One of the best things about staying in Nice is that you’re not limited to the beaches directly along the Promenade des Anglais.

Nice itself has miles of public beach, but some of the prettiest swimming spots on the French Riviera are tucked into the little towns and coves just outside the city. And many of them are surprisingly easy to reach by train, bus, or a quick rideshare.

You’ll find everything from the dramatic cliffs surrounding Plage Mala to tiny swimming coves along Cap d’Antibes and the unbelievably blue bay of Villefranche-sur-Mer.

And while the French Riviera is definitely known for its glamorous beach clubs, you absolutely do not need to pay for a lounger to have a great beach day here. There are plenty of gorgeous public beaches where you can bring a towel, jump in the Mediterranean, and stay as long as you’d like.

We spent six days based in Nice and explored beaches all along this stretch of the Riviera. If you’re trying to decide which ones are actually worth visiting, these are the best public beaches near Nice that I’d put at the top of your list.

Quick Deets

• ARE THE BEACHES IN AND AROUND NICE FREE?
  • The public beaches are free to access. Some beaches have private beach clubs occupying part of the shoreline, but there are still designated public sections.
• ARE THE BEACHES SANDY?
  • Mostly no. Expect a mix of pebbles, gravel, rocks, and occasional stretches of sand. Water shoes are one of the few things I’d definitely pack.
• DO YOU NEED A CAR?
  • Definitely not. Some of the best beaches on this list are accessible by train from Nice, and others can be reached by bus, Bolt, or a combination of public transportation and walking.
  • Check the train routes HERE
• WHAT SHOULD YOU BRING?
  • Water shoes, sunscreen, a towel, plenty of water, and ideally some type of shade if you’re planning on staying for several hours. Some of the smaller coves have very limited facilities.
• WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT THE BEACHES?
  • In July and August, earlier is better. The smaller beaches and coves can fill up quickly, especially around Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat.

The Best Public Beaches Near Nice

1. Plage Mala, Cap-d’Ail

☆ Best overall public beach near Nice

If I could only go back to one beach near Nice, it would be Plage Mala.

This was easily my favorite beach we visited on the French Riviera. There’s something about the scale of it that feels completely different from the smaller beaches around Nice and Cap Ferrat. The beach is tucked directly beneath these huge rocky cliffs, with the Mediterranean stretching out in front of you and little coves carved into the coastline on either side.

It just feels like walking into a painting.

Mala itself is a mix of fine sand and small rounded pebbles, and the cove can be reached either by the coastal path or by the Mala stairs coming down from Cap-d’Ail.

We were coming from Èze, so we took a Bolt and were dropped off about a 10–15 minute downhill walk from the beach. If you’re already exploring Èze or Monaco that day, I’d honestly do the same thing.

But if you’re coming directly from Nice, I’d take the train to Cap-d’Ail and walk the coastal path to Mala.

The coastal walk was actually one of my favorite parts of the entire experience. We did it in reverse, walking from Mala back toward the train station, and the path hugs the water almost the entire way. You’re passing rocky cliffs, little swimming coves, gorgeous villas, and ridiculously blue water the entire time.

The official Cap-d’Ail coastal trail runs for about 3.6 kilometers (~2.2 miles) and connects the coastline with Mala Beach, so you can easily make the walk part of the beach day instead of treating it as transportation. We only walked the section between the beach and the train station, which took us around 15 minutes….and lovely the entire way.

If I went back for a full day trip, I’d take the train from Nice, do the coastal walk into Mala, spend a few hours swimming and laying out, and then take the train back into town.

• GETTING THERE: Train to Cap-d’Ail + coastal walk, or Bolt/taxi.
• BEST FOR: Dramatic scenery, swimming, and making the journey part of the beach day.

2. Plage des Marinières, Villefranche-sur-Mer

☆ Best easy beach day from Nice

If Mala is the most beautiful beach on this list, Plage des Marinières is probably the one I’d recommend to the most people.

It’s incredibly easy.

Villefranche-sur-Mer is just a short train ride from Nice, and Plage des Marinières sits almost directly below the train station. You can leave Nice in the morning and be laying next to the Mediterranean with very little effort.

Marinières is the largest beach in Villefranche-sur-Mer and is free to access. It also has seasonal lifeguard supervision in summer.

