10 Best Family Things to Do in Antibes

Marineland delights visitors with a vibrant display of fish, whales, seals and other fascinating animals. Set on 26 hectares near Les Groules, the marine zoological park, founded in 1970, features several attractions from encounters to unique habitats and experiences that the whole family will enjoy.

One of the most visited sites of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, Marineland provides a glimpse at marine animals in their element. The Shark Tunnel and Orca Fjord offer prime viewing of activities above and under the water. You’ll see friendly bottlenoses at Dolphin Island, playful penguins at the Antarctica habitat and harbour seals at the Lagoon. Kids will not want to miss the 5D Adventure Cinema with all of its fun surprises.

Antibes Land attracts families from near and far with rides, games, food and entertainment. Open seasonally, the largest park on the Côte d'Azur is within walking distance of Camping Douce France and is the ultimate destination for diversions for young and old.

At Antibes Land, the rides are the main attraction. Little ones have the Big Apple children’s rollercoaster, Fantasia carousel and Safari Train, while everyone in the family can head to the Log Flume water coaster and the Oasis virtual reality simulators for a great time. Finally, if you prefer something more thrilling, head to the Wild Mouse roller coaster, Boomerang giant pendulum or Adrenaline giant swing.

Aquasplash makes waves with cool pools and slides offering plenty of twists and turns. Part of the Marineland theme park, the seasonal water park has attractions for all sizes, including a massive wave pool. Young kids will have a blast at Pirate Island, a vibrant oasis with palm trees, treasure chests, water activities and waterfalls.

Thrill-seekers at Aquasplash head to the Side Winder slide to see if they can brave the dizzying 10-metre descent. Teenagers and adults have Rainbow Cannon, where they will find a transparent water tube to go down for a wild time. If you want a more relaxed experience, head to the VIP area near the lagoon and relax on one of the luxurious Balinese beds.

Plage de la Gravette is a public beach featuring calm waters and soft sand. Located about a mile northeast of Antibes city centre, the public beach is the closest to Old Town and enjoys shade from the ramparts. The shallow waters make it a nice destination for families.

The sheltered cove offers a nice, quiet escape. You can relax and read a book, make sandcastles or join a game of beach volleyball. As for amenities, there is a lifeguard during July and August and showers and changing rooms for your convenience.

Le Bois des Lutins means 'the wood of elves' in French, and this magical attraction in the forest offers plenty of opportunities for play. Less than 30 minutes north of the city in Villeneuve-Loubet, this amusement centre stirs the imagination with its enchanting world of gnomes, imps, fairies, leprechauns and other little people.

At Le Bois des Lutins, nature offers a beautiful setting for this unique playground with attractions for kids to enjoy. Along with lookout cabins with peepholes, other things that will pique kids’ interest include the Imps Luges, Portal Ship, Trolls Village and Leprechauns Observatory, the highest point featuring a platform to take in the view.

Cap d’Antibes Coastal Path (Le Sentier du Littoral, Cap d’Antibes) invites you to take a stroll and enjoy the beauty of the natural surroundings. The hiking trail set along the coastline starts at Plage de la Garoupe and continues with clearly marked signs and places to stop along the way.

When strolling Cap d’Antibes Coastal Path (Le Sentier du Littoral, Cap d’Antibes), plan for 60 to 90 minutes depending on your pace. Families can enjoy little alcoves and beaches as well as places to rest and enjoy a picnic. Outdoor enthusiasts will find the path a hidden gem with gorgeous panoramic views.

Canyon Forest is a pristine outdoor adventure park that offers action-packed activities for everyone. Set along Le Loup River in Villeneuve-Loubet village, this family-friendly attraction is in a pristine natural setting and features a ropes course, canyoning and more.

If you want to explore and enjoy the activities at Canyon Forest, you should know that it is only accessible by foot or bike, about a 1.5-mile trip. Once here, you will have ample choice with the fun Travel Adventure area featuring the Yakamonter green course, almost 50 workshops and highlights such as the Net of Peaks and Log Bridge. Other options for a memorable visit include outdoor laser tag and canyoning.

Kid’s Island will keep children busy with fun activities and attractions. The family destination is part of Marineland and offers engaging experiences, including live animal encounters at the farm. Children will get to see donkeys, mallard ducks, chinchillas, hens and more, and for even more fun, pony rides are also an option.

At Kid’s Island, young visitors can enjoy face painting or head to Magic River for a leisurely boat ride. Over at the pirate-themed Splash Battle, it’s all about water play with the challenge to spray as many people as possible. As for food, The Saloon has all the good eats, from burgers to desserts and other delicious options.

Pinède Garden (Jardin de la Pinède) boasts a beautiful setting for families to unwind. Set less than a 10-minute drive south of the city centre in the neighbouring town of Juan-les-Pins, this pine grove and urban park next to the sea offers a scenic spot to enjoy the day.

The northern part of Pinède Garden is where you will find the children’s playground. Kids will have a blast taking a whirl around the merry-go-round and just sitting under the shade of the trees. If you are travelling to the area during the summer, the park also hosts a free jazz concert series for all ages.

Island hopping to Île Sainte-Marguerite and the Île Saint-Honorat is a breeze from Antibes. The 2 largest islands of the Lérins Islands chain, which also includes the smaller Îlot de la Tradelière and Îlot Saint-Ferréol, make for a splendid Mediterranean day trip for the family.

If island hopping to Île Sainte-Marguerite and the Île Saint-Honorat sounds intriguing, you can take a ferry to both. Along with the scenic Côte d'Azur surroundings, you will see other sites, including a historic prison that you might notice from the film 'The Man in the Iron Mask', a 17th-century fortress and museum, and walking trails. Over at Île Saint-Honorat, there is an abbey and monastery as well as walking trails and spots for swimming.