11 Best Things to do in Antibes (+ Tips for Your Visit!)

How Much Time Do You Need in Antibes?

If you’re planning on doing an Antibes day trip, give yourself at least three to four hours. You definitely won’t be able to see all of Antibes with this amount of time, but it is enough to stroll through Old Town, walk along the ramparts, go out for a meal, and visit a museum or hang at a beach. 

There is plenty to do in the area, so if possible, I’d give yourself a full day in Antibes…or more if you can! Given the numerous beautiful beaches, it’s an ideal place to have a more slow-paced vacation. 

Antibes is also a popular homebase for travelers planning on exploring all that the French Riviera has to offer. It’s centrally located, plus there are two train stations in Antibes (as well as numerous bus stops). This means you can easily drive/Uber or use public transportation to get to other popular French Riviera destinations, including Nice, Cannes, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, Saint-Paul-de-Vence, Eze Village, Menton, and more. 

I’ve included Antibes as part of my 10-day French Riviera itinerary! Take a look if you are starting to plan a South of France trip.

How to Get to Antibes from Nice

Antibes is a popular day trip destination from Nice. You can easily travel to Antibes via car or public transportation:

• By Car – The drive from the center of Nice to Antibes is about 30 to 40 minutes. If you have your own car, there are numerous garages and lots in the outskirts of Old Town. In Juan-les-Pins (on the west side), there are a couple garages, or you can find street parking. 
• By Train – You can easily take the train from Nice straight into Antibes. If your final destination is Old Town, you’ll get off at the Antibes station (it’s about a 25-minute ride from the Nice Ville station). You can also take the train further west to the Juan-les-Pins station, which is just a couple blocks from the coast. The ride is about half an hour from the Nice Ville station. To get from Old Town Antibes to Juan-les-Pins (or vice versa), simply hop on the train or take the 620 bus line from the Dugommier bus stop (Old Town) to the Regence bus stop.  

1. Explore the Antibes Old Town 

There’s nothing quite like strolling through the historic Old Town of Antibes. The scenic passageways are lined with beautiful pastel-colored buildings, many of which are covered in bougainvillea and other native flowers and greenery. 

Old Town is home to many fun shops, as well as great restaurants, cafes, and bakeries. A few eateries worth highlighting include:

• Boulangerie Veziano – a super popular, well-loved bakery that is known for fresh bread and pissaladiere (a savory flatbread).
• Le Vauban – an elegant, upscale French restaurant. 
• MamaBoon – a casual Vietnamese restaurant (I loved their vegan boon dalat bowl!).
• Healthy Lounge – a casual breakfast and lunch spot with bowls, smoothies, toasts, and more. 

While you’re in Old Town, you can also shop at the Marché Provençal, a market that is open daily (except for Monday in the winter) from morning until the early afternoon. Located on Cours Masséna, this market offers a range of local produce, spices, flowers, and more. 

Explore Antibes like a local with a walking tour of Old Town Antibes! On this two-hour tour, a local guide will take you through Old Town, Place Nationale (a lively square in the center of town), Port Vauban, and more. 

2. Walk Along the Ramparts 

Old Town is encircled by stone ramparts that were built to protect the town from invaders. As you’re exploring the area, it’s definitely worth walking on top of these stone walls to take in the view of the beaches and the Mediterranean Sea!

As you walk along the ramparts, I recommend making your way down to the Jardin Des Poetes, a scenic mini garden that overlooks the water. 

3. Visit the Picasso Museum (Musée Picasso)

One of the most famous attractions in Antibes is the Picasso Museum, which is located right along the ramparts. Picasso himself lived and worked in the building (which at the time was known as Château Grimaldi) for a few months in 1946. He ultimately donated 23 paintings and 44 drawings to the museum. 

Today, visitors can explore the chateau to view a large collection of Picasso’s work and learn about his life. Tickets can be purchased in person. 

4. Check Out the Cathédrale Notre-Dame de l’Immaculée Conception

Situated right next to the Picasso Museum is the stunning Cathédrale Notre-Dame de l’Immaculée Conception. Even if you don’t go inside, it’s worth stopping by to check out the pink and yellow exterior, as well as the beautiful wooden doors. 

6. Stroll Through Port Vauban 

While you’re in the old town area, be sure to make a stop over at Port Vauban, which is home to many luxury yachts and sailboats. On the very far right side of the port, you’ll also spot Le Nomade – a famous sculpture by Spanish artist Jaume Plensa. 

7. Discover the Beautiful Local Beaches

There’s no shortage of stunning beaches all around Antibes. On the east side of Antibes (in and around Old Town), some of the best beaches include:

• Plage de la Gravette – this popular beach is situated right by Old Town
• Plage du Ponteil & Plage de la Salis – just south of Old Town are these two spacious beaches, which are right next to each other

If you’ll be on the west side of Antibes, some of the best beaches in Juan-les-Pins (and just outside of the town) include: 

• Plage de Juan les Pins – this sprawling beach with crystal clear water is one of the most popular on this side of Antibes
• Plage des Ondes – a small yet popular scenic sandy beach that is just about a 5-minute drive from the center of Juan-les-Pins (just note that parking is limited!)

Another beach worth highlighting is Plage de la Garoupe, which is situated in a cove towards the tip of Antibes (on the east side). Note that this incredibly pretty beach is partially private, and parking is limited.  

Lastly, there’s the iconic Bay of Billionaires (or the Baie des Milliardaires) on the tip of the peninsula…

Plage de la Gravette | Port Vauban

8. Visit the Bay of Billionaires

The Bay of Billionaires is easily one of the most recognizable spots in Antibes. This secluded cove has sapphire blue water, and is known as a docking spot for yachts. 

It is certainly pretty, but keep in mind that it is small and incredibly popular. There will be crowds! It’s also a rock beach, so getting in and out of the water can be tricky. Bring your water shoes if you have them!

How to Get to the Bay of Billionaires

To access Billionaires Bay, you’ll need to get to the intersection of Boulevard John F Kennedy and Avenue Mrs. Beaumont. You can either take an Uber to this spot, or take a bus to the Fontaine bus stop (which is located at this intersection). 

From there, you’ll need to walk down Av. Mrs. Beaumont until you reach the iron gate. Go past the gate, veer right, and follow the dirt path down to the cove. 

10. Relax & Dine at a Beach Club or Restaurant

A French Riviera vacation isn’t complete without a bit of relaxation time at a beach club or restaurant. Antibes offers some excellent options worth considering, including: 

• Plage Keller – located on Plage de la Garoupe, this popular beach club and restaurant has multiple rows of sun beds. Sun beds can be booked via phone, and tables can be booked online. 
• Cap d’Antibes Beach Hotel & Baba Restaurant – located just south of Juan-les-Pins, Cap d’Antibes Beach Hotel has a private sandy beach (complete with pink umbrellas and sun beds!). During my visit, I had dinner at Baba (pictured below), which overlooks the private beach. It was truly one of my favorite meals during my whole trip – I highly recommend it! Those who aren’t staying at the hotel can book a sun bed over the phone. Restaurant reservations at Baba can be booked online. 

If you’re interested in booking a sun bed or a table, be sure to book in advance – especially during the summer! 

11. Visit Fort Carré

Fort Carré is situated on the opposite side of Port Vauban from Old Town. This star-shaped fort dates back to the 16th century, and was ordered to be constructed by Henry II in order to protect Antibes. Today, visitors can explore the historical monument, admiring the grounds and taking in the view of the city from the opposite side of the port. Admission can be purchased in person.