Looking for things to do in Antibes?
While Antibes isn’t the city that first comes to most people’s mind when thinking about the French Riviera, it is a town that has a lot to offer, a great history, and stunning buildings.
Antibes, with mainly the old town of Antibes, is a picturesque little old town on the French Riviera, and the beautiful sights, both out from the high walls Antibes towards the Mediterranean, and the many stunning buildings tends to make most people say ”wow”.
If you are in Antibes and wondering what to do, don’t worry, there are tons of things to do in Antibes that suit all ages, all interests, and all budgets.
In this post, we’re listing the most popular things to do in Antibes.
Picasso’s trail
Picasso’s trail is a walk in Antibes which is quite popular among tourists who visit Antibes, and therefore often part of their plans of things to do in Antibes.
The trail is named Picasso’s trail due to the fact that many painters took a lot of inspiration from the stunning scenery and surroundings of Antibes, and now, the trail is made up his most famous paintings that are put up along the trail which you can watch. And when you watch up from the painting, you’ll find exactly what the inspiration for that painting was, since the painting is painted after the view you have right from that spot. It certainly is quite an extraordinary experience.
Along the train, you’ll find a number of paintings, along with information about the artist who created it.
Walking this trail is a delightful way to experience the stunning scenery of Antibes, but also take a walk down memory lane of Antibes history – literally.
Experience the beaches of Antibes
Antibes has some extraordinary beaches and stunning blue waters, being that it is a town situated right at the Mediterranean.
Since Antibes is smaller than cities like Cannes and Nice, the beaches are generally calmer. But during summer, the beaches will inevitably be crowded, just like every other beach along the French Riviera in the summer.
Seeing that the beaches are smaller in Antibes and generally calmer, and the beaches often being surrounded by ”walls”, you’ll often see lots of families enjoying the beach, with plenty of children playing.
Plage du Ponteil is a very popular beach in Antibes which is close to the heart of the town, has showers, toilers, kiosks, bars, as well as boats to hire. In other words, everything you may need for a day on the beach.
Horse-riding
Among the things to do in Antibes, horse-riding is an activity which most tourists not do, yet an experience that is out of the ordinary.
In Antibes, you can go horseback riding along the beaches and the stunning hilltops and landscapes.
Canoeing / Kayaking
Antibes s a lovely town by the Mediterranean, and therefore, it is a popular destination for water sports.
If you enjoy the waters and want to explore Antibes by sea, Kayaking should definitely be on your list of things to do in Antibes.
In the calm waters of the Mediterranean, you can take some time to enjoy the calmness of the sea, under the gazing sun.
Located in Antibes are a few watersport centers where you can rent all equipment you may need for your canoeing/kayaking experience.
Marineland
Marineland is located in Antibes and is the most popular theme park in the whole French Riviera.
The theme park is located just outside of the town and attracts over 1 million visitors a year.
Marineland is a theme park with a focus on water and has everything from dolphins, sharks, sea lions, and much more.
Mainland is a popular attraction for both adults and children and has something for everyone.
Among much more, Mainland has a 30-meter tunnel which goes through an aquarium of nearly 2,000,000 liters of water. When you enter the aquarium, you’ll be surrounded by manta rays and sharks.
Jazz Festival
Something Antibes is especially famous for is its Jazz festival which is arranged annually.
If you’re a fan of jazz and music, visiting this event should most certainly be on your list of things to do in Antibes.
The festival has hosted some of the most famous artists in the world, including Dave Brubeck, Stevie Wonder and Ravi Coltrane, and many more.
The Antibes jazz festival goes on for a total of nine days.
Villa Eilenroc
This villa is located on the cap of Antibes, also known as Cap d’Antibes. Villa Eilenroc is an incredible villa which is made up of an 11-acre park. The villa was initially purchased by a wealthy Dutch. The name of the villa came up from his idea of writing his wife’s name Cornélie backward. Quite an interesting story.
This villa has absolutely incredible gardens, and is a true paradise in the summer, with stunning views and incredible trees.
