Is Hyères Worth visiting in 2026? Affordable French Riviera

This guide answers if Hyères is worth visiting and what to see and do there. (Including the beaches, the food, when to go. )

My short answer tp that question is yes, with conditions.

Hyères is a magical coastal area on the French Riviera, around 30 km from Toulon. I have visited it the place first time in 2024.

Mesmerising water, hills that invite you for a morning hike or a full day on the trails, fresh seafood restaurants overlooking small ports that still look like working fishing villages rather than tourist infrastructure.

The Giens Peninsula stretches south from the city into the Mediterranean, and from its tip you can take a twenty-minute ferry to Porquerolles, an island that stops feeling like France almost immediately.

We visited in August, which I’ll be honest about: it was the wrong month.

Crowds everywhere, prices noticeably higher, Porquerolles so busy that it reminded me of Amsterdam on a summer weekend. My girlfriend had visited in September and said the difference was significant, half the people, same weather, same beaches.

How to Get to Hyères?

You can fly to directly to Toulon-Hyères airport which is super close to the first beaches. Plage de l’Almanarre, one of the longest one in the area, is only 6 km away.

So, then renting the car, seems as the best option.

If you want to take a bus, in 20 minutes you can reach the city centre. From the city, buses are 40-50 minutes to the beaches at the southern part of the Giens Peninsula.

Another option, a bit longer, is to fly to Paris, especially interesting for you if you are not from Europe.

Then, you can take the TGV train to Toulon train station. Not only it is super fast, comfortable, and enjoyable, but you got to see French scenery from behind the glass, it feels like documentary movie.

It is also not that expensive. The journey is around 4 hours and just 4 stops on the way to the south.

From Toulon train station, it is another 30 minutes by train to Hyères station.

As my girlfriend’s parents live in Paris, we took this route as well, and it was an unforgettable experience. The vineyards, and medieval scenery around Lyon, or streets during a slow ride close to Marseille coast would not be seen from the plane.

Last option is interesting if you would like to combine Hyères with other islands like Corsica, or Sardinia. In that case you can opt for ferry.

There are also regular services to Balearic Island departing to and from Toulon.

Even though Hyères isn’t that known as Marseille, Nice, or Cannes, it is relatively easily reachable.

One of the importan taspects of considering if Hyères is worth visiting is to know how to get around.

If you plan to visit beaches on the Giens Peninsula or do island hopping, renting a car would offer you more freedom.

We had a car, but if we wouldn’t, I would feel comfortable using the local bus system there.

The buses were departing from Hyères bus station regularly to almost every part of the peninsula. The ride is a bit longer though, around 50 minutes from Hyères center to beach side at the Giens peninsula.

But if you are in no rush, you would enjoy the slow rides.

Also, the buses were very clean, almost empty, and on time.

Another option is scooter.
Can’t imagine more idyllic feeling as wind in the hair, no windows and French Riviera next to you.

Is Hyères worth visiting: What to Do in Hyères?

• Hiking
• Discovering local French cousine
• Island Hopping, Next to Porquerolles, I would recommend to visit Port Cros
• Snorkeling
• Beach hopping
• Visiting the Historical Centre of Hyères Including Hyères Château
• Wine Tasting on Porquerolles Island in La Courtade winery
  

This was the trial path along the coast.

Where to Eat at Hyeres if you are Vegetarian or Pescatarian

If you are vegetarian or pescatarian Hyères will feel like paradise to you.

We found delicious seafood (that’s the most common type of food here) but also tasty vegan sandwiches.

For some people, the food choices make the difference when deciding if Hyères is worth visiting.

Honestly, for me, the variety felt a bit limited, and could be higher and the price is slightly higher than in Italy for instance. But as for the taste, you will eat deliciously here.

La Bouillabaisse

This is restaurants located close to Madrague and it offers the typical French/Mediterranean cuisine.

A lot of fish, veggies and local wine. I have tried Bouillabaisse soup first time in my life, and it was delicious.

Seaview was spectacular, overlooking the Madrague port. This location is ideal also if you come for a day trip with the bus from Hyères as the bus stop is just down the road.

