The French Riviera is worldwide known for its glamour and beauty and attracts millions of travelers each year. Go on a day trip from Nice and discover its picturesque coastal towns, lavender fields, gorgeous beaches and small village filled with historical landmarks and authentic French charm.
Depending on which area you would like to explore better, first step is to gather some information. Want to know the best day trips from Nice? Whether you want to visit the coast, wander within Provence and its lavender fields or taking a boat trip along the French Riviera, find out more about what to see, what to do in each place, and how to get there!
Scroll down the page and you will find a comprehensive guide about the best day trips from Nice.
Day trips from Nice – Discover the French Riviera
West coastline: Antibes – Cannes – Saint Maxime – Saint Tropez
1. Antibes
What to see? What to do?
Visit Antibes where you can witness the beauty of the medieval village in its Provencal market, wander around the old town where a lot of painters where inspired, the Picasso Museum where he lived, scuba-dive or parasail along the coast. Try their typical French cuisine focused on seafood and local produce. Scenic restaurants can be found around the old town, the port and in Juan les Pins.
How to get there?
By train. Antibes has a train station on the main line that goes from Nice-Cannes. Trains run every 30 minutes and you get there in half an hour (9-14€).
By bus. Bus number 200 goes between Cannes, Antibes and Nice regularly for 1,5€. There is also a faster bus “250 express” which is more comfortable and it takes the highway, but also more expensive than the other bus (9€).
By car. The way to drive to Antibes from Nice is along the coastal road (RN98 and RN7), although avoid these coastal roads in the summer as the can be extremely congested. The usual way to drive to Antibes is to take the A8 and exit at junction 44 which will take you to Antibes. Expect traffic jams on this highway too.
2. Cannes
What to see? What to do?
The glamorous and expensive seaside town. Wander around the old town through the typical narrow streets packed with restaurants and souvenir shops until you reach the castle ruins atop the hill.
Get to see the typical Covered Market for delicious food; Palais des Festivals where famous people get together and watch films during the festival. Cannes has two ports (Vieux Port and Port Pierre Canto) and this is where all the yachts and cruises come to show.
While in Cannes you can have a luxurious experience on a yacht, visit the Notre-Dame d’Esperance if you are a gothic-style lover, Tour du Masque where it is said to be haunted by ghosts, Musée d’Art et d’Histoire de Provence. Or enjoy the views of Cannes while having lunch on a luxury ship.
In terms of eating, get ready to splash out because restaurants here tend to be pricey.
How to get there?
By train. The cheapest option (frequently used by locals) is the train operated by SNCF, between Nice’s St. Augustine station and Cannes. They run every 30 minutes with a duration of 30 minutes (11-15€ return). The views from the train as it runs along the coastline is amazing.
By bus. The cheapest way, although not recommended is bus TAM 200. It goes via local roads which are often extremely congested. The journey can take up to 80 minutes and stops every hundred yards. The Express Coach takes you to Cannes (number 210) via the A8 highway and it costs around 22€, it runs every 30 minutes.
By car. The same as Antibes, Cannes can be accessed by the coastal road which is normal packed with traffic. The usual way is to take the A8, an advice to avoid this congestion is to bear right immediately after you have left the A8 at the first traffic light. Go on N85 and follow signs to Cannes.
Another way to Cannes is to go to Vallauris and descend to the coast on the D135 and follow signs to Cannes when you get onto N7.
There is also a small/private half day trip from Nice to Cannes and Antibes where you can enjoy a guided tour, air-conditioned transport and hotel pickup and drop off.
3. Sainte Maxime
What to see? What to do?
Saint Maxime, less fashionable than St. Tropez, just one hour and a half from Nice. Saint Maxime is also another attractive destination where you can enjoy the beach, participate in water activities like jet-ski or get on a boat where you can visit other destinations.
The town itself is quite small so just wandering around you will find some attractions, museums, churches or head over to the seaside and enjoy their beautiful sandy beaches. Eating in Saint Maxime can be expensive or reasonable depending on where you go but I’m sure they will make you experience the most delicious flavors of the region!
How to get there?
