Hyères Travel Guide
City Coastal city with beautiful beaches
Palm-lined avenues and a medieval hilltop quarter draw visitors to Hyères, alongside ferries to Porquerolles, salt marshes for birdwatching, the modernist Villa Noailles, and Provençal markets selling olives and sun-dried tomatoes.
Why Visit Hyères? #
Sun, seaside islands and Provençal culture draw many to this Mediterranean town on the Côte d’Azur. Porquerolles Island and the Giens peninsula offer crystalline beaches, while Vieil Hyères charms with narrow lanes and Villa Noailles’ modernist architecture. Visitors come for fresh markets, olive and seafood-driven Provençal cuisine, and an easy pace that blends coastal recreation with art and horticulture.
Who's Hyères For?
Hyères’ Old Town, palm-lined boulevards and sunset ferries to Porquerolles set a romantic tone; dinner on the harbor suits a relaxed evening. Midweek stays at small B&Bs or guesthouses keep costs reasonable outside peak summer months.
Island hopping to Porquerolles and Port-Cros gives access to protected Mediterranean coastlines, pine forests and clear snorkeling waters. The Giens salt flats and coastal trails are superb for birdwatching and sea-view walks; ferries run year-round, more frequent in summer.
Hyères has fresh seafood markets on the port and Provençal bistros serving anchoïade, bouillabaisse and local olive oil. Try the marché provençal in the morning, then sample oysters and rosé on Porquerolles - mid-range meals typically €15-€35.
Shallow beaches on the Giens peninsula and calm coves on Porquerolles are well-suited to kids, while boat trips and the Old Town keep little ones engaged. Ferries and short drives make day trips easy without long transfers from nearby Toulon.
Sailing, windsurfing and snorkeling are popular from Hyères and Giens; several schools offer lessons and equipment rental. Coastal cliffs and island trails also provide good day hikes and sea-kayaking options for active travellers.
Boutique hotels and upscale island villas are available on Porquerolles and along Hyères’ seafront, with fine dining options focusing on local seafood and Provençal ingredients. Expect premium rates in July-August but quieter, better value shoulder seasons.
Top Things to Do in Hyères
All Attractions ›
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- Île de Porquerolles - Short ferry ride to a car-free island with sandy beaches, Fort Saint-Agathe, cycling paths.
- Port-Cros National Park - Protected island park offering coastal trails, crystal-clear snorkeling and Mediterranean wildlife encounters.
- Villa Noailles - 1920s modernist villa turned art center with rotating contemporary design and photography exhibitions.
- Vieille Ville (Hyères Old Town) - Winding medieval lanes above the town with panoramic sea views and ancient ramparts.
- Jardin Olbius Riquier - Victorian-style municipal garden featuring palms, exotic plants, ponds and a small animal enclosure.
- Plage de l'Almanarre - Long sandy bay popular with wind- and kitesurfers, ideal for active seaside afternoons.
- Réserve naturelle nationale des Salins d'Hyères - Extensive salt marshes attracting flamingos and migrating birds, great for peaceful birdwatching walks.
- Vineyards of Porquerolles (Vignobles de Porquerolles) - Small island vineyards producing Provence rosé, with scenic walks among vines and olives.
- Port Saint-Pierre (Hyères harbour) - Working fishing port with seafood restaurants and an evening promenade favored by locals.
- Toulon - Busy naval port city with Mont Faron cable car, naval museums and bustling markets.
- Cassis and the Calanques - Charming harbour town and gateway to limestone calanques; boat trips and cliffside hikes available.
- Saint-Tropez - Historic citadel, bustling old port cafés and Provençal markets make for a lively day out.
- Aix-en-Provence - Elegant university city with Cours Mirabeau, Provençal markets and Belle Époque mansions to explore.
Where to Go in Hyères #
Old Town (Vieille Ville)
The medieval hilltop quarter is Hyères’ most charming slice: narrow streets, pastel houses and small cafés. It’s ideal for a morning market run, wandering galleries and soaking up view-filled terraces. Expect a relaxed, sunlit vibe and fewer tourists than nearby Riviera resorts.
Top Spots
- Place Massillon & winding lanes - cobbled streets, cafés and Provençal markets.