The food was tasty (not as in La Mandra), but quite pricey, even for Cote d’Azur standards. The evening menu, without drinks, was 42 euros/per person.

The service was attentive, but none of them spoke English.

Savage Cafe La Capte

This place is located close to Plage des Pesquiers and Hyères Port, just opposite Plage de l’Almanarre.

On the way back, we wanted to go to Cafe Boheme initially, it was recommended by my girlfriend’s mum.

Unfortunately, the place was closed, even if Google says it was open!?

In case, you plan to visit it, maybe call before to make sure they are open.

Anyway, I have to say we were all positively surprised by this tiny place. Although they don’t serve particularly French/Mediterranean, the food is tasty.

We all had salmon(the freshest I had on the entire peninsula), different sorts of veggies, bread, or rice, and all were very fresh.

The place is open only for breakfast, brunch, or lunch. So no dinner.

I loved the service. First place, where the lady could not only answer but also speak English.

La Grotte

Unfortunately, we werent able to make it to this restaurant, but I was passing it by daily.

The place, is super close to La Madrague.

The owner is very friendly, and even though we haven’t eaten there she would always greet us while passing by.

The place has a variety of Vegetarian options at a reasonable price, around 15-17 euros for the dish (why couldn’t we make it there?)

One practical tip: they have a siesta after 3.30 pm, so if you like a late lunch, don’t go there.

Additionally, always book a table! I will never make the same mistake and forget, this is the reason we didn’t eat there as they were full on the day we wanted to visit.

Lastly, the place is what many would describe as a hipster place, with reggae music, laid-back vibe and sitting outisde next to the road.

Cafe Boheme

Another place we hadn’t had luck visiting this time.

Not from firsthand, but from my girlfriend and her mum. They are both French, so as far i am concerned, we are safe to trust them.

From what I heard, the place has super tasty food (some call it best in Hyères), reasonably priced, but not a lot of choices.

Occasionally, there is live music.

As already mentioned, be sure you call before visiting, to make sure they are open.

Where to stay in Hyères?

We’ve stayed in the southernmost part Giens Peninsula (thats the the up-side-down T island,) in Madrague port.

The reason for it?

The beaches. Next to best beaches of the entire area, the other advantages of this place are the nearby port, hiking trail, bus stop, and restaurants.

If grocery stores, and more vibrant area are important for you, book something in the city.

As the city center of Hyères is half an hour driving or 50 minutes of bus ride away from the best beacehs in Hyeres, you can consider it. Last option would be directly on Porquerolles island. Its fair to say, the prices are higher here and not that many options available.

Especially, in the summer the prices for places near the beaches are overpriced.

We were four, together with my girlfriend and her parents, so we paid a bit less per person If solo traveling, center is cheaper. If you are asking if Hyères is worth visiting, come in diferent month than August, otherwise you think it is overhyped place.

What Are The Best Beaches in Hyères?

Literally, any direction you drive from Hyères, you will find beautiful beaches. Hyères is Cot d’Azur in the end, one of the most sought after, European summer destinations. Unlike Brittany,where the beautufil beaches were unexpected bonus, you expect beautiful beaches here.

For me the beaches alone are the reasosn why is Hyères worth visiting!

During our short, 5-day stay, I’ve visited 5 beaches. So, I can give you first-hand experience, from all those. There are beaches you can sunbath, beaches you can admire amazing sunsets, or beach you have to hike through the relatively dense forest to get to. Nevertheless, the views are spectacular on every each of them.

Besides those beaches mentioned below, there are plenty of similar ones nearby.

Plage de l’Almanarre

The longest beach we visited. We were there on the way to Toulon on our departure day.

Surprisingly to its size( beach is super long, connecting the t-peninsula with the mainland), it can get pretty busy.

We were there in August, the busiest month, so I can imagine September or October would be better.

With that said, if you walk towards the end of the beach (side of the mainland) you’ll find a spot for a towel in any day.

Good to know: it’s one of the few, sand-only beaches on the peninsula.

