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Are you planning a trip to France? Here are the 11 best things to do in Antibes South of France, including beautiful beaches and local gems.
Welcome to Antibes, a stunning coastal town in the beautiful region of the South of France. If you’re planning a trip to this town, then you are in for a treat! Antibes is full of historical sights, mesmerizing coastal views, and picturesque streets. While it often gets overshadowed by larger cities in the area, Antibes offers a unique atmosphere that all visitors should experience.
In this Antibes travel guide, I have created a list of the 11 best things to do in Antibes, South of France. Best of all, these activities are almost all free! This way, you have no excuse to visit the breathtaking coastal town known as Antibes.
Antibes is a treasure of remarkable attractions, and there are numerous things to see in this charming town. From historic landmarks to natural wonders, this city boasts an incredible blend of cultural and natural beauty. Whether you are an art enthusiast, a history geek, or a nature lover, there’s something here for everyone!
While planning your trip to the South of France, I highly recommend making Antibes your base for a few nights while exploring the city and neighboring towns. We chose to stay here over Cannes and I am so happy we did so. Expect to spend around 2 full days exploring Antibes, ensuring that you have some time to swim in the beautiful hidden beaches along the coast. I also recommend staying in the old town for a magical experience! Before getting into the best things to do in Antibes France, I will answer a few frequently asked questions.
FAQs About Antibes
Is Antibes Worth Visiting?
The short answer is yes absolutely, Antibes is very worth visiting. Antibes is such a beautiful town that has so many activities to offer. It is known to be one of the gems on the French Riviera and for good reason. The mix between a charming old town, and stunning coastal nature is what attracts thousands of visitors a year. In addition, although Antibes is well known, it is not as popular as other cities in the area such as Cannes and Nice. This means that you will be able to enjoy fewer crowds while sightseeing in Antibes.
What Is There To Do In Antibes?
If you are wondering this, then you have come to the right place! This guide will be filled with 11 best (and mostly free) things to do in Antibes. This includes a range of outdoor activities as well as some must-see spots such as the Provencal Market and the Picasso Museum. All of the best things to do in Antibes France are covered below, so simply keep on reading to find out what you should do during your visit.
How Far Is Antibes From Nice?
Antibes is actually very close to Nice, and it only takes about 15-20 minutes to reach Nice by regional train. In addition, Cannes, another popular destination on the French Riviera is also only 15 minutes away by train. This makes Antibes an ideal town to sleep in while visiting the South of France. Since it is not as popular as Nice and Cannes, accommodation in Antibes is usually cheaper. For the best experience, I recommend finding accommodation in the old town, however, for more budget-friendly stays it will be better to stay further away.
What Is The Best Time of Year To Visit Antibes?
It is best to visit Antibes in the springtime, as it can often get busy during the summer. In addition, the summer heat in the French Riviera is no joke. Therefore, to ensure a pleasant stay, I recommend visiting between April and June or from September to October. This way, you will be able to enjoy the good weather that will even be warm enough for a swim, without the added humidity.
This post is all about the best things to do in Antibes South of France
11 Best Things To Do in Antibes South of France
1. Free Walking Tour
A free walking tour is arguably the best way to see all of the most important Antibes tourist attractions. Although the tour is technically not free, it is a great way to get a guided tour for a discounted price. If you are unfamiliar with the concept of a free walking tour, it basically means that you don’t pay anything before the tour. Usually, these tours are organized by volunteers, and at the end, you pay the guide however much you decide/feel they deserve. Typically the prices end up being around 5-10 euros per person. This is still much cheaper than a traditional two-hour tour, and the guides here are often much more laid back.
We loved our guided tour and learned about so many quirks around the city. Here is the website we used to book the tour. Regardless of how much time you have in Antibes, this is a must-do activity. Several of my other tips below will be from places I discovered on this tour, so as you can see, it is a great deal!
2. Walk along the promenade
A big theme of this post is going to be walking around and soaking in the beautiful views. Therefore, one of the best things to do in Antibes is to walk along the idyllic promenade lining the beaches here. This promenade is made up of two streets, starting with Bd Maréchal Leclerc, and continuing onto Bd James Wyllie.
If you feel like soaking up the sun in style, make sure to head over to the Royal Beach Lounge. The location is ideal, overlooking the start of Cap d’Antibes. In addition, you can even see Nice from this spot! Something to note about this whole region in the South of France is going to be the lounge prices. If you wish to sit at a beach club and rent a sunbed, it is going to cost you. Expect to pay around 25 euros for a bed for the day, and even if you only plan to stay a few hours, you will still need to pay the full price. Although this, it is a pleasure that is totally worth paying for at the right spots.
3. Walk along Cap d’Antibes
When you reach Port de la Salis at the end of the promenade, you will actually start walking around Cap d’Antibes. This little peninsula is known for its incredible coastal views and luxurious villas. I highly recommend taking a long walk along Cap d’Antibes, as you will not be disappointed. While enjoying your ocean views, make sure to keep your eyes out for some incredible properties located on the water. This little region is known to be a popular summer spot among the elite class and it is clear to see why. There are some breathtaking properties located here that are worth seeing, even if just from afar.
4. Explore the Old Town
The old town of Antibes is one of the most charming areas in the South of France. It is so fun walking along the little streets and finding little hidden gems. There are lots of cute bakeries and restaurants to check out here. A local delicacy here that all visitors have to try is the Pissaladiere, which is similar to a focaccia with onions and olives.
