11 Memorable Day Trips From Nice On The French Riviera

Nice makes an excellent base for exploring the French Riviera. In less than an hour you can reach historic ports, hilltop villages, gardens overlooking the sea, and even cross into Italy. Here are some of the most rewarding day trips you can take from the city.

I can't remember the first time I visited the Riviera – it was that long ago. What I do know is that each time I visit, about once a year (I live a few hours north, near Lyon), I'm surprised.

There's something new to like, and something not so new to discover. Peel off the Riviera's veneer and there's a very real pulsing region beneath all the glitz and glamor.

If I suggest Nice as your base here, it's because it's right in the middle of the loveliest coastal towns. You can radiate outwards without having to worry about packing your bags and moving hotels every night.

Colorful streets of Nice's Old Town

You can see plenty of places in less than an hour's travel – medieval hilltop villages, historic ports, luxurious resorts, or even cross into Italy!

Most of these excursions can be done easily by train or bus, which makes Nice one of the most practical places on the Riviera from which to explore the surrounding towns.

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Day trip comparison chart

How to get around the French Riviera from Nice

Best guided tours from Nice

11 Top day trips from Nice on the French Riviera

• 1. Monaco
• 2. La Turbie
• 3. Èze
• 4. Villefranche-sur-Mer
• 5. Antibes
• 6. Cannes
• 7. Lérins Islands
• 8. Menton
• 9. Saint-Paul-de-Vence
• 10. Grasse
• 11. Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat

Easy half-day trips from Nice

Day trips to Italy from Nice

Easy day-trip itineraries from Nice

Weekend trips from Nice if you have more time

Where to stay in Nice

FAQ

Comparison chart: day trips from Nice

Nice day trips map

Many towns are conveniently located along the coastal rail line between Cannes and Menton, and Nice is right in the center of them.

• Hilltop villages like Èze or Saint-Paul-de-Vence – slightly inland and may require a bus ride
• Italy to the east – only a short train ride east
• Ease of transport – most of these destinations can be reached without a car.

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11 Top day trips from Nice on the French Riviera

The Riviera is dense with possible excursions, and almost every guide recommends a slightly different list.

The destinations below are not just the closest to Nice or the best known. They are places that work especially well for a day trip:

• easy to reach
• distinctive enough to justify the journey
• compact enough to explore without rushing.

Some are along the coast, like Antibes and Cannes. Others lie in the hills behind the Riviera, where medieval villages tower over the Mediterranean.

These 11 destinations show the range of day trips available from Nice. 

1. Monaco, the classic Riviera excursion

Monaco is one of the easiest and most popular day trips from Nice. The train ride takes about 25 minutes, hugging the spectacular coast before entering the small principality.

Most visitors begin in Monte-Carlo, where the famous casino designed by Charles Garnier overlooks the harbor. From there, you can walk or take the local bus up to Monaco-Ville, the old town perched on a rocky outcrop.

Highlights include the Prince’s Palace, the narrow streets of the medieval quarter, and the Oceanographic Museum, which sits dramatically above the sea.

All that said, I always leave Monaco slightly conflicted: underdressed, out-of-pocked, and yet somehow glad I went. The view is sublime, and yes, it does pack a lot of history in a tiny space as the home of the Grimaldi line, in power since 1297 (more than 200 years before Christopher Columbus sailed the oceans blue...)

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2. La Turbie, Roman history above Monaco

High up above Monaco, La Turbie has sweeping views over the Riviera and the principality below. But what you're really here for is the Trophy of Augustus (Trophée d’Auguste), a large Roman monument built around 6 BCE to mark Emperor Augustus’s victory over Alpine tribes and the frontier between Italy and Gaul.

It's one of the best-preserved Roman monuments in France, even though it was partially dismantled in the Middle Ages to build the church next door. 

The village itself is small and quiet, with narrow streets and stone houses so different from the bustle of Monaco below – which, by the way, looks like a toy in the distance.

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3. Èze, a hilltop jewel above the Mediterranean

The medieval village of Èze clings to a steep hill overlooking the sea. Its narrow lanes climb toward the top and the Jardin Exotique, which has some of the most dramatic views on the Riviera.

