Along the French Riviera, you’ll find a cluster of closely linked towns and cities that will make it impossible to want to stay in one place! There’s a whole range of day trips from Nice that you could take to explore this area, with everything from medieval towns and sandy beaches to French countryside and luxury cities. And what’s even better is that they’re so easy to get to that you could try out multiple day trips in one Nice holiday.
In this guide, I’ve broken down my top seven picks for day trips from Nice. They range from nearby towns on the coast to trips across the border and adventures into the nearby region. Plus, you’ll find a different experience in them all meaning you’ll easily know which Nice day trip is right for you.
Day Trips from Nice on the French Riviera
Monaco
Perfect for: a slice of luxury for the day
Arriving into Monaco for the day is more than just stepping into another country – it’s like stepping into another world. Picture ports full of superyachts, royal palaces, and an ornate, world-famous casino on your day trip from Nice to Monaco.
There are quite a few things that make Monaco one of the best day trips from Nice. Firstly, you’ll get the chance to visit another country for the day, and the second smallest in the world at that! You can also discover some unique Monégasque culture and attractions – the royal family, the Monte Carlo Casino, the Oceanographic Museum, and the famous Formula One track. Add in the beautiful architecture and Mediterranean backdrop, and you can see why this tiny country needs to be on your day trip list!
Monaco lies about 20km east of Nice and can be reached by train or car in 30 minutes.
Check out these experiences in Monaco!
Menton, Èze & Villefranche-sur-Mer
Perfect for: hopping through picturesque towns
Many of the towns around Nice are small, meaning you don’t need a full day to visit each one. Take the opportunity for an action-packed tour of the best of the French Riviera in a day, with a visit to Menton, Èze & Villefranche-sur-Mer.
These three spots are some of the best towns on the French Riviera, and offer a chance to see a quieter side of the coastline. In Menton, admire the colourful architecture and winding, cobbled, old town streets. In Èze, enjoy hilltop Mediterranean views and a medieval centre. And in Villefranche-sur-Mer, you’ll find a town steeped in history, with a stunning beach just steps from the train station.
Menton, Èze, and Villefranche-sur-Mer are all east of Nice, the furthest away being Menton which is just shy of 30km from the city (about 35 minutes on the train). I recommend heading here first on your day trip from Nice and then working your way back along the coast. Èze will be your second stop, and then Villefranche-sur-Mer.
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Antibes
Perfect for: relaxed, beachy vibes
Antibes is a beach town to the west of Nice, perfect for a serene day trip spent soaking up the sun on the beach, admiring the local charms of the Riviera or hunting for hidden bays. It’s definitely one of the more relaxed options for day trips from Nice!
The town is very versatile, and there are a few options for what to do on your day trip to Antibes. You could opt to explore Antibes itself, with its bright old town, large local market, city walls, and chic boutiques. And don’t miss the Picasso Museum! If you’d prefer to relax, spend the day at Plage de la Gravette, in the heart of the town. This is one of my favourite beaches on the French Riviera, with stunning views of both the Mediterranean waters and the old town above the beach.
Or, head a little further to the Cap d’Antibes, a rocky peninsula where you can enjoy some time walking around the coastal paths and spotting secret beaches – look out for the famous Billionaire’s Bay! The Cap d’Antibes is easiest to explore if you have a car, especially with the limited time you’ll have on a day trip from Nice, but you can get here by bus from the town.
A train journey from Nice to Antibes will take around 25 minutes. Make sure you stop by Port Vauban on your way into the centre of Antibes from the train station!
Read next: The 10 Best Things to do in Antibes, France
Cannes
Perfect for: movie & film lovers
If you’re a movie buff, Cannes should be high on your list of day trips from Nice. The city is steeped in film history and is most known as the host city of the annual Cannes Film Festival, one of the most prestigious film festivals worldwide.
On a day trip to Cannes, see the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès de Cannes (where the film festival is hosted!) and admire the red carpet where stars have walked before. You can also see the ‘Chemin des Étoiles’ – Cannes’ tribute to the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Look out for handprints from names such as Quentin Tarantino, Nathalie Portman, Sylvester Stallone, and Jodie Foster around the Festival building.
There are plenty of other things to do in Cannes as well. You can enjoy all the classic attractions you’ll come to expect of the French Riviera, including a spacious beach with views out to the Mediterranean, and ports swimming with luxury boats. Make sure you take some time to visit the shops and the city’s cathedral which dates back to the 1600s.