The setting is also SO pretty. Villefranche sits around a deep, curved bay, so you have colorful buildings climbing up the hillside behind you, boats floating offshore, and that classic bright-blue Riviera water. Compared with some of the tiny rocky coves on this list, there’s also much more room to spread out here.

This would be my pick if you want an actual full beach day rather than squeezing a swim into a sightseeing itinerary.

You can also easily walk into Villefranche’s Old Town before or after the beach for lunch, drinks, or dinner.

• GETTING THERE: Train to Villefranche-sur-Mer. The beach is right near the station.
• BEST FOR: An easy, low-effort beach day.

3. Billionaires Bay, Cap d’Antibes

☆ Best hidden-cove experience

Billionaires Bay is less of a traditional beach and more of a coastal adventure with places to swim along the way.

And that’s exactly why I think it belongs on this list.

Located on Cap d’Antibes, Billionaires Bay — or Baie des Milliardaires — is surrounded by rocky coastline and massive private estates hidden behind the trees. Despite the name and incredibly exclusive surroundings, portions of the waterfront are publicly accessible via the coastal trail.

You’ll find small pebble coves and rocky areas where you can stop to swim, including around Anse de l’Argent Faux.

This is not the beach I’d choose if you want to throw down a towel beside a café and spend six hours doing absolutely nothing. Instead, come here for the walk.

The Sentier du Littoral winds around Cap d’Antibes with gorgeous views over the water, and there are places along the route where you can climb down and swim. Start at Plage de la Garoupe and follow the path toward Billionaires Bay.

Bring good walking shoes, a swimsuit, water, and a small towel in your bag.

There are limited facilities once you’re along the trail, which is part of what makes it feel so much more secluded than the beaches around Nice.

• GETTING THERE: Take the train to Antibes, followed by a bus or taxi toward Cap d’Antibes and Plage de la Garoupe. You can also take a Bolt directly to La Garoupe.
• BEST FOR: Coastal walking, little coves, and a more adventurous swim.

4. Paloma Beach, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat

☆ Best iconic French Riviera setting

Paloma Beach is probably one of the most recognizable beaches around Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat. The clear blue water is exactly what you picture when you think of the French Riviera.

The beach is tucked into a little east-facing cove surrounded by greenery, with gorgeous views toward the cliffs around Beaulieu-sur-Mer and Èze. The coastline wraps around the water, giving it a much more secluded feel than the long, open beaches directly in Nice.

Like most beaches around Cap Ferrat, Paloma is pebbly rather than sandy, but the protected cove makes it such a beautiful spot for swimming and spending a few hours by the water.

The biggest downside is that Paloma is popular and relatively small, so it can start to feel crowded quickly. If you’re visiting during peak summer and want a good spot near the water, I’d try to arrive relatively early.

Paloma is also connected to the Pointe Saint-Hospice walking trail, so you can easily combine your beach time with a coastal walk around this part of Cap Ferrat. You’ll have to walk a bit to reach the beach, but the surrounding scenery makes the journey part of the experience.

Once you’re in the area, you’ll also be across the peninsula from Plage des Fossettes, which is next on this list. I think it’s worthwhile to check out both while you’re over there, especially since each beach offers a slightly different view and atmosphere.

• GETTING THERE: Bus toward Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, followed by a walk to Paloma.
• BEST FOR: Classic French Riviera scenery.

5. Plage des Fossettes, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat

☆ Best for snorkeling

If you want something smaller and more low-key than Paloma, head to Plage des Fossettes.

Located below the Jardin de la Paix on Pointe Saint-Hospice, Fossettes is one of the quieter beaches on Cap Ferrat. The protected setting and clear water make it a popular spot for snorkeling, especially if you bring your own goggles or snorkel.

The beach itself is small and covered in fine gravel rather than soft sand. It feels much more open than Paloma, although it was extremely hot with almost no wind when we visited, so the beach didn’t feel nearly as breezy as we expected.

We didn’t actually see any jellyfish in the water, but someone near us appeared to get a minor sting while swimming. Jellyfish conditions can change daily, so it’s worth taking a quick look around before getting into the water—especially if you plan to snorkel farther from shore.

