January 28, 2023
Top 7 prettiest day trips from Nice France
The 7 prettiest day trips from Nice France include pastel towns, glitz and glamour and secluded beaches discovered at the end of beautiful coastal walks.
Our guide covers everything you need to know to help plan all the best day trips from Nice, France! If you’re wanting to explore the French Riviera, we definitely recommend making Nice your home base. This is especially true if you’re planning on traveling around by public transport. Nice has an incredible amount of connections to nearby towns and villages by train and bus at very affordable rates. In fact, most places on the Cote d’Azur can be reached from Nice. To narrow down the options for you, we have picked our favourites that are all very easy and quick to reach from Nice. We provide information on how to get there, how much time you need and what to see and do in each location.
You’ll be surprised what you can fit it!
We visited Nice in summer 2022 for 7 days. It was our first trip and we were surprised at how much we were able to fit. We visited every single one of our recommended day trips from Nice, France. We didn’t feel like we packed too much in and had plenty of time for going to the beach and slow afternoons sipping on lemonade in Nice’s old town. Nice is a very trendy destination, and you could certainly spend quite a few days soaking up the atmosphere in the city, but the unique and gorgeous surrounding towns were definitely the highlight for us!
If you’re looking for more guides to southern France we have plenty available. Guides include a 10 day south of France itinerary (by public transport), city guides to Nice, Menton, Marseille, Cassis, Villefranche-sur-Mer, and Monaco, and a guide to the best day trips from Nice.
Tip: avoid the biggest mistake we made. If you ask for water at a restaurant they will give you bottled still or sparkling water. They will never bring you free tap water. To save yourself the money, ask for a carafe of water by saying the following ‘carafe d’eau s’il vous plaît’.
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The beautiful pastel buildings in Villefranche-sur-Mer
In this article
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How to get to and from the best day trips from NiceHow to get to and from the best day trips from Nice
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Top 7 day trips from NiceTop 7 day trips from Nice
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Where to stayWhere to stay
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What to packWhat to pack
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Travel budgetTravel budget
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When to visit the French RivieraWhen to visit the French Riviera
How to get to and from the best day trips from Nice France
Before diving in to our guide on the best day trips from Nice France, I wanted to cover off the basics on how to get around the French Riviera. We think southern France is one of the easiest regions to travel around by public transport that we have ever experienced! It’s so well interconnected and affordable. Below we cover off all the major options for traveling around southern France including public and private transport.
Walking
While in Nice you will be able to get around almost exclusively on foot. When traveling larger distances there is a tram line you can take but it won’t save you much time.
Public transport
To visit the prettiest day trips from Nice, France you will want to take public transport. It’s quick, affordable and you won’t have to worry about traffic and parking.
Train
There are two train stations in Nice, Nice Ville and Nice Riquier. If you’re booking your tickets in advance be sure to check which station is closer to your accommodation. Nice Ville is to the north west of the old town. If you’re planning on staying close to the promenade this will probably be the closer option for you. Nice Riquier is further east, just above Quartier du Port. We found using the Trainline app to book our tickets ahead of time to be very easy and convenient. The prices are the same, and the schedule is accurate and up to date.
Bus
You will find that the train will get you to most surrounding villages much quicker than the bus, but there are exceptions. A notable example is Èze. The train station goes to the town on the coast, whereas most people want to visit the village at the top of the hill which can only be reached by bus. Bus tickets can be bought from the bus driver, just bring cash with you (typically a ticket will cost you €1.5 each way)
Tours
If you’d rather avoid the hassle of organising your own day trips from Nice France, you will find plenty of tours leaving Nice that visit surrounding towns and villages. This tour goes to the village of Èze, Monaco, Monte Carlo, and Antibes over 10 hours and costs €75. Or you can opt for a half day tour like this one to Eze, Monaco, & Monte-Carlo for €40.