- Église Saint-Louis - the main church up on the hill.
- Local markets - morning stalls for produce and regional goods.
Le Port
Le Port is practical seaside life: fishing boats, seafood restaurants and the ferry pier for trips to the islands. It suits travellers who like eating by the water and want easy island access without the flash of the Côte d’Azur’s big ports.
Top Spots
- Port of Hyères - working marina with waterfront restaurants.
- Marché du Cours - everyday market stalls close to the quay.
- Ferry point (Tour Fondue) - launch point for island trips.
Presqu'île & Giens
The Giens peninsula and its beaches are Hyères’ outdoor playground: windswept shores, cycling routes and quick ferries to Porquerolles. It’s for sun-seekers, windsurfers and anyone who wants an easy island day trip from town.
Top Spots
- Plage de l’Almanarre - wide beach and windsurfing spot.
- Giens Peninsula - salt flats, cycling and coastal paths.
- Ferry to Porquerolles - regular boats from the tip of the peninsula.
Costebelle & Villa Noailles
Costebelle mixes cultured stops with sea views - Villa Noailles is the draw for design lovers, while coastal paths and little beaches make for peaceful afternoons. It’s a good fit for visitors who want art and scenery in one place.
Top Spots
- Villa Noailles - modernist art and design museum with gardens.
- Beaches near Costebelle - small coves and coastal walks.
- Scenic lookout points - panoramic views toward Porquerolles.
Plan Your Visit to Hyères #
Best Time to Visit Hyères #
Go in late spring (May-June) or early autumn (September) for warm sea water, sunny days and far fewer crowds than peak summer. Hyères enjoys a Mediterranean climate: hot, dry summers and mild, wetter winters with occasional windy days.
Best Time to Visit Hyères #
Hyères's climate is classified as Hot-Summer Mediterranean - Hot-Summer Mediterranean climate with warm summers (peaking in August) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 5°C to 28°C. Moderate rainfall (706 mm/year) with a pronounced dry season.
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 13°C and lows of 5°C. Regular rainfall (81 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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February
February is cold with highs of 13°C and lows of 5°C. Moderate rainfall (65 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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March
March is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 6°C. Moderate rainfall (52 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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April
April is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (63 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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May
May is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 12°C. Moderate rainfall (48 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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June
June is mild with highs of 24°C and lows of 15°C. Moderate rainfall (33 mm).
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July
July is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 18°C. The driest month with just 8 mm and mostly sunny skies.
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August
August is the warmest month with highs of 28°C and lows of 18°C. Moderate rainfall (32 mm) and mostly sunny skies.
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September
September is mild with highs of 24°C and lows of 15°C. Moderate rainfall (56 mm).
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October
October is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 12°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (109 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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November
November is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 8°C. Regular rainfall (82 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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December
December is cold with highs of 14°C and lows of 6°C. Moderate rainfall (77 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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How to Get to Hyères
Hyères is easiest reached via Toulon-Hyères Airport (TLN) or by regional TER trains to Gare de Hyères; larger international options are Nice Côte d'Azur (NCE) and Marseille Provence (MRS) with onward rail or road connections. The town is compact, so once you arrive most attractions are a short drive or bus ride away.
Toulon-Hyères Airport (TLN): The closest airport, about 4 km from Hyères centre. From TLN you can reach the town by taxi in roughly 10-15 minutes (approx. €10-€20) or by local shuttle/bus services; travel time by scheduled bus is around 15-25 minutes depending on the stop. Car hire is available at the airport and driving into Hyères takes about 10 minutes.
Nice Côte d’Azur (NCE) and Marseille Provence (MRS): Both are larger international airports used for more flight options. From Nice Côte d’Azur, expect a combined drive/train journey of about 2-2.5 hours to Hyères; taxis are not practical for the whole trip - most travellers take a train from Nice to Toulon then a TER to Hyères. From Marseille Provence Airport, travel to Hyères is typically 1.5-2 hours by a mix of shuttle/bus and TER trains via Marseille-Saint-Charles and Toulon, or by rental car direct (around 1h20-1h40 depending on traffic).
