Visit Antibes: what are the best things to do and see during a stopover between Cannes and Nice?
The second city of the Alps-Maritimes, many elders dream of visiting Antibes, who are only waiting for their holidays to come and enjoy the Mediterranean, a sun-filled land and a clear and turquoise sea. The first traces of human activity in Antibes date back to the first age of iron – around 1100 BC – but the exchanges developed under the influence of the Phoceans of Marseille.
In the 5th century before our era, the Greeks established a counter – called Antipolis – between Fort Carré and the old city. With its history, its cultural heritage and its location, Antibes is a must-see city that has so many exhilarating attractions that we know only to do in Antibes when we arrive.
Antibes has a very rich cultural heritage. In fact, one will not wonder whether to make in Antibes so many of its charms are: the historic center, the marina, the Provencal market, the anti-wood museums, the course of Antibes via the customs trails, the bay of the Angels, Juan-les-Pins, and finally, the amusement park for children Marineland... Here are some things to do by going to visit Antibes.
1. Old town
Photo credit: Flickr – Juan Salmoral
Aside from the cannae and niçois tumult, Antibes, between the sea and the mountains, appears as a small charming city where it makes good living. Discover its alleys, small squares and craftsmen’s workshops by wandering and strolling around the edges of desires. The old town is surrounded by fortifications erected by Vauban, they attest to a rich military past.
On the peninsula of Saint-Roch, Fort Carré is to be seen. Built in the 16th century to protect the Provence of the Duchy of Savoie, was renovated by Vauban a century after its construction and now belongs to the lists of historical monuments.
2. The provencal market
Photo credit: Riviera Kitchen
Every morning, the market will provide you with a festival of scents and fresh local produce. Charcuterie and mountain cheeses, specialities, spices, bouquets of cut or dried flowers, tasty results from the work of producers and the generosity of nature. Under the Massena Course Hall, you will not miss this morning meeting if you come to visit Antibes.
Why? Because the picturesque Provençal market displays a preservation of popular Provence at the time the high-end invades the region!
3. The Picasso Museum
Photo credit: Flickr – Heather Cowper
In the Château des Grimaldi, a historical monument since 1928, discover the paintings created by the famous painter when he resided in Antibes during the post-war years. In these galleries, his painting « La Joie de vivre » is emblematic of what the painter lived in Antibes. In addition to this, the works of Nicolas de Staël, Hans Hartung and Anna-Eva Bergman, as well as a very rich collection of modern art.
4. The Marineland Amusement Park
Photo credit: Flickr – Chuckas_McFly
This is the largest marine zoo in Europe. A magical place for your children, who will marvel at shows whose actors are orques, dolphins or sea lions... Founded in 1970 and extended over 26 hectares, it hosts more than a million visitors per year.
5. The Cape of Antibes
Photo credit: Flickr – Alessandro Baffa
Set your stopover to visit Antibes by the famous Cap d’Antibes, a little corner of paradise to be discovered by taking the “Smugglers’ path”, with its castles and dream villas.
On the coastline of the cape, enjoy 25 km of coastline where beaches of pebbles and fine sand, and unforgettable bathing. If you’re looking for a train station, it may be difficult to find a sand rectangle to put your towel in the middle of the summer!
6. A boat ride
Photo credit: Shutterstock – dvoevnore
Visiting Antibes is also enjoying its coastline. Indeed, very nice excursions are to be made by boat, such as those leading to the Cap d’Antibes or the Lérins Islands.
It would be a shame not to rent a boat in Antibes , and thus miss the Mediterranean setting to go there.
Find a boat for rent in Antibes
7. Other ideas of visits to Antibes and its surroundings
- See Le Nomade, by Jaume Plensa, a statue located on the port of Antibes
- Stop visiting Juan-les-Pins by going to the Cap d’Antibes
- Visit Vallauris and Biot, two villages in the hinterland
- Antibes is also a good anchor for visiting Nice and Cannes and the rest of the Côte d’Azur
How to get to Antibes?
The nearest airport to go to Antibes is Nice, located about 30 minutes away. To find cheap flights to Antibes, you can search our partner's website Skyscanner .
Where to stay in Antibes?
Whether in Antibes, Juan-les-Pins or in the Cap d’Antibes, you can find an important offer of hotels and apartments for rent for you. house in Antibes . You can find a cheap hotel in Antibes by searching for this Compare hotels .
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