Because the village sits high above the coast, many visitors combine it with Monaco on the same day.

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4. Villefranche-sur-Mer, one of the Riviera’s prettiest harbors

Villefranche-sur-Mer – one of my favorite stops along the Riviera. 

It's sunny and bright and cheerful, and one February I actually saw people swimming (I believe they may have had wet suits, but still) while the rest of us gazed, a bit perplexed, from behind our ice cream cones.

It's friendly and only a few minutes from Nice, but feels far quieter. Lovely pastel houses line the harbor, behind which narrow streets climb steeply from the waterfront.

The old town is small and easy to explore on foot. Drop by Saint-Pierre des Pêcheurs chapel to admire murals by Jean Cocteau, or by Saint-Michel church to view its iconic striped forecourt.

From Villefranche, you can take a bus in the town center (15 or 607 as of this writing) to the stop Passable/Villa Ephrussi. To visit the Villa Ephrussi, you can also walk an hour (uphill!) towards the ridge.

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5. Antibes

Antibes sometimes feels like it's several towns folded into one: the older, less tarted-up part of town near the Picasso museum, the more touristy old town, the ramparts, stunning but a bit forbidding at night, and the impossibly huge luxury yachts lining the harbor, a few with "for sale" signs. No price, of course.

The Picasso Museum is small but worth a couple of hourse if Picasso means anything to you. It's located in the Château Grimaldi, where the artist once worked.

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 6. Cannes – it's more than just a film festival

Cannes is best known for its annual film festival, but unless you're wealthy, connected and a film buff, that's not when you'd go.

The rest of the year, it's one of my favorite places along the Riviera.

The Croisette promenade punctuated by Belle Époque hotels along the bay is so iconic you may actually think you've been here before, having seen it so often in movies. The private beachfronts and restaurants along the Croisette are a little chic and the price lists at some may be a bit intimidating, but go on, do it. At least once.

For something more Provençal, head to Le Suquet, the (uphill) historic quarter whose narrow streets climb toward the old castle.  There are plenty of restaurants on the way up, and the view from the top is absolutely worth the climb.

One area of Cannes I enjoyed was, surprisingly, around the train station. It's the "world meets Cannes" part of town, with plenty of Asian and African shops and eateries, and the telltale smell of coriander drifting above forceful international voices. Another side of Cannes, but one worth checking out.

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7. Lérins Islands just off the coast of Cannes

Lerins Abbey on the island of St Honorat

A short ferry ride from Cannes brings you to the Îles de Lérins, two islands surrounded by clear Mediterranean water.

Île Sainte-Marguerite is known for the Fort Royal, where the mysterious Man in the Iron Mask was imprisoned during the reign of Louis XIV, and for its underwater eco-museum.

The smaller Île Saint-Honorat is home to a working Cistercian monastery whose monks still produce wine. Both islands are perfect nature escapes from the bustle of the coast.

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8. Menton, a sort of "pre-Italy"

By the time you reach Menton, you're already halfway to Italy in spirit — the architecture, the noise level, even the coffee changes.

Because it's so near the Italian border, Menton has one foot in each country, the result being one of the most distinctive towns on the Riviera. Just look at the rows of pastel houses and narrow lanes rising up towards the old town...

At the top of Menton you'll find the Basilique Saint-Michel-Archange, reached by a broad staircase and fronted by a striped pebble forecourt overlooking the rooftops below.

Beyond its beauty, the town is also famous for its lemons, celebrated each winter during the Fête du Citron.

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9. Saint-Paul-de-Vence , for medieval and art lovers

Saint-Paul-de-Vence is beautiful but slightly awkward to reach from Nice. Unlike Monaco or Antibes, you'll have to take a bus and then walk a bit.

Many visitors expect a quick train ride and are surprised by the extra effort, so Saint-Paul-de-Vence may be easier to visit on a small-group excursion because public transport requires a bus connection.

The village stands on a ridge overlooking the countryside west of Nice. It's enclosed by 16th-century ramparts and has long attracted artists.

