Things to do in Antibes: The 20 Best Places to Visit and Highlights

You’re planning to visit Antibes during your stay on the French Riviera?

Great idea!

In order to help you plan your stay, I have written this guide of the 20 best things to do in Antibes. Here you will find all the best places to visit in this charming town located between Nice and Cannes.

In addition to the must-see attractions and points of interest, you will also find itineraries to visit Antibes in 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 days (or more!) as well as my selection of the best hotels depending on your budget.

So, what are the best things to do in Antibes? Where to stay?

Let’s find out!

Visit Antibes: 20 Must-See Attractions

1. The old town of Antibes

This is the highlight of the places to see in Antibes: the old town.

This part of the city, nestled in the ramparts of the ancient fortified city, has a very nice feel with its small alleys lined with shops, cafes and restaurants. Most of the places of interest in Antibes that I’ve mentioned in more detail in this guide are actually located in this part of the city.

The best way to discover old Antibes is to take a peaceful stroll through the shopping streets such as Rue Sade, Rue Clemenceau or Rue Thuret.

2. Port Vauban

If you’re looking for somewhere to go in Antibes where you can admire beautiful boats, head to the Vauban port.

A walk along the piers of the largest marina in Europe is the perfect opportunity to see the plethora of ships and beautiful sailing boats moored there.

Vauban Port is also world famous for its “Billionaires Quay” where 19 spots have been created to accommodate the biggest yachts in the world like the Dilbar owned by Alisher Usmanov, the Lady Moura owned by Nasser Al-Rashid or the Octopus owned by Paul Allen, the co-founder of Microsoft.

Construction of the quay cost 35 million Euros, which the owners of the boats paid to get their assigned spots. 

3. Fort Carré

Continuing your walk along the port of Vauban, on the opposite side of the billionaires quay, you will reach Fort Carré.

Built in the second half of the 16th century on the orders of King Henry II, this military fort towers over you, at a height of 26 metres above sea level. When it was built, the aim was to monitor and deter attacks by the Duchy of Savoy.

Today, Fort Carré, is listed as a “historical monument” and is a tourist spot. The rampart walk is accessible and offers panoramic views of all of Antibes.

For security reasons, only guided tours are allowed. They last about 30 minutes for €3 per person (free for children) and take you to discover the chapel, the kitchens, and the barracks.

An unmissable experience when staying in Antibes, if only to enjoy the view.

To reach Fort Carré, you have several options:

• On foot, through Vauban port and the seafront
• By car: free parking
• Using the free shuttle service between the old town and the Fort.

4. The Cathedral of Antibes dedicated to Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, also known as Notre-Dame-de-la-Platea

Let’s continue this guide to Antibes with the cathedral, which is located in the old town.

With its ochre-coloured facade and stuccoes, it is a change from the churches that you are used to seeing in France.

The main attraction is its exterior, because its interior is quite austere and not particularly interesting, except for a 16th century Louis Brea altarpiece.

5. The Picasso Museum

Just next to the cathedral, you must visit the Picasso museum.

The latter is located in the Château Grimaldi, which owes its name to the the Monegasque family that lived there in the 14th century. The building is classified as a Historical Monument.

After it served as the residence of the King’s governor, then as a town hall, and finally as a barracks, it was in 1946 that Pablo Picasso set up his workshops there for 2 months.

He went on to create many works there and even left twenty paintings and drawings to the city. Among the most famous are: “Sea Urchin eater”, “Joy of Living” or “The Woman with the sea urchins”.

In 1966, the Picasso Museum was created in his honour: this was the first museum dedicated to him!

In addition to Picasso’s works, the museum exhibits paintings by Nicolas de Staël and a large collection of modern art.

The Picasso Museum in Antibes is open every day except Mondays and the entrance ticket costs €8.

Access is included in the Côte d’Azur France Pass.

6. The Provencal market

Among the tourist attractions in Antibes there’s also the Provencal market, one of the most popular in the region.

You must go there if you want to buy some fruits and vegetables from the local market and also some good cheeses or cold meats. There is even a stand for Corsican products and another for various spices.

The market is located on Cours Massena, in the heart of the old Antibes. It is open every morning in summer and from Tuesday to Sunday for the other months of the year.

