10 Best Day Trips from Nice, France

1. Antibes

Antibes has a chill yet vibrant vibe. It was one of my favorite places I visited on my recent French Riviera trip! There are so many things to do in Antibes, so you can easily spend a whole day in this area. 

Be sure to spend some time wandering through the Old Town of Antibes, and take a moment to walk along the ramparts. The Picasso Museum (located in Old Town) is also a must-visit for any art enthusiast. 

There are also numerous stunning beaches all around Antibes. This includes the popular Plage de la Gravette right by the old town, as well as Plage de Juan les Pins and Plage des Ondes on the west side of Antibes. You also have the gorgeous (and incredibly popular) Bay of Billionaires near the tip of the peninsula. 

If you want to get out on the water, I also highly recommend booking a private sailboat excursion!

How to Get to Antibes from Nice

You can easily get to Antibes via car or train. There are two train stations in Antibes: the Antibes station (which is within walking distance of the old town) and the Juan-les-Pins station (which is just a couple blocks from the beach on the west side). It’s a 25 to 30-minute ride from the Nice-Ville station, depending on which station in Antibes you’re going to. 

2. Saint-Paul-de-Vence

Beautiful Saint-Paul-de-Vence is perched on a hilltop overlooking the Provencal scenery. This idyllic town has served as a haven for artists, with icons like Chagall, Matisse, and Picasso having a connection to the area. 

It’s worth visiting just to stroll through the narrow passageways and stop in the numerous galleries and shops. While you’re there, you’ll also want to walk along the ramparts to take in the views. 

Another main attraction in Saint-Paul-de-Vence is the Maeght Foundation museum, which is just outside of town. It’s home to over 12,000 modern and contemporary pieces of art and artifacts. 

If you’re just going to explore the town, you can easily see Saint-Paul-de-Vence in about an hour or two. Give yourself an extra one to two hours if you also want to visit the museum. You can spend the rest of your day exploring Antibes (consider hanging out at a local beach or exploring the old town!), or even popping into Cannes for a quick visit. 

How to Get to Saint-Paul-de-Vence from Nice

You can get to Saint-Paul-de-Vence via car or public transportation. You’ll take the train to Cagnes-sur-Mer, and walk to the Gare SNCF bus stop. From there, take Bus 655 to the Village bus stop. This journey will be about 50 minutes. 

3. Villefranche-sur-Mer

One of the easiest day trips from Nice by train is the colorful, laid-back seaside town of Villefranche-sur-Mer (which is just east of Nice!). 

The small town of Villefranche-sur-Mer has some iconic stops worth checking out. This includes the beautiful Chapelle Saint-Pierre and Église Saint-Michel. There is also Rue Obscure, a medieval underground street. 

Additionally, there is the beautiful Plage des Marinieres. This large beach extends along the bay, and is known for its calm and clear water. 

If you’re just looking to explore the town, you can spend one to two hours in Villefranche-sur-Mer. That said, you can easily spend the whole day in the area if you’re looking to enjoy a chill beach day!

How to Get to Villefranche-sur-Mer from Nice

The journey to Villefranche-sur-Mer is super easy and quick via train. You can take the train right to the Villefranche-sur-Mer station, which is within walking distance of the beach and the town. The train ride from Nice-Ville is less than 10 minutes.

A view of Villefranche-sur-Mer across the water from Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat

4. Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat

Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat is an absolute gem, featuring gorgeous beaches and a beautiful rugged coastline. I highly recommend spending at least some time exploring this picturesque (and ultra-luxurious) destination on the French Riviera!

There are so many things to do in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat. You can either plan to spend a whole day here, or pick an activity or two for a half day trip. 

This destination may be best known for its pristine beaches, including the famous Paloma Beach. I also highly recommend hiking around the peninsula and stopping at the secluded swim spots along the coastal path!

Another main attraction is Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild. The opulent villa was built between 1907 and 1912, and is home to paintings, antique furniture, and other art pieces and artifacts. It’s open for self-guided tours.  

How to Get to Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat from Nice

You can drive (just keep in mind that parking can be a challenge!), or take public transportation. From Nice, you can take the train to the Beaulieu-sur-Mer train station (this ride is just over 10 minutes) and then walk over to the Gare Beaulieu-sur-Mer bus stop. From there, take the Lignes d’Azur 15 Bus into Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat. This bus makes multiple stops, including at the Passable/Rothschild bus stop and the Port de Saint-Jean bus stop.

5. Beaulieu-sur-Mer

Beaulieu-sur-Mer is located just east of Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat. In fact, you can easily walk between the two via the scenic Promenade Maurice Rouvier path. 

This laid-back seaside town is known for its beautiful beaches. Spend a day relaxing at Plage des Fourmis or Plage Petite Afrique. 

Another spot worth checking out is Villa Kérylos. This waterfront property is home to a replica of a classic Greek villa, and you can enjoy both self-guided and guided tours. 

