The Best Beaches in Nice
Free pebbles, private sunbeds, rocky coves and a sandy bay one stop away.
Nice's beaches are pebbles, not sand, and the sea gets deep quickly, which keeps the water clear and blue. Bring water shoes and a cushion, or rent a sunbed at one of the beach clubs.
Here's where to swim, from the free public beaches below the Old Town to the coves past the port.
- 1
Plage des Ponchettes
🏖️ Beaches & Swimming · Vieux Nice (Old Town) · Free · allow 3 hours
The free beach right below the Old Town, a minute from the market.
A free public stretch of pebbles a minute from the Cours Saleya, with the Old Town's rooftops and Castle Hill behind you. Bring water shoes: the pebbles are large and the beach shelves quickly.
🌊 Sea view💛 Budget friendly - 2
Castel Plage
🏝️ Beach Clubs & Day Passes · Vieux Nice (Old Town) · €€€ · allow 4 hours
Sunbeds at the foot of Castle Hill, and lovely evening light.
A private beach at the eastern end of the bay, tucked under Castle Hill. Sunbeds by the day, a restaurant on the deck, and a lovely evening light along the coast.
⛱️ Sunbeds by the day🌊 Sea view📞 Book ahead🌅 Sunset spot - 3
Beau Rivage Plage
🏝️ Beach Clubs & Day Passes · Vieux Nice (Old Town) · €€€ · allow 4 hours
The smart beach club opposite the Old Town, with lunch on the deck.
One of the best-known private beaches in Nice, opposite the Old Town. Rent a sunbed for the day and have lunch on the deck. Book ahead in July and August.
⛱️ Sunbeds by the day🌊 Sea view📞 Book ahead - 4
Coco Beach coves
🏖️ Beaches & Swimming · Le Port & Mont Boron · Free · allow 2.5 hrs
Rocks, ladders and the clearest water in Nice. A locals' morning swim.
Past the port the coast turns rocky, with flat rocks, ladders into the sea and some of the clearest water in Nice. Popular with locals for a morning swim. No sand, so bring a mat.
🌊 Sea view💛 Budget friendly - 5
Plage de la Réserve
🏖️ Beaches & Swimming · Le Port & Mont Boron · Free · allow 2 hours
Quieter swimming with the whole bay in view.
A small pebble and rock beach on the way out of the port, with a view along the whole Baie des Anges. Quieter than the Promenade beaches.
🌊 Sea view🌅 Sunset spot - 6
Plage des Marinières, Villefranche
🏖️ Beaches & Swimming · Around Nice & Day Trips · Free · allow 3 hours
Fine shingle and calm water in Villefranche, ten minutes by train.
One stop along the coast by train, Villefranche's main beach is a long, gently shelving curve of fine shingle in one of the deepest bays on the coast. Calmer water and easier for children than Nice's big pebbles.
🌊 Sea view🧒 Good with kids
liked this list?
Tap “Add to my trip” on your favourites and the trip planner will arrange them into your days — map included.
Open my trip →