Antibes City Guide

France

Antibes City Guide

Metropolitan France

Antibes is a coastal town on the French Riviera, between Nice and Cannes. It has a historic old town, fortified walls, and beaches. The city mixes traditional charm with an upscale vibe and is popular for its Picasso Museum and large marina, Port Vauban.

Lifestyle🍽️

🍽️
Food Scene
Excellent
8

Local dishes like Socca, Salade Niçoise, and Pissaladière are must-tries. There are good international options including Italian and Asian food. Vegetarian options are growing; fully vegan spots are rarer. Some late-night dining is available, mainly in tourist areas during peak season.

Local Dishes:
Socca, Salade Niçoise, Pissaladière, Fresh seafood
International Cuisine:
Italian, Asian, Middle Eastern
Vegan FriendlyVegetarian Friendly
🌙
Nightlife
Good
7

Nightlife is lively around the old town and Juan-les-Pins with bars, pubs, and some clubs.

Coffee Culture
Good
6

Coffee culture is a mix of traditional French cafés and a few specialty coffee shops. The scene is growing but still modest.

💰
Tipping
Not Required

Service charge is usually included in bills. Tipping is optional and appreciated for good service, typically a small amount or rounding up.

Top Attractions
Picasso Museum
museum
Museum housed in Château Grimaldi showing Picasso's work.
Old Town (Vieil Antibes)
historic site
Historic part of the city with narrow streets and markets.
Port Vauban
marina
One of Europe's largest marinas with many yachts.
Cap d'Antibes coastal path
nature
Scenic coastal walking path.
Fort Carré
historic site
16th-century fort with views over the city and sea.
SIM Cards

SIM cards can be bought at phone shops (Orange, SFR, Bouygues Telecom, Free Mobile) in the city center or Nice Airport. Orange and Bouygues offer the best coverage. eSIMs are available. ID or passport is required to register.

Available at:
Orange
SFR
Bouygues Telecom
Free Mobile
Recommended Apps
SNCF Connect(transport)
Moovit(transport)
Google Maps(transport)
TheFork(food)
Uber(transport)
Too Good To Go(food)
Doctolib(health)
Le Bon Coin(shopping)

Services & Infrastructure

Street Cleanliness
Excellent
8

Streets are generally clean, particularly in tourist areas. Waste collection and recycling are regular. Sanitation issues are rare.

24/7 Services
Limited
4

Some pharmacies have rotating late hours. A few convenience stores have extended hours but 24/7 options are rare. Hospital emergencies are always open. Late-night food options are limited off-season.

Groceries
Carrefour
Casino
Monoprix

Major supermarkets carry international products, especially European ones. Popular supermarkets include Carrefour, Casino, and Monoprix. The Marché Provençal offers fresh local produce. Stores usually open 8:30 AM to 8:00 PM, closed or reduced hours on Sundays and holidays.

Cashless Payments
Widely accepted

Card payments are widely accepted, but some small shops or markets may prefer cash.

ATMs

ATMs are easy to find, including BNP Paribas, Crédit Agricole, and Société Générale. Local ATMs usually don’t charge extra fees.

Schools
International

Local schools teach in French. The nearby International School of Nice offers education in English. Early application is recommended for international schools due to waitlists.

Available Schools:
International School of Nice (ISN)

Work & Digital💻

Coworking Spaces
Available
5
Available Spaces:
The Office Antibes
Flexible plans with meeting rooms.
La Verrière
Located in Sophia Antipolis tech hub.
Spaces Nice
Wider coworking options nearby.
24/7 Access
Work-Friendly Cafés
Good
Nomads Coffee
Good coffee and work atmosphere.
Columbus Café & Co
Wi-Fi and comfortable seating.
Starbucks
Reliable Wi-Fi and space.
Alternatives:
Médiathèque Albert Camus
Quiet library with Wi-Fi.
Hotel lobbies
Many have Wi-Fi and comfy seating for working.
Digital Nomad Community
Limited
4

The nomad community is small with fewer dedicated events or co-living spaces. Cafés with Wi-Fi support remote work, and online groups help connect people.