The villa is located at the tip of Antibes, in one of the most luxurious parts of the French Riviera.
The villa embraces luxury and stands as a luxury symbol, showing clear influences by the Belle Epoque. The house was built in 1867 following plans by Charles Garnier, the same architect who has designed the Paris and Monte Carlo opera houses.
Moreover, in the park of the villa, you’ll find an astonishing rose garden.
Today, the villa is used for receptions, parties, and public tours.
If you want, you can take a guided tour to see the villa and garden. Every Wednesday morning from about 9 a.m. to noon.
The Naval and Napoleonic Museum
Located on the very tip of Antibes, the Naval and Napoleonic museums should be a part of every person’s list of things to do in Antibes.
The museum has been restored by Napoleon himself and offers all things Napoleonic.
The museum has a large collection number of hats that belonged to Napoleon, and there are also, among much more, various artifacts related to the Napoleon family. All of these the things presented in this museum allows us to get a better understanding of the emperor of France.
Canyoning
Quite an underestimated activity among the things to do in Cannes, and definitely something worth doing if you enjoy the outdoors and the beauty that nature has to share.
If you want to get away from the large number of people who crowd Antibes, you can go canyoning in the Area of Antibes.
You can bath in mountain streams, have fun in natural water slides, and much more.
This is definitely an experience out of the ordinary.
At these places, you’ll find a number of fun rivers, and more.
The water is quite cold when canyoning, but super fun and a great activity of things to do in Antibes if you enjoy the outdoors.
With the help of guides, you’ll be able to get most out of it, jumping into different pools etc. The best and most popular place to go canyoning in Antibes is Verdon Gorge near Castellane. Always be careful, though.
Helicopter tours
There’s not much that beat the stunning scenery, incredible blue Mediterranean, and beautiful forests and hills of the French Riviera.
But if you want to take your French Riviera exploring to the next level, and explore the French Riviera and Antibes from another angle, taking a helicopter tour is truly an amazing experience.
There are a number of helicopter routes you can take, exploring islands, parts of the French Riviera coastline, or, just using the helicopter as a way of transporting.
Either way, taking a helicopter tour will provide you with the most stunning views you’ve ever seen.
Cinema
Antibes has its very own cinema, so why not make movie watching part of the things to do in Antibes?
Some people love to watch movies, other people hate it, especially if they’re on vacation, but you do you. It’s just good to know that the possibility exists if you’d like.
Cap d’Antibes
Cap D’antibes is one of the most stunning places on the whole Riviera, and it is also here some of the most expensive villas on the French Riviera, and some of the most expensive villas in the world are located, together with Cap-Ferrat, of course.
The cap of Antibes stretches from Antibes and Juan-les-Pins.
There’s a marvelous walking path that you can take around the whole cap, making for a walk along the water with one of the most stunning sceneries you’ve ever witnessed.
THere’s a marked walking trail on the rocks along and around the cap, so just follow the map, and you’ll have a wonderful experience.
The Picasso Museum in Château Grimaldi
The Picasso museum is one of the most, if not the most famous museums in Antibes, which attracts a large number of tourists from other places on the Riviera every year.
If you are interested in art, and in Picasso in particular, among the things to do in Antibes, you’ll find this the very best.
The Picasso museum is located in the old town of Antibes, which, in itself is always a lovely experience, and more specifically, the museum itself is located in Château Grimaldi which is a chateau which has belonged to the Grimaldi family (yes, the same family which is ruling Monaco today).
Antibes is known to be a place on the French Riviera where many artists found inspiration, and over the years’ number of famous painters and artists have lived here, including Pablo Picasso. In fact, the place which the museum is located in today was the home of Picasso for six months in 1946.
What makes it even more special is that Picasso donated a number of paintings to the museum, and then, after Picasso’s death, his wife donated even more works to the museum.
If you make the Picasso museum one of the things on your schedule of things to do in Antibes, you’ll find 254 works by Picasso, and, of course, enjoy the stunning view the place where the museum is located offers.
