I’ve spent countless afternoons wandering the sandy shores and tucked-away coves of Antibes and Juan-les-Pins. There’s just something about the Mediterranean glinting in the sun that never gets old. Every beach here has its own character, whether you’re after lively crowds or a quiet patch of sand.
If you’re on the hunt for the best beaches in Antibes and Juan-les-Pins, these are my top three picks for soaking up the Côte d’Azur sunshine.
I still remember that first afternoon—bare feet in the warm sand, waves rolling in softly. It’s hard not to feel at home here, whether you want an energetic vibe or just a peaceful spot away from everyone.
The right beach can transform your trip. Let me show you the prettiest places to swim, sunbathe, or just stare out at the Mediterranean.
Why Antibes & Juan-les-Pins Are Beach Lover’s Paradise
There’s a certain magic in spending summer days on the Côte d’Azur, especially around Antibes and Juan-les-Pins. These twin towns serve up sparkling sea views and a range of options for every taste and budget.
They’re the kind of places that make you want to stay just a little longer than planned.
The Unique Vibe of the French Riviera
Antibes and Juan-les-Pins each have their own thing going on. In Antibes, I wander charming old-town streets that seem to spill right onto sandy beaches. The ancient city walls hug the coastline, and there’s this relaxed, artsy mood—especially near the Picasso Museum or down by Port Vauban.
Juan-les-Pins feels totally different. The beach scene buzzes with energy, golden sand underfoot and a lively promenade lined with cafés. The shallow water is perfect for families. I often spot locals playing pétanque, and sometimes jazz festivals fill the air with music. The mix of history, nightlife, and those endless sea views just keeps pulling me back.
How to Get There: Transport and Parking Tips
Getting to Antibes and Juan-les-Pins is usually pretty painless for me, thanks to solid transport links. The train station in central Antibes connects to Nice, Cannes, and Monaco, so it fits easily into any Riviera trip.
When I drive, parking can get dicey—especially on busy summer weekends. I usually try municipal car parks like Parking Pré des Pêcheurs near the old town, or I get up early to snag a space in Juan-les-Pins.
Buses run regularly along the coast and don’t cost much. If you’re up for a stroll, walking between Antibes and Juan-les-Pins takes about 30 minutes, and the views are worth it.
Choosing Between Public and Private Beaches
I always notice a blend of public and private beaches along the Antibes and Juan-les-Pins coast. Public beaches like Plage de la Salis or Ponteil are free and open to everyone. They’re great for picnics, swimming, or just hanging out with friends. Amenities tend to be basic, so I bring my own towel, snacks, and maybe an umbrella.
Private beaches like Plage Keller or a few in Juan-les-Pins step things up with sun loungers, showers, and restaurant service. Sometimes I splurge for a private beach day—paying gets me a reserved spot and usually some shade. Booking ahead in peak season is a smart move.
Here’s a quick comparison:
| Type | Cost | Amenities | Atmosphere |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public Beach | Free | Basic (showers, public toilets) | Family-friendly, lively |
| Private Beach | Paid (varies) | Sunbeds, umbrellas, restaurant, restrooms | Relaxed, reserved spaces |
My Top 3 Favorite Beaches in Antibes & Juan-les-Pins
Antibes and Juan-les-Pins really mix it up—sandy beaches, little coves, and some pretty chic private spots. Each one has a different vibe, whether you’re craving a quiet morning swim or a stylish afternoon with a sea view.
Plage des Ondes: Tranquil Cove with Stunning Views
Plage des Ondes sits tucked away along Cap d’Antibes. It’s a peaceful cove that feels like a secret. Whenever I come here, the gentle waves instantly put me at ease.
The views are honestly hard to beat. From the soft sand, I spot sailboats drifting across the blue Mediterranean. The water stays calm, which is perfect if you like swimming without a crowd. There’s a public area, so anyone can toss down a towel and jump in.
