by A word of warning: if you want to make sandcastles, the beaches of Nice may not be for you. The five mile curve by the sea consists almost entirely of small pebbles, or larger ones. But the compensations are many. Bay of Angels did not take its name. The vast expanse of the sea is spanned by light seemingly coming straight from our Creator. The water is calm and warm(ish). The long long beach appears to be one continuous stretch, but the Niçois has divided it into more than 20 separate beaches, some private, some public and some a mixture. If you need one of the lounges, arranged in military ranks on private beaches, prepare about £25 per person per day. Here are our 10 favourites.
And for more Nice inspiration, check out our guides to the city’s best hotels, restaurants, nightlife and things to do.
Castle Beach
At the eastern end of the promenade, under the rocks of Castle Hill, the public space is adjacent to Castel’s Art Deco-influenced private stretch. Bains-du-Castel restaurant opened in 2023 with Med seafood mains from £27 – steep, but the sun and views are fantastic. This is Nice, after all. There are a lot of local people here, incidentally.
How to get there: Walk out of the old town, face the east side of the prom – and voilà.
Insider tip: In the private piece, look out for artwork by Riviera luminaries like Ben and Arman. Castel is among the most gay-friendly beach concessions.
Beach Opera
The oldest private beach – founded by the family that still runs it in 1889 – is one of the longest and liveliest: in the 1960s, it was Johnny Hallyday, Picasso, and everyone in between, a seaside fix. Refurbished in 2019, it’s still chic, groovy and (for Nice) reasonably good value for money, with a credible sea view in the waterside restaurant.
How to get there: It is opposite the old town. You can’t miss it.
Insider tip: Pay a little extra and they’ll provide national and international newspapers to de-stress, and massages to de-stress. At £8.50, Opéra cocktails are among the cheapest on the beach.
Cocoa Beach
Outside the port, there are hardly any beaches at all with a series of ponds, and more rocks to tackle. Because of that, and the distance from the center, you are putting space between you and most tourists. Like the other two main lakes (Réserve and Bains Militaires), Coco has access to the sea via steps or ladders, great views and space to sunbathe, if you can find a flat rock. (Note: These beaches are not great for children.)
How to get there: Walk around the port, to Blvd Franck Pilatte, then to Ave Jean Lorrain. Or take bus 98, stop Théodore-de-Banville/Lorrain. Or Tramline 2 to Port Lympia.
Insider tip: Above the rocks of Réserve beach, the restaurant of the same name is a Nice landmark. Its rooftop bar is unrivaled, but expensive (lareservedenice.fr).
Lenval Beach
A half-hour walk to the west diverts the smart seaside stroller from the wild center, rewarding him or her with a reasonable stretch to spread out the towel, toilets, showers – and the company of dogs. Lenval is one of the few beaches where pets are allowed in the summer.
How to get there: West along the prom, until you are at the Lenval hospital. The beach is in front. Or tram line 2 stop to Fabron.
Insider tip: Do not light up. Lenval is among the growing number of smoke-free French beaches.
Centennial Beach
Bang central – in front of the Albert I gardens – this is one of two beaches with the ‘Handiplage’ label, which are therefore fully equipped to ensure that disabled people have access to the beach and the sea: right water wheelchairs, escort for those who want it, adapted loos and showers, ropes at the edge of the water to pull yourself out of the water and up the beach. The other Handiplage, Carras Beach, is outside the airport.
How to get there: Through the gardens of Albert I.
Inside Foot Tip: The river Peillon runs out through this beach. It is better to bathe a little away from it, because the sea can be rough.
Beau Rivage Beach
This private beach restaurant is considered by some to be the best eatery in all of Nice’s beaches, although it is not the most expensive restaurant. A main and drink for lunch costs around £17. It is still cool and lightly bohemian, with a recently acquired eco-label Clef Verte because he is doing everything eco-right. Next to the bedrooms are some four poster beds as well as the possibility of massages and that sort of thing.
How to get there: Turn right out of the Albert I garden, stop at the Beau Rivage hotel.
Insider tip: Split place for water sports. Based here, Nikaia Glisse offers parasailing, water skiing, towing buoys and many other water-borne activities.
Blue Beach
In the middle of the prom, more or less in front of the Negresco hotel, Blue Beach restaurant has high rates for staying open for lunch all year round. Their summer grilled fish is almost reason enough to stop by. Try the corridor for £26.
How to get there: Aim for the pink domes of the Negresco and your uncle Bob.
Insider tip: Is the beach restaurant too expensive for you? There are many seaside restaurants just off the beach, across the prom. You might have to put your shirt back on, mind.
Voiler Beach
Just outside the center, the Voilier is long and wide, with smaller pebbles than on the side of the stretch of Nice beaches, and shelves a little smoother towards the sea. There are private beaches on either side of the public area, which are great for families. Pick is probably the family run La Vela.
How to get there: West along the Promenade des Anglais to Rue Honoré Sauvan. Voilier and La Vela are out in front. Or tram line 2 to the Center Universitaire Méditerranée (CUM).
Insider tip: You can book a table on 0033493571795, but not a sunbed. They are first come first served.
Li Rateta Beach Club
What used to be “Florida Beach” is now geared toward kids—locals who can sign up for the summer or young visitors who can join in for a morning, afternoon, or full day. We’re talking beach rugby, soccer and volleyball, bouncy castles, trampolines, Zumba, supervised swimming and more.
How to get there: It is walking to 71 Promenade des Anglais, or tramline 2 to the CUM stop.
Insider tip: If you want your nipper signed in, be there between 9 and 10am in the morning or all day, between 1pm and 2.30pm for the afternoon. £18 the whole day.
Les Marinières, Villefranche
Along the coast from Nice, heading east, Villefranche-sur-Mer is on the edge of the most beautiful bay on the Riviera. So the views from the 700-metre main beach, les Marinères, are superb. The beach itself is quite good, too – pebbly, but a little smaller than in Nice, and well sheltered by the hills just behind.
How to get there: The best bet is the train from Nice main station. It takes seven minutes, costs £2.15 and the station is directly above the beach.
Insider tip: Although not in Nice, this beach fills up quickly, especially with Niçois. So be there as soon as possible.