Karting
If you want to make your vacation in Antibes a little more action-filled, why not go karting?
Karting is not just for the small kids, either, as it is appreciated by people of all ages. THere’s a karting circuit in Bar-sur-Loup, just north of Antibes, and here, you can rent everything you need, as well as get lessons from pros.
Fishing
Fishing is a fun activity which you can embark on in Antibes, or from Antibes.
Deep sea fishing is quite popular but not quite the activity of every tourist on the French Riviera. The French Riviera offers some wonderful deep sea fishing, and of course, some stunning views and scenery if you go out by boat.
If you’re lucky, you’ll be able to catch anything from tuna, marlin, swordfish and sea bream.
Of course, you don’t have to go out on deep sea fishing just to go fishing in Antibes, and if you are in Antibes, you’ll see numerous people standing just by the rocks fishing.
Fort Carré
Fort Carré is, as the name suggests, a fort which was built in the 16th century, upon Roman ruins.
For the people who visit Antibes, Fort Carré is often part of the list of their things to do in Antibes.
The place not only full of incredible history, it also provides you with the most stunning view of the harbor.
For a time, Napoleon was imprisoned here during the French Revolution. which further increases this fort’s significance.
The fort has also been one of the sets in the James Bond film Never Say Never Again.
The Fort Carré is located a bit from the city center, but visiting not only gives you a nice walk, most people say it is well worth it.
The fort is star-shaped with a circle in the middle, making it not the most ordinary forts.
Cycling
Cycling is an activity that is amazing to embark on no matter where on the French Riviera you are because the scenery and stunning roads make up for more than half of the experience.
And Antibes is a town that is equally great to go biking in and around. Walking around in Antibes can be a little tiring, and going by bike allows you to cover large areas in a short period of time, so you can explore large parts of Antibes.
Antibes has a number of cycling routes which you can choose, and there are also a number of shops where you can rent a bike, by a bike, rent equipment, and more.
Le Petit Train
Le petit trains are the ”busses” that look like a train and take a large number of passengers in its many carriages it can connect to the main carriage which drives the whole bus train, known as Le petit train.
Especially in the summer, le petit trains can be found in many cities on the French Riviera, including Nice, Cannes, and Antibes and this should really be on everyone’s list of things to do in Antibes, as it not only allows you to explore large parts of Antibes in a short period of time, it allows you to do so without tiring yourself, and while riding, you’ll also get a set of headsets whee you’ll hear a narrator talking about the history of the area which you’re currently riding past.
This is an activity which is great for adults and children alike.
The petit train in Antibes leaves from place des Martyrs de la Résistance, then takes itself through the narrow streets of Old Antibes, by the Provencal market, Port Vauban and then to Juan-les-Pins.
Absinthe Museum
While the Absinthe ”museum” is more of a bar than a museum, it is considered to be a mix between them both, and it is also considered well worth the visit.
At the Absinthe museum, you’ll find a nice and friendly atmosphere, and, of course, the absinthe spirit, which was banned for some time in France.
The museum is located in Old Antibes, in the basement of a shop named Balade en Provence.
Visiobulle from Juan Les Pins
This stunning boat experience is part of many tourists’ plans of things to do in Antibes.
You take a boat which has a glass bottom from Juan-Les- Pins. This allows you to not only have an enjoyable boat tour around the waters of Antibes, you’ll also be able to see underwater if you go below deck, providing you with stunning under Mediterranean sights.
The glass-bottomed boats depart from Ponton Courbet, bd Guillaumont. The boat takes itself all the way to the southern tip of Cap d’Antibes until it turns to Juan Les Pins.
The trip approximately costs €12 and for children €6. The boats operate from April to September.
The Safranier Free Commune
This is essentially a village within a village. Safranier has a stunning cobbled street, narrow streets, delightful bars and restaurants, and overall a great vibe.
If you want to see something new, this is a place you should visit.
