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Last year, the family and I spent our summer vacation traveling around southern France and Italy. We spent twelve days taking a train across the French and Italian Rivieras, visited Rome for five days, and ended the trip with three days in Venice, Italy. On the trip, I got a chance to experience first-hand the beauty and old-world charm of the coastal towns in the south of France. While Matt liked Rome best, my favorite place of the entire trip was Antibes, France. I think it’s the perfect European summer destination!
Honestly, I loved the French Riviera so much that we are heading back again this summer! Make sure to follow along at @ourlittlelifestyleblog on Instagram. For our 2025 summer trip, we are starting in Barcelona and spending time in Spain before heading east to the South of France.
Visiting Antibes France
Antibes is located in Southen France between Cannes and Nice but is not as well known as its larger neighbors. I wanted to write a post to highlight my experience in Antibes and give you some ideas on how to visit this gorgeous city yourself.
I really think it is the perfect place to visit along the Côte d’Azur for the following reasons:
- under 30 mins from Nice airport
- very easy train access
- charming old town area
- affordable accommodations
- great restaurants & shops
- large marina for outings
- Cap d’ Antibes
Getting To Antibes France
We flew direct on Delta Airlines from Atlanta to Nice, France. Having a direct flight was wonderful and meant we didn’t have a layover in Paris or Amsterdam, which would have taken time out of our trip. It also made the first day of the vacation a bit easier as we arrived around lunchtime and were able to power through until bedtime to help avoid jetlag. This Delta Atlants to Antibes route was new in 2024 and is seasonal. It looks like it’s back for Summer 2025!
We flew into Nice Côte d’Azur Airport, which is located on the southern side of Nice, making it quite a bit closer to Antibes than many parts of Nice itself. The airport is small and easy to navigate. We caught an Uber and, within 30 minutes, arrived in old town Antibes.
As we drove into Antibes, France, the marina was the first thing to catch my eye. I can’t recall anywhere else we’ve been where the first thing you see is mega-yachts moored in a harbor! Antibes is the home of some of the most expensive yachts in the world and is part of the French Riviera, a renowned playground for the rich and famous.
Taking The Train To And From Antibes
You can also take the train to Antibes from various French cities. If traveling from Paris, there is a direct train that takes just under five and a half hours. After our three nights in Antibes, we boarded the train and continued east all of the way to Rome. We stopped for stays in Monaco, Camogli, Italy, and Cinque Terre along the way.
The train station is adjacent to Old Town Antibes, allowing you to take many day trips to places like Cannes, Menton, St. Tropez, and more. The easy train access is one of the reasons why I loved this location so much!
TIP: We use the Trainline app to buy and manage our train travel in Europe!
Exploring Antibes France
Antibes is an up-scale blend of history, art, and Mediterranean energy. This charming French town has old charm but is still very trendy, with boutiques, cafes, restaurants, and bars at every turn. When we were there in late May, Antibes was bustling with vacationers from all over the world. The town’s cobblestone streets, fortified walls, and small buildings make it feel like you’re visiting a medieval village!
Antibes is a seaside city on the rugged French coast, so there are plenty of amazing views of the Mediterranean. It’s filled with beautiful plazas, lots of street-side cafes, and gorgeous flowering plants lining the streets.
And while I loved it in the early summer, the French Riviera has a wonderful Mediterranean climate, making it a great place to visit all year long. In fact, they have an adorable little Christmas market in Antibes, and there are a lot of great events along the Côte d’Azur. As we were leaving, they were setting up for the annual Les Voiles d’Antibes event, and I would have loved to have stayed for that!
Where To Say in Antibes France
We rented a cute little apartment in Old Town Antibes. It was on the smaller side but very affordable. For these first few days of our big summer Europe trip, I prioritized location and wanted to be in the heart of the Antibes.
LINK: Click here to see the apartment we rented in Antibes.
I was surprised at how low the rates are in Antibes compared to some other cities along the French Riviera. Click here for other accommodations in Antibes. I highly recommend staying in the Old Town area in Antibes for easy train access, cute restaurants, and old-world charm.