Car
None of the locations we have included in this guide require you to have a car as they are all very easily accessed by public transport. Arguably a lot of destinations are much more convenient to visit by public transport due to the availability and cost of parking in many villages. If you do need to hire a car, there are plenty of options in Nice both at the airport and in town. This is a hugely popular destination, so booking your hire car in advance will help you to secure a good price and the kind of vehicle you are after. If you’re driving make sure you plan your days so that you are arriving at your destination early in the morning so that you can find parking, and also make sure you’re factoring in parking fees in your budget as this will add up.
Castle Hill, Nice at sunset
The top 7 day trips from Nice France
Below we have provided the very best 7 day trips from Nice, France that you should consider while you’re visiting the iconic Cote d’Azur. All locations are possible to visit by public transport and are very nearby (so no long days on public transport). These beautiful locations were our personal favourites. We visited each town, and recommend them from our own experience.
1. Menton
How to get there
You will need to take the train to Menton. From your closest train station (Nice Ville or Nice Riquier) take the line towards Ventimiglia (Ventimille) and hop off at Mention station after 35 minutes. You’ll need to walk 15 minutes into town from here. The trip will cost €3-5 per person each way.
How much time you need
2-3 hours (aim for sunset!)
What to do on your day trip from Nice France – Menton
We want to start off this guide strong with our favourite day trip from Nice, France – the gorgeous pastel town of Menton!
Wander around the Old Town
You can wander through the streets of this beautiful pastel town for hours and you will mostly have it to yourself. There are small pockets that are busy, but the majority of the area is very quiet and calm. There’s not too much happening in the old town. We had hoped to get some lunch once we arrived but struggled to really find much open (in the middle of summer). It’s a sleepy town, but we thought that made it extra special!
Basilica of Saint Michael Archangel
If you google Menton, you’ll probably see a photo of this stunning church! The geometric staircase leading up to the basilica is very photogenic. Head to Ramp Saint-Michel for the best angle to capture it.
Quai Impératrice Eugénie for the best photo spot
Walk down to the port and along the port walls at Quai Impératrice Eugénie for a fantastic viewpoint back towards the pastel skyline. If you can plan your trip to coincide with sunset we highly recommend this. Menton is famed to have one of the most beautiful harbours in all of Cote d’Azur.
Go for a swim at Plage des Sablettes
If you’re looking for a beach day, definitely consider Menton. Plage des Sablettes is very large, sandy, and there are even bathrooms here! There are of course a few beach clubs if you prefer but either way you’ll have stunning views of the colourful buildings in Menton set against the backdrop of the vast Italian mountains.
Pick up some lemon products
Bordered by Italy, Menton is famous for its citrus. You’ll find citrus products such as jams, preserves and limoncello in boutique stores all around the old town. There’s even a lemon festival (La Fête du Citron) in February-March every year.
Read our detailed guide to Menton here.
2. Èze
How to get there
You need to be careful about getting to Èze. There is Èze village and then the beach at Èze-sur-Mer. Most people visit the village, which is a hilltop town. The best way to reach the village is by bus. The train will take you to the beach which is then a 45+ minute steep hike to the village. We personally took the bus to Èze village, then hiked down to Èze-sur-Mer and took the train back to Nice.
Bus 82 leaves from Vauban bus station (€1.50 each way) and will take you straight to Èze village in about 20 minutes. The train will cost €2-3 each way and will take you to Èze-sur-Mer in 13 minutes, but you will then need to hike for over 45 minutes to reach the village.
How much time do you need
Half a day if walking down to the beach, or 2 hours if you’re only visiting the village.
What to do on your day trip from Nice France – Èze
Wander the old town
Èze may be the most pretty and photogenic village in all of Cote d’Azur. Take some time to wander through the maze of alleys that are full of boutique stores, art galleries and traditional cafes, restaurants and hotels. For a particularly pretty corner, head to 30 Rue Principale. Even in the middle of summer, we had no trouble finding plenty of spots all throughout the old town where there wasn’t a single other person.
Le Jardin Exotique garden
This is the reason most people visit Èze village. This beautiful botanical garden sits at the very top of town with panoramic views over the Mediterranean. Entry costs €3.50 – €6 (depending on whether you’re a student or adult). There are incredible viewpoints all throughout the gardens. Beware that the entire garden is very exposed, so in the heat of the day it won’t be very pleasant. Try to aim for early morning or later in the afternoon to visit.
