Sparkling blue seas, pastel-coloured old towns, relaxing beach clubs, glamorous ports and Mediterranean views – the French Riviera is exactly as beautiful as you can imagine! Spend 5 days in the French Riviera on your next short break to enjoy a mix of relaxation and town-hopping between some of the most beautiful seaside spots.
This French Riviera itinerary will map out the perfect five-day trip, with practical information for planning your visit and all the best things to do on the Côte d’Azur. You can visit as many as 6 towns and cities in this time, and each one has a different charm to offer. And if you simply can’t get enough of the French Riviera, there are some recommendations to extend your itinerary at the end.
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5-Day French Riviera Itinerary Breakdown
Day 1: Nice
Day 2: Antibes
Day 3: Free Day (with suggestions!)
Day 4: Menton + Monaco
Day 5: Nice
Is 5 Days in the French Riviera Enough?
Yes – in fact, I’d argue that spending 5 days in the French Riviera is the perfect amount of time for your trip. There’s plenty of time to see the main sights of the Riviera, explore some hidden gems, and take a day or two to relax and bask in the Mediterranean sunshine.
If you’d like to spend more time in the French Riviera, it’s easy to stretch out this itinerary to include more days relaxing, and spending more time in the different towns. You can find some recommendations at the end of this guide.
On the other hand, if you only have a few days in the French Riviera, check out this guide on how to spend a weekend in Nice – you can still see the city and maybe squeeze in a day trip!
Where is the French Riviera?
The French Riviera is on the southern coast of France in western Europe. It stretches from the Italian border near Menton in the east, to around Saint Tropez in the west.
Is the French Riviera the Same as the South of France?
Although the French Riviera is in the south, the South of France covers a much larger area. Spanning from the west all the way to the east coast, it covers the entire southern portion of the country, catching roughly everything south of Bordeaux. So, the French Riviera is in the South of France.
If you’re interested in seeing more of the South of France, check out this 7-Day South of France itinerary, taking you from Toulouse to Nice.
How to Plan Your Trip
With this French Riviera itinerary, what to do each day is covered! But it pays to think about the logistics, so here are a few top tips to help you plan your trip to the French Riviera.
Getting to the French Riviera
The main airport serving the French Riviera is the Nice Côte d’Azur International Airport. As the third-largest airport in France, you’ll find a long list of flights here – both from Europe and further afield. There are also regular internal flights between Paris and Nice. Nice Airport is close to the city, and well connected by tram.
France also has good rail connections and you can reach Nice and the French Riviera by train from many of France’s other major cities – including a direct train link to Paris.
How to Get Around
One of the best things about the French Riviera is that all the cities and towns are so well connected. Regular and reliable trains run along the coast to all the main spots, including Monaco.
The main route is a regional line (called TER), which runs from Ventimiglia, just over the Italian border, or Menton in the east, to Cannes in the west. From one end to the other, the train takes around an hour and a half. Tickets are cheap (just a few euros for each journey) and can be easily bought at the stations.
Where Should You Base Yourself on the French Riviera?
This itinerary is quite flexible with where you can base yourself on the French Riviera, mainly thanks to the excellent transport links mentioned above. I do recommend that you choose one place to stay for your whole French Riviera trip – it’s just not worth the hassle of moving from place to place when it’s so easy to get a return train to each day trip!
Where you choose to base yourself on the French Riviera depends on what you’d like to do on the trip. I have stayed in both Nice and Antibes, and recommend them both for different reasons.
Antibes is great if you’re looking for a more laid-back, beachy holiday. You can still take day trips to see more of the Riviera, but you can spend your free days relaxing in the sun.
However, if you want to be in on the action, visiting a different town every day and soaking up the culture, Nice is the place to be! It’s the main city of the French Riviera, meaning the most frequent train connections, livelier nightlife, and more to do.
When is the Best Time to Visit the French Riviera?
The French Riviera is known for its beautiful weather, so most would think that the best time to visit is during the hottest summer months of July and August. However, this is the busiest and most expensive time to go to the Côte d’Azur, and if you plan to do more than sunbathe the heat can be impractical.
What’s great about the French Riviera is that the weather stays pleasant outside of those months, and I recommend visiting in the ‘shoulder season’ – around May-June and September. The crowds will be smaller and the weather a little cooler, but still hot enough to relax on the beach.