If you’re interested in doing a boat tour during your time on the French Riviera, I also highly recommend this boat excursion around Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, which departs from Beaulieu-sur-Mer. I really enjoyed sailing along the coastline and learning about the history of the area. We also docked right by Paloma Beach for a swim!

How to Get to Beaulieu-sur-Mer from Nice

Getting to Beaulieu-sur-Mer is super straightforward – just take the train right to the Beaulieu-sur-Mer train station! This ride is just over 10 minutes from the Nice-Ville station. 

6. Èze

The beautiful village of Èze is easily one of the most popular Nice day trips. During a day trip to Èze, you can explore the picture-perfect town and stroll through the stunning Jardin Exotique d’Èze. You might want to book a lunch reservation at a restaurant with a view, or do a free tour of the Fragonard Boutique laboratory (or even book a perfume making class!). 

Keep in mind that Èze is very small, so you don’t need to spend more than three to four hours in the town (even less if you don’t stop for a meal or a visit to Fragonard Boutique). My top recommendation is to spend the morning in Èze and the afternoon in Menton (more on that below!), as a half day is the perfect amount of time for both destinations. Alternatively, you can spend the rest of your day exploring some of Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat or Monaco. 

How to Get to Èze from Nice

The most efficient way to get to Èze is either by car or bus. It’s important to note that you’ll want to go to Èze Village (not the Èze train station down by the water!). You can take the Lignes d’Azur 82 Bus from Nice directly to Èze Village. Note: if you’re interested in hiking up to Èze from the coastline, I cover exactly how to do so in my Èze day trip guide. 

7. Menton

The citrus-hued seaside village of Menton (which is right on the border of France and Italy) has earned the nickname of “the Pearl of France”. During a Menton day trip, you’ll want to stroll through the beautiful old town (where you’ll see the famous Menton stairs!) and do a bit of window shopping on Rue Saint-Michel. It’s also worth enjoying the crystal-clear water at the beach and seeing the view of the town from Quai Impératrice Eugénie.

The town’s official symbol is a lemon. Ordering a lemon treat (like a lemon tart) is also an absolute must! If you really want to dive into the food culture of the town, you can also consider booking a Menton food tour. 

While it’s certainly bigger than Èze, Menton still is fairly small. You can easily see the best of the town in about two hours. Give yourself more time if you want to have a beach day or stop for a leisurely meal (there are some incredible Italian restaurants in town!).

How to Get to Menton from Nice

You can get to Menton via train or car. If you take the train, you’ll want to take it to the Menton station – not the Menton Garavan station. This ride is about 40 minutes from the Nice-Ville station. Once you arrive, the walk into the old town area will take about 15 to 20 minutes. 

8. Monaco

Another one of the top day trips around Nice is Monaco. After all, why not check another country off your list while you’re in the area! 

There is plenty to do in the ultra-luxurious (and very small!) country of Monaco, so you can easily spend a whole day exploring the area.  

During a day trip, it’s worth stopping inside the Monte Carlo Casino to check out the opulent interior. You can also spend some time strolling through the historic Monaco City. This is where the famous Oceanographic Museum is located, as well as the Prince’s Palace (which you can tour). 

How to Get to Monaco from Nice

You can take the train straight into Monaco from Nice. The ride from the Nice-Ville station to the Monaco Monte-Carlo station is 25 minutes. Keep in mind that Uber doesn’t operate in Monaco!

9. Cannes

If you want to explore another one of the French Riviera’s top cities, make your way over to Cannes. There’s plenty to do, so you certainly won’t be able to see all of Cannes in just one day. That said, you can still enjoy some of the seaside city’s best sights!

While you’re there, consider spending some time in the historic Le Suquet, which is Canne’s old town. Another main attraction is the iconic Boulevard de la Croisette, where you’ll find some of the city’s best shopping and restaurants. Of course, Cannes is also known for beautiful beaches and incredible beach clubs. 

How to Get to Cannes from Nice

You can get to Cannes via car or train. The Cannes train station is centrally located, and is within walking distance of many of the main attractions in the city. The ride from Nice-Ville to this station is about 35 minutes. 

10. Saint-Tropez 

If you want glitz and glam, there’s no better place for a French Riviera day trip than Saint-Tropez. Just keep in mind that it’s a longer journey to get to this destination compared to other recommendations on this list!

While exploring Saint-Tropez, it’s definitely worth wandering through the charming town and stopping to pick up a delicious tarte tropezienne. As you’re walking around town, you’ll find plenty of luxury shops and small boutiques. Be sure to walk along the Saint-Tropez port to check out the yachts, as well! 

If you want to experience the beach club culture of Saint-Tropez, make your way over to Pampelonne Beach. This long sandy beach is lined with beach clubs, including the famous Le Club 55, as well as Indie Beach, Moorea, and many more.   

How to Get to Saint-Tropez from Nice

For a day trip, public transportation isn’t a viable option. If you have a car, consider driving over to Saint-Tropez. The drive is about one and a half to two hours. Alternatively, you can consider booking a ferry to Saint-Tropez from Nice. The boat ride from Nice to Saint-Tropez is about two and a half hours.