You won’t find any facilities directly on the beach, so come prepared with everything you’ll need. However, there is a small food stand at the top, along the route between Paloma and Fossettes, where you can grab a snack, water, or even a glass of wine before heading down.

If the swimming conditions are good, I’d spend an hour or two swimming or snorkeling here and then continue exploring Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat rather than planning an entire beach day around it.

• GETTING THERE: Bus to Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat + walk toward Pointe Saint-Hospice.
• BEST FOR: Snorkeling and clear water.

6. The Public Beaches in Nice

☆ Best when you don’t want to go anywhere

As much as I loved exploring the beaches outside Nice, you absolutely do not need to leave the city every time you want to swim.

The public beaches along the Promenade des Anglais are incredibly easy to access, especially if you’re staying in or around Old Nice. You can spend the morning sightseeing, head back to your hotel to change, and be in the Mediterranean a few minutes later.

The beaches here are much rockier than some of the coves outside the city, so water shoes make a huge difference. They also feel a little less tucked-away and scenic than places like Mala or Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, but the convenience is hard to beat.

I personally wouldn’t choose Nice for my one big beach day if I had time to explore farther along the coast. But for a quick swim, a few hours in the sun, or an easy beach stop at the end of the day, the public beaches right in Nice are perfect.

• GETTING THERE: Walk!
• BEST FOR: A quick swim, sunset beach time, or days when you don’t feel like leaving Nice.

Which Beach Near Nice Should You Choose?

If you only have time for one or two beaches, this is how I’d narrow it down:

• Best overall: Plage Mala
• Best iconic Riviera beach: Paloma Beach
• Best for snorkeling: Plage des Fossettes
• Best for a quick swim: Stay in Nice

For a first trip, I’d personally prioritize Mala and the beaches of Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat.

How to Plan a Beach Day From Nice

One of the biggest reasons I loved using Nice as our home base was how easy it was to build beach time into our days.

You don’t necessarily need to devote an entire day to every beach. For example:

• Èze + Plage Mala: Explore Èze in the morning, then take a Bolt down toward Cap-d’Ail for an afternoon at Mala. Walk the coastal path back toward the train station when you’re ready to return to Nice.
• Villefranche + beach day: Take the train to Villefranche in the morning, wander through Old Town, grab lunch, and spend the rest of the afternoon at Plage des Marinières.
• Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat beach hopping: Spend a day exploring Cap Ferrat and choose one or two beaches depending on your route. Paloma and Fossettes work especially well with the Pointe Saint-Hospice walk.
• Antibes + Billionaires Bay: Explore Old Antibes first, then make your way toward Cap d’Antibes and the coastal trail for a walk and swim.

That combination of towns in the morning and beaches in the afternoon was honestly my favorite way to explore the French Riviera. You still get to see a ton without spending every single day running from sight to sight.

Looking for what towns to pair with the best public beaches near Nice? Check out my Best Towns on the French Riviera post for inspo.

What to Pack for the Beaches Near Nice

You really don’t need much, but there are a few things I’d bring every time:

• Water shoes
• Sunscreen
• Sunglasses
• Towel
• Reusable water bottle
• Swimsuit
• Hat
• Small umbrella if you want shade
• Snorkel or goggles for Cap Ferrat
• Comfortable shoes if you’re doing one of the coastal walks

The water shoes are the non-negotiable for me. Even when the beach looks relatively sandy, you’ll usually encounter pebbles or rocks somewhere along the shoreline.

Are the Public Beaches Near Nice Worth Visiting?

Absolutely.

The beach clubs are fun and definitely part of the French Riviera experience, but some of my favorite beach moments of the trip happened without a reserved chair or restaurant attached.

And I wouldn’t just stay on the beaches directly in Nice.

Nice is an incredible home base, but getting out to places like Mala, Villefranche, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, and Cap d’Antibes gives you those smaller coves and dramatic coastal landscapes that really make this part of France feel special.

If you only have time to leave Nice for one beach, I’d make it Plage Mala. Between the dramatic cliffs, clear blue water, and gorgeous coastal walk, it was easily my favorite beach experience of the trip—and the first one I’d return to.

And if Nice is your home base, my 3 Days in Nice Itinerary pulls together exactly how I’d spend a few days there.