Be sure to book your lodging well in advance of your trip, as Antibes is a very popular destination, and places book up quickly, especially during the European summer. Many hotel rooms and Airbnbs are smaller than in the US, as is most lodging throughout Europe, so make sure your group has thought through space requirements and sleeping arrangements.
Dining In Antibes
Antibes is a great place to experience the culinary delights of France. You’ll find fresh seafood, French pastries, fine cheeses, and Mediterranean-inspired dishes just about everywhere you dine.
Matt enjoyed trying generous-sized charcuterie boards and different meats. The kids loved eating a steady stream of flavored gelato and pastries of every type. And cute coffee shops are everywhere! There’s a wide variety of restaurants ranging from fine dining to casual.
We had a wonderful lunch on the beach at Plage Kellar before our Cap d’Antibes hike and it was so fun. It felt very boujee. The food was amazing, and the vibes were top-notch. You will want to make a reservation if you plan to eat here. It’s a beach club and does close over the winter.
Like every European city, there are boutique sandwich shops where you can get amazing Croque-monsieur (ham and Emmental or Gruyère cheese), inexpensive hot and cold sandwiches, loaves of bread, and other things.
Browse the best restaurants in Antibes!
What To Do In Antibes, France
Antibes offers a lot to do but doesn’t feel overwhelming. It was a great place for our family to spend several days. We just wanted to relax and play by ear, and it ended up being just perfect for us. There’s a little something for everyone!
Old Town Antibes
Old Town Antibes (Vieil Antibes) is on the north side of modern Antibes and is a tourist center filled with narrow cobblestone streets and a “medieval but modern” vibe. Here, you’ll find lots of little boutiques, amazing gelato stands, street-side cafes, and artisan shops.
We had so much fun walking around the narrow streets of Old Town Antibes and exploring its plazas and upscale businesses. It’s just fun to wander in this area, and it will likely be the focus of your vacation time in Antibes.
Antibes Market
There’s an amazing market in Old Town called the Marché provençal. This traditional open-air (covered) market sells fruits, breads, cheeses, and spices. It’s a great place to stock up on snack items for your adventures.
Fort Carré Antibes
On the north side of Antibes, just across the harbor, is a fort named Fort Carré. At Fort Carré, you can take a nice nature walk along the coast, explore the fort, and see some beautiful gardens. Unfortunately, it was closed the day we walked to it, so I don’t have any pictures.
Shopping In Antibes
Antibes, France, is known for great shopping. Along every street in Old Town, there are tons of nice, trendy shops selling apparel, purses, scarves, hats, linens, and everything you can think of. I had so much fun exploring these cute shops with Abby!
There are also some small bookstores and oddity shops. It’s the perfect place to grab a coffee, wander around, and do some window shopping!
The Picasso Museum
One of the top attractions in Antibes is the Picasso Museum, housed in the historic Château Grimaldi. This museum showcases works from the famous Spanish artist Pablo Picasso, who lived in Antibes for a period in the 1940s. The museum has a collection of his paintings, ceramics, and sculptures, all set in a beautifully restored castle overlooking the sea.
The Antibes Port and Yachts
Antibes is home to one of the largest yacht harbors in Europe, and strolling around the port is a fascinating experience. As you wander along the waterfront, you’ll see some of the most luxurious yachts in the world docked here, making it a prime spot for people-watching. If you’re a fan of boats, you can simply admire the impressive vessels. It’s also a lovely spot for a family walk!
The Antibes Beaches
There’s a great beach right next to Old Town called Plage de la Gravette. The sandy beaches are calm and ideal for children to swim and play. We bought some wine and spent a few hours enjoying the beach under the warm French sun.
There are numerous beaches in the vicinity. We played in the sand and enjoyed a great view of the Antibes coast at Plage de la Salis while we waited for Plage Keller to open for our lunch reservation one day. I also recommend the gorgeous but more rocky beaches, like Billionaires Bay, on Cap d’Antibes.
