On a dreamy peninsula popular with some of the largest yachts in the South of France, Antibes also boasts a gorgeous walled Old Town and a good helping of Côte d’Azur culture.
Spending 1 day in Antibes is ideal if you’re staying in nearby cities like Nice or Cannes, since it’s easily accessible via train.
The town itself is pretty small, so you can cover a lot of ground with an Antibes day trip, as long as you follow an optimised itinerary like the one below.
I’ve spent many hours fine-tuning this Antibes itinerary to help you maximise your time in this dreamy French Riviera town. It ticks off all the highlights, along with some lesser-known gems along the way.
It also includes practical information on how to get to Antibes for a day trip, plus some common FAQs about visiting at the end.
If you have any other questions about spending 1 day in Antibes, please let me know in the comments!
How to Get to Antibes for a Day Trip
Antibes is right on the main train line that serves most of the French Riviera, so getting there is really easy.
If you’re staying in nearby cities like Nice or Cannes, the train is by far the easiest, quickest and most convenient way to travel. However, I’ll also go over some other transport options below.
Train to Antibes
There’s a train that runs along the French Riviera coastline, which we spent a lot of time on during our 7 days in the South of France.
It departs every 15 minutes, and stops at all the key locations, including Cannes, Antibes, Nice, Villefranche-sur-Mer, Beaulieu-sur-Mer, Monaco, and Menton.
From Nice, the train to Antibes takes about 22 minutes. From Cannes, it’s even quicker – less than 10 minutes. We used the SNCF app to buy tickets, see live timetables and platform information on the go.
It’s all in English, and tickets are incredibly reasonably priced. It costs just a few euros for each train journey.
When you arrive at Antibes train station, it’s a short 10-15 minute walk down the hill and past Port Vauban to reach the gates to the charming old town.
Bus from Cannes to Antibes
If you’re staying in Cannes, you can also catch the 620 bus to Antibes, but there’s really no benefit in doing this.
It departs from the train station anyway, takes around 40 minutes, and is far less scenic than the train. You might save yourself a euro or two, but it’s really not worth it in my opinion.
Driving or Taxi to Antibes
It takes between 20-30 minutes to drive from Cannes to Antibes, and about 30-40 to drive from Nice to Antibes, depending on the traffic and time of day.
Again, this takes longer than the train, and you’ll also have to find parking, which can be tricky, not to mention expensive. Unless you’re doing a whole road trip of the coast, I’d leave the car at home.
If you really want the convenience of a door-to-door service, I recommend catching a taxi – Uber are widely available.
Guided Antibes Day Trip
If you’re looking for a day trip from Nice to Antibes, there’s a guided tour that might work for you that also includes stops in Cannes and the Medieval town of St-Paul-de-Vence.
If those places are on your French Riviera to-do list, this full-day guided tour is a great way to tick them all off in one go and save time on your South of France itinerary.
It includes transport from your accommodation in Nice, free time to explore all three towns, plus a professional guide to point out the highlights and let you in on the history behind them.
Check prices and availability here.
The Ultimate 1 Day in Antibes Itinerary
If you prefer to DIY your day in Antibes, you can’t go wrong with the following itinerary. This offers the perfect blend of sightseeing and soaking up the sun, with an optimised route to help you tick off all the highlights with ease.
As above, I recommend using the train to get to Antibes, and aiming to arrive at the Antibes train station around 09:00am.
09:00 – Arrive in Antibes, walk through Port Vauban
09:30 – Grab a coffee at Nomads
10:00 – Take a walking tour of the Old Town
12:00 – Stop by the Provencal Market for lunch
13:00 – Visit the Picasso Museum
14:00 – Go sculpture spotting on the ramparts
15:00 – Stop by the beach and go for a swim
18:00 – Take a sunset cruise of Cap d’Antibes
Below you can find some more information about all the things mentioned in the above Antibes day trip itinerary, along with costs and links to book, where applicable.
Things to Do On an Antibes Day Trip
Spot Yachts in Port Vauban
Free
Did you know Port Vauban is one of the largest marinas in the Mediterranean, and is generally considered the capital of yachting in Europe?
While Antibes town itself might be small, this harbour is sprawling – and filled with some of the most impressive megayachts that call the South of France home.
When you arrive at Antibes train station, simply head down the hill towards the harbour. You’ll be able to stroll past the port on your way to the old town, spotting yachts as you go.
Through the sailing masts, you can also make out the 16th-century Fort Carré on a hill in the distance. It’s an impressive star-shaped fort with four arrowhead-shaped bastions, built to defend the port of Antibes during the Renaissance.
Take a Walking Tour of the Old Town
€25 per person
While you could stroll the Old Town on your own, a walking tour with a local helps you quickly get to the heart of these gorgeous cobbled streets.
It’s just two hours long and helps you see some of the most famous spots in Antibes, including the Nomade sculpture, the pretty, pink Antibes Cathedral, and some more lesser-known locations as well.
Your guide will be able to talk you through the rich history of Antibes and pull back the curtain on the unique urban artistry of the city.
Visit the Provencal Market
Lunch options from budget to mid-range
You’ll have likely strolled through the Provencal Market (Marché Provençal) as part of your walking tour, but it’s a great spot to head back to around lunchtime to pick up some fresh, local goodies.