Nature & Activities🌿

Green Spaces
Good
7

Parks like Parc de la Pinède and Exflora Park offer shaded walking and green areas. Good running paths are available.

Running
Excellent
8

Popular running routes include the coastal path and parks. Running is safe and scenic, with local clubs and events like the Marathon des Alpes-Maritimes passing through.

Gyms
Available

Multiple gym chains with good facilities.

Available Gyms:
Fitness Park Antibes
L'Orange Bleue
Basic-Fit
Tennis
Good
7

Many tennis and growing padel courts are available. Courts can be booked online or by phone. Equipment rental and coaching are common.

Padel
Good
6

Padel courts are increasing in number, with bookings and coaching available.

Yoga
Good
7

Several studios offer various yoga styles with drop-ins and memberships. Many instructors speak English.

Martial Arts
Good
6

Clubs offer Judo, Karate, Taekwondo, Boxing, and some BJJ. Both traditional and modern training options exist. Instructors' English varies.

Skiing
Good
6

Ski resorts like Isola 2000 and Auron are 1.5 to 2 hours away, open December to April, with slopes for all levels and equipment rentals.

Water Sports
Good
7

Kayaking, paddleboarding, sailing, and windsurfing are popular with rental and guided options mostly from late spring to early autumn.

Surfing
Poor
1

Surfing is limited due to sheltered Mediterranean waters; best surf spots require a longer drive.

Diving
Excellent
8

Good diving sites near Cap d'Antibes and Lérins Islands. Water visibility is good and marine life is diverse. Dive centers offer certifications and rentals. Best from May to October.

Health & Safety🏥

Healthcare
Excellent
8

The main hospital is Centre Hospitalier d'Antibes Juan-les-Pins with some English-speaking staff, especially in emergencies. Both public and private clinics offer high-quality care. Pharmacies are common and easy to spot by the green cross.

Hospitals:
Centre Hospitalier d'Antibes Juan-les-Pins
Pharmacies:
Various local pharmacies marked by green cross
Tap Water Safety
Safe to drink

Tap water is safe to drink and meets European standards.

Common Scams
Pickpocketing in crowded tourist spots, Overpriced tourist services

Community & Family

Family Friendly
Excellent
8

There are many playgrounds and cafés friendly to families, with outdoor seating. Baby supplies are available at supermarkets and pharmacies. Popular attractions include Marineland, Antibes Land, and the beaches.

LGBTQ+ Friendly
Excellent
8

The area is generally accepting with visible scenes nearby in Juan-les-Pins and events in Nice. Legal protections are strong with a low risk of discrimination.

Pet Friendly
Good
7

Generally pet-friendly with many outdoor dining spots allowing dogs. Vet clinics and pet shops are available. Coastal paths and parks are good for walking dogs.

Communities
Expats in Antibes & Juan les Pins (expat community)
Nice & French Riviera Expats (expat community)
Digital Nomads French Riviera (digital nomad community)
Antibes Community (local community)
What's On French Riviera (events)

Quick Facts

Population
75,130
Power Reliability
Excellent
9/10

Power supply is very reliable with few outages.

Beach Access
Available

Several beaches, sandy and pebbly, ranging from busy public to quieter coves.

Mountains
Available

Southern Alps are reachable within an hour by car, offering hiking options.

Languages
French(90%)
English(40%)
Emergency
112
European Emergency Number
15
SAMU
17
Police
18
Fire Brigade

⚠️Natural Disasters Risk

🌊
Tsunami
Very Low Risk
1
🏔️
Earthquake
Low Risk
3

🌦️Seasonal Issues

Extreme heat
July, August
Summers can be very hot with temperatures above 30°C.
Flooding
September, October, November
Heavy rainfall in autumn can cause localized flooding.
Saharan dust hazes
Occasionally
Rare dust storms can cause hazy skies.

No reviews yet

Be the first to share your experience at this place

💬 Feedback & Bugs