Things to do in Antibes: Marche Provencal
Marché Provencal is a market in the Old town of Antibes, which has been classified as one of the best markets along the Cote d’Azur.
The market is open all days except for Monday, September through May.
At this market, you can find all things, French.
You’ll find freshly harvested, closely farmed vegetables, fresh fruit, traditional French delicacies such as cheese and fresh meat, fish, and much more.
On Sundays, you’ll also find artisans there.
If you are looking for things to do in Antibes, and want to experience the French Riviera culture, this market is for you. It’s traditional French, and so are all the products sold there.
Garoupe Lighthouse
If you visit the Garoupe lighthouse, you’ll be served with stunning panoramic views. This lighthouse attracts many, but far from everyone. Take a hike about three-fourths of a mile up the Chemin du Clavaire from the Plage de la Salis.
Diving & Snorkelling
It’s hard to not be mesmerized by the stunning Mediterranean with its incredible coastline and beautiful azure blue waters.
Therefore, you can expect that snorkeling and diving are quite popular along the French Riviera, with Antibes included.
If you like to swim, snorkel, and dive, then why not make it on your list of things to do in Antibes?
Everyone can go snorkeling in Antibes, and if you prefer to explore the underwaters without having to dive deep, you can be close to shore around the beaches.
There are plenty of shops that sell snorkeling equipment.
When you dive, you’ll be able to see the most beautiful corals and fish, in all kinds of colors.
If you want to go scuba diving, you can do so in Antibes, but you have to be a little more prepared. THere are a few diving schools in Antibes which you can head to for advice and help.
If you are experienced with diving, you might find the excursions in Antibes interesting, as they allow you to explore the greater deeps of the waters outside of Antibes.
Hotel du Cap-Eden Roc
This hotel is a true French Riviera icon, and an Antibes icon to say the least.
Hotel du Cap-Eden Roc offers some of the most beautiful views in the whole of the French Riviera, and the gardens and hotel are far from ordinary as well.
The hotel is located roughly three miles south of the city center and was built in the 1870s in a Napoleon III style.
In 1889, after becoming a hotel, it attracted many celebrity guests such as Fitzgeralds (F. Scott and wife Zelda), Pablo Picasso, Rita Hayworth and the Kennedy family. Moreover, Hotel du Cap-Eden Roc is also the place where F. Scott Fitzgerald found inspiration for the fictional Hotel des Etrangers in his novel “Tender is the Night.”
The hotel has also been listed as one of the best places to stay.
Every year, a number of events take place at this hotel.
The hotel is, due to its luxury and top-class everything quite expensive, however, it will be an experience you won’t forget.
Boat Trips
The Mediterranean plays a huge part in the French Riviera’s history and still has a huge effect on the way people live their lives there.
Therefore, among the things to do in Antibes, many of your activities should definitely be tied to the mediterranean sea and its beauty.
There are a number of boat rides and trips you can take, some of which stops at different places so you can take a swim in the stunning waters.
Other boat trips take you to an island from Antibes, allowing you to snorkel the waters.
Nature Reserves & Parks
Antibes has a number of nature reserves and parks, one of which is Gorges du Loup to the north of Antibes.
During summer, Antibes is high-paced or at least packed with people, and if you want to get away from that, you can go to a nature reserve or park and enjoy the beauty and calmness of nature. At the Gorges du Soup, you’ll find stunning waterfalls and incredible sights.
Parasailing
Parasailing is a popular activity for tourists in the south of France, especially in Nice.
Going parasailing means taking you far up above the crystal clear waters of the Mediterranean, giving you a view that only the people who decide to make parasailing among their list of things to do in Antibes.
You’ll find both two or three seater parasails, which means you can be accompanied while enjoying the view at 60m in the air. This truly is an experience well worth it – unless you’re afraid of heights.
Aquasplash Antibes
Aquasplash is a land of 20,000 m2 with over 2000 meters of water slides. It is one of the largest water parks on the French Riviera
If you are all about water parks, visiting Aquasplash should definitely be among the things to do in Antibes.
