Day Trips From Nice: Discover The Best Of The French Riviera

The South of France is known for its sparkling blue sea, quaint coastal towns, rich history, and picturesque landscapes. When visiting the French Riviera, you must first decide where you want make your home base. The best option for location and affordable accommodations is Nice, France. The Nice Cote d’Azur Airport is an international airport located just a few minutes from the city center, which is another reason why Nice should be your home base. From here, you can venture out to explore the rest of the French Riviera. Here are 11 day trips from Nice, France that will make for a perfect South of France vacation.

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Best Time to Take Day Trips from Nice France

There is not a bad time to visit the French Riviera. If you are wanting to spend time at the beaches, then you will need to visit during the warmer months of April to September. However, summer is the most crowded time of year. If you are looking to only sightsee, then you can visit any time other than July and August for cooler weather and less crowds. The least crowded and least expensive times to visit is October – November and February – April. The worst crowds are in the month of May when the Cannes Film Festival and the Monaco Grand Prix are both happening.

How to Get Around

If you want absolute freedom on your day trips from Nice, then the best option is to rent a car. However, finding parking in some of the small towns might present a challenge. The south of France has an excellent public transportation system with their buses, trams, and trains. These options are the most affordable, but require a little planning with the timetables. When you leave the Nice airport, there is a tram that will take you to the city center. But make sure to purchase your ticket BEFORE you get on the tram. You will be ticketed if you are on the tram without a pre-bought ticket. You can also buy a French Riviera Pass to get a multi-day pass to the trams and bus system.

Important Things to Know

New Visa requirements for American travelers are coming soon to Europe, so make sure to check if you need to apply before your travels.
Currency is Euros.
Make copies of passport. This is good practice for every time you travel outside your home country.
Bring comfortable shoes! You will be walking a lot!!

What to Pack for Nice France trip

Sunscreen – The Barcelona sun can be unforgiving, and I learned the hard way that sunscreen is a must. If you have room in your luggage, bring your own because sunscreen in Spain is very expensive.
Comfortable shoes – Stylish but comfortable is the name of the game when walking around the city. Here is an option for men and women.
Rolling Luggage – You will need a durable and easy to maneuver piece of luggage for your 3 days in Barcelona.
Packing Cubes – These make organizing your luggage super easy.
Plug Adapter – Keep your devices charged with this European plug adapter.
Hobo Bag – I often carry this cute hobo bag on my travels. It isn’t too big but big enough to carry small souvenirs I buy along the way. Plus this style bag helps deter pick pocketers.
Daytime Dresses – These cute daytime dresses are appropriate for visiting the Barcelona sites. Make sure to not wear flip flops, cover your shoulders and cover your knees when visiting the Barcelona Cathedral.
Water Shoes – These are important to have as most Greece beaches are rocky.
Microfiber Beach Towel – These towels fold up very small and is needed for your trips to the beaches.
Swimsuits – You will spend a lot of time at the beach during your 10 day Greece itinerary. Here are some swimsuit options for your trip:
Swimsuit Coverup – This stylish coverup is perfect to wear over your swimsuit.

Best Day Trips from Nice France

1. Monaco

Monaco is a tiny principality nestled on the Mediterranean Sea and surrounded by France. The country is known for its lavishness and home to the Monaco Grand Prix. While I do not recommend traveling here for the Grand Prix because of how crowded this small space can get, you can travel along the raceway because the course is also main roads. Make sure to visit the lavish Monte Carlo Casino, which was made famous in the James Bond movie, Goldeneye. Even if you do not gamble, go into the lobby to see the exceptional architecture. Outside the casino, you will find luxurious and exotic cars you can ogle at.

Make your way to Monaco-Ville, which is the old town with cobbled streets that leads to the Prince’s Palace. The Changing of the Guard ceremony happens here daily at 11:55 am. You can also visit the Oceanographic Museum founded by Jacque Cousteau. See where Princess Grace married Prince Rainier III of Monaco at Saint Nicholas Cathedral. She is also buried here in the Grimaldi family vault.

2. Eze

You can choose to visit Eze on its own, or combine it with Monaco on your day trips from Nice. Once in Eze, take the 3-mile (5-km) Nietzsche Path up 1,000 feet to the medieval old town. Enjoy the views of the French Riviera along the way. Wander the cobblestone streets and explore the art galleries, boutiques, and stone houses that will take you back in time to ancient medieval times. Check out Jardin Exotique d’Eze, a unique cactus garden grown among the castle ruins.

3. Cannes

Cannes is best known as the home of the Cannes Film Festival which begins mid-May for a couple weeks at the Palais des Festivals et des Congres. While this festival is by invitation only (so us peons are not allowed), it could be a fun place to celebrity-watch. However, the extreme crowds make seeing celebrities not worth it. Even if you visit when the festival is not actively going on, you can still visit the Palace and walk the same red carpet the stars walk.