5. The Old Walls and Fort of Antibes
When it comes to the famous tourist attractions in Antibes, then the first spots that come to mind are the old walls and the Fort Carré. The most impressive remnants of the old walls are at the edge of the old town. Here you can find Château Grimaldi, Cathédral Notre-Dame de I’lmmaculée Conception, and Grimaldi Tower. The best viewpoint over this spot can be found on the corner of the promenade right by Restaurant Les Vieux Murs. From here you can even find a fun little piece of history. When standing right by this corner, make sure to peek right over the edge and on the rocks below. You should be able to find an old toilet that the Romans used. Imagine that they needed to walk along the water’s edge outside of the city walls to go to the bathroom!
After, keep on walking towards the main marina in Antibes, where you can find impressive yachts and the famous Le Monade sculpture. Just behind the marina, you should be able to locate Fort Carré, the old star-shaped fort of Antibes. It is well worth a visit if you have the time and enjoy learning more about history. Additionally, it offers a gorgeous view over Antibes and only costs 3 euros to enter. Unfortunately, we did not have time to do this, but it is on the list for our next visit!
6. Check out the Safranier community
Safranier is a small community located within the old town of Antibes, which is known for celebrating freedom and was founded back in the 1960s. This region is well known for its picturesque streets, which are truly beautiful.
The two must-visit streets here are called Rue du Haut Castelet and Rue du Bas Castelet. I honestly think they are the cutest streets I have ever seen! A fun fact about this spot is that the people who live here can’t change the color of their window blinds without asking the community authority. Due to the beauty of this spot, I recommend coming by early, to enjoy strolling around without a big crowd!
7. Visit the fake house of Napoleon
This is a fun little tip we got from our free walking tour. In the old quarter of Antibes, there is a stone house with a sign outside that has the name, Napoleon Bonaparte. A lot of tourists stop here to take a photo of it, assuming that this is the old house of Napoleon. The truth is, that the sign actually says something like “Napoleon never slept here” however, most tourists will not understand it and therefore never know.
This sign had apparently started out as a joke since the house is located so close to the Museum of Picasso and the residents of other famous people. Therefore, the owners decided to try and see what would happen if they wrote Napoleon’s name outside, and have since kept the sign since it is so humorous.
If you travel with others, make sure to go looking for this house and convince them to get a photo with “the official residence of Napoleon Bonaparte” 😉.
8. Find a private beach
One of the best things about Cap d’Antibes is that you can find small private beaches all along the coast. Some spots will be privately owned since they are connected to a villa. However, as long as there is no sign or private fence, you should be able to swim in all the small beaches you wander across. Simply make sure to use common sense so you don’t accidentally go onto private property.
There are many beautiful swimming spots along the coast, so it is completely up to you where you wish to stop. Some spots will look like an actual beach, like the photo below, while at others you will just be sitting on a large rock and jumping into the water. Before you go, make sure to pack some sandals or water shoes, as most beaches here are with pebbles. If you wish to visit a sandy beach, then you can find one by the main marina.
9. Visit the Provencal Market
The provencal market in Antibes is very well known and open daily throughout the year. Typically it is open from 6 AM till 13 PM. Depending on which time you come there may be various stalls open. Although the market is usually filled with fresh produce, there is a farmer’s market on every 3rd Sunday of the month. In addition, there are also some crafts markets, flea markets, and night markets.
Unfortunately, we visited after the markets had closed for the day. I highly recommend checking which markets will be open during your stay so that you can make sure you don’t miss them! Here is the official website with all of the opening times.
10. Check out the Absinthe Bar
Absinthe is a well-known liquor that was very popular in France during the 19th and 20th centuries. While visiting Antibes, you can actually visit a still functioning Absinthe bar. Although it poses as a tourist shop on the first floor, once you go down the stairs there is an old-fashioned bar. Even if you don’t like the taste, I highly recommend visiting this spot and potentially even tasting Absinthe prepared in the traditional way – diluted in water and mixed with sugar.
11. Take a day trip to Cannes
Although Antibes is close to several well-known destinations on the French Riviera, we only took a day trip to Cannes. This is because there is so much to do in Nice and the surrounding area, that I highly encourage you to stay in Nice for around 3-4 nights. I knew that Cannes was extremely popular and probably overpriced, so I only planned to spend a few hours there. The train ride lasts 15 minutes and only costs a few euros so you can just hop over any time you like while staying in Antibes!
To be completely honest, I was a little disappointed by Cannes. Everything was ridiculously overpriced, and it just felt so materialistic since most streets are completely lined with designer stores. However, there is a beautiful ocean view and the marina is seriously impressive. Overall, I would recommend going to Cannes just to see for yourself what you think and explore it. However, if you are anything like us, 2-3 hours there will be plenty.
Bonus Antibes Attraction: Museum of Picasso
The Museum of Picasso is a bonus attraction as I personally did not visit it since I am not a huge art fan. It costs around 8 euros to enter and if you are a classic art fan, then you will definitely want to check it out! The museum is located inside the impressive Grimaldi castle, and you can find more information regarding a visit here.
That concludes my guide on the 11 best and mostly free things to do in Antibes South of France. I hope this post has made you realize how special this town is, and convinced you to add it to your French Riviera itinerary! If you have already visited Antibes, I would love to hear how it was in the comments below.