Hike Nietzsche Path
The famous Nietzsche Path is the hike between Èze village and Èze-sur-Mer that the German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche apparently climbed every day when he was living on the Riviera in the late nineteenth century. It is a little steep, but there are stone steps in all of the areas that need them. Walking down is absolutely fine, but if you plan to walk up make sure you’re prepared with proper walking shoes and water, and avoid the middle of the day. We encountered a few groups walking uphill in the middle of the day in bathing suits and none of them were having a good time!
Swim at Plage d’Èze-sur-Mer
If you start or end your day in Èze-sur-Mer it’s definitely worth stopping at Plage d’Èze-sur-Mer for a quick swim. This picturesque beach is right in front of the train station. It’s pretty small and does get completely shaded in the afternoon.
3. Monaco
How to get there
Monaco is a 20 minute train ride from Nice Ville. Take the train towards Ventimiglia (Ventimille), getting off at Monaco – Monte Carlo (€2-4 each way).
How much time you need
3 hours (more if you’re going to the casino).
What to do on your day trip from Nice France – Monaco
The glamorous world of Monaco is certainly worth visiting, even if you’re not interested in visiting the casino (we weren’t) or seeing the insane cars (we weren’t). Monaco actually suprised us. It was a last minute day trip from Nice France on our way to Menton and we were so glad we made the stop. There are two main areas to visit, Monaco Ville where the Prince’s Palace is located, and Monte Carlo where to casino is located. Monaco is known to be quite expensive, but you can still very much do it on a budget by catching the train in and not staying for lunch or dinner.
Get a coffee at Cafe de Paris
Start your day with a coffee and pastry from Cafe de Paris, which sits in front of Monte Carlo casino. It’s a great spot to people watch and for those interested in cars you will see plenty coming and going from the hotel in front of the casino. Prices are high here, this was actually the only money we spent in Monaco and for the location we thought it was certainly worth a coffee stop!
Walk around Monte Carlo
This glitzy neighbourhood is home to the casino, as well as high end stores and is the location of many films including Ocean’s Twelve and Iron Man 2. This is also where you’ll find the famous formula 1 hairpin. Just put Fairmont Hairpin Curve Formula 1 into Google maps. Behind the casino a lot of car owners park their cars for people to be able to get a closer look, it was a bit of a spontaneous car meet when we were there! We didn’t go into the casino, but if you want to be aware that the entry fee is €17, and you will need to be wearing appropriate clothes (smart attire).
Stroll around the harbour
Once you’ve had your fix of Monte Carlo, walk down towards the habour to awe at the enormous yachts. More than just super yachts however, the harbour itself is very beautiful and it makes for a lovely walk to the Old Town. The Monte Carlo Harbour is one of the most famous harbours in the world. It’s best viewed from the Old Town (see point below).
Visit the Old Town (Monaco-Ville)
For the best views over Monaco, take Rampe de la Major to get to Place du Palais. This is where you’ll find the viewpoints for typical shots of Monaco you’ll see on social media. The Old Town was way more beautiful than I expected! The orange and yellow hues of the buildings set against the Mediterranean in all directions is absolutely stunning. The Prince’s Palace is located here, the traditional Grimaldi Palace, where Princess Gabriella and Prince Jacques currently live. Expect to spend most of your time here.
Jardins de Saint-Martin
This free to visit garden is the perfect spot to find some shade and escape the crowds for a little while. Head to Port de Fontvieille viewpoint, near the palace of justice for the best views. You’ll also find the Oceanographic Museum here.
Read our detailed guide to Monaco here.
4. Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild
How to get there
Take Bus 15 from Promenade des Arts or your closest stop and ride for about 35 to 45 minutes to Passable / Rothschild (€1.50 each way). From there it’s only a 7 minute walk to the villa. Note: right before Covid, Nice overhauled its public transport system. You will see that a lot of blogs reference Bus 81 to get to Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild, this bus no longer exists and you will need to take bus 15.