I'm told it's impossibly crowded in summer – but I wouldn't know. The one time I tried to get there in summer, I was driving and the access road was so packed with cars I managed to make a U-turn and went back to the coast. Since then, I've visited off season, and I was surprised to find that although most restaurants and cafés were closed, the art galleries were open, and hardly a tourist in sight.

It's also home to the Fondation Maeght, one of France’s most important modern art collections (frankly, one of the best small modern art museums in Europe). You can buy your ticket to the museum ahead of time.

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10. Grasse — the world capital of perfume

Grasse is known as the perfume capital of the Riviera (or of the world, actually). It developed its perfume industry in the 16th-17th centuries around glove-making. Yes, perfumed gloves were a thing, and the town shifted to perfumery coming into the 18th century. Today it remains the center of French fragrance production.

The first time I visited, I was seeking perfume, but I was taken by this small town of narrow, hilly streets and warm colors.

Visitors can tour historic perfume houses of Grasse such as Fragonard, Galimard, or Molinard, and the International Perfume Museum explains how the industry developed. It's a unique experience, especially if you love flowers and scents. 

Did you know that small perfume makers have their own shops here? It's not just the giants. I met Jessica, from Canada, in her shop at 1001 Flowers in the old town. She came here to study, and stayed, a story I heard often in Grasse.

I can't quite put my finger on it but I liked the town so much I returned a few days later... It was the dead of winter, yet it felt warm and welcoming. I'd give it a full day — a perfume tour, a class if you're curious, lunch in the old town, and the must-visit museum.

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11. Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat – villas and coastal paths

The stunning Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild

The peninsula of Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat offers a quieter side of the Riviera. The highlight is the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild, whose gardens overlook the sea and are arranged into several themed landscapes. (You can also reach the villa from Villefranche-sur-Mer, mentioned above.)

I visited in winter – the villa was blissfully empty, but the gardens weren't at their best. You can't have everything.

From the harbor in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, the villa is about a 20-minute uphill walk. Bus 15 also stops nearby (get off at Passable/Villa Ephrussi) and walk the short climb (10 minutes or so) to the entrance.

Walking paths from here follow the coast around the peninsula, especially the Sentier du Littoral, one of the Riviera's most scenic.

Easy half-day trips from Nice

If you only have a few hours to spare, a full day trip might not work. You're in luck – several destinations are close enough to visit without committing to a full day.

Villefranche-sur-Mer

Just a few minutes from Nice by train, Villefranche-sur-Mer is one of the quickest and loveliest excursions on the Riviera.

Spend a few hours exploring the harbor, wandering through the narrow streets of the old town, or relaxing on the beach before returning to Nice. The beachfront restaurants are perfect for lunch or for an ice cream break.

Èze

The hilltop village of Èze can also be visited in half a day. Many visitors spend a few hours exploring the medieval lanes and the Jardin Exotique, then return to Nice or continue on to Monaco.

Monaco

Because the train journey from Nice only takes about 20 minutes, Monaco is easy to visit even if you have only part of a day. Walk through Monte-Carlo, visit the Prince’s Palace, or explore the harbor before returning.

Day trips from Nice to Italy

The Italian border is so close to Nice that you can easily take a day trip into Liguria for the day. It’s only a short train ride, but you'll notice the change in atmosphere almost immediately. Italy is one of the best places to visit from Nice if you're looking for a definite change in scenery (and amazing gelato).

Ventimiglia

Ventimiglia is the closest Italian town to the Riviera. Its large Friday market attracts visitors from both sides of the border and sells everything from food and leather goods to clothing.

Climb up to the old town above the river and you’ll find a maze of narrow streets and small squares.

Sanremo

Sanremo became a fashionable winter resort during the Belle Époque, when wealthy Europeans came for the mild climate — you can still see it in the elegant hotels and palm-lined promenades.

Above the harbor, the medieval quarter known as La Pigna climbs steeply in a maze of lanes and stairways.

I've been, but it was long enough ago that I can't do it justice here. What I remember is that it felt more authentically Italian than Ventimiglia, less polished than the French Riviera towns — the Belle Époque glamor is faded rather than preserved — and worth the train ride if you're already heading east.

