sections and private clubs mixed together. Further west, at Plage du Carras and Plage de Fabron, there's noticeably more open space.

Private beaches operate roughly from April to October. The basic service includes a lounger, umbrella, shower, changing rooms, and a restaurant on the shore. The owners keep things orderly, so loud music and crowds of teenagers are less common here than on the free sections.

Water quality in the bay is tested throughout the season, and results are posted at lifeguard stations (water quality data, 06/16/2026). In 2025 and 2026, Nice beaches received "excellent" and "good" ratings. Swimming zones are separated by buoys from water sports zones almost everywhere, with one exception: Plage du Carras.

The swimming season lasts from late spring to late September, and for almost all of that time you can enter the water without a wetsuit. In summer, jellyfish sometimes appear in the bay, and their presence is announced at lifeguard stations (NissActu beach guide, 06/16/2026). On contact, rinse your skin with seawater; fresh water intensifies the stinging.

The pebbles here are smooth, gray and white. Walking on them barefoot is uncomfortable, and the depth increases quickly: just a couple of steps from the shore, you can no longer touch the bottom. Elderly people and children should enter the water together with an adult.

Nice sits close to the Italian border, so it's easy to take a day trip to San Remo or Menton. Within the city, the beaches are connected by pedestrian and bicycle paths: you can walk along the water almost from the airport to the old port without stepping onto the roadway.

Loungers are not provided on free beaches. Bring a mat or a thick pad if you plan to spend half a day on the shore: a thin blanket does little on pebbles.

© Spike · CC BY-SAPhoto: Spike, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

Private beaches: what's included in the price

Comfort on the shore costs money. According to the beach and pricing guide (06/16/2026), a day on a private beach runs from 25 to 50 € per person. That amount covers a lounger, umbrella, shower, and changing rooms, while the restaurant and bar are paid separately.

Rate source: overview of private beaches in Nice, 06/16/2026.

A lounger makes sense if you're staying for a week and want a guaranteed spot in July or August. Private sections have lifeguards on duty, and you can safely leave your things while you swim.

Some private beaches allow dogs, such as Lido Plage. On public beaches, animals are not allowed anywhere except Plage de la Lanterne.

What do you get for that money besides a lounger? A shower, changing room, toilet, and a restaurant steps from the water, and on pricier beaches, a bay view from your table. Coffee on the shore costs less than a full meal, and set menus at clubs like HiBeach are noticeably more expensive than at a city café. If you're after good food, compare menus in advance.

For a family of four, a week on a private beach becomes a separate budget line. It's more sensible to rent loungers for two or three days and spend the rest of the time on the public shore: the pebbles are the same, and the water is no worse.

Pebbles, sand, and where to find a sandy beach in Nice

There are no sandy beaches in Nice itself. Artificial sand has been added in two sections: by Beau Rivage and on Plage des Ponchettes, where a sand bed surrounds the volleyball court.

For real sand, head west toward Antibes. The boundary between pebble and sandy beaches runs right there, and TER trains along with buses run along the coast every day. In Nice, the entire shore is covered with pebbles.

Pebbles amplify the wave's force on the backwash, so when the sea is rough, don't enter the water on an unfamiliar section. Lifeguards are on duty only at beaches with stations: Coco Beach, Ponchettes, Beau Rivage, Centenaire, Ruhl, Lido, Forum, Florida, Magnan, Poincaré, and Carras. Outside the season, swimming is possible, but you're on your own.

Water entry on pebble beaches varies. In the center, you descend over fine pebbles; beyond the port, you walk over rocks and stairs; and at Carras, you enter from a flat shore. It's easier for children where the slope is gentle and lifeguards are nearby.

If you're traveling with children, check two spots in advance. At Plage des Ponchettes, you go down twenty steps, which is inconvenient with a stroller. At Plage de Florida, the public strip is narrow in summer, so with children it's better to arrive before eleven in the morning.

Buy water shoes at any beach goods store. With them, you can enter and exit the sea without pain, and they cost less than a single lounger. A thick sunbathing mat also helps: on pebbles it stays flatter than a towel.

How to get to the beaches and where to park

It's best not to drive to the beaches in Nice. Free parking spots are almost gone, parking garages fill up from the morning in season, and driving through the center eats up time.

