The best beaches in Nice in 2026 are the Plage des Ponchettes and Castel Plage below Castle Hill, Beau Rivage and Blue Beach for a private sun lounger, and Coco Beach for swimming off the rocks. For sand, go east to the Plage des Marinières in Villefranche-sur-Mer or Paloma beach on Cap Ferrat, 10–20 minutes away.
Nice's beaches along the Baie des Anges are pebble, not sand — bring water shoes and a cushioned mat, or rent a lounger at one of the private beach clubs. About half of the seafront is free public beach, with showers and lifeguards in summer. The water deepens quickly, so the beaches are better for swimmers than toddlers. For sand and calmer water, Villefranche-sur-Mer, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat and Cap-d'Ail are a short bus or train ride east. For more coastline, see our best beaches in France.
A free public beach below the old town, the most central swim in Nice.
The Ponchettes is the public beach in front of Vieux Nice and the Cours Saleya, with views along the whole Baie des Anges. It has showers and lifeguards in summer.
It is the easiest place for a quick swim between sightseeing in the old town.
Good to know: Bring water shoes for the pebbles.
Quai des États-Unis, 06300 Nice
A beach club at the foot of Castle Hill with sunset views across the bay.
Castel Plage is a private beach and restaurant tucked under Castle Hill at the eastern end of the bay, with loungers, parasols and a view down the full length of the Promenade.
It is a favorite for long lunches and evening drinks.
Good to know: Book a lounger for the afternoon to stay for the sunset.
8 Quai des États-Unis, 06300 Nice
One of Nice's best-known private beaches, steps from the old town.
The Beau Rivage beach belongs to the hotel of the same name and sits on the Quai des États-Unis, between the Opéra and the old town. It is a polished, well-run beach club with a restaurant.
It suits travelers who want comfort, service and a central location.
Good to know: Reserve loungers in July and August through the hotel.
107 Quai des États-Unis, 06300 Nice
A relaxed beach club and restaurant on the Promenade.
Blue Beach is a private beach and restaurant on the Promenade des Anglais, with loungers, parasols and a laid-back atmosphere.
It is a good choice for a full beach day with lunch in the center of the bay.
Good to know: Arrive by late morning in summer for a front-row lounger.
32 Promenade des Anglais, 06000 Nice
A rocky cove beyond the port with the clearest water in Nice.
Coco Beach is a small public cove of rocks and pebbles along the coast road east of the port, where locals swim in clear, deep water. It is quieter than the Baie des Anges.
Swimmers dive off the rocks; there are few facilities.
Good to know: Bring water shoes and a mask for snorkeling around the rocks.
Boulevard Franck Pilatte, 06300 Nice
Rocks and swimming platforms below the coast road, popular with locals.
Below the Boulevard Franck Pilatte near La Réserve restaurant, rocky platforms and ladders give access to deep, clear water. It is more of a swimmers' spot than a lounging beach.
It is a short walk from the port and the coast path toward Villefranche.
Good to know: Go in the morning for calm water.
Boulevard Franck Pilatte, 06300 Nice
A long sandy beach on one of the Riviera's most beautiful bays.
The Plage des Marinières runs along the bay of Villefranche-sur-Mer, a deep natural harbor 10 minutes east of Nice by train. It is sandy and fine-pebbled, with calm water and views of the old town and Cap Ferrat.
The train station is right above the beach, making it the easiest sandy beach from Nice.
Good to know: Take the train from Nice-Ville to Villefranche; the beach is below the station.
Promenade des Marinières, 06230 Villefranche-sur-Mer
A sheltered cove on Cap Ferrat with calm, clear water.
Paloma is a small, sheltered cove on Cap Ferrat with pines behind it and calm water, with a beach club and a free public section.
Combine it with the coast path around the cape.
Good to know: Take the bus from Nice, and arrive early in summer.
Plage de la Paloma, 06230 Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat
A cliff-backed cove near Monaco with turquoise water.
Plage Mala is a cove of sand and pebbles at the foot of cliffs in Cap-d'Ail, just west of Monaco, with clear turquoise water and beach restaurants.
It is reached by stairs or the coastal path, which keeps the crowds smaller.
Good to know: Walk the coastal path from Cap-d'Ail station; wear proper shoes.
Avenue Raymond Gramaglia, 06320 Cap-d'Ail
No, they are pebble (galets). For sand, take the train or bus east to Villefranche-sur-Mer's Plage des Marinières, or to Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat or Cap-d'Ail.
About half of the seafront is free public beach. The rest is private beach clubs, where you pay for a lounger and parasol (typically from around €20–€35 a day in summer) and can eat lunch.
Coco Beach and the rocks east of the port have the clearest water; on the Baie des Anges, the Ponchettes and Castel Plage, near the old town, are the most popular.
Water shoes for the pebbles, a cushioned mat or rented lounger, sun protection and water. Lifeguards are on duty in summer at the public beaches.
Villefranche's Plage des Marinières and Paloma on Cap Ferrat have sand and gentler water. In Nice itself, a private beach club with loungers is more comfortable with small children.