How much time you need
2-3 hours
What to do on your day trip from Nice France – Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild
Although not a village like the other suggestions in this guide, we think this is one of the best day trips from Nice France and should be on any south of France itinerary!
Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild opens at 10am and standard entry is €15. Tickets can be bought ahead online. Admission includes an audio guide which we highly recommend! Learning about the history of the villa and Baroness Béatrice de Rothschild who built and decorated it is incredibly interesting. She had taste! You will want to arrive as close to opening time as possible. We had about 15 minutes where we had the whole garden to ourselves which was very peaceful.
Depending on the time of year, you may be able to visit the villa in the evenings on select days, pre-organise for picnics in the garden or attend a dinner at the villa. We really wish we had known that when we were visiting! Each of these events cost extra.
The villa and gardens are typically open 10 am to 6 pm. Always check the website however, as the entire villa can be booked out for private events and can therefore be closed on some days. In summer it will be open until 7 pm and in winter there are reduced hours on weekdays. You will need to have a ticket to visit the Tea Room as well.
Read our detailed guide to Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild here.
5. Cap d’Ail
How to get there
Take the train from Nice Ville towards Ventimiglia (Ventimille) for 17 minutes and get off at Cap d’Ail ( €2-3 each way).
How much time you need
3-4 hours (depending on whether you want to stop for a swim and a sit down lunch).
What to do on your day trip from Nice France – Cap D’ail
Plage Mala
If you’re planning a beach day while you’re in the French Riviera, we highly recommend taking a day trip from Nice France to Cap D’ail. The most picturesque beach in the area is Plage Mala, found along the Sentier du Littoral (more on that below). There is a small public beach here. It’s sandy (yay!) has a bit of shade in the morning and there are amenities on site. There is also a private beach club called La Réserve de la Mala. Plage Mala is very family friendly. If you’re wanting a little more space and don’t mind being out in the sun, there are plenty of other places along Cap Mala where you can jump in the water. It’s a spectacularly beautiful area so it won’t matter where you stop!
Sentier du Littoral
Strolling around Sentier du Littoral de Cap d’Ail was one of our favourite mornings while visiting the French Riviera and was actually a favoured walk by Winston Churchill. Start from Cap d’Ail and walk towards Mala beach. The trail will take you about an hour and is 3.5km long. It’s paved the entire way with stairs in parts. It does get closed in bad weather due to access.
Breakfast or lunch on the water
There’s not much of a town in Cap D’ail, and the town is actually quite far from the train station. Don’t make the same mistake we did and try to walk uphill from the station to the town expecting to find coffee and a pastry. Instead, we suggest heading to Le Cabanon which opens at 9.30am and makes a great coffee stop on your walk along Sentier du Littoral.
We stopped for lunch at Restaurant La Pinède after going for a walk along Sentier du Littoral and taking a dip at Plage Mala. It’s located on the waterfront, with incredible views across to Cap Mala. The staff were SO friendly and the food was fresh and modern. We had a wonderful time here. It’s only a few minutes walk back to the train station from here, making it a very convenient stop at the end of your day.
6. Villefranche-sur-mer
How to get there
From Nice Ville, take the train towards Ventimiglia (Ventimille) for 10 minutes and get off at Villefranche-sur-Mer (€1-3 each way).
How much time you need
2 hours
What to do on your day trip from Nice France – Villefranche-sur-Mer
Explore the Old Town
Villefranche-sur-Mer is another colourful fishing village with incredible waterfront restaurants. There’s not so much to do here, and it’s quite a small town, so you won’t need too much time. Conveniently it’s only 10 minutes from Nice so it makes for a great last minute day trip from Nice France, or even just quick morning outing. Wander through the pretty alleyways admiring the playfully coloured houses and beautiful pots of flowers lining the streets. Then head down to the waterfront to sit at one of the many trendy cafes and restaurants that line the beach.
Stroll along the harbour
This is one of the deepest harbours in the area so another great place to do some yacht-watching! Taking a stroll around the harbour and absorbing the atmosphere is a wonderful way to spend some time.