If you're staying in the old town, leave your car in the underground lot by Cours Saleya or by Place Masséna. From there, you can walk to the water in a couple of minutes (on the map).

Buses run along the Promenade des Anglais, and tram line 2 takes you to the Masséna stop (beach and transport guide, 06/16/2026). A bike path runs along almost the entire promenade, so a bicycle in Nice is more convenient than a car.

On foot from Place Masséna, you can reach the first beaches in 10-15 minutes (on the map), and the old town and Plage des Ponchettes are a bit farther. From hotels in the western part of the promenade, it's easier to walk along the water than to go through the center.

Plage du Carras has a small parking lot near the beach, while Coco Beach has no parking at all: you get there by bus 30. It's best not to leave your belongings unattended on the shore, even on private beaches, although they keep a closer eye on things there.

A car is useful if you're planning trips to Provence, the Verdon Gorge, or Grasse. Compare car rental prices in advance: in August there are fewer cars available than in May.

Beaches east of the port

Past the port, the shore becomes rocky, and this is the most scenic part of Nice. People come here for the clear water and views of Cap de Nice, and there are fewer amenities than in the center. You can reach all the spots on foot along the coastal path or by bus.

Plage des Bains Militaires

The beach lies between the port and Cap de Nice, by Boulevard Franck Pilatte. It's a non-smoking stretch next to the sailing center. The waves here can be high: when ships enter and leave the port, the water rises, so sunbathing on an inflatable mattress isn't a good idea. This is the beach where the comedy Brice de Nice was filmed, which became a cult classic in France.

© Moody Dreiza ( Moody751 at English Wikipedia ) · CC BYPhoto: Moody Dreiza ( Moody751 at English Wikipedia ), CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5), Wikimedia Commons

• Facilities: shower, toilet, sailing center a few meters away
• Not for: those who struggle to stay afloat in strong waves

Plage de la Réserve

Two narrow strips of coarse pebbles are tucked against the rocks between Bains Militaires and Coco Beach. You get into the water via ladders or stone steps between small coves. The port is nearby, so the wake from passing ships is felt here too.

© trolvag · CC BY-SAPhoto: trolvag, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0), Wikimedia Commons

• What you'll see: Cap de Nice and Mont Boron on one side, the port of Nice on the other
• The catch: the beach is not supervised; the nearest lifeguard post is at Coco Beach, a few hundred meters away
• Who it's for: those looking for a quiet swim without the crowds

Coco Beach

A rocky beach with small platforms and ladders into the water, right at the headland, next to Cap de Nice. It's one of the wildest spots in Nice and a favorite with local divers. A lifeguard post operates here in season.

© Chris¨^-^ · CC BY-SAPhoto: Chris¨^-^, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0), Wikimedia Commons

• How to get there: bus 30 or T32 to the Théodore de Banville / Lorrain stop; no parking at the beach
• The catch: swimming is dangerous in rough seas, you're right in front of the rocks
• Who it's for: those willing to walk for the view of the port

Rauba Capeu and Plage de la Plateforme

The Quai Lunel promenade at the foot of the castle hill is barely mentioned in brochures, but in summer people dive and sunbathe here. Rauba Capeu isn't a beach in the usual sense, but large rocks by the concrete: you enter the water via a ladder, and in rough seas the spot becomes dangerous, with no lifeguard nearby. Locals come here with a mask to look for octopuses.

© GFreihalter · CC BY-SAPhoto: GFreihalter, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

Further along the coastal path, about a twenty-minute walk from Coco Beach, lies Plage de la Plateforme. It's the old concrete pier of the former Maeterlinck hotel: you enter the sea via ladders from a concrete slab. The beach is considered nudist, but since 2016 the site owner has been harassing nudists through a security guard, so the practice continues more by tradition. Swimming here is risky in rough seas.

• Who it's for: snorkeling enthusiasts and those who like quiet concrete platforms

Site des Bains de la Police

A stretch at the end of the Quai des Etats Unis promenade, closer to the port. Access to the water is tricky: part of the bottom is rocky, part is sheer rock. In summer the beach is managed by a private operator, and originally it was open only to police officers. Sunbathing here is comfortable, but we don't recommend swimming: there's a launch area for water sports nearby.