7. Saint Bernardin Chapel

You continue this tour in the old Antibes with a little visit to the Saint-Bernardin chapel.

Built in the 16th century, this recently restored Gothicchurch houses beautiful frescoes, some of which (in the apse and the South wall) are originals. In addition to the services held there, the chapel regularly organises exhibitions and concerts.

The chapel is located on Rostan street. Entry is free.

8. Other museums to visit in Antibes

During your trip to Antibes, in addition to the Picasso Museum, you can visit:

• The Peynet and Cartoon Museum: which exhibits the works of Raymond Peynet, a French illustrator who created the famous “Amoureux” couple and who lived in Antibes.
• The Tower museum, on Provencal history, with objects and costumes from the 19th century to the present day. Guided tour on request only (minimum 8 people).
• The archaeology museum is located in the Bastion Saint-André. It displays objects uncovered during land and submarine excavations such as currency or amphorae.
• The postcard museum with thousands of postcards from all countries and all eras.

9. Promenade Amiral-de Grasse

When in Antibes, you must take the time to walk along the Promenade Amiral-de Grasse.

Walking up the ramparts of Vauban, you will enjoy a beautiful view of the city and the sea.

10. The Marineland of Antibes and Aquasplash

Visiting Marineland is one of the most popular activities during a family stay in Antibes.

It is located in the North of the city, about a fifteen minute drive from old Antibes.

At Marineland, one of the largest water parks in Europe, you can see orcas, dolphins and even polar bears. Shows are also organised at regular intervals. It also has aquariums with sharks, manta-rays, seahorses, and much more

Such parks are currently embroiled in many controversies, including the conditions of the orcas in captivity. Nevertheless, it is the most visited tourist site in the region, hence its presence among the top things to do in Antibes.

Other facilities at the Marineland include:

• A mini golf course
• Kid’s Island, where young children can mingle with farm animals
• The Marineland Resort hotel: a brand new hotel in the heart of the park. Book here!

To visit Marineland in Antibes, you must book your tickets in advance: there’s a special offer for online reservations right now!

You can buy official tickets online at the best price by clicking on the button below:

The Marineland also has a water park with slides and a wave pool, called Aquasplash. However, tickets for Aquasplash are charged in addition to those for Marineland.

You must book them separately by clicking on the button below:

You can choose to visit Marineland and Aquasplash with your Côte d’Azur France Pass.

11. The beaches of Antibes

If you want to go swimming in Antibes, here is the list of beaches:

• Gravette beach, accessible from the port, below the ramparts. A small sandy beach, well protected from the wind and with supervision. Ideal for visiting with children.
• Ponteil beach: a long, sandy beach with shallow waters. Supervised beach with toilets and showers.
• Salis beach: another long, sandy beach, also with a lifeguard station, toilets and showers.
• Several pebble beaches East of Antibes, beyond Fort Carré. Be careful, because the water becomes very deep very quickly at these beaches. Supervised beaches.
• The coves at the Cap d’Antibes, which I’ll mention below.

12. Water activities to do in Antibes

If you wish to indulge in water activities in Antibes, you will find them near Cagnes-sur-Mer and Saint-Laurent-du-Var (10 km North of Antibes).

Click on the links to get more info and book these activities:

• An introduction to jet skiing (just next to the Marineland), from 15 minutes to 1 hour
• A 2 hours and 30 minute jet ski ride with 2 courses to choose from: 1 circuit passing the Cap d’Antibes and the Lérins islands or the other towards Nice/Villefranche/Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat
• Parasailing, at 40 metres feet above the water
• Flyboarding
• A kite-surfing training course – Duration: 1/2 day or 1 full day
• A diving baptism to discover the Mediterranean seabed
• An exploratory dive – Requires a level 1 diving certification
• An introduction to freediving.

13.  Visit the Cap d’Antibes on foot

For those who wish to get a little away from the city and enjoy their trip to Antibes, you must visit the Cap d’Antibes.

You can walk all around the Cape by taking the Tirepoil path or the “coastal path” that starts at the car park of Avenue André Sella, after the beach of Garoupe.

