South of France Series: How to spend five days in Antibes
The Côte d'Azur has a lot to offer from its tepid azure waters, extensive vineyards and rich culture and history, as well as all the glitz and the glam but Antibes, situated between Nice and Cannes on the French Riviera is a special gem. Famous for its charming old town, celebrated artists, including Picasso himself took a lot of inspiration from the beautiful scenery surrounding Antibes. Now firmly one of my south of France faves - I had a glorious trip here last summer with a girlfriend for her 30th birthday and we are still reliving the memories. Antibes is a place of sophistication and grandeur, and at the same time of simplicity and solace. This post is dedicated to reliving the memories of my recent trip and if you build in even a few of these tips to your Antibes itinerary, guaranteed you will have a delightful time.
Where to stay
There is a range of accommodation in Antibes to cater for most budgets but do expect to pay 5-star rates for any of the beach front hotels which are namely booked out with A-Listers during the summer months, including Hotel du Cap Eden Roc or the beautiful Belle Rives Hotel. We were fortunate enough to spend a few nights in the magnificent Belle Rives at the end of our trip, and prior to that we stayed in the delightful Hotel Mas Djoliba, a charming converted farm house and boutique hotel with its own pool, conveniently located in the heart of Antibes.
Follow in the footsteps of world renown artists along Picasso’s trail
Learn about Antibes’ creative past on this informative and inspiring walking trail. Some of the most famous paintings have been used to create Picasso’s trail - a walk which incorporates rocky ridges, the distant mountains and the stunning backdrop of the cote d'azur. Each location which was the inspiration for a painting is marked by a laminated copy of the painting in question, as well as some information about the artist who created it. The walk is around 5 Km and takes approximately 2 hours to complete.
Explore the cote d'azur by sea
Charter a boat with skipper included and take a half day or full day trip exploring the French Riviera. In a half day you will be able to discover the beauties of the Cap d’Antibes, the Lérins Islands and the bay of Cannes or in a full day you may be able to venture as far as the world famous beaches of Saint Tropez or the luxurious harbour of Monte Carlo. You could also to chose a sunset sail if you wanted a more romantic experience but its all epic. We opted for a half day trip and charted our Boat from the really helpful concierge at the Belle Rives hotel. We had champagne on deck and we stopped off as often as our hearts desired for swimming and snorkeling. It really was a magical day on the riviera.
Indulge in seafront Michelin Star Dining
Gastronomy at its finest – you can dine with the sea at Les Pêcheurs restaurant in the 5 Star Cap d’Antibes Beach Hotel. If you do one indulgent thing on your trip to Antibes – this restaurant should be on your bucket list. It really is exquisite, from the ambiance to the sea views and the chefs tasting menu. We chose to dine here on the eve of my friends 30th and the team at the restaurant really helped us see in the evening appropriately (with copious amounts of champagne). 5 star everything!
Explore Historic Antibes Old Town
Away from the Riviera, there is so much to do and see in the old town, with vibrant open-air food & craft markets, a 12th-century chateau and an annual Jazz festival. We spent an afternoon just strolling around the cobbled streets, soaking in the atmosphere and stopping off at refreshments at local wine bars along the way. If you are looking for a restaurant recommendation – I would highly recommend Le Comptoir de La Tourraque or for a wine and cheese type of evening Le Café Brun was a happening little spot.
Sip cocktails at Sundown on the terrace at Belle Rives
I could sit all day on the terrace at Belle Rives Hotel. Overlooking the sea, in the evening a Piano man plays, you can sip on your tipple of choice and people watch or just take it all in. The ambiance is just perfect as you sit and watch the sun go down.
Explore Antibes best Beaches
Antibes, together with Cap d’Antibes and the sunny beach resort of Juan-les-Pins, boasts beautiful sandy beaches, as well as secluded pebbled coves and rocky platforms, some of which are public. Most of the more exclusive beach front hotels have their own private beaches for guests where you can avail of the deckchairs and just launch yourself into the ocean to refresh or have some rest bite from the sun whenever the notion takes you. The public beaches can get very busy during peak summer months but plenty of space for everyone. Spend a day at Plage du Ponteil with breath-taking views of the Alps, Plage Ponteil is a long sandy beach and is a favourite with the locals. Or alternatively visit Plage de la Salis, a soft white sandy beach which runs along the base of the Cap d'Antibes from the Antibes Sailing Club.
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