Best Beaches in Nice: Public, Private & Secret Spots
Every beach in Nice is pebbles. Get over it. Once you do, you’ll notice the water is absurdly clear (no sand to churn up), the drop-off is fast (you’re swimming in two steps), and there are 22 free public beaches stretched across 7 km of coastline. Plus a handful of private beach clubs if you want a mattress, a waiter, and a cocktail. Here’s which ones are actually worth your time.
Free + central? Plage Publique du Centenaire or Plage Beau Rivage (public section). Right on the Promenade, easy access.
Free + quiet? Coco Beach or Plage de la Reserve. East of the port, fewer crowds, clearer water.
Private + service? Beau Rivage or Ruhl Plage. Sunbeds from €20, food/drinks served to your chair.
Private + comfort? Beau Rivage. Sunbeds from €22, food and drinks served.
🎯 What are you looking for?
Clearest water? Coco Beach or Plage de la Reserve. Rocky seabed, no sand, visibility to the bottom.
With kids? Plage du Centenaire (wider, showers nearby) or a private beach with facilities.
Snorkeling? Coco Beach. Rocks, fish, and sea urchins. Bring your own mask.
Instagram photo? the blue chairs on the Promenade.
Sunset swim? Any beach west of the port. The sun drops right into the water in front of you.
Best public beaches in Nice (free)
1 Plage Castel
At the foot of Castle Hill. The most scenic public beach in Nice: you swim with the cliff behind you and the Promenade stretching into the distance. Smaller and quieter than the Promenade beaches. Gets direct sun until late afternoon. The best free beach in Nice, no question.
Free
📍 Below Castle Hill, access from Quai des Etats-Unis ☀️ Sun until late afternoon · Smaller than Promenade beaches 🌊 Clear water, pebbly · Good for swimming + photos 🚿 Showers available
2 Coco Beach
East of the port, past Cap de Nice. Rocky beach with the clearest water in Nice. Not pebbles, actual rocks. The swimming is incredible: you can see the bottom at 5 to 8 metres. Sea urchins, small fish, great for snorkeling. Bring water shoes. Small bar in summer. The crowd is mostly locals.
Free
📍 East of Port de Nice, along Cap de Nice coastal path ☀️ Morning sun (faces east) · Shade from cliffs in late afternoon 🌊 Rocky, very clear · Best for snorkeling 👟 Water shoes recommended
3 Plage du Centenaire
The widest public beach on the Promenade. More space to spread out. Showers, toilets, and lifeguards in summer. Good for families. The downside: most crowded free beach. In July and August, arrive before 10am to get a decent spot.
Free
📍 Promenade des Anglais, central section ☀️ Full sun all day · Widest public beach 🌊 Pebbly, standard · Lifeguards in summer 🚿 Showers + toilets · Good for families
4 Plage de la Reserve
Just past the port, before Coco Beach. Flat rocks and small pebble coves. Locals only vibe. People swim, sunbathe on the rocks, and drink rose from the bottle. The water is clear and deep close to shore. No facilities, no lifeguard, no shade. Bring everything you need. Best at sunset.
Free
📍 After Port de Nice, towards Cap de Nice ☀️ Sun until sunset (west-facing rocks) 🌊 Rocky + small coves, very clear water ⚠️ No facilities, no lifeguard
Best private beach in Nice
5 Beau Rivage
The most established private beach in Nice. Right on the Promenade, near Cours Saleya. Sunbed + umbrella from €22. Restaurant service on the beach: salads, grilled fish, rose by the bottle. Consistently good. Not the cheapest, but the safe choice for a private beach day.
From €22
📍 Promenade des Anglais, near Cours Saleya ☀️ Full day · Sunbed + umbrella from €22 🍽️ Restaurant on-site · Cocktails, wine, lunch 📞 Reservations recommended in summer
Secret swimming spot
6 Mala Beach (Cap d'Ail)
Technically not in Nice (Cap d'Ail, 15 minutes east by car). But it's the beach locals mention when you ask "where's the best swimming near Nice?" Small cove at the base of cliffs, accessible only by a steep staircase. The water is unreal. Small restaurant right on the beach. Worth the drive.
Free (public section)
📍 Cap d'Ail, 15 min east of Nice by car 🚶 Steep staircase down to the beach 🌊 Exceptionally clear water, sheltered cove 🍽️ Small beach restaurant on site
🌅 Sunset in Nice today
Calculating...
Which beach is right for you?
💰 Free or private?
Free + central? Plage Publique du Centenaire or Plage Beau Rivage (public section). Right on the Promenade, easy access.
Free + quiet? Coco Beach or Plage de la Reserve. East of the port, fewer crowds, clearer water.
Private + service? Beau Rivage or Ruhl Plage. Sunbeds from €20, food/drinks served to your chair.
Private + comfort? Beau Rivage. Sunbeds from €22, food and drinks served.
🎯 What are you looking for?
Clearest water? Coco Beach or Plage de la Reserve. Rocky seabed, no sand, visibility to the bottom.
With kids? Plage du Centenaire (wider, showers nearby) or a private beach with facilities.
Snorkeling? Coco Beach. Rocks, fish, and sea urchins. Bring your own mask.
Instagram photo? the blue chairs on the Promenade.
Sunset swim? Any beach west of the port. The sun drops right into the water in front of you.
Best public beaches in Nice (free)
Secret swimming spots
1 Mala Beach (Cap d'Ail)
Technically not in Nice (it's in Cap d'Ail, 15 minutes east by car). But it's the beach locals will tell you about when you ask "where's the best swimming near Nice?" Small cove at the base of cliffs, accessible only by a steep staircase. The water is unreal. There's a small restaurant right on the beach. Worth the drive.
Free (public section)
📍 Cap d'Ail, 15 min east of Nice by car 🚶 Steep staircase down to the beach 🌊 Exceptionally clear water, sheltered cove 🍽️ Small beach restaurant on site
Want to see the coast from the water?
Book a boat tour from Nice and swim in coves you can't reach on foot.
Water shoes: Bring them. The pebbles are smooth but uncomfortable barefoot, especially entering the water. €5 at any tourist shop on the Promenade.
Season: Private beaches open mid-April to end of September. Public beaches are accessible year-round. Water is swimmable from June to October (18-25°C).
Arrive early: In July/August, public beaches fill up by 10am. Coco Beach and La Reserve stay quieter longer.
Valuables: Don't leave them unattended. Bring a waterproof pouch for your phone and room key. Petty theft happens on crowded public beaches.
Pebbly. Almost every beach is smooth pebbles, not sand. Bring water shoes or rent a mattress at a private beach. The upside: the water is very clear because there's no sand to stir up.
Are Nice beaches free?
Yes. There are 22 free public beaches along the Promenade and east of the port. Private beaches charge €15 to €30 for a sunbed and umbrella, with food and drink service.
When do private beaches open?
Most open around Easter (mid-April) and close at the end of September. Public beaches are accessible year-round.
Which beach has the clearest water?
Coco Beach and Plage de la Reserve, both east of the port. Rocky seabed and fewer crowds keep the water exceptionally clear. Plage Castel near Castle Hill is also excellent.
Can you swim in Nice?
Yes. The water is clean and monitored. The beach drops off quickly so you're swimming within a few steps. Water temperature ranges from 16°C in May to 25°C in August.
I’m Thomas, founder of Nice Party Life. We share the best tips, from hidden gems to must-sees, to make your stay in Nice unforgettable. Whether you’re seeking nightlife or city adventures, we’re here to guide you! 🌴✨
