Beginners' Guides
03/03/2026
Antibes is one of those Côte d'Azur towns that squeeze everything into a few square kilometres: a rich historical heritage, some of the finest beaches in the Alpes-Maritimes, a Provencal market famous throughout the region and a cultural life driven by the Picasso museum. But what most guides forget to tell you is that Antibes is also an exceptional gateway to the hinterland and its natural activities.
Just 30 minutes from the town centre, the Gorges du Loup offer spectacular canyoning. Just 45 minutes away, the crests of the Cheiron rise to an altitude of 1,800 metres, offering paragliding with a view of the Mediterranean and the peaks of the Mercantour. This dual dimension - coastal town and accessible mountain - makes Antibes an ideal starting point for a complete holiday on the Côte d'Azur.
Whether you're coming for a day, a weekend or a family holiday, here's everything you need to see, do and discover in Antibes and the surrounding area. Culture, beaches, gastronomy, thrills: this guide has been put together by local professionals who have been based in the Alpes-Maritimes for over 15 years.
Located in the Château Grimaldi, overlooking the sea, the Musée Picasso houses a unique collection of paintings, drawings and ceramics produced by the artist during his stay in Antibes in 1946. It is one of the few museums in the world devoted entirely to a specific period of Picasso's work. The terrace offers a panoramic view of the Vauban port and the seafront - a must-see place to start your visit.
Right next door, the Bastion Saint-André houses the Archaeology Museum, which traces the history of Antibes back to Greek Antiquity. In just one hour, you'll travel through twenty-five centuries of local history.
The old town of Antibes can be explored on foot, without any set itinerary. The cobbled streets, colourful facades and shady squares form a well-preserved historic quarter where every street corner holds a surprise. Walk along the ramparts facing the sea to enjoy an exceptional panorama of the Alps and the Mediterranean.
Don't miss the chapel of Saint-Bernardin, the cathedral of Notre-Dame-de-l'Immaculée-Conception and the free commune of Le Safranier, a micro-neighbourhood with a quirky charm where residents maintain a village-in-the-city atmosphere.
At the entrance to Antibes, Fort Carré dominates Europe's largest marina. Built in the 16th century, this historic monument can be visited and from its heights offers an extraordinary view of Antibes, the Baie des Anges and the Alpes-Maritimes. The walk that takes you there runs along the seafront and is an ideal way to start the day.
It's the most accessible beach in Antibes: situated at the foot of the ramparts, Plage de la Gravette offers a small, protected sandy cove with a direct view of old Antibes. Ideal for a quick swim between two visits, it is popular with families and locals alike. The water is calm and clear, perfect for relaxing without leaving the town centre.
Cap d'Antibes is an unspoilt jewel on the Côte d'Azur. The coastal path (sentier de Tire-Poil) takes you along the peninsula for around 3.7 kilometres, between rocks sculpted by the sea and secret coves. The path passes in front of Villa Eilenroc, one of the most beautiful private estates on the Riviera, and offers magnificent views of the Lérins islands and the Garoupe lighthouse.
Bring good shoes and water: the walk takes around two hours, but it's worth every metre. It's the best way to discover the natural beauty of the Cape.
Just a few minutes from Antibes, Juan-les-Pins offers fine sandy beaches stretching for several hundred metres along the seafront. The atmosphere is more seaside, with beach clubs, water sports (paddle, sailing, jet-skiing) and a lively summer life. Juan-les-Pins is also home to Jazz à Juan, Europe's oldest jazz festival, held every summer in the exceptional setting of the Pinède Gould.
It's the kind of activity you wouldn't expect to find anywhere near Antibes - and yet it is. Just 45 minutes from the town centre, the Gréolières site rises to an altitude of 1,800 metres on the crests of the Cheiron. Take-off offers a breathtaking panorama: the Mediterranean on one side, the snow-capped peaks of the Mercantour on the other.
A tandem paragliding experience lasts between 15 and 60 minutes, depending on the package chosen. Our state-qualified instructors are familiar with every breeze in the region and can adapt to any profile: beginners, children aged 6 and over, groups or events such as EVJFs and EVGs. No particular physical condition is required, and all equipment is supplied and checked.
It's the best way to discover the Côte d'Azur from a totally different angle - literally.
The Gorges du Loup are one of the most beautiful canyoning sites in the Alpes-Maritimes. Just 30 minutes from Antibes, you can immerse yourself in a setting of waterfalls, turquoise pools and natural slides. The discovery course is suitable for beginners and families, while the sporting courses will delight thrill-seekers.