Antibes Nearby Attractions
There’s more to do around Antibes than just exploring Old Town or visiting the beach. One of our favorite experiences was heading to Cap d’Antibes!
Cap d’Antibes and Sentier de Tirepoil Hike
If you’re a nature lover, be sure to take a hike around nearby Cap d’Antibes, a peninsula. It’s a 10-minute Uber ride outside Old Town and offers some of the most breathtaking views of the French Riviera.
On Cap d’Antibes, There’s a coastal walking path called the Sentier de Tirepoil. The path takes you through lush greenery, rocky coves, and hidden beaches. Along the way, you will see stunning views of the coast and even a few huge mansions. We walked the trail, and I wrote a full post about it here. If you want to adventure even further, on the northwest side of Cap d’Antibes is another beautiful small town named Juan-les-Pins.
READ: Our Incredible Cap d’Antibes Hike
Modern Antibes
Modern Antibes is just south of Old Town and can be reached by a 10-minute walk or by taking the train one stop. You’ll follow the old rampart wall, part of the ancient fortifications, which gives you an amazing view of the rugged coastline. This part of Antibes is filled with restaurants and shops, as well as some hotels and high-end resorts.
This outing is a perfect half-day trip. We walked around, tried more amazing crepes, and explored a few French bookstores and shops. There’s an archeology museum in the area and a beautiful public park that looks over the bay. On the south side are more public beaches and many restaurants that overlook them.
Family Tips For Visiting Antibes France
After visiting Antibes, I wanted to share some tips for making your family experience as great as possible. We traveled May 25th – May 29th, 2025, with two teenagers (ages 13 and 15).
#1 Peak season is July & August, and Antibes can get very hot and crowded. If you are looking for great weather and lesser crowds try to visit in the Spring (April-June) or Fall (September-October) when the weather is still pleasant but the crowds are thinner. Most European schools go until late June or early July, making the end of May a great sweet spot for our European trips!
#2 If you valuable walkability, stay in or very close to Old Town and make sure you understand the size and amenities of your hotel room or Airbnb, as spaces can be small.
#3 Set aside time to hike the Sentier de Tirepoil at Cap d’Antibes. It’s an incredible way to see the coast and makes a perfect 3-4 hour side trip.
#4 Bring euros with you as it’s sometimes hard to locate ATMs. Most places accept credit cards. Make sure to read all of my European travel tips!
#5 Summer is hot, so be sure to dress for warm weather and bring sunscreen. Some beaches along the coast can be rocky, so consider bringing water shoes if you plan on wading or swimming.
#6 We didn’t have any major problems with communication, and almost everyone spoke English. But we definitely recommend learning a few basic French phrases to make ordering and wayfinding easier. And it signals respect for the local culture!
TIP: We love to use Duolingo to learn a bit of the language before visiting a new country.
A Perfect European Summer Destination: Antibes, France
Antibes, France, is a perfect European summer family destination for those looking for a mix of culture, adventure, and relaxation. We loved our time there, and honestly, I think Antibes was my favorite place to visit along the French and Italian Rivieras. It just has a charm and a classy look and feel that makes it special.
It’s easy to fly into Nice and get to Antibes, and the Antibes rental prices are honestly less expensive than vacationing in the US. I highly recommend it as a place to start your European trip, as you can board the train here and travel east or west along the coast.
And, if you think Antibes is cute, do yourself a favor and add Camogli, Italy, to your European bucket list!
More Italy & France Travel Inspiration
If you are planning a trip to Europe, I have many more European travel blog posts from our trips abroad. Here are some of the most popular France travel and Italy travel blog posts.
- Visiting The Louvre
- 4 Days In Paris
- Paris Family Tours
- Top Paris Landmarks
- Camogli, Italy
- Rome Colosseum Tours
- Rome Jubilee 2025
- Visiting The Pantheon
- Vatican City Tours
- Finding Cats in Rome
- Hyatt Centric Murano
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