© M.Strīķis · CC BY-SAPhoto: M.Strīķis, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0), Wikimedia Commons

• Facilities: loungers and a restaurant in the summer season
• The catch: swimming is more dangerous than at neighboring beaches

Plage du Castel

A public pebble beach on Quai des Etats Unis, about 150 meters long. From April to September, a private area with a restaurant and loungers opens here. The beach is not supervised; the nearest lifeguard post is about 150 meters away, at Plage des Ponchettes.

© Fred Romero from Paris, France · CC BYPhoto: Fred Romero from Paris, France, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), Wikimedia Commons

• Facilities: shower, toilet, loungers in season
• Who it's for: a good fit if you want a restaurant nearby but don't want crowds

Plage des Ponchettes

The beach faces the old town, between Plage de l'Opéra and Plage du Castel. Artificial sand has been spread around the volleyball court; the rest of the shore is pebbles. Space is limited, and in season it gets very crowded. About twenty steps lead down, and there's practically no parking nearby.

© Bybbisch94, Christian Gebhardt · CC BY-SAPhoto: Bybbisch94, Christian Gebhardt, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

• How to get there: Cours Saleya parking or the old port lot, then walk; easier by bike or bus
• Facilities: shower, toilet, volleyball court, lifeguard in season
• The catch: finding a free spot in July and August is hard

Plage de l'Opéra

A public beach opposite the opera house, in front of the old town and Cours Saleya. Pebble, no lifeguard, but a post operates nearby. On the right, closer to the casino, there's a private section with a restaurant and loungers.

• Facilities: shower, toilet, restaurant and loungers on the private side
• Who it's for: those who combine the beach with a stroll through the old town

Beau Rivage: artificial sand in the center

One of Nice's two beaches with artificial sand, along with Ponchettes. It lies between the Promenade des Anglais and Quai des Etats Unis, next to the Théâtre de Verdure. In the morning the sandy strip is good for children; in the afternoon adults sunbathe there. Part of the beach is private, with a restaurant and loungers.

© Aeroceanaute · CC BY-SAPhoto: Aeroceanaute, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

• Facilities: shower, toilet, restaurant, loungers, lifeguard in season
• Important: the sand here is artificial, don't confuse it with the sandy beaches of Antibes

Plage du Centenaire

A beach opposite the Jardin Albert Ier, between the Ruhl casino and Quai des Etats Unis. It's the only central stretch equipped for people with disabilities. Verified on 12.09.2026 on the official Handiplage page: Handiplage operates free of charge, no booking or paperwork required, and swimming is assisted by trained volunteers. The beach has a private area, Le Galion, with a bar, restaurant, and loungers.

© Bybbisch94, Christian Gebhardt · CC BY-SAPhoto: Bybbisch94, Christian Gebhardt, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

• Infrastructure: shower, toilet, lifeguard in season, non-smoking beach
• Who it's for: guests with reduced mobility and those who need assistance while swimming

Plage du Ruhl

A public beach on the Promenade des Anglais across from the Ruhl casino and the Méridien hotel. A private area with a restaurant and loungers operates here all summer, and lifeguards are on duty during the season. A large parking lot is near Place Masséna, and buses stop right by the shore.

• Infrastructure: shower, toilet, restaurant, loungers
• Who it's for: you, if being in the center with everything close by matters

Plage du Sporting

A beach across from the Royal hotel, between rue Meyerbeer and rue Royale, about a kilometer from the old town. There are no bars or restaurants right on the shore, but there are plenty across the street, and small eateries operate on the side streets. Parking is also a weak point here, so it's easier to walk or take the bus.

• Infrastructure: shower, toilet
• The catch: no lifeguard; in season, a post is staffed at the neighboring Plage du Lido

Blue Beach

A beach across from the West End hotel, between rue Rivoli and rue Meyerbeer. The public section sits next to a private area and restaurant, and a water sports center operates on the shore. The old town is about 1,200 meters away. This is one of the few private beaches in Nice that welcomes guests year-round.

© Николай Максимович · CC BYPhoto: Николай Максимович, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), Wikimedia Commons

• Infrastructure: shower, toilet, restaurant, loungers, paddleboard rental
• Who it's for: young groups and those visiting outside the season

Plage du Neptune

A beach across from the Negresco hotel: it's visible from any point in the bay, so it serves as a handy landmark on the promenade. The public section sits next to a private one with a restaurant and loungers. At the height of the season, parasailing and banana boat rides are offered here.

