7 Best Beaches in Antibes: The Complete Guide

From hidden coves to sandy stretches, here’s where to swim in Antibes.

1. Plage de la Gravette

Right below the old town walls — literally, the ramparts cast their shadow on the sand by late afternoon. It’s small, sandy (the only natural sand beach in central Antibes), and family-friendly. Best for: quick dips between museum visits, sunset swimming, watching yachts enter the port. The water is calm and shallow, perfect for children.

2. Plage de la Garoupe (Cap d’Antibes)

The crown jewel of Antibes beaches. Two beaches side by side on the eastern side of the Cap: Plage de la Garoupe (public, sand) and Plage de la Salis (a bit wilder, pebbly). Water clarity is extraordinary — you can see your toes at 5 meters depth. The view across to the Alps on a clear day is almost unfair.

Getting there: 30-minute walk from old town, or bus line 8. Bring water and snacks — the beach cafes are pricey.

3. Plage du Ponteil

Long, family-friendly stretch near Port Vauban. Sand, showers, kid-friendly slope. The water is shallow for a long way out. There’s a beach club with loungers if that’s your style, or just claim a spot on the sand like the locals do. The Cap d’Antibes creates a natural shelter, so the water is usually calm.

4. Plage de la Fontonne (Chez Lulu)

The Antibois secret. Tiny beach at the base of a residential area, known mostly for the restaurant Chez Lulu — a legendary seafood spot with tables on the sand. The beach itself is pebbly, but the atmosphere is pure Antibes: kids playing, parents sipping rosé, grandpas playing pétanque nearby.

5. Plage des Ondes

Small cove between Gravette and Ponteil. Mostly known to locals. A mix of sand and pebbles, protected by natural rock formations. The water gets deep quickly, making it popular with more confident swimmers.

6. Plage de la Baie des Milliardaires

OK, that’s not the official name. But the stretch of coast between Cap d’Antibes and the lighthouse is where the superyachts anchor. There are tiny, unofficial coves accessible only by scrambling down the coastal path. No facilities, no crowds, just incredible views and water so clear it looks edited. Go at the end of the day when the light is soft.

7. Juan-les-Pins Beaches

A 20-minute walk from Antibes old town, Juan-les-Pins has the longest continuous sandy beach in the area. It’s touristy, lively, full of beach clubs — but the sand is excellent and the people-watching is world-class.

Practical Tips

• Best months for swimming: June through September (water 20-26°C)
• All public beaches in France are free
• Showers are available at Gravette and Ponteil
• Lifeguards on main beaches July-August only

Want to combine beach time with history? Book a morning walking tour, then hit the sand by lunchtime. Perfect day.