Plage des Marinieres
This is one of the best beaches in the French Riviera. It’s a sandy beach that stretches along a wide bay in front of the colourful old town. This is a very easily accessed beach with the train station only steps behind it so it does get busy. The shallow water extends about 10m into the water making this a great family friendly beach. Showers and toilets are available onsite also.
Read our detailed guide to Villefranche-sur-Mer here.
7. Beaulieu-sur-Mer
How to get there
From Nice Ville, take the train towards Ventimiglia (Ventimille) for 14 minutes and get off at Beaulieu-sur-Mer (€1-3 each way).
How much time you need
2 hours (more if you want a beach day).
What do to on your day trip from Nice France – Beaulieu-sur-Mer
If we go back to the Cote d’Azur and hire a car, we would try to stay in an Airbnb in Beaulieu-sur-Mer or somewhere close by in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat. It’s a great day trip from Nice France for those looking for a bit of peace and quiet.
Get away from the crowds
Often overlooked for more glitzy destinations like Antibes or Monaco, Beaulieu-sur-Mer provides a bit of a reprieve from the crowds. It feels a lot more authentic than most other villages along the coast and is free from souvenir shops and overpriced gelato stands even though it’s only a stones throw from Nice (you can literally walk here if you wanted to).
Plage Petite Afrique – one of the prettiest beach you can visit on a day trip from Nice France
This beach frequently tops lists for one of the best beaches in the French Riviera. It’s a fine pebble beach (easy to walk and sit on), has all of the amenities you will need including showers, toilets and life guards, there are plenty of water sports available and there is even a line of pine trees to find some shade near the kids playground. But what makes this beach top most lists is its beauty. Plage Petite Afrique is located in an incredibly wide bay that is set against the backdrop of a dramatic mountain range, absolutely stunning!
Have lunch along the harbour
Along the waterfront is another pretty harbour that has a string of affordable restaurants sitting right on the water. You will need to walk through the harbour to reach Plage Petite Afrique from the train station so you may as well check it out while you’re there! If you’re visiting Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild, we suggest going there in the morning and then walking into Beaulieu-sur-Mer for lunch and an afternoon soaking up the sun at the beach.
Where to stay to explore the best Day trips from Nice, France
To make the most of your day trips from Nice France, we suggest that you try to stay in the area between the train station and the old town / beach. These are the areas of Le Carré d’Or (green in map above), Thiers (red in map aboce) or Carabacel (purple in map above). We split our visit between staying very close to the train station for a few days, and then a few days very close to the promenade.
Hôtel Byakko Nice – our recommendation for taking day trips from Nice France
At Hotel Byakko Nice we paid €490.50 for 3 nights in August 2022 (the MOST EXPENSIVE time of year to visit Nice). The hotel’s location was perfect for day trips, being only a 6 minute walk to the train station. It was also only a 15 minute walk into the old town and a 20 minute walk to the promenade. We really liked this hotel. The staff were really friendly, the aircon was cold, and the room was perfect for a few nights with enough space to spread out our luggage. An added bonus was the rooftop here, perfect for a rose at the end of the day.
Hôtel de la Fontaine
We also stayed at Hotel de le Fontaine and paid €585 for 4 nights in August 2022. It was only a 2 minute walk to the promenade, which was perfect for our beach days, and sunsets on the beach with a pizza and a bottle of wine. It was a 15 minute walk into the old town, and a 15 minute walk to the train station (or take the tram for €1.50 and you will cut down walking time to just 7 minutes). The distance to the promenade was our favourite thing about this hotel, but again the staff were incredibly friendly and the rooms were super spacious for a few nights.
Left: Nice’s Old Port, Right: Nice’s promenade
What to pack for your Day trips from Nice, France
For the beach
Unless you plan on only visiting organised beach clubs on your day trips from Nice France, you will need to bring your own towel. You will be able to find quite a few stalls, bazaars and shops in Nice’s old town and near the promenade that sell beach towels if you have forgotten to bring one with you.
