Things to Do in Antibes: A One-Day Itinerary
With one day in Antibes, start with the Provençal market on cours Masséna and the lanes of Old Antibes, visit the Picasso Museum in the Château Grimaldi, then spend the afternoon on Cap d'Antibes (the Garoupe plateau, the coastal path or a trip out on the water). Finish at Port Vauban, at the foot of Jaume Plensa's Nomade.
Within just a few kilometers, Antibes packs in a fortified old town, one of the most distinctive Picasso museums on the French Riviera and a cape that is still remarkably unspoiled. Here's a realistic plan you can do on foot and by bus, without rushing.
Morning: the Provençal market and the lanes of Old Antibes
Arrive early. The Provençal market is held under the covered hall on cours Masséna, from 7:30am to 1pm (1:45pm from June to August), every day except Monday from September to May, according to the tourist office. Fruit, cheese, socca, olives, flowers: this is the best time to get a feel for the town before the tour groups arrive.
From there, wander the lanes around the cathedral and the Safranier quarter, then head up to the Promenade Amiral de Grasse, on the ramparts overlooking the sea. We cover every stop in the old town in our guide What to see in Old Antibes.
Practical tip: Antibes train station is less than ten minutes' walk from the old town. If you're coming from Nice or Cannes, the train is by far the easiest option; parking in the old town is scarce and paid.
Late morning: the Picasso Museum at the Château Grimaldi
The Château Grimaldi, perched on the ramparts (place Mariéjol), houses the Picasso Museum. Picasso worked here from mid-September to mid-November 1946 and left the museum 23 paintings and 44 drawings, plus 78 ceramics made in Vallauris in 1947-1948. The museum also shows works by Nicolas de Staël, Hans Hartung and Anna-Eva Bergman, and has a sculpture terrace facing the sea.
- Closed on Mondays, as well as on some public holidays.
- Published 2026 opening hours: 10am-1pm and 2pm-6pm off-season, 10am-6pm straight through from June 15 to September 15 .
- A €15 combined ticket gives access to the municipal museums and Fort Carré for 7 consecutive days; the single ticket price is .
Allow 1 to 1.5 hours on site.
Lunch, then Fort Carré or Gravette beach
After lunch, two options depending on your energy levels.
Fort Carré
North of Port Vauban, Fort Carré is one of the earliest Renaissance fortresses, commissioned by Henri II to watch over the border with the County of Nice. Its rampart walk overlooks the bay, surrounded by 4 hectares of protected Mediterranean gardens. It's closed on Mondays and may close without notice in bad weather. The tourist office lists a full-price ticket of €5 in 2026 .
Gravette beach
For a lazier option: the small sandy Gravette beach is tucked behind the ramparts, on the harbor side. Reach it on foot along the quay; the water is usually calm, perfect for a quick swim before moving on.
Afternoon: head for Cap d'Antibes
Cap d'Antibes is the real reason to stay a full day. Three ways to discover it:
- On foot along the coastal path (Tire-Poil): about 5 km and 2 hours according to the tourist office, between Garoupe beach and the southern tip of the cape. The path closes in bad weather (especially strong winds), and a section below Villa Eilenroc is subject to closures for works. All the details are in our article Cap d'Antibes coastal path.
- Via the Garoupe plateau: walk up from Salis beach along the chemin du Calvaire, dotted with small shrines. At the top you'll find the lighthouse (103 m above sea level), the Notre-Dame-de-la-Garoupe chapel and a viewpoint table that, on a clear day, takes in everything from Italy to Cap Camarat.
- From the sea: the water is where you best understand the cape, with its coves and villas that can't be reached by road.
Getting around: the Envibus network serves Cap d'Antibes from the town center . Bring water: the path has little shade.
End of the day: Port Vauban and the Nomade
Head back to Port Vauban for sunset. On the Bastion Saint-Jaume, at the harbor entrance, Jaume Plensa's Nomade, a seated figure about 8 meters tall made of letters, gazes out to sea. On permanent display since 2010, it's lit up at night. Access to the bastion is free . Along the quays, the superyachts moored there are part of the show.
If you're staying on the Juan-les-Pins side, check out our ideas for a sunset between Juan-les-Pins and Cap d'Antibes.
Our partners in Antibes
Frequently asked questions
Can you visit Antibes without a car?
Yes. The train station is less than ten minutes' walk from the old town, and Cap d'Antibes is served by Envibus buses .
Is the Picasso Museum open on Mondays?
No, the Picasso Museum is closed on Mondays all year round, as well as on some public holidays. Check the day's opening hours on the town's website before you go.
Is Marineland still open?
No. Marineland in Antibes closed permanently on January 5, 2025, and the site is no longer open to the public.
Is one day enough for Antibes?
One day lets you see the highlights of the old town and part of the cape. To do the coastal path and a sea activity without rushing, allow two days.
Kayaking with Azurkay
To see Cap d'Antibes from its best angle, take to the water. Our 4-hour guided tour departs from Plage du Crouton, follows the coast to the Billionaires' Bay and mixes snorkeling with supervised jumps from the rocks (up to 15 m, for those who want to), in a small group of 16 people maximum with state-certified instructors. Price: €75. All the info and booking are on the Cap d'Antibes kayak tour page.