• Infrastructure: shower, toilet, loungers, restaurant
• The catch: no lifeguard; the nearest post is at the neighboring Plage du Forum

Plage du Lido

A beach across from the Palais de la Méditerranée and the Ruhl casino. The private area with a restaurant and loungers operates all summer, and the beach is guarded during the season. Lounger rates here are among the most affordable on the promenade, but they change every year, so check the price on site or on the beach's website.

© Matti Blume · CC BY-SAPhoto: Matti Blume, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.en), Wikimedia Commons

• Infrastructure: shower, toilet, restaurant, loungers; dogs are allowed
• Who it's for: a good fit if the center and a reasonable budget matter

Plage du Forum

A beach a few meters from the Negresco hotel, about a hundred meters long along the bay. It is guarded in season and has two private sections. Because of its proximity to the center and the old town, the spot is very popular, and you have to look for a spot on the pebbles from the morning.

• Infrastructure: shower, loungers
• The catch: in July and August there is almost no free shore left

Plage du Voilier

In summer, two private sections open on this public beach, leaving very little free space. On the other hand, the view of the Baie des Anges is especially good from here. The restaurant at Plage du Voilier consistently gets good reviews, and getting a table there in the evening without a reservation is difficult.

• Facilities: shower, toilet, restaurant, loungers
• The catch: parking nearby is almost impossible, it's better to walk here
• Who it's for: those who combine the beach with a walk through the old town

Plage de Florida

A beach 600 meters from the Negresco hotel, at the corner of the Promenade des Anglais and rue Paul Valéry. In summer, the public section shrinks: private beaches set up on both sides. In the off-season, however, there's more space. The beach is supervised in season.

• Facilities: shower, toilet, restaurant, loungers
• Who it's for: those who visit in the off-season, when there's more space on the beach

Plage de Ste Hélène

A public beach opposite the Radisson hotel. The hotel runs its own private beach, Régence, right next door. For guests with reduced mobility, there's a fairly steep ramp that makes the descent easier, but the shore itself has no bathing equipment.

• Who it's for: quiet swimming away from the center
• The catch: the ramp is steep, and going down it with a wheelchair is difficult

Plage Aubry Lecomte

A beach in the western part of the Promenade des Anglais, not far from the Radisson Blu hotel. It offers a wide view of the Baie des Anges, and even at the height of the season there are fewer people than in the center. Access is via stairs, and the pebbles here are large.

• Facilities: shower
• Who it's for: those who want more open space and don't mind walking on large stones

Plage de Fabron and Plage de Lenval

Two quiet beaches in the western part of the promenade. Plage de Fabron lies opposite Avenue de Fabron; its Miami Beach section becomes private in summer. The old town is about three kilometers away, so you'll almost always find a spot here in season. The beach is not supervised, but there is a restroom. Nearby, by the Lenval hospital, stretches Plage de Lenval, a quiet non-smoking section with the private Bambou plage area and a restaurant.

• Facilities: shower, toilet, restaurant and loungers
• Who it's for: large groups and those tired of the crowds

Plage de Magnan and Plage Poincaré

Plage de Magnan lies opposite the neighborhood of the same name and is supervised in season. Further west, there are fewer tourists, and it's already noticeable here. Nearby is Plage Poincaré, the narrowest stretch of the promenade in this part of the bay: the shore is squeezed between rocks. In summer, a lifeguard post operates there.

• Facilities: shower, toilet, lifeguard in season
• Who it's for: those who want quiet and don't mind large pebbles

Plage du Carras

The westernmost of Nice's large beaches, at the border with Saint-Laurent-du-Var and a couple of kilometers from the airport. The stretch is over 350 meters long, making it one of the longest beaches in the city. Plage du Carras is equipped as a Handiplage, a lifeguard station operates here, and the shore is supervised in season. You can get there on buses 23 and 52 (beach guide, 16.06.2026).

