48 hours in Antibes

Friday

5pm: After checking into your Antibes accommodation, take a leisurely twilight walk through the picturesque cobbled streets of the old town and down along the port, where huge superyachts are docked on the international quay. Make sure to wander along the ramparts to view the stunning ‘Nomade’ sculpture of the giant man sitting high above the sea, and have a paddle at the little beach by the port here, which stays busy long into the pink summer evenings. Enjoy the view across the bay to Nice and the Alps in one direction, and the famous Cap d’Antibes in the other.

8pm: Take a table at one of the strip of restaurants on Boulevard Aguillon, the pedestrianised area down by the ramparts. This is one of the liveliest places in town with a great atmosphere in the summer months, with an evening market selling jewellery and knick-knacks, and a steady stream of street performers and buskers plying their trade. 

10pm: Head down into to the Absinthe Bar for an unforgettable nightcap. Set in a cave below street level, the curved roof is plastered with old French posters, and the walls are lined with hats of every colour, shape and size- all of which get passed around and worn by the crowd of happy patrons. There’s a piano in the corner, where a musician plays most summer nights- throwing the floor open to karaoke on occasion. As for the absinthe itself, it’s delivered to the table with a large glass fountain, from which you drip icy cold water through a sugar cube into the small amount of absinthe in your glass. If you like the flavour of black jelly beans, you’ll be in heaven. If you don’t, just order a beer, put on a silly hat, and join in the fun. 

Saturday

9am: Walk to the bustling covered Provencal market to buy picnic ingredients. Stalls sell huge wheels of cheeses, piles of gleaming olives, tranches of cured meat and bushels of sweet-smelling lavender, and local fishmongers are busy filleting fish and shucking oysters. I suggest a simple, cheap and utterly delicious breakfast of socca bought from the mobile wood oven at the end of the market – or of course, you could take a café table with the locals and eat some oysters washed down with local rose. (Why not, you’re on holiday.) 

10am: If you’re in the mood for more markets, Antibes has quite a few on offer, including the antiques market in Place Nacionale on Saturday mornings. See our Antibes Markets Guide for more.

11am: To the beach! Antibes has some lovely sandy beaches, whether the horseshoe-shaped ‘Plage de la Gravette’ just by the port, the open beaches past the ramparts, or the pretty little coves and rocky swim platforms around the Cap d’Antibes. Swim, play beach volleyball, rent a kayak, eat your delicious picnic. If you’re not the picnic-type and would prefer to lunch in a beautiful beach club overlooking the water, head to Royal Beach and be waited on instead.

2pm: Art-lovers should visit the famous Picasso Museum in the tower of Chateau Grimaldi, where Picasso lived and worked for several months and then donated all of his work in thanks. (Read more about Picasso’s life on the Riviera here.) Otherwise, just roam about the town- perhaps join in on a game of boules under the shady trees near the water, eat nougat from the sweet shops, and just soak up the feeling of Antibes in the summertime.

4pm: Jump on the white tourist train from Rue de la Republique (the square with the carousel), and head over the small hill to the neighbouring town of Juan-les-Pins, a fun seaside resort of art-deco hotels, great boutiques, and sandy beaches under the pine trees. Perhaps order a cocktail at one of the glamorous beach clubs ass the sun goes down, or just wander along the palm-lined seafront enjoying the holiday atmosphere.

7pm: If you’d like to remain in Juan-les-Pins for the evening, go to the South-Pacific themed bar Pam-Pams for one of their famous cocktails, then choose one of the many restaurants to enjoy dinner. If you like nightlife, Juan-les-Pins always delivers, with several large and rather swish nightclubs to choose between. Otherwise return to Antibes proper for a pleasant evening meal and a few drinks at one of the lively bars. 

Sunday

8am: Enjoy breakfast with a sea view on the large terrace at Royal Hotel, or one of the few cheaper cafes along the open beaches. 

 9am: A Sunday morning walk along the Mediterranean coast is one of life’s great pleasures, and Antibes really delivers. If you don’t want a long walk, take the ancient Roman cobbled path up through the pine forest of Cap d’Antibes up to the lighthouse. The views across the coast in both directions are spectacular! Meanwhile, a bit further around the Cap is one of the great walks of the French Riviera. The Sentier Littoral coastal path leaves from the glorious Plage de la Garoupe and winds around the rocky coastline, taking you past idyllic coves and the splendid villas of Millionaire’s Bay. 

12pm: Return to Plage de la Garoupe for a refreshing swim and lunch at one of the stunning beach clubs. If you’re watching your holiday budget, fear not- there’s also a cheap café and a family friendly beach club on offer. You can rent a paddleboard or kayak here and explore the stunning coastline from the water, or just lie back on a deckchair and relax. If you really want to push the boat out, take a table at the iconic Hotel du Cap Eden Roc nearby, enjoying the truly spectacular view that so many celebrities and royals have enjoyed before you. 

3pm: Return to Antibes town for one last wander through the pretty streets with an ice cream, before departing.

For more accommodation, things to see and things to do in Antibes.