Entirely developed along the seafront, the path, which is 5 km long (a 2 hour walk) is not difficult, but there are several steps carved into the rock, so avoid wearing flip flops!

There are also several small translucent water creeks where you can take a dip to cool off. This is a really great place to go for a walk in Antibes!

The Cap d’Antibes also has beautiful mansions built by those with large fortunes from the mid-19th century. These include the Chateau de la Croe (the former residence of the Duke of Windsor) and the Villa Eilenroc, at the end of Cap d’Antibes. The gardens of the latter are open to the public.

Also on the peninsula of Cap d’Antibes, you can also take the “chemin du Calvaire” which will leads to the Garoupe plateau.

There is a lighthouse, a chapel and a small oratory, and the place offers, especially in clear weather, a panoramic view of the Alps, Italy and sometimes even Corsica.

14. Visit the cap d’Antibes by boat or kayak

Another idea for a very nice activity that you must do around Cap d’Antibes: a sea kayak trip.

For 2 to 6 hours, you will be accompanied by an instructor who will help you discover the most beautiful places of the cape.

You can book it by clicking the button below:

15. Take a boat trip from Antibes

In addition to the snorkelling outing at Cap d’Antibes that I mentioned above, you have 2 other options that will allow you to discover the surroundings of Antibes by boat away from other tourists.

To enjoy a VIP experience, you can:

1) Book a private boat trip from Antibes

I think this is the best way to make the most of your day at sea in Antibes!

You rent a boat with a captain, and he will take you to the most beautiful corners of the French Riviera.

Motor boat, sail boat, catamaran or even a yacht: you can choose the right boat for a dream day!

You must rent your boat with captain as early as possible, as you can imagine that this type of VIP day at sea is very much in demand, and it would be a shame if none are available!

You will find all the boats with captain in Antibes by clicking on the button below:

2) Rent a boat and discover the surroundings of Antibes

If you have a boat licence, the 2nd solution for a great day at sea is simply to rent a boat!

Simply click on the button below and book your boat immediately:

What are the things to do around Antibes?

Now that you know what to do in Antibes, you must explore its surroundings.

From Antibes you can easily reach all the most popular cities of the French Riviera such as Cannes, Nice or Monaco.

16. Juan-les-Pins

A visit to Antibes is very often combined with a visit to the neighbouring town: Juan-les-Pins.

This seaside resort is most frequented in summer. There are plenty of shops, cafés, restaurants and things to do in the evening with the Casino and the numerous nightclubs.

In addition to its beautiful sandy beach, during the day you can discover the Art Deco buildings, the Gallice port, the Gould pine grove or the Explora park.

In July, Juan-les-Pins also hosts the International Jazz Festival where famous artists from all over the world perform.

17. Cannes

Cannes is one of the most famous cities to visit around Antibes.

You can reach it in 30 minutes by car or 15 minutes by train ( information and reservations by clicking here ).

What are the things to do in Cannes?

• A walk along the Croisette while admiring the emblematic palaces
• A photo on the steps and the red carpet of the Cannes festival
• Discover the Suquet district, the oldest in the city
• Search for the “painted walls” depicting Charlie Chaplin or Marylin Monroe
• Shopping in luxury boutiques

I’ll give you all the details to visit Cannes in my other article here: The 17 things to do in Cannes.

18. The Lérins Islands

Around Antibes, you can also take a trip to the Lérins Islands.

Boats leave from Juan-les-Pins, Golfe Juan or Cannes. Opening hours vary depending on the season.

The Lérins Islands archipelago comprises 2 islands:

• The largest island is Sainte-Marguerite. People come here to take a walk along the 8 km long path, have picnics and swim. It’s a great idea for a family outing in the surroundings of Antibes!
• Saint-Honorat island, which is smaller and has a still functional abbey where you can visit some parts.

19. Nice

Let’s continue through the unmissable cities close to Antibes with the most famous city of the French Riviera: Nice.

You can reach Nice by car in 40 minutes or by train in 15 minutes.

What are the things to see in Nice?

• The Promenade des Anglais for a seaside walk on one of the most famous boulevards in the South of France
• Old Nice and its small alleys lined with shops and colourful houses
• The castle hill to enjoy a view from above the city.