Dolceacqua

I haven't made it to Dolceacqua yet — it's on my list. But I'm including it because it's the kind of place that justifies the extra effort: a medieval village inland from Ventimiglia, built around an arched stone bridge and the ruins of a Doria castle above.

The painter Claude Monet visited in 1884 and was so taken with the bridge that he painted it twice. That's usually a good sign.

Easy day-trip itineraries from Nice

If you’re spending several days in Nice, you can easily combine a few destinations into a single day trip. Here are some popular but manageable itineraries.

Monaco and Èze

You can visit the hilltop village of Èze in the morning by taking the Bus 82 or 602 from Nice (Vauban bus station) to Èze village. The bus drops you near the entrance to the medieval streets. After exploring the village, walk down the Nietzsche Path, a steep trail that descends to the coast with spectacular views over the Mediterranean (it's steep – wear good shoes).

At the bottom, head towards Èze-sur-Mer station and take the train to Monaco, about 10 minutes away.

Once there, explore Monte-Carlo and the old town, and don’t miss the view from the Prince’s Palace over the harbor. Just know that the Monaco train station sits high above the port, with escalators and elevators leading down to the waterfront.

Antibes and Cannes

Both towns lie along the same railway line west of Nice, so they're easy to combine.

Take the train from Nice to Antibes and spend the morning exploring the old town, visiting the lively Marché Provençal, and walking along the ramparts overlooking the sea.

From Antibes, continue by train to Cannes, only about 10 minutes away. Once there, stroll along the Croisette promenade, explore the harbor, and climb up to Le Suquet, the old quarter above the port, for sweeping views over the bay.

Menton and Ventimiglia

If you're in the mood for an Italian-themed day, take the train from Nice to Menton (about 40 minutes) and spend the morning wandering through the pastel-colored old town and enjoying the views over the harbor.

From Menton, continue by train a few minutes across the border to Ventimiglia in Italy.

The atmosphere quickly shifts to a more Italian pace, with lively markets and small cafés, and a historic center perched above the river. Even if you miss the famous Friday market, the old town and a leisurely Italian meal will make the extra ride worth the time.

Weekend trips from Nice if you have more time

If you have more time, some destinations are easier to enjoy over a weekend  than in a single day. Here are some of my favorite not-too-distant from Nice destinations.

Marseille

Marseille, often called France's oldest city, is about 2½ hours west of Nice by train, so a bit far for a day trip but ideal for a weekend.

Start at the Vieux-Port, wander through the narrow streets of Le Panier, and climb to Notre-Dame de la Garde, whose hilltop basilica looks out over the harbor. It can all be done in one day.

Aix-en-Provence

Aix is known for its graceful boulevards, lively markets, and association with the painter Paul Cézanne, whose studio can still be visited.

Spend time wandering the historic center, where fountains and shaded squares lined with cafés create a distinctly Provençal atmosphere.

Avignon or Arles

If you enjoy history, consider Avignon or Arles.

Avignon is famous for the vast Palais des Papes, once the seat of the medieval papacy, while Arles preserves some of the finest Roman monuments in southern France and is closely associated with Vincent van Gogh.

FAQ

Before you go

One of the pleasures of staying in Nice is the ease with which you can explore the surrounding region (and yes, the food). A short train ride or bus journey opens up an impressive variety of landscapes, from medieval hilltop villages to colorful coastal towns.

For a stronger sense of the area, take a look at my guide to ten beautiful towns in southern France, which includes several places easily reached from Nice.

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Bonjour! I’m Leyla. Born in Paris, now based in Eastern France between Lyon and Annecy.

After years abroad as a journalist and diplomat, I came home and began rediscovering France through its history and landscapes.

Offbeat France is for culturally curious travelers who want more than checklists. I write about castles, villages, museums, and landmarks — explaining France’s history while also showing you where to go and what to visit.

You’ll find context, backstories, but also  practical advice, in equal measure.

My aim is simple: help you travel through France with historical insight, not guesswork.

If you think, “I didn’t know that,” I’m doing my job.

Learn more about me!
Read my Substack historical essays

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