If you’d like to have as much of the French Riviera to yourself as possible and aren’t worried about the weather, you could visit during the winter or early spring. I’ve been in February before, and although I missed out on sunbathing, it was still a great experience! You’ll get the benefit of quiet towns and cheaper prices, but bear in mind that a lot of places operate seasonally, and you might need to do a bit of extra research for places to eat and things to do.
Read Next: How to Spend a Weekend in Nice, France
Your 5-Day French Riviera Itinerary
Day 1: Nice
Your French Riviera itinerary begins in Nice. Spend the morning getting acquainted with the largest city on the Riviera. First make your way to Port Lympia, Nice’s main marina. You can see the small Notre-Dame du Port, as well as admire the ships docked in the port, which range from small boats to luxurious super yachts.
Next, head to Colline du Château. The hilltop park offers amazing panoramic views over Nice. Start by climbing the steps (or opt for the lift!) up to Bellanda Tower where you can look out over Nice’s old town, beaches, and the Promenade des Anglais. Then explore the park a little. If you make your way to the other side you can look down on Port Lympia, and there’s even an archaeological site!
Now it’s time to get lost in the beautiful old town of Nice. You’ll explore several old towns on this French Riviera itinerary, and Nice’s is definitely the liveliest. Bustling streets are lined by tall houses with typical wooden shutters, and the ground floors are occupied by countless shops and boutiques, selling a charming mix of souvenirs for tourists and local artisanal offerings. Bars and restaurants spill out into plazas, and ornate churches squeeze into impossible spaces. Look out for Place Rossetti with Nice Cathedral, as well as Église Saint-Jacques-le-Majeur de Nice and Église Sainte Rita. If lunch is approaching, head to Chez Thérésa for some traditional Niçois socca.
If you’d like to dive deeper into the history and culture of Nice, you could take a guided walking tour through Nice and let a guide uncover plenty of hidden corners. Check out these options below.
Spend the afternoon in one of the many museums in Nice. I recommend Musée Massena, where you can learn about Nice and the French Riviera region, or Musée Matisse which houses many works of famous French painter Henri Matisse. To end the day, either grab dinner in Nice and enjoy the bustling nightlife with a few drinks in the old town, or head to your French Riviera base to end the day there.
Day 2: Antibes
The second day of your French Riviera itinerary is dedicated to the beautiful medieval beach town of Antibes. Combine culture and relaxation for the perfect day on the French Riviera! Start at Port Vauban, the largest port on the Mediterranean, housing some of the world’s most luxurious boats. From here, climb up the old city walls to explore the seafront and the streets of the old town. There are so many beautiful hidden corners and buildings to see here. Make sure you look out for Antibes Cathedral, pop by the Marché Provençal, and browse some of the beautiful boutiques.
After some lunch, check out the Picasso Museum. Famous artist Pablo Picasso spent some time in Antibes after World War 2, and the place he stayed, Château Grimaldi, has been turned into a museum that displays countless works he donated after leaving.
For the afternoon, you can choose to spend an afternoon on Plage de la Gravette or discover some more things to do in Antibes. You could visit the Archaeological Museum or Fort Carré, pop over to the neighbouring town of Juan Les Pins, or head back into the old town for some more shopping.
Pick a spot for dinner along Boulevard d’Aguillon. Then grab an ice cream from Gusto Gelato and wander along to the St James Bastion. You’ll get the chance to see Port Vauban again as you pass by. Up on the Bastian, there’s an impressive statue called Nomade which lights up at night.
Check out the best things to do on the French Riviera!
Day 3: Free Day (with suggestions!)
There are plenty of options for your third day – it completely depends on what kind of holiday on the French Riviera that you’re looking for, as well as where you’re staying.
If you’re based in Antibes, I recommend a day relaxing on Plage de la Gravette, you could head out to explore the Cap d’Antibes. The peninsula is known for beautiful bays, lavish villas and lush surroundings. There are some great hiking routes with stunning views, which you can reach by bus or car (although it’s a lot easier by car). Or take a boat tour around the Cap d’Antibes.
If you’re in Nice or further east, you could also spend a day relaxing on the beach. Bear in mind that most of the beaches in Nice are stony, so it might be worth visiting a beach club so you can have access to a sunbed. Or, head out for another day trip to the neighbouring towns of Villefranche-sur-Mer and/or Èze.
