How to spend the day in Antibes
Old Town Antibes (Vieille Ville)
Informally known as Old Town Antibes, this centuries-old neighborhood is alive with activities, including a market selling arts and fresh produce. You could easily spend a full day strolling through weathered stone arches and cobblestone paths of the Vieille Ville. Highlights include the Cathedral Notre-Dame and the Musee Picasso.
Carré Fort
Carré Fort (Fort Carré) has long provided protection for the town as one of the first bastion forts built during the Renaissance period.
Plage De Salis
Among Antibes’ many public beaches, Plage De Salis is particularly picturesque and favored for its gentle, yet crisp blue waters. Enjoy the gorgeous Mediterranean Sea and real sand. A small fee may be charged for access to parts of the beach.
Marché Provencal
You can taste the very best in Provencal-style cuisine at the market, including seasonal vegetables, herbs, and olive oils.
Musée Picasso
You can’t miss this former estate in the Old Town – the Château Grimaldi – towering above the surrounding quaint buildings. Once you stand in this building’s shadow, you’ll quickly see why the legendary artist Pablo Picasso made it his home in 1946. Today, the Musée Picasso houses one of the largest collections of work by local painters and sculptors – including many pieces Picasso himself created while inspired by his picturesque surroundings.
Picasso Trail
The Picasso Trail is a must-see after visiting the Musée Picasso, as it offers a continued journey into Antibes’ artistic past. As his paintings from the time demonstrate, Picasso was deeply inspired by Antibes’ diverse landscapes. On this trail, you’ll see the very same rocky outcroppings and deep blue sea coves that filled his imagination.
Cathedral Notre-Dame
Cathedral Notre-Dame will immediately jump out due to its vibrantly colored Provencal Baroque façade. Located in Old Town Antibes, the cathedral places a major emphasis on its storied religious emblems, including its crucifix and a statuette known as Virgin of the Rosary of Louis Bréa. These pieces date back to 1447 and 1513 respectively, drawing in religious travelers from across the region.
Musée d'Archéologie
The Musée d’Archéologie houses some of Antibes’ most poignant historical artifacts. Located in a building that’s historically significant on its own, this museum’s collection includes a variety of pieces dating back to ancient Greece and Rome – including several harvested directly from the bay.
Cap d’Antibes
Cap d’Antibes is a rocky outcrop that has a well-marked trail with stairs and guard rails to provide travelers with an opportunity to bask in the Mediterranean’s majesty. It’s a must-visit point of interest at the most southern point in Antibes. Access to the trail can be found starting at the Plage de la Garoupe. The trail can easily be completed within 90 minutes.
La Taille de Guêpe
La Taille de Guêpe is a restaurant in the old town that will charm you with its modern approach to cooking and its love for flowers, fruit and vegetables. Choose from zucchini flowers stuffed with goat’s cheese, vegetable tartare, flower and germinated grain salad, a variety of flower ice creams and strawberry purée, to name but a few.