Making the most of Antibes
Use these notes to shape a realistic day ashore, then confirm any time-sensitive information for the date of your call.
Arriving at the port
A 10-minute walk from the port leads into the very heart of the old town. Cruise visitors can wander the city's intriguing small streets, see the Cathedral and Provençal market, or enter Chateau Grimaldi, home of the Picasso Museum. A little tourist train also runs to Juan-les-Pins and its sandy beaches.
Only smaller vessels can berth in Antibes; passengers from other ships come ashore by tender. The town lies 1 km from the tender quay, a walk of about 10 minutes.
Phocaeans from Massilia established Antibes as Antipolis, a Greek and later Roman settlement whose name meant "Cross-City" and reflected its position near Nice. The attractive city is easy to reach on foot, with excellent views on the approach to its old centre.
Antibes derives much of its appeal from the compact harbour of fishing vessels and leisure yachts, and from an old town of characterful buildings and flower-filled markets. In contrast to some larger coastal towns, it retains much of the rhythm of a fishing village: quiet, relaxed and rich in Mediterranean atmosphere among Roman remains. Immediately beside it are the very different wealthy enclave of Cap d'Antibes and the nightlife of Juan les Pins.
Musée Picasso occupies Château Grimaldi on the ramparts above the port. Formerly home to the Grimaldi princes of Antibes, who governed from 1385 to 1608, it now holds one of the great Picasso collections. Hours are June–Sept Tues–Sun 10am–6pm, extended to 8pm July–Aug; and Oct–May Tues–Sun 10am–noon and 2–5:30pm.
Getting around
Antibes and Juan les Pins each have a station on the principal Nice-Cannes railway. Bus no 200 also runs regularly between Cannes, Antibes and Nice, calling at Place Charles de Gaulle.
Nearby places
A range of fashionable boutiques can be found in Juan les Pins.
- Juan les Pins is home to several stylish boutiques.
Food and shopping
Every morning except Monday, Marché Provençal, the covered market near the harbour, presents an impressive choice of fresh meat, fish, cheese and vegetables.
Money
The currency is the euro.
Opening Hours and
Across France, most banks, museums, information offices, businesses and shops remain open throughout the day. Smaller enterprises are the exception and may pause for lunch between 12.30pm and 2pm. Large shops generally trade Monday to Saturday from 8 or 9am until 6.30 or 7.30pm; smaller ones usually open Tuesday to Saturday, with some also trading on Monday afternoon. Even on customary closing days, food shops and boulangeries can be found open, normally until noon on Sunday.