A stone pier stretches out into the sea, making it a nice spot for photos or just watching the sun go down. There aren’t many shops or cafés nearby, but that’s part of why I love it. If you want real calm by the water, this is the place.
Plage Keller: Chic Experiences and Crystal Waters
Plage Keller is where I go when I want a little luxury. It sits on Cap d’Antibes and is known for its clear, turquoise water and that exclusive feel. Locals first told me about Plage Keller, raving about the clean facilities and attentive staff.
If you’re in the mood to treat yourself, definitely rent a sunbed. The on-site restaurant, Le César, serves up fresh Mediterranean dishes right on the sand. Their seafood after a swim? So good.
The sand is soft and spotless, and I can almost forget the bustle of Antibes just up the road. Sometimes I spend the whole day here, other times I just stop by for lunch and a dip. If you want a lively but upscale beach day, Plage Keller hits the mark.
Hidden Gems: Secluded Spots for a Quiet Escape
Antibes hides some lovely little coves, perfect for when I want quiet. These hidden spots, mostly along Cap d’Antibes, feel worlds away from the busy main beaches.
Some of these gems are just a patch of sand or pebbles leading into clear water. The shallow spots are safe for wading and great for families. I usually pack a picnic and bring snorkel gear—no shops or sun loungers here.
Plage de la Baie des Milliardaires and Plage de la Garoupe are less famous but give you a cozy escape from the crowds. It pays to arrive early since space is limited. If real peace is what you’re after, these quiet beaches are pretty much unbeatable.
Essential Tips for Enjoying the Beaches
A few small tips can make your beach day in Antibes or Juan-les-Pins way more enjoyable. Sometimes it’s the little things—like finding a shower or knowing which beach gets afternoon shade—that really matter.
Beach Amenities: Showers, Loungers, and Accessibility
Before I settle in, I always check what amenities are around. Many public beaches like Ponteil and Salis have free showers near the entrances. It’s a small thing, but it keeps my stuff much cleaner.
For extra comfort, I’ll grab a sun lounger or parasol from a private beach club, especially in Juan-les-Pins. These clubs usually offer toilets, changing rooms, and sometimes food service right to your chair. Public beaches are free, but on the hottest days, the comfort at private spots feels worth the splurge.
Most Antibes beaches are easy to access, with gently sloping sand and boardwalks for strollers or wheelchairs. Some even have ramps or mats you can move, which helps a lot. French and English signs make it easy for visitors, too.
Best Times to Visit and What to Pack
Timing makes a difference. Early mornings—before 10 am—are quiet, perfect for a stroll or swim with just a handful of locals. By mid-afternoon, especially in July and August, the best sandy spots fill up fast.
Here’s what I usually toss in my beach bag:
- Sunscreen (reef-safe, high SPF)
- Lightweight towel or sarong
- Reusable water bottle
- Hat and sunglasses
- Flip-flops or water shoes
- Waterproof pouch for phone and keys
I bring some coins for café snacks or the local markets. If I’m heading out for the day, a portable speaker and a cover-up help me blend in whether I’m on the sand or grabbing lunch in town.
Dining, Nightlife, and Beachfront Experiences
Food and evening fun are a huge part of why I love these beaches. From seafood lunches overlooking the sea to live music after dark, there’s always something going on.
Favorite Restaurants and Beach Clubs
I like to start my day at a beachfront café, espresso in hand, watching the waves. In Antibes, Plage de la Gravette sits close to Old Town bistros serving up seafood and Provençal favorites.
Le Michelangelo (Mamo) is a personal favorite for its Italian-Mediterranean menu. For the full beach club vibe, I head to Plage Keller on Cap d’Antibes—sunbed, swim, then grilled fish right by the sea.