Supervision is provided by qualified instructors who know every corner of the canyon. All technical equipment (wetsuit, helmet, harness) is provided. It's an immersive experience in the heart of nature, ideal for getting off the beaten track during your stay in Antibes.
For those who want to combine both experiences in a single day, the paragliding and canyoning combo is a unique formula on the Côte d'Azur. Flying over the peaks in the morning, descending the Gorges du Loup in the afternoon: it's the perfect programme for a group of friends, an EVG, an EVJF or simply a full day of sporting discovery in the hinterland.
Antibes is full of family activities all year round. The Provencal market on the Cours Masséna is a great place to start: colours, smells, tasting local produce - children love it. The Picasso museum offers tours suitable for the youngest visitors, and the walk along the ramparts facing the sea appeals to all ages.
In summer, Aquasplash (the Juan-les-Pins water park) is a great place to spend a relaxing day out with the family. The sandy beaches of Juan-les-Pins, with their shallow waters, are ideal for the little ones to swim in.
Nature activities in the hinterland are also accessible to families. First-time paragliding is available from the age of 6, with parental consent. The tandem flight is supervised by a qualified instructor who adapts the experience to the child's profile - an unforgettable experience, often described as the highlight of the holiday.
Discovery canyoning in the Gorges du Loup is also suitable for accompanied children. The instructor offers alternatives to get around the obstacles, depending on the level and confidence of each participant. It's an adventure in the heart of nature that families are raving about.
It's the soul of Antibes. Every morning (except Mondays in low season), the Cours Masséna hosts one of the most authentic covered markets on the Côte d'Azur. Fruit, vegetables, olives, cheese, flowers, spices: everything comes from local and regional producers. In summer, the market extends into the evening with a craft market featuring jewellery, ceramics and Provencal art.
Take the time to stroll around, taste and chat with the shopkeepers. This is where the city's gastronomic heart beats - and it's free.
Antibes offers a varied gastronomic scene, from the fish restaurant on the Port Vauban to the little addresses hidden away in the narrow streets of old Antibes. The quayside is home to several terraces with views of the boats, ideal for a seaside lunch.
For a coffee break, the shady squares in the town centre offer quiet terraces away from the hustle and bustle of the tourist trade. In the evening, the restaurants on rue Thuret and in the Safranier district offer a more intimate, local atmosphere. For wine tasting, several cellars in the city centre offer selections of Provençal vintages and appellations from Bellet, the vineyards of Nice.
The weather isn't always kind, even on the Côte d'Azur. Antibes offers enough places to visit indoors to occupy a rainy day. The Musée Picasso and the Musée d'archéologie in the Bastion Saint-André are the two must-sees. The more confidential Musée de la Carte Postale offers an original insight into local history through its collections of old maps.
Artists' studios in old Antibes regularly open their doors to visitors, offering painting, ceramics and glass-blowing. It's a different way of discovering local art and culture, far from the usual tourist circuits. The Antibea theatre and Le Casino cinema complete the offer for an evening or afternoon in the dry.
Antibes' nightlife is concentrated around the old town and the Port Vauban. The cocktail bars in the pedestrian streets offer a friendly atmosphere, while the quayside is home to more festive establishments. In summer, the beach clubs of Juan-les-Pins take over with seaside parties.
For a quieter evening, a walk along the illuminated ramparts or along the harbour after sunset is one of the best ways to enjoy Antibes' Mediterranean atmosphere.
Antibes combines in one place everything that makes the Côte d'Azur so rich: a remarkable historical heritage, unspoilt beaches, generous gastronomy and a mountainous hinterland that's less than an hour away. Whether you're looking for a stroll through the narrow streets of old Antibes, relaxation on the beaches of Le Cap or the thrill of a first paragliding experience at an altitude of 1,800 metres, you'll find plenty to fill a day, a weekend or an entire holiday in Antibes and the surrounding area.
The hinterland of the Alpes-Maritimes remains the best-kept secret of a holiday on the Côte d'Azur. Paragliding with a view of the Mediterranean and the Mercantour, canyoning in the Gorges du Loup, a combination of sensations in one day: these experiences transform a classic seaside holiday into a complete adventure.
Want to extend your visit to Antibes with an unforgettable nature activity? Contact our team to organise your first paragliding or canyoning experience. A gift voucher is also available to offer this experience to your loved ones.
