Beaches In Nice That Are Too Gorgeous To Miss

One of the most popular public beaches in Nice, Beau Rivage is a hub of sun, sea and beach sports. Home to scorching sunbathing weather from late March to October, the glittering blue waters and the planes flying overhead in the distance give the beach an exotic atmosphere, and really capture that holiday vibe. Nice’s beaches are mostly pebbled rather than sandy, so visitors might want to bring a cushion to protect their back, or make like the locals and just lay their towel down on the rocks. With its large volleyball court this is the preferred sports ground for the city’s fittest and most beautiful residents, and guests can expect glamorous surroundings which wouldn’t look out of place in a music video. For those who don’t want to lie on the rocks, the Beau Rivage Hotel Café and Restaurant offers reasonably priced sun beds and umbrellas, as well as a varied menu of tapas and Mediterranean-inspired cuisine. Be sure to try one of their tasty cocktails to stay refreshed on a hot Riviera day, a top choice being the sweet strawberry daquiris.

Coco Beach is a favorite amongst locals, with many taking advantage of the beach’s craggy surrounding rocks and utilising them as excellent swimming and snorkelling spots. A smaller beach, accesible by stairs from the Promenade des Anglais, this sandy stretch is a hidden sunspot not vastly known about by tourists. Arrive early to grab a large flat rock to lie on, or lie comfortably on the pebbles here, which tend to be more comfortable to lounge on than those of the main beach. With a view of the Mediterranean horizon stretching out for miles, the Coco Beach Restaurant is a good spot for those who choose not to pack a picnic. Established in 1936 by JB Coco, this quirky, nautical-themed venue specializes in freshly caught seafood made with recipes passed down over the restaurant’s long history. Sit inside the boat-like interior, or recline on the terrace to watch the yachts soaring past and the ferries sailing off to Corsica.

Nice’s main party beach, the Florida Plage is a fashionable destination which attracts a chic, young crowd. Florida features a cool beach bar layout including a shaded area with comfortable wicker couches to lounge on and enjoy the view, as well as sunbeds in a prime location right in the center of the Promenade des Anglais. With the in-house DJ playing club, dance and pop anthems every night in the summer, the beach welcomes revellers from all over the globe who come to drink and dance the night away in stunning surroundings. With a menu serving sandwiches, salads and Asian inspired main courses, the beach is also a great place to grab a light lunch or dinner. Just minutes from the city’s rustic old town, with its winding lanes and thriving cafe and restaurant scene, Florida Plage offers everything beach-goers could possibly need.

Only a 20 minute bus journey from Nice city center, those wishing to escape the bustle of Nice’s beaches will not be disappointed by Elton John’s preferred holiday destination. Villefranche is one of the Riviera’s most beautiful small towns, and having been settled since prehistoric times, it also makes for a wonderfully historical day out, boasting spectacular sites such as the Fort du Mont Alban, a 16th century fortress built by the Duke of Savoy Emmanuel Philibert. For those visitors wishing to stay in the sun the beach at Villefranche does not disappoint, with its long Plage des Marinières stretching almost a kilometer along the bay and providing views of the dramatic surrounding cliffsides. The coarse sand here makes a change from Nice’s large pebbles, and with a diverse variety of eateries lining the beach, ranging from casual beach cafes to high-end French restaurants, there is alot to keep guests entertained.