Plage de la Madrague

The first beach we arrived at, as it was only 10 minutes walking from our apartment. It is also the start of the hiking trail around the west coast. The surface is sand, with small pebbles.

The beach is rather small, and it can get packed with families with small kids pretty early. But then again, mind the month we visited the beach.

The water is super shallow for meters, in fact until the small island opposite the beach. Hence many families present.

This beach had the best sunset, but if you want some serenity, and more space, search for other places.

Plage d’Escampo-Barriou

In my opinion, this is the most beautiful beach on the peninsula.

It is hard to reach (depending on from where you will approach it), count on at least a 15-minute long quite tough walk, through the forest. Second, probably a bit more comfortable option is arriving by boat. We didn’t have the boat, so we walked.

The beach is serene and great for snorkelling, or as one of the stops if you are hiking along the coast, as we did.

The surface is small rocks, and even we prefer sand, this time it didn’t matter to us.

Just great experience.

Plage des Darboussières

Beautiful beach on the other southern side of the peninsula.

It was also just a 10-minute walk from our apartment.

he water here is clearer than on Page de la Madrague. The environment of the beach is also more raw. You are surrounded by rocks, cliffs, and other rugged terrain, yet the beach can get quite busy in August.

The views from the rocks above are amazing though.

Plage Notre Dame (Porquerolles)

The only beach, I have visited on Porquerolles. Because of the bike accident, the mother of my girlfriend experienced, I was there alone.

Side note, if you are not an experienced biker, I wouldn’t recommend renting a bike on Porquerolles during high season. My girlfriend stayed on the island in September 2 years ago and said, the bike traffic was down by 50%. In August, most locals drive like crazy. And I am living in Amsterdam, biking capital of Europe, so as you can imagine, I’ve seen some “bike madness” already.

The beach itself is long, similar to Plage de l’Almanarre, with a more beautiful sea, a real Caribbean like style, and better snorkeling, but much bigger crowds.

Especially, the places at the first half of the beach (from the road) are quickly taken, as the distance from the shore to the sea is maybe 1-2. meters. If you walk further you might be lucky to get a spot.

Be prepared to be closely surrounded by others though.

Interestingly enough, around 3 pm, the crowds were down to half as at noon. This is because the ferry departure. Even in the summer the last ferry was scheduled at 6.45 pm. I believe those leaving wanted to continue up north to other beaches, stop at the winery or just have early dinner in the port.

As I didn’t do any of those, I could enjoy nice beach time in a beautiful spot.

Finally.

The best time to visit is in shoulder season May or September, if you are lucky, October can still offer you some beach time and pleasant temperature.

April is still quite unstable in terms of temperature. Also, if you would like to enjoy beaches, most likely you won’t go to sea in April as the air temperature is not above 20 degrees.

July and August are to be avoided unless you don’t mind huge crowds, super high prices and also possible heat waves.

November to March can be nice, if you want empty city, but don’t count on beach time. If you come this time ,you could combine visiting other cities that aren’t that far and offer more to see than Hyères. Think of Marseille, St.Tropez, or even Cannes or Nice.

• I wish I knew how different experience in can be to visit Hyères in August and in September. We came in high season (August) and in terms of crowds, it was disaster. Everywhere too many people. Porquerolles island felt more busy than Amsterdam. Beaches offered half meter of space in the wide, before meeting fellow sun seeker. Boats looked like they are transferring sardines and not people. Contrary to this, my girlfriend went in September with her family and said the crowds were half.

• I didn’t realise this before, but locals do keep siestas here as well. So not only in Italy. Hence, many restaurants and some shops are closed during the lunch time. If you are unprepared you might end without a lunch With the heat, and crowds of August it did not me a good on the first day. Avoid this mistake.

• There is a well-organised, time efficient and new public transport system. This makes it easy to travel around Hyères, and to the Giens peninsula. As we were with one person who has problems with faster walking, we decided to rent a car. It was quite expensive. Would I be coming again, I would be comfortable to rely on the buses only.

• As for the vegetarian or pescatarian food, the options are mainly seafood. Amazing local wine and also craft beer are worth of trying. If you don’t eat fish, there are still some choices, but you might feel a bit limited.