Do you plan on adding some beach time to your Nice vacation? Then this overview of the best beaches in Nice is exactly what you need.
There’s so much to see and experience that it’s easy to overload your French Riviera itinerary. Planning some time at the beach in Nice will allow you to recharge your batteries in between sightseeing stops.
The Promenade des Anglais stretches along 7 km (4.34 mi) of coastline and provides access to both public and private beaches.
In addition to the well-known beaches along the Baie des Anges, my collection includes three lesser-known beaches in Nice favored by locals and repeat visitors (including yours truly).
Are you ready to discover the best beaches in Nice and beyond? Let’s dive in!
This article features the best beaches in Nice for first-time visitors, couples, and families alike. It also features experience-based travel tips for a carefree and safe beach experience.
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A quick word about the beaches in Nice
This may surprise first-time sun seekers, but there are no sandy beaches in Nice. All beaches in Nice are pebbly.
The smooth pebbles – or “galets” in French – are sourced in the Var and Paillon rivers and disposed of on the beach by the start of the spring season. They seem larger towards the Old Town or Vieux Nice and smaller and more manageable towards the airport.
Because of the particular geology of the coastline, sand is not an option in Nice and would lead to beach erosion. If you’re not a fan of pebbles then you’ll need to explore options beyond Nice.
I’ll soon be writing an article on where to find the best sandy beaches on the French Riviera but for now, you can see the top suggestions in the FAQ section of this article.
The pebbles can be somewhat uncomfortable so be sure to add a pair of water shoes to your French Riviera packing list. I also recommend bringing a padded beach mat to place under your beach towel if you plan on lazing at one of the public beaches in Nice.
Or, go for the comfortable option and rent a beach chair at one of the private beaches. Prices vary from around €20 to €150 per chair, depending on the proximity to the water and the size of the sunbed.
My selection of the best beaches in Nice
Nice has 15 private beaches and even more public beaches.
Because their padded walkways and comfortable sun loungers – or transats in French – offer a comfortable way to deal with the pebbles, the private beaches are very popular.
So, if you look forward to spending some time on the beach in Nice during the summer months, be sure to reserve your beach chairs ahead of time. Oh, and some beach clubs charge extra for an umbrella, so feel free to inquire.
Now, without further ado, here’s my selection of my favorite beaches in Nice.
Psst… At the end of this article, you’ll find a map showing the location of all beaches in this list.
1. Bocca Mar
This Nice beach offers excellent value for money. It’s an offshoot of the popular Bocca Nissa rooftop restaurant on the Cours Saleya. So, it comes as no surprise that the food at Bocca Mar is delicious, with plenty of Mediterranean options meant to be shared
A resident DJ sets the tone from Thursday to Sunday during the high season.
This private beach is located just across from the Hyatt Regency Palais de la Méditerranée and on Lido Beach which scores very well in terms of water quality (more on that further down in this article).
Loungers can be reserved from the morning onwards and only the last three rows can be booked in advance. Prices start from €20 per lounger. Reserve your sunbed here.
What I love about this beach is that the atmosphere is light and fun any time of day. Tasty food and staff are always in a good mood. It’s my favorite beach in Nice.
2. Cocoon Beach
If playful and fun is what you’re looking for, then you’ll love Cocoon Beach. It’s one of the best private beaches in Nice with a tropical vibe design and a family-friendly vibe. The restaurant even serves several meals for your little ones. You can often enjoy live music on Sunday afternoons.
Cocoon Beach offers a tranquil setting a bit away from the Old Town and towards the airport. Prices start from €20 per lounger. Reserve your sun bed here.
3. Amour à la Plage
This is the most stylish beach in Nice thanks to the romantic and flowery setting in pastel tones. It’s the beach club of Hôtel Amour with its popular rooftop complete with a plunge pool in the Flower District.
The beach restaurant specializes in local dishes. Music is in the air during the high season.
Amour à La Plage is located on Forum Beach with its excellent water quality. Loungers can be reserved from the morning onwards. Reserve your sun bed here.
4. Le Voilier Beach
One of the best public beaches in Nice for the family to enjoy is Le Voilier. It’s nestled between the private beaches of Li Rateta and La Vela.
What makes it great for kids is the gently sloping, the finer gravel towards the water line, and the excellent water quality.
Le Voilier Beach is located across the street from the AC Hotel by Marriott.
5. Beau Rivage Beach
This private beach has been around for a long time and is still one of the most glamorous places to be. It features an upscale setting with a touch of French Riviera flair.
Located across the street from the hotel Beau Rivage, the beach restaurant focuses on local cuisine with organic ingredients. Beau Rivage Beach enjoys a privileged location on the border of the Old Town.
Prices are slightly more elevated than at other private beaches but the sun loungers are also a bit more apart for your discretion. Plus, they include a parasol and a small personal safe. Reserve your sun bed here.
6. Negresco Beach Club
This is the most luxurious private beach in Nice. Obviously so, since it’s part of the iconic luxury hotel in Nice: Le Negresco. The beach club features fluffy sunbeds with plush beach towels, above-and-beyond service, and an upscale restaurant experience.
The Negresco Beach Club is located right across from the hotel, on Neptune Beach.
