There are 22 totally free public beaches in Nice all along the Promenade des Anglais and east of Port Lympia .(See a map below) Each beach has fresh-water showers and a water tap. Some of the central beaches have portable WCs during the summer.
Are there sandy beaches in Nice? No! Nice beaches are composed of pebbles called galets and locals wouldn't have it any other way. We find galets cleaner than sand and we can leave the beach without shaking sand out of our bathing suits or tracking sand into the house. We're used to the galets and most importantly, we have the proper accoutrements to make our days at the beach comfortable.
How to be comfortable on Nice beaches? First of all it helps to have the right footwear. Snug watershoes with a padded bottom make it much easier to trudge in and out of the sea. Many shops and large supermarkets near the sea carry watershoes for about €10 or buy them on Amazon. Sporting goods stores such as Decathlon also have a wide selection of water shoes. While there, pick up a foldable beach mat for about the same price. Great for naps on the beach!
Another option is to pay for a sun chair and parasol in one of Nice's 14 private beach clubs. These clubs provide a straw mat that leads from the lounge chairs almost to the water's edge. And you can rent a beach towel. The price for all three is between €35 and €50 a day. Each private beach has a beach restaurant and private facilities. See more details about Nice's private beach club/restaurants.
Home of Castel Plage beach restaurant, this beach is nestled under the Castle Hill. There's a wide stretch of beach and the water is often slightly calmer than elsewhere on the Baie des Anges. To the east of Castel is the very basic and tiny Bains de Police. More.
Ponchettes
Prefer to swim in front of lifeguards? This is the place. There's also a first-aid station and a fenced-in, sandy beach volleyball court. More.
It's right in front of Nice Opera and part of the beach is reserved for the private Opera Beach restaurant. At the western end of the beach is Nikaia Water Sports where you can rent equipment to waterski, parasail, canoe, kayak, raft and more. More about Opera Beach.
Beau Rivage
Across the street from the Beau Rivage Hotel, the Beau Rivage beach restaurant is a nice place to kick back and sip a frothy cocktail under a parasol. Anyone can use the public restrooms, showers and bag storage for a small fee. Enter on the Promenade. There's also a lifeguard and first-aid station. More about Beau Rivage beach restaurant.
Centenaire
This beach spans the Paillon river estuary so it's best to avoid swimming if there's a lot of muddy river water pouring into the sea. Otherwise, this beach is noted for handicapped access. There's also a lifeguard,first-aid station and public toilets and indoor showers (beach entry).
On the eastern end of the beach is Le Galet beach restaurant. More about Centenaire beach .
Ruhl
The Ruhl Plage beach restaurant is installed on part of this beach. Its varied menu and friendly service make it a great favourite of Le Meridien hotel guests. More about Ruhl Beach
Stay near the Beach! |
Bocca Mar beach restaurant takes up part of this beach which also has a lifeguard and first-aid station. More about Lido Beach.
Le Sporting
Le Temps d'Ete beach restaurant is part of Le Sporting beach. More
Blue Beach
Blue Beach beach restaurant is one of the few along the Promenade that's open all year. Glisse Evasion has the concession for watersports here which include water skiing, parasailing, kayaking etc. There are public toilets (beach entry). More about Blue Beach.
Neptune
Across from the Hotel Negresco, this beach hosts the N La Plage Beach Restaurant. More about Neptune Beach.
Forum
Hotel Amour beach restaurant takes up part of Forum beach and offers massages and relaxation areas. Also on Forum beach is a first-aid centre and lifeguards. Outside Hotel Amour Beach restaurant there are public toilets and showers (entrance on the Promenade). More about Forum Beach.
Voilier
It's the home of the La Vela beach restaurant which has a bustling nightlife during the summer season. More.
Florida
Part of Florida beach is devoted to the Li Rateta beach club for local kids. Because of its location on the baie des anges, the drop-off is slightly shallower here and the pebbles are slightly smaller. It's the most comfortable beach for those without beach shoes or a padded mattress. More about Florida beach.
Poincare
Now you're getting farther west where the beaches are somewhat less crowded in the summer. Also, the high rocks that separate the beach from the Promenade cuts down on traffic noise. More about Poincare beach.
Magnan
There's a first-aid station and lifeguards here but no beach restaurant. Magnan beach spans the tiny Magnan river which brings junk into the sea after strong rains or a storm. In that event, it's wise to move a beach away until the sea clears. More about Magnan beach.
Lenval
Across from Lenval Hospital, this beach attracts a primarily local crowd. As there are no large hotels nearby, it's less crowded than more central beaches. More about Lenval beach.
Fabron
Fabron beach contains two beach restaurants: Cocoon on the eastern end and Les Canailles to the west. They are smaller and less elaborate than the beach restaurants closer to town. At the eastern end are public toilets, indoor showers and left-luggage facilities (entrance on the Promenade). More about Fabron Beach .
Sainte-Helene
Here is where you'll find the Regence Plage beach restaurant, across the street from the Hotel Radisson. More about Sainte Helene beach .
Aubrey Lecompte
There's no beach restaurant here and, as it's a distance from central Nice (but close to a tram stop) it's the least crowded beach in the summer. More about Aubrey Lecompte beach.
Carras
You can watch the planes taking off and landing as this is the beach closest to Nice Airport. There's also handicapped access, a first-aid station, lifeguards, beach volleyball and Jet Evasion which rents jet skis. Nice beaches are off-limits to dogs but just west of Carras at Site de la Lanterne, there's a tiny beach where you can let Fido cut loose. More.
Bain Militaires
This tiny beach next to the Club Nautique of Nice is a favorite of locals but it can be crowded. The narrow cove keeps the water calm on days when waves pound the beaches elsewhere.
La Reserve Beach
Located under the renowned restaurant of the same name, La Reserve beach is not actually a beach at all as there's only ladder access to the sea and the rocks aren't flat enough to lie on. It's good for a quick dip though.
Coco Beach
Coco beach is a lengthy stretch where rocks are flattened for sun-bathers and ladders lead to the sea. The setting is gorgeous and there are even beach showers. It's good for a quiet, secluded beach experience.
See more detailed information on all Nice beaches, beach restaurants, public beaches, private beaches and the best beaches in Nice.
Hi! I'm Jeanne and I've been living on the Riviera for years. With my local insights your trip will be easy and fun. And, do check out my book Nice Uncovered: Walks Through the Secret Heart of a Historic City. More about me here.
