A Guide to Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat: Things to Do + What to Know Before You Go

How Much Time Do You Need in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat?

A full day is perfect for exploring the beauty of Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat. This is enough time to visit Villa Ephrussi, hang out at one of the scenic beaches, grab lunch in town, and hike a portion of the trail around the peninsula (or alternatively go on a boat ride!). 

Of course, a more leisurely visit to Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat is definitely worth it if you have the time in your French Riviera itinerary. This will give you the chance to really enjoy the peaceful, picturesque destination. Plus, there are excellent hotels throughout the peninsula!

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

There are a few different ways to get to Cap Ferrat from Nice, including: 

• By Public Transportation – you can get to Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat from Nice by taking a train and a bus. You’ll take the train to the Beaulieu-sur-Mer train station, and then walk over to the Gare Beaulieu-sur-Mer bus stop just around the corner. From there, take the Lignes d’Azur 15 Bus into Cap Ferrat. This bus makes numerous stops, including at the Passable/Rothschild bus stop and the Port de Saint-Jean bus stop.
• By Car – parking can be challenging (particularly if you’re visiting during peak season!). That said, there are a few parking lots around the port, as well as a small lot near Passable Beach. There is a lot for visitors of Villa Ephrussi, as well. There is also street parking available around the peninsula. 
• By Uber – for ease and flexibility, we chose to Uber to and from Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat when visiting from Nice. At the end of one of our days exploring the peninsula, it did take around 20 minutes for our Uber to arrive. Otherwise, it was a pretty seamless experience. 

If you’re feeling particularly adventurous, consider booking this guided E-bike tour! It starts in Nice, taking bikers through Villefranche-sur-Mer and into Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat. 

The Best Things to do in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat

Here’s a look at what to do while visiting beautiful Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat. 

Visit Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild

One of the most iconic Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat attractions is Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild. This opulent villa was built between 1907 and 1912 for Baroness Béatrice de Rothschild. Today, the extravagant home (which is filled with paintings, sculptures, antique furniture, rare porcelain, and other art pieces and artifacts that the Baroness collected) is open for self-guided tours. 

While visiting, you’ll want to spend time strolling through the nine themed gardens. I personally enjoyed them even more than the villa itself! Since the property is situated up on a hill, you get incredible views of the area. This includes an unobstructed view of Villefranche-sur-Mer to the west. 

If you’d like, you can also stop at the restaurant and tea room for a meal, small snack, or a caffeine break. 

Helpful Tip: Villa Ephrussi occasionally closes for weddings and special events. Refer to the online calendar (you can see it when purchasing tickets) to ensure the villa will be open during your visit.

Explore the Local Beaches 

The beaches in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat are some of the best you’ll find on the French Riviera. Gorgeous coastlines, super clear and vibrant blue water, and incredible views…what’s not to love?

Here is a look at the main beaches on the peninsula:

• Paloma Beach: Easily the most famous beach in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, Paloma Beach (located on the east side of the peninsula) is well-worth a visit. Go for a swim in the calm water, enjoying views of Eze and Beaulieu-sur-Mer in the distance. Of course, given its popularity, it can get crowded. That said, it’s still worth at least stopping by to enjoy the view.
• Fossettes Beach: Just a quick walk down the road from Paloma Beach is Fossettes Beach, a small beach set in a cove. It’s particularly popular for snorkelers. 
• Fosses Beach: Located right next to Fossettes Beach is its larger counterpart, Fosses Beach. This scenic beach is set in a sheltered cove. 
• Passable Beach: On the west side of the peninsula is Passable Beach, a popular spot that offers amazing views of Villefranche-sur-Mer across the bay. There is also a beach club and restaurant at the beach.  
• Cros Dei Pin Beach: Located right near the port, Cros Dei Pin is one of the larger beaches on the peninsula. 

Note: as is common on the French Riviera, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat beaches are primarily pebble beaches. You may want to pack along water shoes!

Paloma Beach | Fosses Beach | Fossettes Beach

Walk Around the Peninsula 

There are walking paths that go around almost the entirety of the peninsula. I highly recommend taking time to stroll along some of these trails, as it’s a great way to take in the beauty of the area. There are even spots along the trails where you can jump in the water! 

Generally speaking, the paths on the east side of the peninsula are flatter and easier to traverse. On the west side, the paths can get more rugged at times. Some beaches are easy to access, but others do require a bit of climbing down some uneven terrain. 

There is a full Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat hike loop that is just under four miles long. That said, this doesn’t include the paved Promenade Rouvier path, which runs from Plage des Fourmis (at the start of the peninsula) right into the port of Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat. This loop also doesn’t include the Promenade des Fossettes trail near Paloma Beach. 

Of course, you certainly don’t need to walk around the entirety of the peninsula! 

Steal My Path: When I visited, we chose to join the path at Chem. des Douaniers, right by Fosses Beach. From there, we walked to the tip of the peninsula (just underneath the lighthouse) before walking down a portion of the west side of the peninsula, stopping by the Coexist fountain (which has potable water) and different swimming spots along the way. Once we were done, we backtracked to Coexist fountain to exit the trail up to Chem. du Phare, where we called an Uber to get home. 

Note: on this portion of the path, there are only a couple points where you can exit the trail back to the road. You’ll either need to go all the way to Passable Beach, or exit near the Coexist fountain and call a rideshare to get to your next destination. 

Stroll Along the Port

The port of Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat is really the center of town. If you want to grab a bite to eat or something to drink while exploring the area, this is the place to do it (there are even eateries right on the water!). It’s also a fun place to just enjoy the view of the water and check out some of the luxe boats and yachts in the port. 

Go on a Boat Tour Around the Peninsula 

For a different perspective, consider booking a boat tour around the peninsula. I really enjoyed this private boat tour around Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, which departed from nearby Beaulieu-sur-Mer. It was a highlight of the trip! 

We had a chance to enjoy the beauty of the coastline while learning about the history of the area. We also docked near Paloma Beach and spent some time swimming in the calm, clear water. I highly recommend adding it to your itinerary!