A Guide to the Seven Best Beaches in Nice

One of the top hotspots on the famously glamourous Côte d’Azur, known for some of the most stunning beaches in the south of France and being one of the easiest French Riviera beach towns to fly into... these are just a few reasons why Nice should be on everyone’s European bucket list. The Promenade des Anglais, one of the most well-known attractions, stretches all the way from the airport to the Château in the Vieux-Port, and is parallel to 7km of continuous shoreline. With 22 public beaches and 15 private beaches nestled between them, it may be hard to choose which beach you want to relax on. Whether you prefer setting your towel down on a sunbed or on the sand, a beach club with delicious seafood restaurants or a hidden gem, we have listed the seven best beaches in Nice that you must visit on your trip, so keep on reading if you don’t want to miss out. 

1: Blue Beach

Unlike most private beaches on the Promenade des Anglais in Nice, Blue Beach is open year-round, so whether you’re visiting this glamorous French Riviera city in the dead of winter or the height of Summer, you will be able to hop on a sun lounger and eat at their fabulous seaside restaurants. Perfect for solo travellers, couples and families alike, this private beach offers a swimming pool and trampolines to keep the kids occupied, while adrenaline-junkies can get their fix with a huge range of watersports such as parasailing, waterskiing and wakeboarding.  

Take note that during summer, the beach is open from 8 a.m. to midnight, whereas for the rest of the year, the beach shuts by 7 p.m. 

Address: 32 Promenade des Anglais, 06000 Nice, France 

Phone: +33 4 93 87 10 36

2: La Reserve

If public beaches are more your thing, then you should definitely visit La Reserve, one of our favourite public beaches in Nice. However, don’t think that because it is a public beach that there will be hordes of tourists lounging on this beach. La Reserve takes the crown among other public beaches in Nice because of how secluded it is. It is a real hidden gem among tourists and is more often frequented by locals, so if you want an authentic French Riviera experience, then this is the beach for you. Being a bit of a walk away from the Nice centre, there are few restaurants and bars close to the beach, we recommend stocking up at the supermarket and taking your own epic picnic. 

Address: 06300 Nice, France 

3: Castel Plage

One of the oldest establishments on La Baie des Anges and considered to be one of the best private beaches on the French Riviera, it would be a real shame to miss Castel Plage. Aptly named due to its location at the bottom of a castle, this beach is truly unique. Its restaurant offers fresh and quality seafood in an unpretentious venue as well as sun-loungers and parasols for those who want to sunbathe. If you don’t want to miss your chance to try out this stunning beach, travellers can book their deck chairs in advance via the website. It costs 25,00 € for the sun lounger plus an extra 5,00 € each if you would like a towel or umbrella. Like most beaches in Nice, down from the private area of the beach, there is a public area so if you want to experience this stunning beach without the price tag, you can still go! 

Address: Castel Beach, 8 Quai des États-Unis 

4: Ruhl Beach

If you really want to soak up the history of Nice, then Ruhl beach is the spot for you! Opened in the 1920s and located in front of the Ruhl Casino and Le Méridien Hotel on the Promenade des Anglais, both of which were also established in the 1920s, Ruhl Beach oozes a unique Old-World style that shouldn’t be missed. Its private beachfront restaurant also boasts a saltwater swimming pool and 80 private cabins with showers so you can enjoy the feeling of salt on your skin while being just a few steps from a great restaurant.  

Family has always been at the core of this beach – it has been family-owned since its opening and is also a great place for families to visit because there is a lifeguard at the pool, so parents can relax while the children play. Score!  

Address: Ruhl beach, Promenade des Anglais, Nice  

5: Opera Beach

The oldest private beach in Nice, this iconic beach has been welcoming visitors, both local and from further afield, since 1899. Located by the former Opéra House Pavillion, this family-run beach has been managed for generations by the Maiffret family. With stunning views of La Baie des Anges, this is the beach to visit if you want to inject a bit more luxury into your trip to the stylish French Riviera. Opera Beach is the most opulent and grand of them all, with extremely attentive staff delivering unparalleled hospitality, whether that is from the on-site massage therapists, the waiters and chefs at their classy modern restaurant or the sales assistants who will be happy to show you their newest collection of swimwear.  

To avoid disappointment, get there early and grab one of the 250 vintage blue-and-white-striped parasols and sun loungers before they fill up. Their impressive reputation means that their sunbeds get snapped up quickly. However, if you don’t fancy the beach club or miss out on a sunbed, then you can always venture to the public part of Opera Beach.  

Address: 30 Quai des États-Unis, 06000 Nice, France 

Must-visit French Riviera Beaches

While the following two are beaches near Nice, they are not in the town of Nice itself. However, they are well worth a visit if you are on the French Riviera and we really couldn’t miss them off an essential guide of the best beaches in Nice, so if you can, get yourself to these idyllic spots on the Côte d'Azur. 

6: Eze-Sur-Mer

Despite Èze-Sur-Mer being a short drive away from the centre of Nice, we couldn’t miss it off this list. It is, as the name of the beach suggests, in the small medieval village of Èze. With Èze’s location being the peak of a hill, its beach is enclosed by a dramatic backdrop of lush cliffs and promises seclusion, calm water and unrivalled views. Take a stroll along the long and narrow strip of public beach, relax on some sunbeds at one of the two private beach clubs located at either end of the beach or if you are an avid swimmer, take a refreshing dip in the tranquil sea of the Cote d’Azur as this beach offers some of the best swimming in Nice. This beach is great for the whole family with lots of activities on offer, including scuba diving and water sports.  

Address: Èze-sur-Mer Beach, 06360 Èze, France 

7: Villefranche-Sur-Mer

A €1, 15-minute bus ride from Nice, Villefranche-Sur-Mer is a small, charming resort to the West of Nice and to the east of Monaco. With its USP of having sand lining its shores rather than the pebbles that are typically found on the French Riviera beaches, this beach is distinct and must-see. 

It is a relatively quiet beach that is usually frequented by locals, as opposed to being busy with tourists, meaning that you can comfortably spread out along the beach. Take a refreshing dip in the glistening azure sea, marvel at the impressive yachts moored in the bay, and appreciate the underwater world with a bit of snorkelling.  

This public beach is also populated with lots of snack bars, some restaurants and plenty of ice-cream kiosks so you won’t get hungry - although we’d also suggest visitors make their way up to the Old Town and check out some of the fantastic, authentic eateries on offer. 

Address: 06230 Villefranche-sur-Mer, France 

As you can see, there is an abundance of beaches in Nice and nearby along the French Riviera. These beaches are unrivalled and are some of the best beaches that you will find along the Côte d’Azur making Nice the perfect destination for a fantastic summer holiday. Whether you want to spend your time lounging on a sunbed at a luxurious beach club or keep it low-key at a secluded public beach, the world is your oyster when you visit this incredible French city. Whilst the beaches in Nice are first class, there are also many other things to do in Nice, including visiting museums, parks and fabulous restaurants. To be just a stone’s throw from these fantastic beaches, book a stay at our great value-for-money easyHotel.