To know everything about Nice and prepare for your stay, you must read my dedicated article: Visit Nice: The definitive guide.

20. Monaco

A little further away, but still easily accessible from Antibes, you must explore Monaco.

By car or train, it takes about 1 hour to travel between the two places.

Places of interest to see in Monaco:

• The Rock, the emblematic district where the Prince’s Palace and the cathedral are located
• The oceanographic museum, where you can see many fish and also sharks or sea turtles – Tickets available for purchase online here!
• Monte-Carlo and its Casino
• The exotic garden and its hundreds of cacti + its cave

You can find more things to do in Monaco in my article: What are the things to do in Monaco?

How many days to visit Antibes?

One day is enough to visit Antibes as the city is not very large.

In 2 days or more you can visit the surroundings.

Visit Antibes in 1 day

Here is my itinerary for 1 day in Antibes:

• Visit to Fort Carré
• Walk along Port Vauban
• Explore Old Antibes with a visit to the chapel, the cathedral and the Picasso museum (up to you to decide)
• Small tour in the Provencal market
• Walk along the Promenade Amiral-de Grasse 
• Relax at the beach or take a tour of Cap d’Antibes

Visit Antibes in 2 days

For a weekend in Antibes, continue with the itinerary for day 1 and add (your choice):

• A family Day at Marineland
• A day on the Lérins Islands
• Visit to Cannes, Nice or Monaco

Visit Antibes in 3 days

If you are staying for 3 days in Antibes (or more!), spend a day for each of these ideas, and make the most of your stay on the French Riviera.

You will find many ideas to organise your trip in my article: One-week itinerary on the French Riviera.

Where to stay in Antibes

I have prepared a list of the best hotels to stay in Antibes. Note that you can also choose to stay in Nice (the largest city on the French Riviera) and visit Antibes in 1 day.

This is why I have also included the selection of the best hotels to stay in Nice.

• Zenitude Hôtel-Résidences Le Maestria: located 5 km away from the Old Antibes. Studio and apartment from €58. Strong points: outdoor swimming pool and the friendly staff
• Hotels Le Petit Castel: located at a 10-minute walk from Cap d’Antibes and 600 metres from the beach. Modern and comfortable double room from €80, breakfast at €10. Strong points: calm atmosphere, generous breakfast, exemplary cleanliness. It’s my favorite for its excellent value for money in Antibes!
• Best Western Plus Antibes Riviera: located 1.6 km from the Picasso Museum. Bright and spacious double room with balcony from €120. Strong points: free private parking, excellent bedding and a wide choice of breakfast.
• Royal Antibes – Luxury Hotel, Residence, Beach & Spa: located at a 5-minute walk from the old town, on the seafront. Double room with contemporary style and very elegant, some with a sea view from €130, breakfast at €15. Strong points: free access to the Spa, private beach, location. One of the best choices for staying in Antibes!
• Hotel & Spa Baie des Anges by Thalazur: located close to Marineland. Designer and cosy double room from €140, breakfast at €18. Strong points: outdoor swimming pools, spa with heated swimming pool, private parking, view. The ideal place to stay in Antibes for a romantic weekend!

Where to stay in Nice

• Hôtel Ozz by Happyculture: Located about 15 minutes from the beach on foot. Nice place, very friendly staff, great location and comfortable beds. Only 20€ per night in dormitory. Double room at 55€. This is the best hostel for a budget stay in Nice!
• Hôtel Brice Garden: Located in the hear of Nice, 5 minutes walk from the beach and Promenade des Anglais. Very well furnished and clean room from 80€ per night. Excellent value for money. Friendly and welcoming staff. The best value hotel if you want to stay in the city center! Needs to be booked as soon as possible, lots of demand.
• Hôtel le Saint Paul: Located 50 meters from the Nice harbor, in a quiet area, with an amazing sea view. Large bright room from 95€ per night, buffet breakfast for 12€. Strong points: free private parking. My favorite in Nice!
• Hôtel Le Royal Promenade des Anglais: Located right on the Promenade des Anglais in a historic building. Prestigious room decorated in a classic style, very bright, from 135€ per night, breakfast at 15€.
• Hôtel Negresco: Located on the Promenade des Anglais, this exceptional hotel is simply the best in Nice. The rooms are magnificent, the view is stunning, the staff is amazing and the restaurant is one of the best in town. It’s the best choice for a luxury stay in Nice!

