Plage Mala Beach, Cap d'Ail
A find pebbly beach with a safe swimming area
This is a small and secluded beach with two excellent restaurants and safe swimming. Plage Mala is a little haven.
The two staircases wind down through a cool fragrant forest of palm trees, yuccas and pines before coming out at either end of a crescent-shaped bay. Much of the beach is taken up with deckchairs and sun loungers from the two restaurants but there is still plenty of public beach available, with showers and toilets provided.
Neither of the restaurants are cheap, so if you are visiting “en famille” you may prefer to bring a picnic; there are no shops or snack bars within close distance. Both restaurants offer services such as sunbed rental, massage, boat-taxi (to bring you ashore if you arrive via boat), boutique, etc. Each one has a bar area where there are regular live music concerts.
There is no parking, access is via a lot of steps and hidden from view; but it rarely gets overcrowded.
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Setting & Location
This beach is within walking distance of Cap d’Ail town. Walkable from both the bus and train but due to the number of steps to access the beach it's not advisable for pushchairs/wheelchairs/etc.
Water Safety & Clarity
The safe swimming zone is marked out with yellow floats and there is a smaller area marked out in white to keep children near to the shoreline. Beyond the swimming zone there is usually a small flotilla of yachts and speedboats bobbing peacefully in the bay. There is a lifeguard on duty during peak season.
Beach Quality
The pebbles get smaller and smaller towards the water until they are almost as smooth as sand.
Watersports Nearby
You can also hire pedalos (with a slide!) or try your hand at paddle boarding - this is a great place to find your balance as the water is so calm and you won’t get any jet skis whizzing past.
Directions
The small bay is tucked away beneath the cliffs of Cap d’Ail; you can reach it via a short walk along the Sentier Littoral from the train station or from following the road down from Edmond’s bus stop. Either way, there are a few(!) stairs to navigate, so leave the heavy cool-box and enormous inflatable crocodile at home.
Villas nearby
Villas in Nice
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Hsud0034 Villa, La Gaude
In the heart of the French Riviera, 10 km from the beach and 13 km from the airport, this villa is set in lush greenery and nature.
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Hsud0083 Villa, Vence
Located in the town of Vence, in a quiet residential area, charming villa set in grounds of 3600 m². Private salt water swimming pool (10m x 5m – Depth 110/170 cm – Alarm), outdoor shower (hot water), pool house (barbecue, oven, gas hob), terrace with garden furniture, deckchairs and dining table. Parking for 4 cars. 2 km shops. Beach 12km.
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Hsud0145 Villa
In the commune of Colomars, 10 km from the sea, in a residential area, beautiful villa on a plot of 1500m².
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Hsud0058 Villa, Saint Paul de Vence
In Vence, 5 km from Saint-Paul,, in a residential area, beautiful contemporary villa located on a plot of 1000m2.
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Aurelia Villa, Vence
Just outside historic Vence and a short distance from magnificent Saint Paul de Vence, this beautiful and contemporary house on a generous private plot is very quietly located for exploring all the delights of this beautiful corner of the French Riviera. The villa is located in a beautiful natural setting with views of the mountains.
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Roquette Villa, La Roquette-sur-Var
The villa in La Roquette-sur-Var has 4 bedrooms and has capacity for 8 people.
Hotels nearby
Hotels in Nice
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La Bastide Saint Antoine Hotel, Grasse
La Bastide Saint-Antoine in Grasse sits within five hectares of lush Mediterranean gardens and olive groves. It overlooks the surrounding plains and the Bay of Cannes, offering stunning views and a feast for the senses.
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Le Mas de Pierre Hotel, Saint-Paul de Vence
This five-star Relais & Châteaux resort offers elegant rooms, exceptional facilities and a peaceful setting near Saint-Paul-de-Vence.
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Suisse Hotel
The Hotel Suisse is ideally situated between right on the beach front and offers fantastic, uninterrupted sea views right in the heart of Nice.
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Cap-Ferrat Grand Hotel, Cap-Ferrat
Distinguished turn-of-the-century resort hotel with a sophisticated aura, surrounded by a beautifully landscaped 14-acre park.
Price: €42,940
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Eza Chateau Hotel, Eze
Exquisite and intimate, the rooms and suites of Château Eze cling to the side of the ancient rock walls of Eze, a thousand-year-old Medieval village more than 400 metres above the Mediterranean Sea.
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Windsor Hotel
Charming hotel with a secluded tropical garden set in the heart of Nice within a walking distance to the city's main attractions.
Things to do nearby
Things To Do in Eze
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Sunset Boat Trip
Enjoy a wonderful, peaceful and fume-free journey along the French Riviera on a solar powered motor boat with a professional skipper.
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Solar Powered Boat Trip
Enjoy a wonderful, peaceful and fume-free journey along the French Riviera on a solar powered motor boat with a professional skipper.
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Mediterranean Sport Fishing Trip
Based in Beaulieu-Sur-Mer, this company can offer fishing trips from Beaulieu and also Nice, Cannes and Monaco out into the Mediterranean for all levels of fisher, from complete beginner to expert. They are also family friendly so those who would like an outing with their children can join one of their trips.
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Cote d'Azur Luxury Motor Boat Trip
This boat trip departs from Beaulieu-sur-Mer and can run for 2, 3 or 4 hours - so you can choose whether you want a quick spin along the coast or a more extended trip.