Start with Èze, a medieval hilltop town known for its panoramic views over the Mediterranean. It has one of the most beautiful old towns on the French Riviera, as well as a botanical garden to explore. After Èze, pop over to Villefranche-sur-Mer, where you’ll find another picturesque old town! This time you can expect bright streets and colourful buildings. This is one of the easiest day trips to take from Nice, as both towns are only a short train ride away.
Read Next: The 6 Best Cities and Towns on the French Riviera
Day 4: Menton + Monaco
Morning in Menton
The fourth day of your French Riviera itinerary involves a new country and one of the most beautiful towns on the Cote d’Azur. You’ll spend the first half of the day in Menton, the last town before you reach the Italian border, known for its affiliation with lemons and all things yellow.
When you arrive in Menton, wander along the waterfront until you reach Quai Impératrice Eugénie. Here you can look out on the most iconic view of Menton with its bright yellow buildings. You can also explore the nearby Vieux Port de Menton. After, climb the yellow stairs, making sure to take in the views all around you. Soon you’ll reach Basilique Saint-Michel Archange de Menton, a dominating baroque church which is free to enter and look around.
Now it’s time to get lost in the old town for a little while. Although small, Menton’s old town is as picturesque as they come, and the streets are some of the most beautiful I’ve ever walked. It’s also pretty easy to get lost – but that’s not such a bad thing! After some time in the old town, head back to the main centre of Menton to browse some souvenirs. You’ll find a multitude of lemon-themed offerings on Rue Saint Michel, and you could also visit the Menton Market for some local produce.
Afternoon in Monaco
Hop back on the train and head for an afternoon in Monaco. It’s important to note here that although you’re entering a different country, if you have a Schengen visa to enter France you should be covered for Monaco too (always worth double-checking this beforehand!). Just make sure you have your passport and any relevant visa documentation, as checks can take place on the train.
When you arrive in Monaco, head straight up to the Prince’s Palace area. The hill is a little steep, but the views at the top are worth it! I recommend walking up Avenue de la Porte Neuve, from where you can visit the Fort Antoine Theatre. The old fortress-turned-amphitheatre looks out over Port Hercule. Then continue your way along the hilltop, passing the Fisherman’s Garden and the Oceanographic Museum, which you could visit if you have enough time! As you make your way around to the Prince’s Palace and the centre of the old town, make sure you take the path through Jardins Saint-Martin to this viewpoint over Port de Fontvieille – it’s my favourite view in Monaco.
Next up, visit the Prince’s Palace and take a wander around the old town. The palace sits on a huge esplanade meaning it’s easy to get great views. You can also visit some parts of the interior during the summer months. As for the old town, look out for the Monaco Courthouse, Saint Nicholas Cathedral and the Monaco Town Hall.
There’s still a lot more to explore in Monaco. It’s time to head to the other side of the country – luckily that’s just a short 15-minute walk away! Make sure you first stop off at Port Hercule to admire the luxury yachts and then make your way to Monte Carlo. In this area of Monaco, the most famous attraction is the iconic Monte Carlo Casino. You can also browse some incredibly luxurious stores, see the Princess Grace Japanese Gardens, and walk the route of the Monaco Grand Prix. If you’re a big Formula One fan, you might enjoy this Monaco Grand Prix guided walking tour.
Day 5: Nice
You’ve reached the last of your 5 days on the French Riviera. Your final day depends on your travel arrangements, but after checking out of your accommodation, I recommend making your way back to the main city, Nice. Here, you can visit anything that you missed on your first day in Nice back at the start of your French Riviera trip.
If you’re looking for more things to do in Nice, check out the Modern and Contemporary Art Museum (and the nearby Tête Carrée), Place Masséna and Promenade du Paillon, the Promenade des Anglais, or the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Nice.
Alternatively, check out these activities in Nice and the French Riviera if you have more time to spend on your last day.
More Time on the French Riviera?
If you’d like to spend more than 5 days on the French Riviera, you can easily expand this itinerary. Either add in some more beach days, spend longer in each place, visit some more destinations, or add in some special experiences.
Some more places to visit along the coast that aren’t included in this French Riviera itinerary are Saint-Tropez, Cannes, Bormes-les-Mimosas, Cap-d’Ail and Ventimiglia (Italy).
Which part of the French Riviera itinerary are you most excited for? I could go back and follow this exact trip over and over again, so I know you’ll have the best time! If you’d like to explore more of France after spending 5 days in the French Riviera, check out this itinerary for 3 days in Paris, or the best things to do in the dreamy alpine town of Annecy.
I love Nice ❤️ Hope to retire there!