The sunny seaside town of Antibes is one of the true gems of the French Riviera. With vast Mediterranean views, a picturesque old town, sandy beaches and a lavish marina, you can spend your days relaxing in beautiful surroundings. There’s plenty of history too, with historic fortifications and art from Picasso, meaning you’ll discover a great mix of things to do in Antibes.
You’ll find all the best things to do in Antibes detailed in this guide, like walking the medieval city walls, browsing the Provençal market and visiting the star-shaped Fort Carré. Whether you plan to take a day trip to Antibes or spend a few days here, your itinerary is sure to be packed full by the time you finish reading!
Pin this post for later!
This post may contain affiliate links meaning I may earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase, at no additional cost to you. Read more in my disclaimer.
The Best Things to Do in Antibes
Explore Antibes Old Town
There’s fierce competition for the most beautiful old towns in Europe, but I think Antibes deserves a podium spot. The medieval brick buildings melt into colourful yellow and pink-hued dwellings that are so typical of the French Riviera. Throw in the cobbled streets and the pastel window shutters with pretty flowers that adorn each house and it’s no surprise that the old town is one of Antibes’ top attractions.
I recommend spending an afternoon exploring the old town here, and you’ll find it’s one of the best things to do in Antibes. There are so many hidden corners and lanes to stroll down, and since you’re in a small town it’s pretty much impossible to get lost. My favourite spot is the corner where Don Juan and Bistro Chez Jules, two restaurants with beautiful facades, meet.
Shop at Marché Provençal
A beautiful covered market in the centre of the town, Marché Provençal is a must-visit in Antibes. At over 50m long, you’ll find everything you need to experience a slice of Provence – fresh fruit & veg, spices, local delicacies, cheese, flowers and much more.
In the afternoons and evenings, artists set up stalls to sell their art and artisanal crafts, and the neighbouring cafés and bars spill into the surrounding space. It’s worth visiting Marché Provençal a few times during your trip to Antibes so you can experience it all!
Hike on the Cap d’Antibes
Outside of Antibes town, you’ll find Cap d’Antibes, a rocky peninsula known for its luxury villas and lush surroundings. Famously home to the Hotel du Cap Eden-Roc, you’ll also find some beautiful beaches and rocky bays. If you have the time, one of the best things to do in Antibes is explore the Cap.
There are some easy hiking routes around Cap d’Antibes, but it’s definitely best explored if you have a car to get down to the routes. If you don’t have a car in Antibes, why not take a boat tour around the Cap?
Read Next: The 6 Best Cities and Towns on the French Riviera
Visit the Picasso Museum
Antibes has been the residence or subject of choice for many famous artists over the years, a true testament to its beauty and the draw of the French Riviera. Artists such as Claude Monet and Pierre-Auguste Renoir feature on this long list, but easily the most important to Antibes was Spanish artist Pablo Picasso.
Picasso moved to Antibes after World War 2 and spent some time painting in a studio in Château Grimaldi while enjoying life on the Riviera. Château Grimaldi now houses the Picasso Museum, exhibiting many original Picasso pieces that he donated. You’ll also find some works from Nicolas de Staël, and a sculpture garden overlooking the water.
Relax on Plage de la Gravette
Antibes is home to beautiful sandy beaches, which is sometimes a rarity along the French Riviera. Plage de la Gravette is the best beach in Antibes, nestled in the heart of the town, next to Port Vauban. Breakwaters form a little cove, meaning the bright blue waters are nice and calm, and lovely to swim in.
I couldn’t write a guide of things to do in Antibes and not mention the beach, but Plage de la Gravette isn’t just any old place! One of my favourite things about this spot is how close to everything it is. No need to bring a packed lunch destined to be covered in sand, as less than a minute away you’ll find yourself in the old town, with plenty of bakeries and lunch spots.
Check out more things to do in Antibes and the French Riviera!
Walk the Medieval City Walls
Antibes’ old town is surrounded by city walls, built as far back as the 10th century to protect the town. You can walk from Port Vauban to the Archeology Museum, looking out over Plage de la Gravette and the Mediterranean. You’ll pass by a few Antibes attractions and can pop along the side streets to see them properly. Look out for the Antibes Cathedral and Château Grimaldi.
To get up to the city walls, there are two sets of stairs on Square du 8 Mai 1945 and Promenade Courtine, or you can walk up Rampe de Saleurs to join Promenade Amiral de Grasse where you’ll follow the city walls all the way along.
Wander around Port Vauban
Port Vauban is the main port of Antibes, home to over 1000 yachts and boats. As the largest port on the Mediterranean, the boats harboured here range from small fishing boats to some seriously impressive super yachts. In fact, you’ll find some of the world’s most luxurious boats here, and there’s even a helipad!
One of the best things to do in Antibes is to walk around Port Vauban to admire all the amazing yachts. It’s pretty large, meaning you can easily spend a few hours here. The surroundings don’t really get any better either, as you’ll get to look out over the Mediterranean Sea, with Fort Carré in the distance.
See the St. James Bastion
At the end of Port Vauban, past Plage de la Gravette, you’ll find the St. James Bastion – another fortification built to protect Antibes. From here, you can see a great view of Nice in the distance, as well as a private part of Port Vauban called Quai des Milliardaires where you can eye up some of the most lavish boats of all!
You can also see an impressive piece of art at the St. James Bastion, called Nomade. The 8m tall metal sculpture depicts a seated man, made up of hundreds of white letters. It’s worth visiting this one later in the day, as at night lights adorn the sculpture and it makes for a beautiful sight.
You Might Like: How to Spend 7 Days in the South of France
Tour Fort Carré
Fort Carré is a star-shaped fort, built in the 1700s to protect Antibes. Although it didn’t suffer many attacks, it did briefly imprison Napoleon during the French Revolution! The fort sits atop a hill on the north side of Antibes and can be seen from the port and the old town.
If you’re a history buff looking for things to do in Antibes, you’ll love a visit to Fort Carré, which now serves as a museum. You’ll have to phone to make a reservation, but for just a few euros you can get a guided tour around the fort, gaining valuable local insight. And as if Antibes didn’t have enough beautiful viewpoints, the views over the Mediterranean are simply incredible.
Pop over to Juan-Les-Pins
On the other side of the Antibes peninsula is the town of Juan-les-Pins. The two towns are twinned and well-connected, meaning a day trip to Juan-les-Pins (or a half-day!) is a great idea for things to do in Antibes.
Juan-les-Pins is a much more classic resort town, similar to Nice with its long promenade and beachfront hotels so head here for a day of relaxing on the sandy beaches. You can enjoy the public beach, or relax at a beach club, such as l’Effet Mer Plage.
Now that you’ve read all my top picks for things to do in Antibes, I’m sure you can’t wait for a trip filled with sun, sea, and all things French Riviera! If you’re planning a trip to the South you might like my guide to the best towns and cities on the Riviera, or check out how to spend a weekend in Nice.
Leave a Reply