Best Beaches in Nice: A Guide to the Mediterranean’s Finest
Glamorous Nice is a city synonymous with the beach.
The Mediterranean’s glittering waters and pebble-strewn shores are a defining image when arriving in this Riviera city, whether on a plane landing at Côte d’Azur Airport or from a taxi rolling up the palm tree-lined Promenade des Anglais.
However, as you consider your options for sunbathing and relaxation, which of the many beaches should you visit first? There are four miles of plush, sun-kissed retreats in this well-heeled corner of France. When it’s time to unwind, consult our guide to the best beaches in Nice.
Opera Beach Defines the Glitz of Nice
If soaking up all the glitz that Nice has to offer is the plan, then opulent Opera Beach is arguably the place to start. Nice’s oldest private beach has been enchanting locals and visitors since 1889, and is located just a stone’s throw from the meandering streets and alleys of the Old Town.
Moreover, with its iconic white-and-cobalt-blue parasols exuding a Jazz Age style, your beach experience will be unique. A trained masseur can even be sent straight to your beach bed for the ultimate relaxation. The beach restaurant remains open all afternoon, allowing you to savor a decadent Mojito Royal while you unwind.
Ruhl Beach is Ideal for Families
Stepping down onto Ruhl’s shining wooden platform above Nice’s pebble stones, you’ll immediately notice this is one of the city’s premier beaches. Dating back to the 1920s and conveniently located behind the popular Méridien Hotel, it serves as an ideal spot for families.
Consequently, although it’s private, Ruhl boasts its own kid-friendly swimming pool, while the Le Coin lounge and restaurant serves classic Provençal and seafood specialties. Consequently, you can take a spot on one of the old-school blue-and-white striped loungers and soak up Nice’s glorious summer rays.
La Réserve: A Beach Removed from the City’s Hustle
La Réserve occupies a small portion of Nice’s beach space, which only enhances its allure. This charming pebble beach is located east of the harbor. Although its limited area means it can get crowded quickly, La Réserve still feels somewhat secluded from the tourist traps along the busy Promenade des Anglais.
Additionally, the art deco curves of the beach’s diving board, reminiscent of a sepia-toned photograph, enhance its charm. This former amenity now belongs to La Plongeoir, a stylish restaurant that overlooks the craggy shore. Plan for an evening seat on its terrace perch to enjoy a stunning sunset view over the Nice lighthouse’s dramatic silhouette and the distant hills beyond.
Blue Beach: The Best for Active Water Sports
Lush palm and yucca plants frame the space between gleaming white tables at Blue Beach’s fine restaurant. Moreover, parasailers and water skiers pierce the breaking waves of the shimmering Mediterranean. In addition to offering its own activities, this centrally located private beach is next to La Base water sports, perfect for those eager to dive into water sports.
Moreover, it’s overlooked by the famous tiled peach-colored dome of the Hôtel Negresco. However, we recommend considering the nearby art-themed Hôtel Windsor, which is a more affordable and quirky alternative with a fabulously secluded garden.
Tiny Coco Beach: A Local Secret
Coco Beach is so small it showcases towels strewn over rocks as often as it does on its tiny patch of pebbles. Nevertheless, there’s a reason notable figures like Elton John and Sean Connery have owned houses nearby this picturesque stretch between eastern Nice and Villefranche-sur-Mer.
Although the chances of encountering such celebrities on a public beach are slim, this unique corner of the Côte d’Azur sees fewer tourists. Coco Beach lies beneath the hum of the coastal road above, and if luck is on your side, you might have the entire place to yourself, accompanied only by the gentle azure roll of the waves.
Villefranche-sur-Mer: The Closest Thing to a Sandy Beach
Even if Villefranche-sur-Mer isn’t technically part of Nice, the two towns are almost intertwined. More importantly, Villefranche’s Plage des Marinières offers the closest sandy experience in the vicinity. Laid-back ice cream stalls line the narrow coastal road while small yachts and sailboats bob and glide on Villefranche’s sheltered waters.
Just a short 20-minute journey from Nice around the hills of Mont Boron will take you to Villefranche’s restaurant-filled Old Town. The beach here presents a blend of fine stones and sand, ensuring a softer landing and an opportunity to explore even more of this iconic coastline. Opt for the eastern end for a quieter spot.
Carras Beach: Wheelchair Accessibility
At Nice’s western end, Carras Beach is remarkably close to the airport, allowing visitors to practically make eye contact with captains as planes soar into the sky. Its shores also offer several amenities that many of the city’s more famous beaches do not.
Situated between two clusters of protruding boulders, this is Nice’s only official pet-friendly beach, so expect to see plenty of carefree dogs roaming the pebbles. Furthermore, Carras is one of the few disability-friendly beaches in the area, featuring wheelchair accessibility alongside lifeguards on duty throughout the summer.