There’s also plenty of quaint cafes and bistros nearby if you prefer to have a sit-down meal at lunchtime. Nomads is a popular spot for coffee, and Le Zinc is a lovely bistro with an alfresco terrace.
Pop into the Picasso Museum
€12
After lunch, you can pop into the Picasso Museum if you feel like seeing some of the iconic artist’s famous works.
Inspired by the French Riviera, Pablo Picasso spent some time living in Antibes at Château Grimaldi. This is now a small museum where you can view some of his big pieces, plus a few lesser-known drawings.
If you’re really into art, and would prefer to try something a little unique, you can also book a tour of the museum that includes a drawing class led by a local artist.
It takes place in the morning, so you’ll have to swap the itinerary around a little bit and visit the old town in the afternoon instead.
However, it’s definitely a fun and unique activity to try if you have a flair for creativity, plus, you’ll have a one-of-a-kind souvenir to bring home.
Go Sculpture Spotting on the Ramparts
Free
The Picasso Museum is located right on the famous Antibes Ramparts – impressive Medieval walls once used to protect the city, now serving as a scenic, sea-view walkway around the bay.
You can walk all the way along them towards Le Ponteil and La Salis, heading through peaceful sculpture parks like Le Jardin des Poètes along the way.
Relax on the Beach or Visit the Bay of Billionaires
Free
Just beyond the end of the ramparts, two beautiful sandy beaches can be found, with sparkling blue water that’s begging to be jumped in on a hot, sunny afternoon.
Plage du Ponteil is popular with families thanks to it’s warm, shallow water and free toilets and showers.
A little further on, Plage de la Salias is a similar spot with public showers and food stalls.
If you fancy spending the afternoon in one of the French Riviera’s iconic beach clubs, I can recommend Plage Keller, which is a short taxi or bus ride away, right at the far end of the Cap d’Antibes peninsula.
You can catch the number 02 bus from Maiziere to Fontaine and then walk 10 minutes to Plage Keller from there. Book a bed on the pontoon for the best views! You’ll need to reserve a sunbed in advance during the peak summer months.
With the same bus or a short taxi, you can also visit the famous Bay of Billionaires, which is a stunning sandy cove once only accessible by yacht – hence the name. You can take a short walk there now from the Fontaine bus stop.
Be warned, there are no facilities once you get there, and it’s a popular spot, so can get a little crowded in the summer months.
Take a Sunset Cruise of Cap d’Antibes
Approx €670 per group, up to 8 people
End a gorgeous day in Antibes with a boat ride around the whole peninsula, taking in the beautiful bays and coves from the comfort of a stylish sailing yacht.
You can always skip this activity if you’re short on time/budget, but it’s truly a beautiful way to round off a day in this dreamy port town. After all, Yachting is really what Antibes is all about!
This private sunset tour sets off from Port Vauban at 6:30 and sails around the Cap d’Antibes, past incredible celebrity villas and into coves only accessible by boat.
You’ll have the chance to jump off and swim, snorkel or paddleboard you like, and the tour includes a sunset aperitif to toast to an incredible day in Antibes.
More Things to Do in Antibes, France
Looking for more things to add to your 1-day Antibes itinerary? I’ve written a whole post on 25 stunning things to do in Antibes, including things to do on a rainy day, things to do with kids, and things to do in the evening.
Antibes Day Trip: FAQs
Is Antibes worth visiting?
Antibes is easy to get to from other major cities on the French Riviera, including Nice and Cannes, and it’s definitely worth visiting for the day. It boasts a beautiful, walled old town, the biggest yachting marina in the Mediterranean, and some dreamy sandy beaches to explore.
Is 1 day in Antibes enough?
The main town of Antibes is fairly small, and it’s relatively easy to see all the top sights in one day, especially when you consider how quick the train journey is from Nice and Cannes.
However, if you wanted to spend longer in Antibes, there’s plenty more to see on the rest of Cap d’Antibes, including the bustling beach resort of Juan les Pins, stunning coves to tick off, and gorgeous coastal walks perfect for nature lovers.
Are there any guided day trips to Antibes?
Yes, there are some guided day trips to Antibes, usually departing from Nice and taking in other French Riviera towns along the way. The most popular guided Antibes day trip is a full-day tour that includes stops in Cannes, Antibes, and Saint-Paul-de-Vence, a Medieval hilltop town with stunning views.
What are Antibes best beaches?
Antibes offers a good mix of sandy coves, lively stretches, and secluded bays. Close to the old town, Plage de la Gravette is family-friendly and sheltered, while Plage du Ponteil and Plage de la Salis provide calm, shallow waters with good amenities.
A little further out of town, I highly recommend Plage de la Garoupe – with beautiful fine sands, it’s home to the exclusive beach club Plage Keller.
In Juan-les-Pins, Grande Plage buzzes with summer energy, while Plage de la Gallice is quieter and more tucked away
Finally, Plage de l’Olivette is a serene, lesser-known spot with a low-key vibe, think small fishing boats, shaded areas, and a peaceful cove away from the crowds. The Bay of Billionaires is another secluded bay, only accessible via a short walk, but worth the extra effort for a tranquil swim.
Looking for more travel tips to help you plan the perfect Antibes day trip? Let me know in the comments below!
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