You can also explore Le Suquet which is Cannes’ historic district. Walk around the narrow streets until you get to Eglise Notre-Dame d’Esperance, a church dating back to the 16th century with beautiful views of the marina. One unique thing to do is take a boat ride to Ile Staine-Marguerite where you can visit Fort Royal, where the Man in the Iron Mask was once imprisoned.

4. Antibes

Antibes’s old town is nearly perfectly preserved with charming boutiques, cafes, and art galleries. If you are looking for fresh produce, cheeses, and gourmet delicacies, visit the Marche Provencal and load up! If you love modern art, do not miss the Picasso Museum inside the Chateau Grimaldi where the prominent artist once lived and worked. Walk the walls of the fort for stunning views of Cote d’Azur. You can combine Antibes and Cannes for one of the best day trips from Nice.

5. Villefrance Sur Mer

Villefranche sur Mer is a quaint, colorful town located very close to Nice. Explore the maze of narrow streets in Old Town for the ultimate charmed experience. Make your way to Citadelle Saint-Elme, a 16th century fortress, for panoramic views of the bay. Spend the afternoon relazing at Plage des Marinieres, the town’s main beach with turquoise waters and a gorgeous scenic backdrop.

You can take a bus or taxi to Villefranche sur Mer, but for one of the mots epic day trips from Nice, you should hike to coastal path between the two towns. Wear your swimsuit on the walk so you can cool off and take a dip in the crystal clear waters along the way. The 3.8-mile walk from the Nice marina does not have any shade and can get very hot! I would recommend take a bus or taxi back and only do the walk one-way.

6. Menton

Do you love lemons? If so, Menton may be one of your favorite day trips from Nice. It certainly was mine! Known as the “Pearl of the French Riviera” because of its pristine, turquoise waters, colorful architecture, and lemon-obsessed culture. If you visit in February, you cannot miss the Fete du Citron, an annual lemon festival.

Meander through Old Town while you shop for lemon-inspired souvenirs and try lemon sorbet on your way to Basilique Saint-Michel-Archange, a staggering Baroque church overlooking the sea. Make your way down Les Rampes Saint-Michel, iconic stairs that zigzag from the basilica to the lower part of Old Town.

7. Saint Paul de Vence

Stone houses, unique boutiques, and art galleries line the narrow alleyways within the medieval hilltop village of Saint-Paul de Vence. Walk on top of the old fort walls to get a picturesque, panoramic view of the French Riviera countryside. Dine at La Colombe d’Or, a historic inn that has hosted famous artists such as Pablo Picasso and Henri Matisse.

8. Gorges of Verdon

The Gorges of Verdon is often referred to as the “Grand Canyon of Europe.” The towering limestone cliffs and turquoise waters of the Verdon River are a majestic sight and have a different look than the rest of the day trips from Nice. After you get your fill of scenic overlooks along the Routes des Cretes, rent a kayak or paddleboard in the calmer areas near Lac de Sainte-Croix. Stop at the charming cliffside village Moustiers-Sainte-Marie which is known for its pottery.

9. Provence

The Gorges of Verdon can be done on its own or combined with other activities for a full day in Provence. Begin the day with a visit to Aix-en-Provence which is known for its elegant architecture and bustling markets. Next, head to Avignon to see Palais des Papes, or Palace of the Popes, an important Gothic building for Christian Europe. Make time to try all the regional culinary specialties like tatatouille and tapenade. This region is also known for wine-making, especially rose`. If you visit during the summer, you must see the lavender fields of Valensole Plateau while they are in full bloom.

10. Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat

Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat is a quiet peninsula located between Nice and Monaco. Begin your day at the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild, a pink mansion built in the early 1900s by Baroness Beatrice de Rothschild. The mansion is full of impressive art, antiques, and rare porcelain, and the surrounding grounds include nine themed landscape gardens. Walk around the Sentier du Littoral, a scenic coastal trail that encompasses the peninsula. Paloma Beach is one of the best beaches on the French Riviera because of its turquoise waters and views of Beaulieu-sur-Mer and the cliffs of Eze.

11. Saint Tropez

Saint Tropez is a glamorous coastal town where the rich and famous like to vacation. To get here, I decided to take a 2.5-hour ferry ride which was a relaxing way to see the French coast and Mediterranean Sea. Once you arrive, walk along the Vieux Port where you can admire the luxurious yachts and colorful facades of Old Town. Walk uphill to get to the Citadel of Saint-Tropez, a 17th-century fortress, that has amazing views of the coastline. Explore the Place des Lices in the middle of Old Town where you can shop at the vibrant market on Tuesdays and Saturdays.

Other Things to Consider

If you are short on time and want to see as much as you can, you can do guided tours of the best of the French Riviera. This is the best way to get a taste of many cities in a one day.