By train. There is no direct main of transport that goes from Nice to Saint-Maxime. However, you can take the train to St-Raphael-Valescure, walk to Saint-Raphael Gare Routiere and take the bus line 7601 to Saint-Maxime-Tour Carree.
By car. Another alternative is to go by car from Nice to Sainte-Maxime via Les Arcs Draguigan and Les Arcs – Gare SNCF in approximately 2 hours and 40 minutes.
4. Saint -Tropez
What to see? What to do?
If you prefer a fancier destination, Saint-Tropez is the one. The village of Saint-Tropez does not have much to see but wandering around the cafes, shops or the waterfront is packed with stores and numerous yachts to gawp at!
Saint-Tropez has plenty of restaurants to choose from but something that mustn’t go amiss is the local tart of pastry cream invented by a pastry chef.
How to get there?
By car. Get on the A8 from Voie Pierre Mathis and Route de Grenoble, then follow the signs to Les Pinèdes in Le Muy. Take exit 36 from A8 and then take D125, D25, D559 and D98A to Place de l’Ormeau in Saint Tropez.
By train. There is no train station in St Tropez so this makes it difficult to reach if you don’t have a car. However, the closest station is in St Raphael where you can find a direct bus to St Tropez.
There is a round-trip ferry from Nice which takes you along the Côte d’Azur to Saint Tropez, where you can enjoy a full day at your leisure.
There are numerous day trips from Nice that can take you to Antibes, Cannes, Saint Maxime or Saint Tropez. Usually, the tours take you to all of these villages for a day, book a full-day tour to discover the best of the French Riviera.
East coastline: Villefranche-sur-Mer – Cap Ferrat – Beaulieu-sur-Mer -Eze – Monaco – Menton
5. Villefranche-sur-Mer
What to see?
A small beach resort with not much to see but the beach is their main attraction. As usual, all the pricey restaurants are on the waterfront but I’m sure there are other options for a tight budget. Villefranche-sur-mer is the perfect place for relaxing and leisure.
How to get there?
By train. Go to this small beach resort easily accessible from Nice, you can get there by train taking TER. They run along the coastline and the views are definitely worth it. Tickets are very cheap (1,60€) and you can purchase and then use at any time. The trains run every day and arrive every 20 minutes approximately. The station is in the centre of Villefranche-sur-Mer so it will be easy to walk to the old town.
By bus. Lignes D’azur line 81 takes you from Nice to Villefranche-sur-Mer in 10 minutes every hour. Estimated price of 2€.
6. Cap Ferrat
What to do?
Walk the promenade Maurice Rouvier that goes along the shoreline or take a 4km stone path around the St Hopice headland (called the “thumb” of Cap Ferrat). You can find many restaurants where to eat on the waterfront.
How to get there?
By bus. The quickest and cheapest way is to catch bus number 81 from Nice Gare Routiere to Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat. The price of the ticket is 2€ and it’s a half an hour ride.
7. Beaulieu-sur-Mer
What to see?
Considered one of the most beautiful towns on the Côte d’Azur, its beaches are considered their main attraction, where high quality shops and luxurious hotels and restaurants attract people. It also hosts two big festivals; “Les Nuits Guitares” and “Les Violons de Légende”; it also offers numerous water sports.
How to get there?
By bus. The cheapest way is to catch bus number 81 from Nice to get to Beaulieu-Sur-Mer. Arriving in 23 minutes, buses run every hour. Estimated price is 2€.
By train. The quickest way is to catch the train operated by SNCF, arriving in 10 minutes, trains run every 20 minutes. The estimated price 8-12€.
There are numerous day trips from Nice to all these beautiful towns where you can enjoy a guided tour, transportation and many other advantages that may be of your interest.
Click on the link below to check all the different types of day trips from Nice and see which one catches your attention.
8. Eze
What to see? What to do?
Visit the medieval village of Eze atop a mountain where you can visit Galimard perfume factory to learn more about the local perfume industry, or walk up the Nietzche path to see where he got inspired.
How to get there?
By train. The train station is located in Eze-sur-Mer and it’s a stop running along the coast. Be careful because not all trains stop here and they can be packed during commuting hours.
