With 25 public beaches and 14 private, there's no excuse if you can't find the beach of your dreams! There's a wide range of prices and styles in the private beach restaurants and even the public beaches vary in the facilities and comfort they offer.
BEST PRIVATE BEACHES
Beau Rivage
Beau Rivage beach has been awarded the Qualité Tourisme label by the local Chamber of Commerce. Among the factors considered are the friendliness of staff, condition of facilities, quality of food and drink, cleanliness and overall comfort. I like the fact that Beau Rivage is one of the very few beach restaurants open for lunch year-round. The price for lounge chairs is reasonable and there's even a half-day price. The first-rate Beau Rivage hotel is across the street. More details on Beau Rivage beach.
Blue Beach
Blue Beach lives up to its Qualité Tourisme label offering tasty, well-prepared dishes and service with a smile. Run by native son Rene Colomban for decades, this venerable establishment attracts a devoted crowd of locals who appreciate lunch here year-round. The lounge chairs are comfortable and reasonably priced as well. It's the best beach for year-round sunbathing. Nearby is the splendid five-star Hotel Palais Mediterranée. More details on Blue Beach.
N La Plage is the most elegant of the beach restaurants which makes sense as it's linked to the five-star Negreso hotel. The entire dining area is well-shaded and the menu is supervised by Michelin-noted chef Virginie Basselot who also runs the Negresco's Chantecler restaurant. The comfort and service under the parasols are outstanding and the food makes it the best beach-restaurant in Nice. More details on N La Plage.
Cocoon Plage
Cocoon is located a little further west and offers the best value for money in central Nice. A lounge chair with a mattress and umbrella is only €20 for the day. The food is good enough but for beach on a budget Cocoon delivers. More details about Cocoon.
It's further west but Les Canailles is undoubtedly the most stylish beach restaurant. Rebuilt from scratch in 2020, the wood floors and nautical design are superb. Plus, the loungers, sunbeds and tables on the pontoon offer an unforgettable day at the beach. Yes, it is more pricey than other options but for those looking for luxury you can't do better. See more details about Les Canailles.
BEST PUBLIC BEACHES
Forum beach has it all. Hate the large stones on Nice beaches? The stones on Forum beach as well as the neighbouring beaches of Florida and Voilier are smaller making it the most comfortable beach. (Be aware that stones are largest at the east and west ends of the Baie des Anges and smaller in the center) The beach is wide and slopes gently down to the water, making access easy. It's a great beach for a picnic because there are public facilities at the entrance and you can pick up picnic supplies at the Spar supermarket on ave de la Californie behind the stately CUM building. It's a safe beach because there are lifeguards on duty for the entire summer season. Stay at the striking AC Hotel Nice by Marriott and you'll be a stone's throw from Forum beach. More details about Forum beach.
Coco Beach
It may not be to everyone's taste but Coco Beach has a devoted following, mainly among residents of chic Mont Boron nearby. There aren't pebbles, only sea-worn rock platforms linked by a stone path. Ladders lead down to the crystal clear sea. What makes Coco Beach special is the incredible view that takes in the entire Baie des Anges to the Esterel mountains in the west. It's the best place in Nice to take in the sunset. More details about Coco Beach.