Train: Hyères is served by Gare de Hyères on the TER Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur network; key connections run from Gare de Toulon (a frequent regional hub) and from Marseille-Saint-Charles with typical regional journey times of ~20-30 minutes from Toulon and ~1-1.5 hours from Marseille (times depend on transfers). TER fares vary by route and ticket type; short regional trips (Toulon-Hyères) are commonly in the low single-digit euros to around €6-€10 for longer regional journeys.
Bus: Regional ZOU! buses and departmental services link Hyères with nearby towns and the airport area; intercity coaches (including some long-distance operators) also stop in Toulon or nearby hubs. Local bus fares are usually low (single fares often around €1.50-€3 depending on route and operator) and journey times vary by route - expect 20-60 minutes for most nearby coastal or inland trips.
How to Get Around Hyères
Hyères is small and walkable in the centre, but a car or bike makes visiting beaches, the Giens peninsula and nearby islands far easier. For most visitors, arrive by TER or via Toulon-Hyères Airport and use a mix of walking, local buses and occasional taxis to get around.
- TER (regional train) (€3-€25) - The TER Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur network is the best choice for regional travel to and from Hyères, with direct or one-change services via Toulon and Marseille-Saint-Charles. Trains from Toulon take about 20-30 minutes; services are reasonably frequent on weekdays but check timetables for weekend or holiday reductions. Trains are comfortable and faster than buses for longer hops along the coast.
- ZOU! / regional buses (€1.50-€6) - Local and regional buses (operated under the ZOU! brand in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region) connect Hyères with nearby towns, beaches and the airport area. Buses are cheap and useful for short hops, but can be slower than trains and timetables are sometimes limited outside peak hours. Buy tickets in advance where possible or on board when allowed; check the ZOU! website or local timetables for seasonal services to islands or coastal stops.
- Car rental (€35-€90 per day) - Renting a car is the most flexible way to explore Hyères and the surrounding Var coast (Îles d'Or, Giens peninsula, and inland vineyards). Roads are straightforward and parking in town is available but can be busy in summer; a car makes reaching quieter beaches and panoramic viewpoints much easier. Expect daily rental rates to vary seasonally - book ahead in summer.
- Taxis & rideshares (€8-€25) - Taxis are convenient for short transfers (airport, station, hotels) and late-night travel when buses and trains are less frequent. Expect short in-town fares of roughly €8-€20 depending on distance; airport transfers are typically in the €10-€25 range. Rideshare apps may be available but service can be limited compared with larger cities, so pre-book local taxi numbers when needed.
- Bicycle & e-bike (€6-€25 per hour / half-day) - Hyères and the nearby Giens peninsula are very bike-friendly for day trips - renting a bike or e-bike is an excellent way to explore the coast, salt pans and flat coastal paths. Cycle hire is seasonal and popular in summer; bring sun protection and be prepared for some busy roads during peak periods. E-bikes extend range for hillier inland routes and are worth the extra cost if available.
- Walking - Hyères' town centre, old town (Vieille Ville) and coastal promenades are compact and best explored on foot; many restaurants, markets and beaches are within easy walking distance. Walking is free and often the fastest way to see historic streets and waterfront areas, though bring comfortable shoes for the hillier older neighbourhoods.
Where to Stay in Hyères #
Where to Eat in Hyères #
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Hyères's restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
Nightlife in Hyères #
Hyères mixes Provençal old-town charm with a Mediterranean marina scene - evenings are best in the Vieille Ville (old town) and down at the port. Summer brings beach bars on the Giens peninsula and lively terrace service; winters are quieter and more low-key. Most bars and restaurants close around 1-2am (later in summer); smart-casual is the norm for nicer places. Stick to well-lit streets in the centre and the marina after dark.
Best Bets
- Vieille Ville (Old Town) - Narrow streets with wine bars, tapas spots and a relaxed vibe.
- Port of Hyères - Marina-side restaurants and bars for drinks with a view.
- Giens peninsula beach bars - Summer beach shacks and late sunsets - seasonally busy.
- Place Massillon - Central square with cafes and lively terrace service evenings.
- Plage de l'Almanarre - Wind-sports beach with a handful of casual bars nearby.
- Small live-music venues - Local bars offer jazz, acoustic nights-check schedules in advance.
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