5 Best Things to Do in Antibes, France

Antibes is one of those French Riviera towns that offers a little bit of everything: sandy beaches, centuries-old walls, colorful street scenes, excellent food, and enough art to justify stepping away from the water for a few hours.

Whenever I can, I make a stop in Antibes.

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Located between Nice and Cannes, about 20 kilometers (12.5 miles) from Nice Côte d’Azur Airport, Antibes is a must-see on your French Riviera itinerary.

❗Beware, however, that there will be atrocious traffic in the summer if you arrive by car. I mean serious, steering-wheel-gripping traffic, thanks to crowds, one-way roads, and dozens of traffic lights and roundabouts—all of which cause backups for miles.

I suggest you travel by train. Antibes, like many cities on the Riviera, is well connected by rail from Nice. If you must travel by car, plan to leave as early as possible.

Luckily, once in Antibes, you can park and walk (or bike) around.

👉 Travel Tip: For bike rentals, I like Kaktus because they have e-bikes (hills are hard), are located right near the Provencal Market, and let you book online. Easy.

Ready to visit Antibes? These are the six things I wouldn’t miss, but there is so much more to explore.

Allons-y! Let’s go!

1. Hike the Sentier de Tire-Poil

woman on bench in antibes on tire-poil walking trail

I have been wanting to do this walk for a while, but I am almost always here in sumemr, and it’s just too hot.

This year, I arrived in September and …WOW! It is one of the most spectacular walks on the French Riviera.

Head to Cap d’Antibes (roughly 3.5–4 km or 2–2.5 miles from the old town) and follow the Sentier de Tire-Poil, a 5-kilometer/ 3.1-mile coastal trail that starts near Plage de la Garoupe, one of Antibes’ many sandy beaches.

This scenic walk is part of France’s Sentier du Littoral, the network of public footpaths that traces thousands of kilometers of the French coastline.

You might see signs or hear these coastal trails called Sentiers des Douaniers, or “customs officers’ paths,” a nod to the historic routes once used by customs officers to patrol the coast and watch for smugglers.

I like the more colorful name Tire-Poil—roughly “hair pull”—said to come from the persistent sea winds that whip around the cape and rearrange your hairstyle whether you asked them to or not.

Allow about two hours for the walk, which passes rocky coves, some seriously enviable real estate behind imposing walls, and views for miles. It’s easy in some parts, harder and uneven in others.

👉Travel Tip: Wear proper shoes rather than flip-flops—the trail includes steps and uneven, rocky sections. Also wear a hat and sunscreen. There isn’t much shade for most of it.

Along the way, you might be able to catch a glimpse of Château de la Croë, once home to the Duke and Duchess of Windsor and Greek tycoon Aristotle Onassis, and now owned by Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich. I couldn’t see it behind the stone walls, but to be honest, I was watching my feet and the ocean.

Near the end of the trail, you’ll find Villa Eilenroc, an extravagant 19th-century Belle Époque villa designed by Charles Garnier and surrounded by 11 hectares of gardens.

The villa and gardens are open to visitors on select days, so check current opening hours if you want to combine the hike with a visit.

2. Walk the Ramparts & Admire the Sculptures

Nicolas Lavarenne’s dramatic bronze figure appears to step right off the ramparts and into the Mediterranean in Antibes — Bronze sculpture “Defi” by Nicolas Lavarenne

The ramparts of Antibes are one of its signature characteristics and, for centuries, guarded France against invaders.

Much of the old fortification was demolished in the late 19th century, but the sea-facing walls survived, creating the spectacular promenade that wraps around Old Antibes, and is speckled with public art.

Keep an eye out for sculptures such as Nicolas Lavarenne’s dramatic bronze figure “Defi,” which appears to step right off the ramparts and into the Mediterranean, and, at Bastion Saint-Jaume, Jaume Plensa’s monumental “Nomade,” which gazes out to sea and has become one of Antibes’ most recognizable landmarks.

There are actually 10 sculptures to see between Antibes and Juan-les-Pins. See them all on one walk, which takes about 1.5 hours. Start at “Inspiration” at Port Vauban.

