Beaches · Nice · France
The best beaches in and near Nice
Where to swim and spend a beach day, and when the water is warm.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Quick answer
The best-known beach is Public beaches of the Promenade (On the seafront, 2–10 minutes from the old town). The sea is usually warm enough for a comfortable swim (21°C+) in June–September.
Key facts
- Beaches in this guide
- 5
- Swimming season
- June–September
- Warmest sea
- 25°C (77°F)
The beaches
On the seafront, 2–10 minutes from the old town · Quick swims close to the centre
1.Public beaches of the Promenade
Free stretches of pebble beach run between the private clubs along the whole bay, with showers, lifeguards in summer and steps down from the Promenade.
5 minutes' walk from Vieux Nice · Sunset swims and views
2.Castel Plage area
The beaches at the foot of Castle Hill, near the old town, have views along the whole bay; there is a private club and a public section beside it.
About 15 minutes' walk from the port · Confident swimmers and snorkelling
3.Coco Beach
A rocky shoreline east of Port Lympia with ladders into deep, clear water, popular with locals who sunbathe on the flat rocks.
6 km; about 7 minutes by train · Families and calm water
4.Plage des Marinières, Villefranche-sur-Mer
A long, gently shelving beach of fine shingle in a sheltered bay, with calmer water than Nice's open seafront.
About 12 km; bus and a short walk · Couples and a quieter day
5.Plage de la Paloma, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat
A small cove on the Cap Ferrat peninsula, backed by pines and steep green slopes, with clear water and a beach restaurant.
Sea temperature by month
| Month | Sea | Air high |
|---|---|---|
| January | 14°C (57°F) | 13°C (55°F) |
| February | 13°C (55°F) | 13°C (55°F) |
| March | 14°C (57°F) | 15°C (59°F) |
| April | 15°C (59°F) | 17°C (63°F) |
| May | 18°C (64°F) | 21°C (70°F) |
| June | 21°C (70°F) | 24°C (75°F) |
| July | 24°C (75°F) | 27°C (81°F) |
| August | 25°C (77°F) | 28°C (82°F) |
| September | 23°C (73°F) | 25°C (77°F) |
| October | 20°C (68°F) | 21°C (70°F) |
| November | 17°C (63°F) | 17°C (63°F) |
| December | 15°C (59°F) | 14°C (57°F) |
Staying near the beach
$$$$ · Best for beach, families, luxury and first-timers
Promenade des Anglais seafront
The hotels lining the Promenade des Anglais, from the domed Negresco to more modern sea-view blocks, put the beach directly across the road. The cycle lane and wide pavement run the full length of the bay, and tram line 2 runs a few blocks inland towards the airport and the port.
- Good
- Sea views and direct beach access; Flat, easy walking and cycling; Good tram link to the airport
- Watch out
- Expensive for sea-view rooms; Traffic noise on the seafront road
- Nearby
- Musée Masséna, Hotel Negresco, Public beaches, Place Masséna
Getting to the beaches
- Tram — Line 1 runs north–south through Place Masséna and Avenue Jean-Médecin; line 2 runs east–west from the airport through the western districts and the centre to Port Lympia; line 3 serves the airport and the western districts.
- Train — TER regional trains from Nice-Ville and Nice-Riquier stations run along the coast, reaching Villefranche in about 7 minutes, Monaco in about 20 and Cannes in about 30–40.
- Bus — Lignes d'Azur buses serve the hills (Cimiez, Mont Boron) and coastal villages such as Èze and Villefranche, using the same tickets as the tram.
Beach-weather months
Days of 24°C (75°F) or more with no more than nine rainy days come in June–September. The busiest of those is July, so book early.
Beach safety
Pickpocketing and bag theft are the main issues, especially on the Promenade, in the old town, at the station and on crowded trams and trains in summer. Watch for distraction tricks, and be careful of cyclists on the Promenade's cycle lane. Swim at lifeguarded beaches where possible and follow local flag warnings.
Questions travellers ask
+Does Nice have beaches?
Yes: Public beaches of the Promenade, Castel Plage area, Coco Beach, Plage des Marinières, Villefranche-sur-Mer and Plage de la Paloma, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat.
+When is the sea warm enough to swim in Nice?
Usually June–September, when the sea averages 21°C or more.
+What is the best beach near Nice?
Public beaches of the Promenade: Free stretches of pebble beach run between the private clubs along the whole bay, with showers, lifeguards in summer and steps down from the Promenade.