This water park is especially a good idea to visit if you are traveling to Antibes with your children, as it is truly a water world loved by all children.
It has incredible lagoon pools, wave pools, and much more.
Remember that not only is this an amazing place for children, but it is also appreciated by teens and adults, too!
Antibes land
Antibes land is a free entrance amusement park in Antibes. The attractions start at 1€50.
Antibes land opens on Saturday, April 13th, when the weather starts getting better, and the tourists start making their way to the French Riviera.
This is a land for kids as much as it is for adults, and it is sure to give you an incredible time.
It has tons of attractions including roller coasters and much more
It is open to mid-June: every weekend and holidays, from 2 pm to 7 pm. It is open at night on Saturday evenings.
Château Grimaldi Antibes
If you’re interested in history and art, visiting the stunning chateau Grimaldi should definitely make its way to your list of things to do in Antibes.
As mentioned earlier, inside the Château Grimaldi, you’ll find Musée Picasso. Château Grimaldi is built on the foundations of the ancient Greek town of Antipolis, which has now become Antibes.
Antibes became the stronghold of the Grimaldi family in 1608 it became a stronghold of the Grimaldi, and the place has kept the Grimaldi family name ever since.
Moreover, the chateau also became the town hall of Antibes in 1702.
Located on top of the enormous walls of the old town of Antibes, right at the coastline, the views are just incredible.
Antibes postcard museum
If you’re interested in postcards and want to experience some museums in Antibes, the postcard museum is quite popular to visit among tourists.
Here, you’ll find a permanent exhibition of several thousand postcards. The postcards showcased dates back to all periods and come from all countries.
If you make this visit on your list of things to do in Antibes, you’ll learn a lot about the history of postcards, how they started, what they are now, as well as the evolution of them.
Musée Escoffier de l’Art Culinaire
Another museum you can visit is the Musée Escoffier de l’Art Culinaire, which is a museum belonging to the chef, restaurateur and food writer Auguste Escoffier, a chef considered to be ”the king of cooks and the cook of kings”,
He is the known to be the individual known who brought international recognition to French cuisine.
The museum opened in 1966 in the house in the house where the chef was born.
Here, you can visit to see different braisers, tripe pots, cake and chocolate molds, sugar creations, chocolate sculptures, as well as a collection of 1,500 old and modern menus.
If you’re passionate about food, you’re definitely missing out if this doesn’t make it to the list of things to do in Antibes.
Antibes Archeology museum
Antibes is an old town with a rich history, and as a result, you can expect that a lot of findings have been made in the city.
And indeed it has, and this is what now is showcased at the Archeology Museum in Antibes.
The museum showcases a number of objects which are found during different excavations of the city and surrounding waters of Antibes.
The objects’ past is revealed, presenting Etruscan, Greek, Phoenician and Roman shipwrecks and objects, including ceramics, amphorae, mosaics, coins and much more.
This truly is a museum full of history well worth the visit.
Antibes Cathedral
The Antibes cathedral is a Roman Catholic church which you can find in Antibes.
The cathedral is considered a national monument. The cathedral was begun built in the 5th or 6th century.
The church has been destroyed and attacked many times, but it is equally stunning both inside and out.
Jardin Botanique de la Villa Thuret
This stunning botanical garden is located at Villa Thuret and is a renowned botanical garden.
If you are passionate and interested in gardens and plants, you’ll love this botanical garden which was created in 1857 by Gustave Thuret who was a botanist that studied the reproduction of algae.
Museum Peynet – Musée Peynet et du Dessin humoristique
This museum was created in 1989 in Antibes and is created as a celebration and recognition of the most well-known and honorary citizens.
The museum is fitted with air-conditioning, which certainly is needed during the summer. Inside the museum, you’ll find several hundred works of various artists in all shapes and forms, including lithographs, gouaches, China inks, porcelains, dolls, watercolors and much more.
The museum has an octagonal shape and is regularly open to humoristic drawers or not.
