Nice travel guide - where to stay, what to do, and where to eat in Nice, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France.
Top beaches
A ranked editor’s shortlist of the coastline worth planning a day around in Nice.
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- urban, local and mixed, beside the Old Town
- Free public pebble beach
- Public showers and toilets in season
- Cafes and restaurants of the Cours Saleya a few steps away
Plage des Ponchettes
Editor’s tip. Bring beach shoes or a mat, as the rounded pebbles are hard on bare feet.
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- lively city seafront with a polished private club alongside a free public strip
- Free public section with showers and toilets, separated from the private section by a line of buoys
- Paid private section with loungers and water-edge service, listed as open 15 May to 19 September 2026
- Restaurant and lounge bar on the private section
Plage Publique Beau Rivage
Editor’s tip. Stay on the public side of the buoys unless a private lounger has been booked.
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- upscale, relaxed beach club beneath Castle Hill
- Private beach club at the foot of the Castle Hill (long-established, upscale)
- Sun loungers and parasols for rent
- Restaurant with lunch service on the water
- Online reservation available per plageprivee.com
Castel Plage
Editor’s tip. Reserve a lounger online in July and August, when places fill early.
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- upscale, quiet hotel beach club on the Promenade des Anglais
- Private beach club of the Hotel Negresco
- Sunbed and parasol listed at EUR 55 (~$63) per person, EUR 70 (~$81) on the front row (2026 listing)
- Parasol, sunbed and towel rental, and private bookings available
- Restaurant service; booking the day before is advised in high season
N La Plage (Negresco)
Editor’s tip. Book the day before in high season, as advised for the restaurant and loungers.
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- quiet, local and relaxed with a dog-friendly feel
- Free public beach of fine, nearly round pebbles
- Public showers and toilets
- Dog-friendly beach (pet-friendly listing)
- Quieter, more local crowd than the central beaches
Plage Publique de Lenval
Editor’s tip. Bring water, snacks and an umbrella, as there are no large beach clubs on this stretch.
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- calm, local and uncrowded, away from the tourist centre
- Free public pebble beach
- Calmer water and fewer crowds than the centre
- Local restaurants nearby with lower prices
Plage Publique de Magnan
Editor’s tip. Bring umbrellas, towels and water, as the beach has simple facilities.
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- calm, residential and accessible, away from the crowds
- Free public beach labelled Handiplage 2 buoys, with an access ramp and audio beach station
- Surface parking that is often less crowded than the centre
- Calmer than the central beaches
Plage de Carras
Editor’s tip. Use the surface parking here, which is often easier than in the centre.
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- sheltered, family-friendly harbour-town bay
- Mix of sand and fine gravel, unusual for the area
- Sheltered bay with calm water
- Cafes and restaurants on the waterfront
Plage des Marinieres (Villefranche-sur-Mer)
Editor’s tip. Take the TER Zou from Nice-Ville rather than driving, as parking in Villefranche fills in summer.
Things to do at the beach
Beyond swimming and sunbathing — the activities that make a coastal day in Nice memorable.
Practical beach info
What to know before you head to the coast — season, getting there, facilities, and what it costs.
Best season
Swimming season runs from about May to late September, with July and August the busiest; private concessions are listed as open from roughly 15 April-15 May to 19-30 September 2026. Nice beaches are mainly pebble, so shoes for the water help. About thirty private concessions operate on the seafront.
Transport
Tram line 2 runs along the western beaches (Magnan, Carras) and tram lines 1 and 2 reach the Old Town beaches at Opera-Vieille Ville and Massena. TER Zou reaches Villefranche-sur-Mer in about 10 minutes.