Where to eat in Antibes

• Le figuier de Saint-Esprit: lcoated at 14 rue Saint-Esprit, this restaurant is rated 1 star in the Michelin Guide. Its chef, Christian Morisset has made a speciality of revisiting the great classics of Provencal cuisine. Local products, a very pleasant setting and gourmet cuisine, you are sure to have an excellent time.
• Romagna Mia: located at 3 Boulevard Dugommier. This typical Italian restaurant offers delicious homemade pasta with truffle pasta as a speciality. Everything is homemade, using quality products.
• Côté Terroir: located at Place de la Gare des Autobus. This restaurant with limited seating (reservation recommended) offers sophisticated, fine-dining and copious dishes cooked using good quality local products. The service is impeccable, the food is excellent and the welcome is very warm.

How to get to Antibes?

Antibes is a small town and does not have an airport. If you arrive in Antibes by plane, you will have to land in Nice.

Since flight prices for Nice vary greatly, it is a good idea to compare them as soon as possible. To do this, you can use our flight comparison tool, in partnership with Skyscanner. You can rest assured that you will get the best rates.

From the Nice airport, you have several options to go to Antibes:

1) Private transport from Nice airport. Reservations must be made in advance by clicking here:

2) By bus: take the no. 250 Express directly in front of the airport.

3) By train: take bus no. 23 to Nice train station then take the train. A Nice/Antibes train ride only takes 30 minutes and costs €5.

You must check train schedules and fares and book tickets here:

5) By car.

If you are planning on going on a tour along the French Riviera , renting a car can be very convenient. You must go through Booking.com Cars which makes it easy to compare all prices.

Compare car rental prices in Nice and Antibes now:

Organised trip from Nice with a visit to Antibes

Antibes being quite small, if you want a more lively time, you can also decide to stay in Nice and plan a day-trip to Antibes.

As I said, you can then take the bus, train or rent a car to go to Antibes.

And even better, if you don’t want to get bothered with organisational matters or you don’t have much time, you must choose an organised trip.

Pick up from your hotel, driver, guide, everything is included to help you spend an excellent day without worrying about anything. From Nice, you will have a choice of 2 trips:

• A visit to Antibes and Cannes

• A day where you can visit Antibes and also the other emblematic cities of the French Riviera like Cannes and Monaco. 

Rent a boat in Antibes

If you want to rent a boat for a nice day at sea during your stay in Antibes, you should book it with Samboat.

Motorboats, sailboats, yachts, small boats without a license, with or without a skipper: they simply have the most complete offer for boat rental!

So, what are you waiting for to book your boat trip in Antibes? 😊

Tourist map of Antibes

To help you visualize the city a bit better, I have created this tourist map of Antibes, with all the best places to visit and things to do in Antibes and its surroundings.

You can display the map legend by clicking on the top left button, the one with a small arrow on it.

FAQ – I’ll answer your questions about Antibes

If you need help planning your stay in Antibes, don’t hesitate to ask me your questions in the comments section below.

France travel Guides

• Buy the Lonely Planet France guide on Amazon.com or on Amazon.co.uk
• Buy the Rick Steves France guide on Amazon.com or on Amazon.co.uk

You’re traveling in France? These articles will help you!

Discover all our articles about France: All Voyage Tips articles about France are listed here.

French Riviera

• French Riviera: Top 25 best places to visit and activities

• Itinerary: 1 Week in French Riviera – the definitive guide for your 7-8 days trip

• Antibes: Top 20 best places to visit
• Cannes: The 20 best things to do and activities
• Monaco: 25 Best places to visit
• Nice: 15 things you must do and see

Other French Cities

• Annecy: 12 things to do and see
• Honfleur: Top 15 things to discover
• La Rochelle: Top 15 things to do and must-see attractions
• Lyon: 21 Best things to do
• Marseille: Top 33 best things to do and see
• Nantes: The 15 best things to do
• Reims: Top 15 things to do and see
• Rennes: The 15 things you must do!
• Strasbourg: The 25 must-see attractions

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