Sun loungers are further apart than at other private beach clubs in Nice, ensuring ultimate privacy. Prices start from €50 per lounger and double beds are available. Reserve your sun bed here.
7. Castel Beach
This institution is the most scenic of all private beaches in Nice as it’s tucked in the easternmost corner of the Baie des Anges and overlooks the entire bay. No better place to watch the sunset. The west side of the beach is public and the east side is private.
The art-deco design and art on display at the private section of Castel Beach complement the cozy feel. The Provençal cuisine with its creative touches doesn’t come cheap but the postcard setting is worth it.
Castel Beach is located at the foot of Castle Hill with its iconic hotel La Perouse. Prices in the private section start from €30 per lounger and include a parasol and a locker. Reserve your sunbed here.
8. Li Rateta
This private beach in Nice is a bit of a special one. Li Rateta – which is Niçois for The Mouses – is basically a giant kids club for local and visiting kids alike.
This kids’ beach is open from Monday to Saturday during July and August. Kids from the ages of 6 to 17 can enjoy water sports, nautical activities, beach fun, trampolines, dancing, and games in a safe and supervised setting with excellent water quality.
Li Rateta is located at the former Florida Beach about halfway along the Promenade des Anglais. Kids are welcome to play for half a day – morning or afternoon – or a full day. There’s no need to book in advance.
9. Coco Beach
Let’s leave the crowded beaches that line the Promenade des Anglais and explore some under-the-radar Nice beaches east of Port Lympia. Along the gorgeous Coastal Path – or Sentier du Littoral in French – lies a natural beauty.
Coco Beach is one of my personal favorites because it’s so picturesque. It’s mostly rocky shoreline with sometimes a sliver of pebbles but it’s perfect for a quick dip thanks to the ladders. However, if you’re looking to linger, then finding a flat rock to spread your beach towel can be tricky.
Do note that the currents can be strong.
The fact that Coco Beach is located along a scenic part of the coastal trail makes it even more attractive. If you follow the path further east, you’ll arrive at Platform Beach which is even more secluded.
10. La Réserve Beach
One of the few hidden gem beaches in Nice is La Réserve Beach. You can find it hidden behind two iconic restaurants: the insta-famous Le Plongeoir on its iconic rock pillar and the gastronomic La Réserve de Nice in its historic Art-Deco setting.
The beach is more of an ensemble of pebbly bits and shallow creeks between pointy boulders. It’s not accessible for people with reduced mobility or families with little kids but perfect for adventurous souls and those looking for a change of scenery.
Just watch the water conditions because it can get choppy here.
If you like the setting, you may consider staying at Hôtel Le Saint Paul across the street.
Map of all the listed beaches in Nice
For your convenience, I created this map showing the location of all the Nice beaches mentioned in this list.
Beach safety
Before you enter the water, look for the beach flag. A green flag indicates low hazard and lifeguard supervision while a yellow flag indicates medium hazard and lifeguard supervision.
Always stay within the designated swimming zones. On Nice beaches, these are marked by yellow buoys.
Lifeguards can be found daily from 9 am to either 6 pm or 6:30 pm at most public beaches in Nice during July and August (and on some beaches from early June to mid-September). The list detailing the supervision schedule by the beach can be found here. It’s in French but easy enough to understand.
Unlike some other popular beaches on the Côte d’Azur, the beaches in Nice have no jellyfish nets installed during the high season. To find out if jellyfish have been spotted at the beach of your choice, check the official jellyfish monitor, the crowd-sourced jellyfish radar, or look for a purple flag.
Water quality
From mid-May to the end of September the city of Nice monitors the water quality weekly. The results are published on this webpage.
It’s in French but pretty straightforward: click on the most recent date to open the results, look for the beach or “plage” of your choice, and check the colors in the table. Blue indicates high quality, green is average, and red is a red flag.
At least once a month, an additional water quality analysis is performed by the state agencies. The results of these tests can be consulted by visualizing them on a map or generating a pdf for the department “Alpes-Maritimes”.
Overall, the water quality increases as you go further from the port.
The Blue Flag or Pavillon Blue doesn’t inform about the water quality directly but acts more as an indicator of the overall cleanliness of the beach based on the presence of bathrooms, garbage bins, and other criteria. In 2024, Blue Beach, Bambou Beach, Forum Beach, and Saint Hélène Beach have been awarded.
Beach etiquette
Since 2024, all public beaches in Nice are non-smoking. That includes vaping.
Topless bathing is permitted and perfectly acceptable on the French Riviera. Burkinis are not permitted.
Wearing a bikini top or going shirtless on the Promenade des Anglais is prohibited and may result in a fine, so make sure you are covered up before ascending the stairs from the beach.
And finally, the tidal movement on the beaches in Nice is minimal but, at some beaches, the drop-off can be pretty steep. So much so, that getting back onto the beach can be quite challenging.
To make it less clumsy, some beaches have been equipped with ropes. One end of the rope is anchored in the surf and the other is held by a Jack Russel statue called Totor.
FAQ about the beaches in Nice
Which of these beaches in Nice caught your eye?
Chances are that you’ve found your dream beach for that long-awaited vacation in Nice. However, if the pebbles bother you, then you might prefer the softer, sandy beaches in the French Riviera that I’ll be writing about soon. Stay tuned!
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