By bus. Take bus number 82 departing from bus station Vauban in the East of Nice and stops in Eze seven days a week.
By car. The usual way to Eze is by taking the sea side road running along the coast.
9. Monaco
What to see? What to do?
Monaco is a tiny royal principality on the French Riviera. Step into a world of high-stakes glamour, with a royal twist. Visit the old town, the palace with the changing guards or Monte Carlo’s casino and its luxury boutiques.
Monaco is considered one of the most beautiful towns on the Côte d’Azur where high-quality shops and luxurious hotels and restaurants attract visitors from all over the world.
How to get there?
By train. There are trains operated by SNCF leaving from Nice that go to Monaco every 20 minutes, with duration of 25 minutes. Estimated price 9€-14€.
By bus. Bus service departing from “Department Des Alpes Maritimes” running every 30 minutes to Monaco (2€).
By car. The fastest route is via A8 which will take you 42 minutes and note that there are tolls on this road.
10. Menton
What to see?
Due to its proximity to France, Menton is considered more Italian than French. The charming old town has all sorts to offer and is largely pedestrianised, perfect for wandering and exploring its mains points of interest. Note that the attractions such as cemeteries and churches are on steep hills and steps so may not be suitable for the elderly. However, the views are promising.
How to get there?
By train. Catch the train (operated by SNCF) from Nice Ville to Menton and get there in 40 minutes. The frequency of the trains are every 30 minutes and the estimated price is of 6€.
By bus. Catch the bus from Department Des Alpes Maritimes and reach Menton in 1 hour. Buses run every 30 minutes; estimated price for 2€.
Inland day trips from Nice – Experience wine tasting, discover lavender fields and visit picturesque towns
11. Provence Countryside (Lavender Fields) and Grasse
What to see?
The Provence lavender fields are among the best in the world and certainly the most famous ones. Go on a day trip from Nice and discover the picture-postcard countryside of Grasse, notorious for being the capital of the perfume industry and also the highest concentration of lavender farms. Many areas around Grasse are cultivating this light purple flower, which is iconic throughout the region.
Grasse is also a good place for outdoor activities as well as for hiking, horse riding and playing golf.
How to get there?
By bus. There are some buses running every 40 minutes to Grasse. The journey takes around 1.5 hours.
By train. Trains run from Nice Ville to Grasse (operated by SNCF) every hour for 1 hour and 15 minutes. Estimated price 12-18€.
By guided tour. Guided trips include the visit to several cities, both along the French Riviera (such as Cannes) and in the countryside of the Provence (such as Grasse) where you can see the amazing lavender fields. The advantage to take a tour is that you will be visiting several towns and the best of the countryside without the hassle to pay every single small transportation.
12. Gourdon
What to see?
The perched village of Gourdon holds many historical monuments and natural attractions. The main attraction of the village is the spectacular views. The main historic attraction in Gourdon is the 9th century Chateau which houses a Museum of Decorative Arts, a Medieval Museum and is surrounded by beautiful lush gardens. The village itself is very attractive and beautifully restored with its medieval old streets.
How to get there?
By bus. The most direct way is to catch line 500 bus from Albert 1er to Gourdon. The journey lasts 1 hour 35 minutes, for just 4€. Buses run every 3 hours.
By car. The quickest way is to drive there for 40 minutes via D2085.
13. Valbonne
What to see?
Explore from historical sites to cultural attractions, visit the antiques fair they hold most weekends.
How to get there?
By bus. There are buses from Antibes and Cannes as well as very frequent buses to/from Nice.
By car. Take the A8 exit for Antibes from Nice and go inland following the signs towards Valbonne.
14. Saint Paul de Vence
What to see?
Characterized by its cobble stone lanes and unique art galleries. La Fondation Maeght is a museum of modern and contemporary art just outside the city walls. However, wandering around the narrow streets is the best way to get to know this place better.
How to get there?
By bus. There are buses that run from the bus station in Nice. But you can also go to Cagnes-sur-mer by train (TER line 4) and then take the bus line 200 to St Paul. The 30 minutes journey passes by some other villages worth seeing.