Juan-les-Pins has lots of private beaches linked to restaurants like Helios Beach Club. You can lounge, order food to your chair, and try their homemade sorbets. These clubs aren’t just for eating—they’re all-day escapes with service, umbrellas, and showers so you never have to leave the sand.
| Spot | Type | Specialty | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plage Keller | Beach Club | Grilled Fish | Cap d’Antibes |
| Le Michelangelo | Restaurant | Italian Fare | Antibes |
| Helios Beach Club | Beach Club | Beachside Dining | Juan-les-Pins |
Sunset Cocktails and Live Music
As the sun goes down, Juan-les-Pins really comes alive. The nightlife here is famous, especially during the Jazz à Juan festival. I’ve wandered into beachside bars with live jazz or DJ sets, music drifting over the sand as the sun sets.
Pam Pam is my go-to for cocktails—a tiki bar with a fun vibe and creative drinks. Most private beaches in Juan-les-Pins turn into lively spots at night, serving up tapas and cocktails right on the sand.
Beach clubs sometimes host candle-lit dinners or themed parties by the sea. If I want something more relaxed, I’ll just sit on the promenade with a coffee, watching the sunset and listening to local musicians. There’s really nothing quite like it anywhere else in the South of France.
Culture, Sightseeing, and Day Trips Nearby
Antibes and Juan-les-Pins aren’t just about beaches. I find new things every time I visit—art, history, and little surprises around every corner. You can soak up the sun, then wander into a museum or just watch the yachts at the marina. There’s always more to discover.
Yachting and Cruising Along the Côte d’Azur
You just can’t ignore how much the Mediterranean shapes daily life here. The billion-euro yachts at Port Vauban add a flash of glamour to Antibes, and honestly, I could watch the arrivals and departures all day.
Boat tours head out from the Golfe Juan, connecting Antibes with Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, Villefranche-sur-Mer, and even those dreamy bays in Monaco and St Tropez.
If you’re looking for something special, try a guided cruise.
Highlights include:
- Sundeck views of Cap d’Antibes
- Swimming near quiet coves
- Cruising past those famous villas along the coast
Some tours even swing by Cassis or charming little ports like Fréjus.
Whether you hop on a luxury yacht or a simple boat, seeing the Côte d’Azur from the water is an experience I honestly can’t forget.
Art, History, and Famous Villas
If you love art, this area feels like a treasure chest.
The Picasso Museum sits inside the old Château Grimaldi, showing off Picasso’s work—he actually lived and painted there for a while.
I always find myself searching for places where Henri Matisse found inspiration.
His colors and legacy still shape the landscape in ways you can’t really describe.
As I wander through town, I spot grand villas that once welcomed writers, movie stars, and artists.
Most hide behind big gates, but you can still feel the history in the air.
The Musée Peynet and Villa Eilenroc are two of my favorite stops when I want a quick art fix or just a stroll through scented gardens.
Not far away, Antibes’ Old Town feels like a living museum.
Cobbled streets and lively markets bring stories from the past right up to the present, and you never know what you’ll find around the next corner.
Easy Excursions: Cannes, Nice, and Beyond
I really love how simple it feels to get out and explore from Antibes. Cannes sits just about 20 minutes away by train, all glitz and film festival sparkle, not to mention the designer shops.
Head the other way and you’ll hit Nice. Its Promenade des Anglais, the old town’s wild colors, and those museums—especially the Matisse Museum—always make me want to linger.
If you’re up for a bigger adventure, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat’s coastal paths call out. The Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild there? Absolutely worth it. Monaco always impresses me with its palaces and those sweeping sea views.
Sometimes, if I’ve got a whole day to play with, I’ll push farther to Fréjus or even the ridiculously pretty harbor in Cassis.
Here’s a quick look at my top day trip picks:
| Destination | Must-See Highlight | Distance from Antibes |
|---|---|---|
| Nice | Matisse Museum | ~25 min by train |
| Cannes | Film Festival Palace | ~20 min by train |
| Monaco | Prince’s Palace, Casino | ~1 hour by train |
| Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat | Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild | ~45 min by car |
| Cassis | Calanques, harbor | ~2 hours by car |
There’s just so much nearby, and honestly, each trip feels like it reveals a new twist on the Mediterranean coast.