Most beaches in the French Riviera are pebble beaches. While you can lay on a towel for a little while, you will be uncomfortable if you’re staying for long. This is where a beach mat will come in handy. Some hotels will have beach mats that you can borrow but these will also be available from the same shops you’ll find towels in. The pebble beaches can be uncomfortable to walk on (and hot!) so water shoes or sandals will also be really helpful during your visit for walking around and getting in and out of the water.
Finally, there is more or less no shade at the majority of beaches in the French Riviera. Again, a lot of hotels will have beach umbrellas that you can borrow. But if they don’t and you plan on spending a fair bit of time at the beach, you should pick one up (ask your hotel to keep it when you leave and lend it out to future guests so that it’s not trashed).
Universal adaptor
Don’t forget to bring your adaptor! If you don’t already have one, make sure you buy one that has USB and USB C ports so that you can plug in your phone chargers as well.
European sim
All European data and minute plans are interconnected, so if you’re arriving from another European country your sim card will work in France. You will only need to worry about picking up a sim card if you’re arriving from outside of the EU.
Try and pick up a European sim card (like Lycamobile, Giffgaff or Lebara) on your arrival at Nice airport. You can find sim cards at ‘Relay’, a large newsagent which has stores in both terminals at the airport. Relay will close at 9.30pm however. So if you’re arriving late at night you might need to wait until you get into the city. Once you’re in Nice you’ll be able to pick up cheap sim cards at the tobacco stores and corner shops. If you need help installing a sim card, you will be best off going directly to a provider’s store such as Orange.
Nice’s promenade at sunrise and sunset
Travel Budget for Day trips from Nice, France
The below costs are what we actually spent in the French Riviera in August 2022. If you’re looking to save a bit of cash, definitely consider visiting in June or September. You’ll still have the vibe of the European summer crowds, but with discounted prices on everything.
Honestly, we thought the south of France was going to be more expensive than it ended up being for us. We were very selective about where we ate out (we only ate out at a really nice restaurant once) and only went to a beach club once. Plus we mostly bought bottles of wine to drink at the beach rather than at bars.
| Activity | Cost |
|---|---|
| Tram between Nice airport and Nice city (one way) | €1.50 |
| Trains to other villages in the French Riviera (one way) | €2 - 5 |
| Bus (e.g. to Èze) one way | €1.50 |
| Beach club (full day - beds and umbrella) | €30 |
| Cheap meal (e.g. socca, per serving) | €3 |
| Hotel (per night, 3* in peak season) | €150 |
| Nice meal out (main) | €20 |
| Cocktail (at an upscale bar) | €15 |
When to visit the best Day trips from Nice France
We visited in August and honestly I wouldn’t suggest it. It’s very hot and France isn’t made for the heat. Between the hot trains, the beaches without shade and all of the outdoor eateries, Nice would be much nicer in June or September. There are obviously crowds in summer, but we didn’t find them so bad. In fact, the crowds create a great atmosphere in Nice and add to the European summer vibe. Some of the trains got a bit uncomfortably packed towards the end of the day, but we didn’t struggle with anything else.
If you are visiting in the summer be sure to book restaurants ahead of time, like you would for anywhere in Europe. Between November and May a lot of tour operators, beach clubs and some restaurants will be closed. The weather will still be pleasant though. You will just have a quieter time and will have to plan ahead more to make sure what you want to do is possible.
Villefranche-sur-Mer Old Town and port
Thanks for stopping by!
Thanks for taking the time to read our guide on the best day trips from Nice France!
We hope we’ve inspired you to go to plan a visit to the French Riviera and make Nice your home base to explore the prettiest villages in the south of France.
Nice is an incredible city and its popularity with Europeans is well deserved. A touch of class, without being pretentious, Nice is a vibrant and fun city right on the water (best of both worlds!). There is so much to see and do in the city itself, not to mention the surrounding areas that this guide only scratched the surface of.
We have a detailed guide to Nice as well, including all the best things to see and do in the city, where to eat, where to spend sunset, and where to find the best viewpoints. You might also get value from our 10 day south of France itinerary where we’ve done all the planning for your day trips from Nice, and which also includes as a few days in Marseille!
If you have any questions, please let us know, and please subscribe!
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