The 10 best beaches in Nice

A word of warning: if you wish to make sandcastles, Nice beaches may not be for you. The five-mile waterfront curve is almost exclusively small pebbles, or bigger ones. But the compensations are many. The Bay of Angels has not usurped its name. The vast expanse of sea is spangled by light coming apparently direct from our Creator. The water is serene and warm(ish). The long, long beach appears to be one continuous stretch, but the Niçois have split it into more than 20 separate beaches, some private, some public and some a mix. If you need one of the loungers, arranged in military ranks on private beaches, prepare around £25 per person per day. Here are our 10 favourites.

And for further Nice inspiration, see our guides to the city’s best hotels, restaurants, nightlife and things to do.

Castel Beach

At the far eastern end of the promenade, under Castle Hill rocks, the public space abuts a private Castel stretch under Art Deco influence. The Bains-du-Castel restaurant opened in 2023 with Med marine mains from £27 – steep, but the sun and views are sumptuous. This is Nice, after all. Locals abound here, incidentally.

How to get there: Walk out of the old town, head for the eastern end of the prom – and voilà.

Insider tip: In the private bit, look out for art works by Riviera luminaries like Ben and Arman. Castel is also among the more gay-friendly of beach concessions.

Opéra Beach

The oldest private beach - established in 1889 by the family which still runs it – is one of the longest and liveliest: in the 1960s, it was the seaside repair of Johnny Hallyday, Picasso, and everyone in between. Renewed in 2019, it remains chic, groovy and (for Nice) relatively good value-for-money, with creditable sea-bass in the waterfront restaurant.

How to get there: It fronts the old town. You can’t miss it.

Insider tip: Pay a little extra and they’ll supply national and international newspapers to stress you, and massages for de-stress. At £8.50, Opéra cocktails are among the cheapest along the beach.

Coco Beach

Beyond the port, a series of creeks are barely beaches at all, more rocks to clamber over. Because of that, and the distance from the centre, you’re putting space between yourself and the bulk of tourists. Like the other two main creeks (Réserve and Bains Militaires), Coco has access to the sea by steps or ladders, fantastic views and space to sunbathe, if you can find a flat rock. (Note: These beaches are not fabulous for children.)

How to get there: Walk round the port, to Blvd Franck Pilatte, then Ave Jean Lorrain. Or take the 98 bus, stop Théodore-de-Banville/Lorrain. Or Tramline 2 to Port Lympia.

Insider tip: Above the Réserve beach rocks, the eponymous restaurant is a Nice landmark. Its rooftop bar is unbeatable, but expensive (lareservedenice.fr).

Lenval Beach

Half-an-hour’s walk to the west distances the smart seaside stroller from the boisterous centre, rewarding him or her with a decent stretch upon which to spread the towel, toilets, showers – and the company of dogs. Lenval is one of the few beaches where pets are allowed in summer.

How to get there: West along the prom, until you’re at the Lenval hospital. The beach is in front. Or tramline 2 to Fabron stop.

Insider tip: Don’t light up. Lenval is among the increasing number of non-smoking French beaches.

Centenaire Beach

Bang central – opposite the Albert I gardens – here’s one of two beaches labelled ‘Handiplage’, thus entirely equipped to ensure handicapped folk have access to both beach and sea: proper water-going wheelchairs, accompaniment for those who want it, adapted loos and showers, ropes at the water’s edge to pull oneself out of the water and up the beach. The other Handiplage, Carras Beach, is out by the airport.

How to get there: Through the Albert I gardens.

Insider Tip: The Peillon river flows out through this beach. Best bathe a little away from it, as it can render the sea turbulent.

Beau Rivage Beach

Some people reckon this private beach’s restaurant is the best eating of all Nice’s beaches, though it’s not the most expensive. A main and drink for lunch is about £17. It’s still cool and mildly bohemian, with a recently-acquired eco-label Clef Verte because it’s doing everything eco-correctly. Alongside loungers are some four-poster beds plus 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: A cracking place for water-sports. Based here, Nikaia Glisse offers parasailing, water skiing, towed buoys and pretty much any other water-borne activity.

Blue Beach

In the middle of the prom, more or less in front of the Negresco hotel, Blue Beach’s restaurant rates highly for staying open for lunch all year round. Their summer-time grilled fish is almost reason enough for stopping by. Try the sea-bass for £26.

How to get there: Aim for the pink domes of the Negresco and Bob’s your uncle.

Insider tip: You find the beach restaurant too pricey? There’s a host of seafront eateries just off the beach, across the prom. You may need to put your shirt back on, mind.

Voilier Beach

Just off-centre, the Voilier is long and wide, with smaller pebbles than at the extremities of Nice’s stretch of beaches, and slightly more gentle shelving to the sea. The public area, great for families, is hemmed by private beaches at each end. Pick is probably the family-run La Vela.

How to get there: West along the Promenade des Anglais until Rue Honoré Sauvan. Voilier and La Vela are out front. Or tramline 2 to the Centre Universitaire Méditerranéen (CUM).

Insider tip: You may book a table on 0033493571795, but not a sunbed. They’re first-come-first-served.

Li Rateta Beach Club

What used to be “Florida Beach” is now devoted to kids – locals who can sign up for the summer or youthful visitors who may join up for a morning, an afternoon or a full day. We’re talking beach rugby, soccer and volleyball, bouncy castles, trampolines, Zumba, monitored swimming and much else besides.

How to get there: It’s a walk to 71 Promenade des Anglais, or tramline 2 to the CUM stop.

Insider tip: If you want your nipper signed in, get there between 9 and 10am for the morning or a full day, between 1pm and 2.30pm for the afternoon. Full day is £18.

Les Marinières, Villefranche

Next along the coast from Nice, going East, is Villefranche-sur-Mer fringing what may be the loveliest bay on the Riviera. Thus the views from the main 700-metre beach, les Marinères, are outstanding. The beach itself is pretty good, too – pebbly, but slightly less so than in Nice, and well-sheltered by the hills directly behind.

How to get there: Best bet is the train from Nice’s main station. It takes seven minutes, costs £2.15 and the station is directly above the beach.

Insider tip: Though not in Nice, this beach fills up quickly, not least with Niçois. So get there as early as possible.

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