The beaches of Nice: which one to choose?
23 public beaches and 14 private ones line the Baie des Anges, all pebble beaches. We help you choose according to your mood: family, atmosphere, budget, dogs, accessibility.
The short answer: for a first day at the beach, choose a free public beach: Carras or Centenaire for families or those with reduced mobility, la Réserve for a quieter setting, La Lanterne or Lenval with a dog. Looking for comfort without carrying anything? A private beach, €20 to €30 a day.
Nice's coastline stretches 7 kilometres along the Baie des Anges, between the airport and the Cap de Nice: 23 free public beaches and 14 private managed beaches, all with pebbles: no beach in Nice is sandy. Here is how to choose yours.
Which beach to choose according to your profile?
| Your profile | Where to go | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Family with children | Carras, Forum, Centenaire, Ponchettes | Lifeguarded beaches in season, first aid posts and ropes to access the water |
| Reduced mobility or senior | Centenaire and Carras | Handiplage 3 buoys label: access ramp, amphibious wheelchairs, free access |
| With a dog | La Lanterne and Lenval | The only two dog beaches in Nice |
| Craving calm | La Réserve | Coves and large pebbles between the port and the Cap de Nice, unsupervised beach |
| Doing nothing without carrying anything | Private beach | Deckchairs from €20 to €30 a day, parasol extra |
| Staying in Vieux-Nice | Ponchettes | Public beach located in Vieux-Nice |
| Without a car | West end of the Promenade | Tram and bus lines run along the Promenade des Anglais |
Public beaches or private beaches: the difference
Public beaches cost nothing: you lay down your towel, direct access to the sea along the Promenade des Anglais. They are lifeguarded in season and some have showers and public toilets.
Private beaches (also called managed beaches or "contract" beaches) provide deckchairs, parasols, a restaurant and sometimes changing rooms or hot showers: the option with nothing to carry, for a worry-free day of doing nothing. The addresses, 2026 prices and the full comparison are in our guide to Nice's private beaches.
The public beaches to know
From east to west, the main public beaches are: Ponchettes (Vieux-Nice), Opéra, Beau Rivage, Centenaire (in front of the Promenade), Ruhl, Neptune, Florida, Magnan, Bambou, Sainte-Hélène, Carras and La Lanterne to the west.
To the east, the plage de la Réserve is a succession of coves beloved of Niçois. It is not supervised.
Want to stay near the sea?
To extend your beach days, compare accommodation in Nice and check the actual walking distance to the seafront.
Blue Flag label and smoke-free beaches
Nice has held the Blue Flag label since 2009. For the 2026 season, 7 beaches carry the label: Bambou, Carras, Castel, Forum, Poincaré, Sainte-Hélène and Galion.
Since summer 2024, 100% of public beaches are smoke-free. The plage du Centenaire had been the first smoke-free beach in France as early as 2012.
Bathing season and supervision
For the 2026 season, supervision is organised on two schedules:
- Until 31 August 2026: Sainte-Hélène, Bambou, Magnan, Poincaré, Blue Beach and Beau Rivage;
- Until 13 September 2026: Ponchettes, Tour Rouge, Forum, Carras and Centenaire.
Hours are as follows: 9:00am to 6:30pm from 1 July to 31 August, then 9:00am to 6:00pm for posts open in September. Two lifeguard swimmers based at the Tour Rouge first aid station additionally provide water supervision of the bathing area, aboard a boat from the departmental fire and rescue service.
Water access ropes: a system is deployed on 10 beaches until 30 September: Ponchettes, Beau Rivage, Centenaire, Blue Beach, Forum, Poincaré, Magnan, Bambou, Sainte-Hélène and Carras, to make it easier to climb back up the pebble slope.
Outside these periods, bathing remains possible but without a first aid post: be careful and respect the flags (green, yellow, red). Emergency numbers: 18 (fire), 112 (European), 196 (at sea).
Adapted beaches and accessibility
Two beaches hold the Handiplage 3 buoys label, with free open access: the plage du Centenaire (1 promenade des Anglais) and the plage de Carras (285 promenade). The municipal service is seasonal, no booking or proof required: access ramp down to the sea, amphibious wheelchairs, qualified handiplage staff, accessible toilets and changing area, shade throughout the summer season, and a first aid post less than 60 metres away.
Beaches allowed for dogs
Dogs are banned on all of Nice's beaches, except on two dedicated beaches open all year: La Lanterne (400 promenade des Anglais, behind the port de Carras) and Lenval (promenade des Anglais, between nos. 137 and 147). Category 3 dogs are allowed off lead there, category 2 dogs must be on a lead and muzzled.
Water temperature
The sea warms up quickly from June. Ten-year average readings: 24.7 °C in July and 25.4 °C in August. Bathing stays pleasant until October, and even the bravest Niçois rarely swim before May.
Where to stay near the beaches?
The hotels closest to the beaches are concentrated along the Promenade des Anglais, around the Centenaire and the Negresco. See our selection of hotels in Nice near the sea and all hotels in Nice.
From the centre, the Promenade is reachable on foot from Vieux-Nice or place Masséna. For longer journeys, see our guide to the tramway or bus.
Around the beaches
- Private beaches in Nice: deckchairs, 2026 prices and addresses;
- Water activities in Nice: kayak, snorkelling and stand-up paddle;
- Where to picnic in Nice: parks, beaches and seaside spots;
- Nice with children: beaches and family outings;
- Boat trips from Nice: offshore cruises and stopovers;
- When to come to Nice: weather, water temperature and month-by-month tips;
- What to do in Nice: all our guides to plan your stay.
FAQ
Are the beaches in Nice sandy or pebbly?
All of Nice's beaches are pebbly, public and private alike. For a beach of very fine pebbles, more pleasant than sand because it does not stick to your skin, go to Villefranche-sur-Mer; Cagnes-sur-Mer and Saint-Laurent-du-Var are other nearby options.
Are there free beaches in Nice?
Yes, all of Nice's public beaches are free. Private beaches are chargeable, rented by the day.
Can you bring your dog to the beach in Nice?
Yes, only on the La Lanterne and Lenval beaches.
Are the beaches in Nice supervised?
Yes, in season: bathing is supervised until 31 August or 13 September 2026 depending on the beach, from 9:00am to 6:30pm in July and August then from 9:00am to 6:00pm in September. The beach-by-beach details are in the "Bathing season and supervision" section.
What is the water temperature in Nice in summer?
On average 24.7 °C in July and 25.4 °C in August, with pleasant bathing from June to October.
Are there beaches accessible to people with reduced mobility?
Yes: the Centenaire and Carras hold the Handiplage 3 buoys label and are equipped for the summer season.
How much does a deckchair cost on a private beach in Nice?
Budget €20 to €30 per day, parasol extra at €10-15. Beach-by-beach details are in our guide to Nice's private beaches.
Sources and last checked: Ville de Nice, supervised beaches, water access ropes and dog beaches, Blue Flag label 2026, Handiplage adapted beaches, checked on 26 September 2026.
Dog beaches: two official spaces in Nice
Nice is an exception on the Côte d'Azur: two beaches are open to dogs all year, the plage de Lenval (Promenade des Anglais, between nos. 137 and 147, marked by the statues of the dog Totor) and the plage de La Lanterne (400 Promenade des Anglais, behind the port de Carras).
Rules by animal category: category 1 dogs banned, category 2 dogs muzzled and on a lead, category 3 (the vast majority) freely allowed. Everywhere else on the Nice coastline, dogs are not allowed on the beaches.
Regulations and categories detailed on the official Ville de Nice page Having a dog in town, to be cross-checked before each season.