You’ll find Cannes to the west of Nice, and it takes around 30 minutes to get between the two. Taking the train from Nice to Cannes is definitely the best choice, as driving can take double the time!
St Tropez
Perfect for: seeing another side of the coast
Saint-Tropez is a bit further along the French Riviera, so it’s great if you’d like to travel a little further and see a different part of the southern coast. As Saint-Tropez was once a fishing village with a key military fortress, you’ll find a lot of history here. The picturesque old town, which used to be the most famous fishing area in the village, is a haven of colourful, winding streets lined with boutique shops and cafés. Make sure you also visit the huge hilltop citadel, dominating over the town below. There’s a museum inside where you can learn about Saint-Tropez’s maritime history.
Take some time to explore Saint-Tropez’s beautiful beaches on your day trio from Nice too! There are stretches of sand dotted all around the peninsula where the town sits, leading into the Golfe de Saint-Tropez on the north side, and the Mediterranean on the eastern side. Nearby the town, visit Plage de la Bouillabaisse, Plage de la Ponche, or Plage de la Glaye. Or, venture further around the peninsula to relax at Pampelonne Beach or Plage de Tahiti.
Being a bit further away from Nice, Saint-Tropez is best reached by car for a day trip – this will take around 2-3 hours depending on traffic. It’s possible to travel from Nice to Saint-Tropez by public transport, but unfortunately, there are no direct links. You’ll need to take a train and then a bus.
Plan your trip with a 5-Day French Riviera Itinerary
Other Day Trips from Nice
Ventimiglia
Perfect for: a taste of Italy
Swap the French Riviera for the Italian, and head across the border to Ventimiglia. The coastal town is one of the first places you’ll reach when crossing the border into Italy and is definitely one of the best day trips from Nice to choose.
The town is separated quite neatly into an old and new town by the river Roya. The biggest attraction in the new town is the famous Ventimiglia Friday market, which is home to over 500 stalls selling food, leather goods, clothing and much more. If it fits with your itinerary, I recommend planning your day trip from Nice to Ventimiglia on a Friday to experience the market. However, there is a smaller covered market selling fresh produce that’s open most days of the week.
As is typical of most places, Ventimiglia’s old town, or Ventimiglia Alta, is the more picturesque side of town. Here, you’ll be met with plenty of narrow, winding, cobbled streets inviting you to explore them. Plus, there are great views over the rest of the town and the sparkling Mediterranean Sea, thanks to the old town’s location atop a hill. Check out the main square, Piazza della Cattedrale, in front of the Santa Maria Assunta Cathedral, plus the Church of San Michele Arcangelo. And when you’re finished in the old town, head down to the waterfront to check out the impressive circular port.
There’s a direct train link between Nice and Ventimiglia, and the journey takes just shy of an hour.
Provence – Wine Tasting, Lavender Fields & Gorges du Verdon
Perfect for: cultural immersion in the wider region
Another great option for day trips from Nice is to venture away from the French Riviera and see more of the wider region, Provence. There is a whole range of experiences to enjoy and things to do in Provence, but some of the most famous are the lavender fields, wineries, and the Gorges du Verdon.
Whether you want to tour a vineyard to discover more about Provence’s long history with wine production and taste some local wine at the source, marvel at the dramatic landscape and magical turquoise waters of the Verdon Gorge, or visit the picture-perfect fields of lavender, you’ll find something to do with a day in Provence!
With a car, you can set off and explore these areas of Provence as you please! Or, there are plenty of guided tours available to take you around the region. Check out some options below:
Top tip: the lavender fields are in full bloom from roughly late June to early August every year, perfect if you’re taking a European summer trip!
Day Tours from Nice
These day trips from Nice are all easy to plan yourself, especially thanks to this guide! However, you may prefer to have someone else organise all the logistics, and there are loads of day tour options for this! This is a great option if you don’t have much time and want to see as much of the French Riviera in one day trip from Nice, or if you prefer to have some local knowledge of the area and its history as you explore. Check out some popular day tours from Nice below:
Taking Day Trips from Nice by Train
Almost all of the day trips from Nice in this guide are reachable by train, and often that’s the most efficient mode of transport to take. The train network around the French Riviera is well-connected, and since Nice is the main hub you’re in the perfect place!
From Cannes in the west to Ventimiglia over the Italian border, you’ll find fast, frequent and direct trains to the major towns. What’s more, they are very affordable, only costing a few euros each way to all destinations.
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