Once the Greek settlement of Antipolis, Antibes brings together three sides of the French Riviera: an old town ringed by ramparts overlooking Port Vauban, the seaside resort of Juan-les-Pins and Cap d’Antibes, a pine-covered peninsula of villas between the Baie des Anges and the Golfe Juan.
Choosing where to stay in Antibes means deciding between doing everything on foot and enjoying a garden and pool, even if that means taking the car. We have selected each place in this guide individually, using specific criteria: location, facilities and quality of welcome.
All our picks are listed on our page of hotels and guesthouses in Antibes; places in the seaside district are on the Juan-les-Pins page.
Which neighbourhood to choose
The atmosphere varies considerably from one area to another:
- Old Antibes and Port Vauban: lanes, the Picasso Museum and restaurants just steps away; the natural choice if you arrive by train.
- Juan-les-Pins: sandy beaches, the Gould pine grove and lively summer evenings; the area has a TER train station.
- Cap d’Antibes: villas among the pines, coves and a coastal path; very peaceful, but with few shops.
- Residential neighbourhoods outside the centre: houses with gardens and pools, and easier parking; a car becomes almost essential.
For a weekend, Old Antibes comes out on top: dine near the ramparts and walk back. For a week by the sea, the cape or a house with a pool gives the days a different rhythm. Here are our picks.
Staying on Cap d’Antibes
Places to stay on the cape are few and often high-end. These three range from a grand hotel to a self-catering cottage.
Boutique Hôtel Villa Fabulite
On Traverse des Nielles on the cape, this five-star hotel is arranged around an infinity pool and a Mediterranean garden. Suites have terraces, some facing the sea, and there is a spa and a restaurant serving Provençal cuisine. Enjoy the peace and service of a grand hotel, though the old town is a few kilometres away.
Villa Miraé by Inwood Hotels - Cap d'Antibes
On Chemin de la Garoupe, this other five-star hotel on the cape has a private beach, two pools and two restaurants: you can spend the day here without getting back in the car, from a room with a terrace. It’s a seaside holiday destination rather than a base for exploring the region.
Magnifique "Gite de la Garoupe" au Cap d'Antibes à 300m des plages
On Avenue Georges-Cuvier on the cape, this holiday home has a fully equipped kitchen, a garden, a terrace with sea views and free private parking. Several beaches and the coastal path are within walking distance. A self-catering option for cooking at your own pace after a swim.
Guesthouses and villas with pools outside the centre
A few kilometres from Old Antibes, residential neighbourhoods are home to houses with gardens and pools; a car becomes a useful companion for your stay.
La Villa Topi
In the Domaine Martelly on Chemin des Brusquets, this guesthouse has air-conditioned rooms with terraces arranged around a garden and heated pool, a welcome feature outside the high season, and serves a continental breakfast. It suits those who prefer the peace of a residential neighbourhood to evenings in town.
Chambre Bed and Breakfast dans la Villa Cypra
On Chemin de la Blacasse, away from the centre, this guesthouse offers a terrace with sea views, an outdoor pool and free private parking. Breakfast is available continental or English style. A relaxing base if you’re travelling by car; the pool is only open in season.
Les Villas du Parc
On Boulevard des Groules, away from the centre, three independent villas come with private pools, gardens, terraces and fully equipped kitchens. Air conditioning, free private parking and bicycles make them a practical option for a family or group of friends; for the old town, several kilometres away, a car is the easiest choice.
What to see in Antibes
Start your visit in Old Antibes, between the ramparts and the Provençal market on Cours Masséna, which comes alive in the morning beneath its covered market hall. Overlooking the sea, the Château Grimaldi houses the Picasso Museum: the painter set up his studio here in autumn 1946 and left some of the works he created on site.
Facing Port Vauban, Jaume Plensa’s Nomade, a figure made of steel letters, gazes out to sea from Bastion Saint-Jaume, while the Fort Carré has guarded the entrance to the harbour since the 16th century.
On the cape, the coastal path, known as Tire-Poil, follows the rocks along the southern tip, with steps and steep sections; it closes in bad weather. Higher up, the Garoupe Lighthouse overlooks the bay, and the Villa Eilenroc opens its gardens to the public.
The beaches
Fine sand is the main draw at Juan-les-Pins and La Salis, while coves and rocks line the cape; in town, the small Gravette beach sits beneath the ramparts.
When to visit Antibes
Spring and autumn are the most pleasant seasons, and September is still good for swimming. Summer is hot and very busy, especially near the beaches. Winter is mild and peaceful.
Every July, Jazz à Juan, founded in 1960 and billed as Europe’s longest-running jazz festival, takes over the Gould pine grove: it’s best to book early.
Getting there and getting around
Antibes station, on the Marseille–Ventimiglia line, serves all trains, including TGVs; only TER trains stop at Juan-les-Pins and Biot stations. Nice Côte d’Azur Airport is about 20 kilometres away, via the A8 motorway or express bus 82.
In Old Antibes and Juan-les-Pins, you can get everywhere on foot; for the cape and residential neighbourhoods, a car or bicycle makes getting around easier, and Envibus buses serve the town. Find other places to stay on our Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur page.
Antibes features in our guide to where to stay in Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur. For comparison, see also where to stay in Cannes, for the Croisette and the Lérins Islands, where to stay in Nice, on the other side of the Baie des Anges, and where to stay in Menton, at the gateway to Italy.
Frequently asked questions
Answers to the most common questions before you book.
What is the best neighbourhood to stay in Antibes?
For a first visit, Old Antibes and the area around Port Vauban are the most convenient base: the Picasso Museum, Provençal market, restaurants and station are all within walking distance. Juan-les-Pins suits those who enjoy sandy beaches and lively evenings; the cape is for those seeking peace and coves; and residential neighbourhoods offer gardens and pools, provided you have a car.
Can you stay in Antibes without a car?
Yes, if you stay in the old town or Juan-les-Pins. Antibes station is served by TGV and TER trains, while Juan-les-Pins station is served by TER trains; Nice Côte d’Azur Airport, about 20 kilometres away, is connected by express bus 82. For the cape and residential neighbourhoods, a car or bicycle is much more practical.
Antibes or Juan-les-Pins: where should you stay for the beach?
Juan-les-Pins, which is part of the Antibes municipality, has large sandy beaches, both public and privately managed, and a livelier summer atmosphere. The cape is more about coves, rocks and a few beaches such as Garoupe, in a very peaceful setting. Old Antibes has only the small Gravette beach, but La Salis is nearby. For a week of swimming, Juan-les-Pins or the cape are still the best choices.
When is the best time to visit Antibes?
Spring and autumn are the most pleasant times, with mild temperatures, fewer visitors and a sea that is still warm enough for swimming in September. Summer is hot and lively, but the beaches are very busy; every July, the Jazz à Juan festival fills the Gould pine grove and local accommodation, so book early. Mild and quiet, winter is a good time for museums and walks on the cape.
Is Antibes suitable for a family holiday?
Yes, especially if you rent a house with a kitchen, garden and pool, such as the independent villas we’ve selected. The sandy beaches of Juan-les-Pins and La Salis are suitable for young children. One thing to note: Marineland, long a family attraction in the area, closed permanently in January 2025. Check each property’s rules for children before booking, too.
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