3. Visit the Musée Picasso

picasson museum antibes — Château Grimaldi in Antibes is home to the Picasso Museum

I am not overly excited about recommending that you come to the French Riviera to go INSIDE. The outdoor beauty of the region is magical. BUt…The Musée Picasso isn’t simply a museum containing Picasso paintings.

👉Travel Tip: Buy one ticket and get access to 4 Antibes Museums

Ticket Price: 15 € for a combined pass (billet combiné) for 4 museums
Validity: Valid for 7 consecutive days starting from the first site you visit.
Where to buy: Available directly at the museum ticket counters or the Antibes Tourist Office

Picasso actually worked here, and it’s in one of the pretties parts of Antibes.

In 1946, Picasso was invited to use part of the Château Grimaldi as his studio. He spent roughly two months working in the castle and eventually left Antibes with 23 paintings and 44 drawings at the château.

The collection later expanded to include 78 ceramics he made at the Madoura workshop in Vallauris. In 1966, the château officially became the Musée Picasso, the first museum dedicated to the artist.

4. Wander Around Old Antibes

I love exploring French towns without much of an agenda, though a walking tour of Old Antibes with a local guide is a great way to see the highlights and learn more about the history.

Wander the narrow streets around Rue Sade, Rue James Close, and Rue de la République, poke into small shops and galleries, and allow yourself to get sucked into the charm of it all.

If you want a new book to read, or the kids need a screen distraction, visit Antibes Books on Rue Georges Clemenceau. It has an excellent selection of English-language books, including the latest releases, children’s books, travel guides, and gifts (a good excuse to pick up a souvenir that’s not another bottle of rosé).

Place Nationale is a large square surrounded by cafés and a good place to grab lunch or dinner in the shade.

👉Travel Tip: There is a brocante/antiques market on Thursdays and Saturdays, between 7:30 a.m.–6 p.m., selling things like art, jewelry, books, and other items with stories to tell.

And if you’re turning the stroll into dinner, Antibes has tons of casual cafes and bistrots, as well as some gourmet choices, including Michelin-starred Le Figuier de Saint-Esprit, which occupies an atmospheric spot near the ramparts. Restaurant le Vauban is another longtime address for upscale French cooking.

5. Eat Your Way Around the Marché Provençal

You can’t really claim to have visited a Provençal town until you’ve stood in front of a market stall wondering how you’re going to fit three cheeses, a dozen lavender sachets, and an unreasonable quantity of olives into your luggage. (I might be speaking from experience here).

I heard from a local guide that Antibes has had a Marché Provençal since at least the Middle Ages, though the covered market structure you see today dates to the 1920s.

The one thing that’s stayed through the centuries is that people love to gather for food, drink, and shopping in the heart of Old Antibes. It’s a good place to start your visit, as nothing is too far from here, including the Picasso Museum and the ramparts.

Come early if you want the market at its most lively. It wraps up around 1 p.m. It’s also surrounded by shops and small cafes and bars, which make excellent perches for people-watching (and dog watching)— a favorite pastime on the French Riviera.

6. Climb the Garoupe Lighthouse

For some reason, I have climbed a lot of lighthouses in my day, but this one feels a little different. Why?

Lighthouses usually hug the coast, but Phare de la Garoupe takes the high road.

Perched on a hill at the highest point of Cap d’Antibes, it commands sweeping views over Antibes, Juan-les-Pins, the Mediterranean, and, on clear days, the Alps. Climb the 116 steps to the top for an even better panorama.

While you’re up here, pop into the nearby Chapelle de la Garoupe, a small sailors’ chapel filled with maritime votive offerings that speak to Antibes’ long relationship with the sea.

🌟Have More Time? See Antibes From the Water

If you have an extra half-day, get out to the Mediterranean. Seeing the Riviera from the water is just a different experience, and one you won’t want to miss.

You can rent a boat or join a small-group cruise from Antibes or Juan-les-Pins and explore the coastline around Cap d’Antibes, passing rocky coves, sandy beaches, and some of the spectacular villas you glimpse from the Sentier de Tire-Poil.

👉Travel Tip: Several local companies rent small, license-free boats (you’ll find them around the ports), while private boat owners offer skippered charters through apps like Click&Boat (a favorite of mine I use every summer).

Check out my favorite apps to download for traveling to the French Riviera.