• Facilities: shower, toilet, beach volleyball court, jet ski rental, small free parking nearby
• The catch: motorized watercraft are allowed, so this is not the quietest beach in Nice
• Who it's for: active recreation and swimming with assistance

Plage de la Lanterne

The farthest western beach in Nice, lying closer to the airport. The beach is small and separated from the promenade by a small hill, so it's quieter here than in the center. This is the only municipal beach where dogs are allowed, and fishing is also permitted here.

• Facilities: shower, fishing allowed
• Who it's for: dog owners and those tired of people

Where to stay near the beaches

Three three-star hotels are located in central Nice, and each is within walking distance of the water.

Hôtel Brice Garden is on rue du Maréchal-Joffre. It's about five minutes on foot to the Promenade des Anglais and the beach (according to the map), and ten to the train station. The price-to-location ratio here is good, and the inner courtyard has a garden with a fountain, a pleasant place for breakfast on a warm morning.

• Price: check prices at Brice Garden on Trip.com

Hotel Villa Rose is on Avenue Bellevue. The building was recently renovated, the train station is five minutes on foot, and the promenade is ten (according to the map). Lemons and bananas grow in the garden, making the courtyard look unusual for a city hotel.

• Price: rooms and prices at Villa Rose

Hôtel Vendôme occupies a 19th-century building on rue Pastorelli in the very center. The beaches and the Promenade des Anglais are about ten minutes on foot (according to the map), with bus stops and shops nearby.

• Price: compare prices at Vendôme on Trip.com

Day trips from Nice

Nice is a convenient base for a full-day trip to Provence. The Verdon Gorge (Gorges du Verdon) lies west of the city and carries the Grand Site de France label, awarded to only a few natural sites in the country. Grasse, in the hills north of Nice, is considered the center of perfumery: local factories make fragrances for major fashion houses and offer tours.

• Tip: book guided tours with transfers in advance, spots sell out in season (see Riviera tours on GetYourGuide)
• Who it's for: those spending more than three days in Nice and wanting to see the mountains

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

Is there a sandy beach in Nice?

There are no sandy beaches in the city. Artificial sand is laid only on two sections: at Beau Rivage and on Plage des Ponchettes around the volleyball court. For real sand, head west to Antibes: that's where the boundary between pebble and sandy beaches lies, and TER trains run along the coast every day.

How much does a lounger on a private beach cost in 2026?

A day on a private beach costs from 25 to 50 € per person, including a lounger, umbrella, shower and changing rooms (private beach rates, 16.06.2026). Beau Rivage Plage charges more, while Ruhl Plage stays in the 25-40 € range. The restaurant and bar are paid separately, so budget for the day with some margin.

Where to swim with children?

Choose Beau Rivage: in the morning, the sandy strip there is convenient for children, and a lifeguard is on duty in season. The second option is Plage des Ponchettes with its sandy patch by the volleyball court. Keep in mind that about twenty steps lead down, and it's inconvenient with a stroller. Ponchettes is always crowded. Plage du Centenaire operates as a Handiplage for people with disabilities (city hall Handiplage page).

Can I bring a dog to the beach?

On municipal beaches, dogs are allowed only on Plage de la Lanterne, which lies in the western part of the promenade closer to the airport. Some private beaches allow animals, such as Lido Plage. In the center, at Ponchettes or Beau Rivage, you'll be asked to leave with a dog.

Where to stay to walk to the beach?

In the center, between Place Masséna and the old town: from there it's a 10-15 minute walk to the water (according to the map). We list three three-star hotels: Hôtel Brice Garden with a courtyard garden, Villa Rose with renovated rooms, and Hôtel Vendôme in a 19th-century building.

In short: what to book

Nice's beaches are chosen by three criteria: distance from the hotel, presence of sand, and budget for a lounger. In the center, you pay for convenience; in the west, you get open space.

• If you want sand under your feet, go to Beau Rivage or Plage des Ponchettes.
• If you're traveling with children, choose Beau Rivage: in the morning, the sandy strip there is convenient for children.
• If you need quiet, choose Plage du Carras, Plage de Fabron or Plage Aubry Lecomte.
• If comfort and a restaurant on the shore matter, book the private beaches Beau Rivage Plage or Ruhl Plage.

Accommodation in the center goes first, so it's better to book a hotel before buying tickets: see hotels in Nice on Trip.com. Add Provence tours to the second half of your trip, once you've chosen a beach you like.