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Whale & Dolphin Watching Boat Trip
Departing from Beaulieu-sur-Mer, this fantastic boat trip lets you observe some of the most beautiful marine wildlife that live within the Mediterranean.
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Sunset Luxury Motor Boat Trip, Beaulieu
This two hour cruise departs from Beaulieu-sur-Mer to take you on a stunning sunset cruise on the Cote d'Azur.
Restaurants nearby
Restaurants in Eze
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Restaurant des Rois, Beaulieu Sur Mer
The jewel in the crown of La Réserve de Beaulieu hotel is this gastronomic restaurant which has one Michelin star.
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La Table de Patrick Raingeard Restaurant, Eze
The Cap Estel gourmet restaurant or "La Table de Patrick Raingeard" as it is known has one Michelin star.
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La Chevre d'Or Restaurant, Eze
This gourmet restaurant offers panoramic views across the Mediterranean and gained two Michelin stars in 2011.
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Chateau Eza Restaurant, Eze
Château Eza offers a Michelin recommended restaurant serving à la carte French and Mediterranean cuisine against the stunning backdrop of the French Riviera.
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Eze Hermitage Restaurant, Eze
Yannick Delaunay is the chef at the Eze Hermitage Art Restaurant and Hotel and offers an inspired Provençal cuisine full of classics as well as new takes.
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Anjuna Plage Beach Club, Eze
Being situated in the small and picturesque village of Eze, the Anjuna Plage is a fashionable restaurant that should not be missed during the summer holidays.
Sights nearby
Sights in Nice
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Museum of Prehistoric Anthropology
The area around the Cote d'Azur is rich in prehistoric artefacts, many of which can be found in this fascinating museum.
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Parfumerie Fragonard, Eze
This factory for perfume, soap and cosmetics, has very modern laboratories and workshops. Discover the secrets of manufacturing perfumes and cosmetics.
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Exotic Garden, Eze
Eze's exotic gardens were created after the Second World War, in the ruins of Eze castle. Located on steep terrain, it boasts wonderful panoramic views of the sea, the Esterel mountains and the Saint-Tropez gulf.
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Parfumerie Galimard, Eze
Free guided tours of a historic perfume factory in the medieval village of Eze.
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Kerylos Villa
At the edge of the sea, facing the Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat peninsula, the villa is a magic place that takes you back in time. Discover this French Riviera seaside palazzo, a luxurious recreation of an Ancient Greek villa.
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Ephrussi de Rothschild Villa, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat
This impressive villa was built in 1906 by Béatrice Ephrussi de Rothschild. It overlooks the Mediterranean sea from Cap Ferrat and it is full of antique furniture, Old Master paintings, sculptures and a collection of rare porcelain, while the gardens are classified as Notable Gardens of France.
Golf-clubs nearby
Golf Courses in Nice
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Royal Mougins Golf Course
Founded in 1993, the Royal Mougins Golf Club is a course of exceptional quality. Designed by world-famous American architect, the late Robert von Hagge, the par 71, 18-hole course extends for 6,004 m through a lush, wooded vale.
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Biot Golf Course, Biot
The course of Biot Golf Club extends over 4511m, and has been designed so that it is suitable for players of all levels, but also to enhance the beauty of the site.
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Le Provencal Golf Course, Biot
The route goes up and down hills through pines and cork oaks, shrubs and flowers, with large undulating greens and meets the expectations of any golfer.
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Golf Course de la Grande Bastide, Opio
Situated between Nice and Cannes, the Grande Bastide golf course is in one of the beautiful parts of the Côte d’Azur.
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Monte-Carlo Golf Course, La Turbie
Situated in the La Turbie area in the heights of Nice the rolling green terrain offers an interesting and challenging round of golf.
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Saint Donat Golf Course, Grasse
This beautifully situated golf club has two courses, one 18 hole and one 9 hole, plus a practice range and practice bunker.
Towns nearby
Towns & Villages in Nice
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Cap d'Ail
A friendly seaside resort with a splash of old-school glamour, Cap d'Ail has several beaches ranging from fine sandy beaches with elegant restaurants, to remote and rocky coves.
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Eze
A wonderful medieval village, Eze is perched on a hilltop overlooking the Riviera with a ruined 12th century castle at its pinnacle. It's actually split into two very distinct areas - Eze-Sur-Mer and Eze Village.
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Beaulieu-sur-Mer
Beaulieu-sur-Mer is filled with Belle Époque buildings, cafés and restaurants.
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Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat
Sitting on a beautiful rocky peninsula of pine trees and palms just to the east of Nice is Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat. This area is the epitome of elegance and old Riviera glamour: from the small, chic harbour to the palatial gated villas and magnificent gardens of celebrities, oligarchs and famous family dynasties.
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Villefranche-sur-Mer
Just to the east of Nice lies the coastal town of Villefranche-sur-Mer; with its little cobblestone lanes and 16th century citadel.
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Cap de Nice
Cap de Nice and Mont Boron is a peaceful exclusive area to the east of Nice and is a mix of affluent residential properties and a national park.
Beach Bars & Beachclubs in Nice
If you want to treat yourself then nothing could be nicer than sitting in the shade of either La Reserve de la Mala or Eden Plage Mala with an ice cold glass of rosé and a plate of fresh seafood.