Beaches in Nice — 11 of Our Favourites

The long pebble beach stretches for around 7km and is a mixture of private and public sections.

The private sections are leased to beach clubs and restaurants where, as well as buying food and drinks, you can rent sun loungers and parasols for some serious sunbathing.

About half of the beach is public and free of charge, and you'll find that most sections are equipped with toilets and showers. There are also a couple of underground storage rooms (accessible from the Promenade) where you can hire a secure locker. 

Plage Carras at the far end of the promenade, close to Nice Côte d'Azur airport, is well-equipped for disabled swimmers - there is a designated area where lifeguards will help people in and out of the water using specially adapted beach buggies. The western end of the beach (closest to the airport) seems to be quieter and more popular with children and locals, whereas the closer you get to the centre of town the more lively and touristy it gets.

The beach is small but the rocks extend a fair bit at either end, so you can usually find a spot without being awkwardly close to someone else - something not always possible on some of the more obvious beaches.

There is a shower but that’s about it as far as facilities go. If you want snacks and drinks then there is a takeaway kiosk on the corner of Boulevard Franck Pilatte or a brasserie called Le Saint Juan just a few minutes walk from the beach.

Just a few minutes walk from the Saint Jean Cap Ferrat port, they are both in sheltered coves that provide crystal-clear, calm water that is ideal for swimming and snorkelling.

Neither beach has much in the way of facilities and Fosses is the more basic of the two; there is nowhere to buy food or drink, so you will need to buy your own from one of the shops in Saint Jean Cap Ferrat before you arrive. You are only a short walk from the port though, where you’ll find a ton of cafés and restaurants.

Dog walkers will be happy to find one of the only dog-friendly sections of beach here as well; it is marked out so your hound can play happily in the waves within this stretch.

There are toilets and showers, but no parking other than roadside which is hard to come by. There is a bus stop, conveniently also called Carras, within just a few metres though and there are Vélobleu bike stations nearby.

Slightly off the beaten track, this beach is not visible from the road and only one bus route takes you anywhere near it. Add to that the fine pebbles that are small enough not to hurt your feet, the shallow waters that get deeper very gradually, the crystal clear water that is perfect for snorkelling and the relative peace and quiet compared to more well-known beaches and you’ve got yourself a winner.

The beach is popular with families and locals and is less touristy than those on the eastern end. The other advantage of this beach is that it's one of the few non-smoking beaches on the Riviera, so you are unlikely to find cigarette butts amongst the pebbles.

There are toilets and showers, but no parking other than roadside which is hard to come by. There is a bus stop, conveniently also called Lenval, within just a few metres though and there are Vélobleu bike stations nearby.

This beach has toilets, showers and a lifeguard.

There is a large (paying) car park, or it's a short walk from the train and bus stops.

A kids play area is situated under the shade of the pine trees, beside the beach volleyball court and the beach club, and the rocky outcrop makes for great rock pool exploring with children.

This does make the beach quite a popular one for families and so it can get quite busy during the peak summer months, our advice is to head further away from the port end towards the small beach at the east end of Plage des Mariniers. Here you will find a small sandy bat between two stone pontoons that is popular with families and older people. There is a shower here and the facilities of Plage des Mariniers are only a short walk away; you can find toilets, snacks and drinks very easily. The small bay is hemmed in by rocks on either side, making it easy to keep an eye on children and ensure they don’t swim too far away.

It’s only a short walk from the main beach of Plage des Mariniers, hidden away behind the wall at Port de la Darse. There is a snack bar and a couple of restaurants just a few minutes walk away at the port.

This is a good beach for families and also for those who are more cautious swimmers. The shallow waters make it easy to swim a little without getting out of your depth. It's also great for families being so close to the town and amenities.

The rocky peninsula has a winding path twisting through it that leads to clusters of slightly flatter areas that are just about big enough to spread out a beach towel.

Coco Beach is a popular hangout for locals who just want a quick dip without having to squeeze in amongst the hoards of tourists at Promenade des Anglais. There’s often a slackline stretched between some of the coves, which is always entertaining to watch as wiry young local lads attempt to inch their way across without falling in.

There are a few showers scattered along the various rocks of Coco Beach but that’s about all in the way of facilities. It's not the kind of beach where you’d want to spend all day though, so other than a bottle of water you don’t really need much. Just jump straight in!