Cost
Public beaches are free. Listed 2026 private prices: N La Plage (Negresco) sunbed and parasol EUR 55 (~$63) per person, EUR 70 (~$81) front row; Le Galet front-row sunbed EUR 28 (~$32), double bed for two EUR 70 (~$81), parasol EUR 7 (~$8), towel EUR 7 (~$8), no reservations, opens 09:30; Les Canailles front-row sunbed EUR 30 (~$35), other rows EUR 25 (~$29), VIP bed for two EUR 120 (~$138); Cocoon Beach about EUR 20-35 (~$23-40) for a half-day lounger outside July and August. Main courses at central clubs are about EUR 25-40 (~$29-46).
Booking
Book loungers directly with the beach club in July and August; Castel Plage, Les Canailles, La Vela, Regence Plage and Ruhl Plage list online reservation. Other clubs rent beds by the day without a minimum spend.
Private Beaches
Blue Beach, Bocca Mar, Castel Plage, Cocoon Beach, Plage de l'Hotel Amour, Plage de l'Opera, La Vela, Le Galet, Les Canailles, Plage Beau Rivage (private section), Regence Plage by Radisson Blu, Ruhl Plage
Accessibility
Carras and Centenaire beaches carry the Handiplage label; Handiplage mobility equipment is free and booked in advance, roughly June to September. Check hours with the Ville de Nice or explorenicecotedazur.com.
What to bring
A short packing list for a comfortable beach day — adjust for season and the specific spot.
- Sun protectionHigh-SPF sunscreen, hat, polarised sunglasses, light long-sleeve cover-up.
- HydrationReusable bottle, salty snacks for longer days, electrolyte sachets if it’s hot.
- FootwearWater shoes for pebble or rocky entry, flip-flops for sand, dry pair for the trip home.
- Swim & coverQuick-dry towel or sand-resistant mat, change of swimwear, light cover-up for restaurants.
- Cash & valuablesSmall notes for beach clubs and rentals; waterproof pouch for phone, keys, cards.
- ExtrasReef-safe sunscreen near protected coastline, a book, a small first-aid kit for jellyfish or scrapes.
Beach safety
Hard-earned guidance — read this before you swim, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the coast.
Critical
Swim where lifeguards are posted and follow flag warnings — green is safe, yellow is caution, red means no swimming. Rip currents are the leading beach hazard worldwide.
Caution
Watch for tide changes and marine life — jellyfish blooms, sea urchins on rocky entries, occasional shark or stingray advisories. Don’t swim alone, especially at dawn or dusk.
Tip
Reapply sunscreen every 90 minutes and after every swim. Take shade between 11 am and 3 pm — the sun is harsher than people expect, even when the air is cool.
Practical
Keep valuables out of sight or back at the accommodation. Beach theft is a small-but-real risk at busy beaches; never leave bags unattended while you’re in the water.
Common questions
Quick answers to the questions we get asked most about Nice’s coast.
Is Plage des Ponchettes free to use?
Yes, it is a free public beach. Public showers and toilets are available in season.
From the Plage des Ponchettes editorial.
Is the beach sandy?
No. Like most beaches in Nice it is made of smooth rounded pebbles, so beach shoes are helpful.
From the Plage des Ponchettes editorial.
Does Beau Rivage have a free section?
Yes. A free public section with showers and toilets is separated from the paid private section by a line of buoys.
From the Plage Publique Beau Rivage editorial.
When is the private section open?
It is listed as open from 15 May to 19 September 2026, with loungers, water-edge service and a restaurant and lounge bar.
From the Plage Publique Beau Rivage editorial.
Is Castel Plage a public beach?
No, it is a private beach club with rental sun loungers and parasols. Free public beaches are nearby to the west.
From the Castel Plage editorial.
Can visitors book in advance?
Yes, online reservation is available through plageprivee.com.
From the Castel Plage editorial.
How much does a sunbed cost at N La Plage?
The 2026 listing shows EUR 55 (~$63) per person for a sunbed and parasol, and EUR 70 (~$81) on the front row.
From the N La Plage (Negresco) editorial.
Is a reservation needed?
Booking the day before is advised in high season, and private bookings are available.
From the N La Plage (Negresco) editorial.