15. La Turbie
A medieval village that seems to float in the sky, highlighted by its gigantic Trophee d’Auguste. Visit La Turbie to get know more about how the Romans built the village 2,000 years ago. You can also visit Auguste museum.
How to get there?
By bus. Take a bus from Nice Vauban for 25 minutes to to La Turbie Mairie. Estimated price 1-4€.
By car. The fastest route is via A8, drive for 26 minutes approximately to reach La Turbie.
To sum up, you can experience wine tasting and discover lavender fields.
The prices for this type of day trip have a range of 70-90€ including many unique features such as transport, wine tasting, bottled water and much more. Take a look on TourScanner to compare prices.
Delve into the picturesque villages and countryside of Provence with a group or private day trip from Nice. Your transport can be taken care of so you can sit back and delve into the scenic views.
Day trips from Nice to Italy–Cross the border and discover the fabulous Italian Riviera
16. San Remo
What to see?
Lying on the Italian Riviera, you can walk around the centre of San Remo which is quite small and all places can be reached on foot. You can visit Villa Nobel, the house where Alfred Nobel lived; or Villa Hanbury located near San Remo, an open air botanical garden where over 5,800 tropical species grow.
How to get there?
By train. Trains leave from Nice Ville to Ventimiglia every 30 minutes and the journey takes 1 hour (10-21€). Once you get to Ventimiglia you can catch a direct bus for 15 minutes to Sanremo.
There is also a direct train operated by Trenitalia Eurocity which runs 3 times a day. The duration of the journey is 1 hour and 20 minutes. Estimated price for 15-22€.
17. Dolceacqua
What to see?
Visit its most renowned ancient castle which is believed to date back to the 11th century. Other than the castle, there aren’t any other sightseeing attractions in the town. The easy thing to do is to explore the village on foot; you will find several beautiful cobblestoned streets. The surroundings of the village are also worth exploring if you have a car.
How to get there?
By train/bus. The quickest but not direct way to get to Dolceacqua from Nice is if you catch the train from Nice Ville to Ventimiglia. The journey is 1 hour and when you get there you can get a direct bus to Dolceacqua for 17 minutes. Estimated price 12-22€.
By car. Get on A8 in La Trinité from Boulevard Carabacel, continue to Ventimiglia and take exit A10/E80. Take SS20, SS 1 Via Aurelia and SP64 towards Dolceacqua.
18. The Cinque Terre
What to see?
Cinque Terre, meaning Five Lands, is composed by small coastal villages named Riomaggare, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso where you will be astonished by the landscape. All the towns are embedded in magnificent natural scenery. You can enjoy the scenery just described; wander through the towns or even hike on the paths and taking in the local atmosphere.
How to get there?
By train. There is a train leaving from Nice Ville to Genova Piazza Principe (duration of 2h 53 minutes) passing through La Spezia Centrale and arriving to Corniglia for a price of 37-62€.
By bus. Catch a bus from Nice to La Spezia which has a duration of 5h 50 min; catch the train from La Spezia Centrale to Corniglia (duration of 13 minutes). The price of the ticket is around 20-23€.
In overall, it can be a bit of a headache to reach these places via public transport as there are not many direct ones. Consider looking at day trips from Nice to San Remo, Dolceacqua and Cinque Terre where you can sit back and enjoy a quicker ride, a guided tour by a professional and many more advantages!
There are many day trips from Nice offered by Viator so have a look on TourScanner where you can compare tours and prices.
Boat day trips from Nice – Aboard a yacht and explore the French Riviera coastline
Explore the Mediterranean coastline differently by hopping on board. The boat day trips from Nice take you along the coastline overlooking the French Riviera. This type of day trip gives you an insight of the French Riviera from another perspective.
Navigate the Cap de Nice and head inland to the Citadelle area where you can take in the beautiful views of the picturesque old towns stringing along the coastline.
Boat day trips differ in price depending on what you book; for instance, there are luxury boat trips that provide you with a more personalized experience or group boat trips which have reasonably good prices for tight budgets. Nearly all of the boat day trips from Nice depart from the Port of Nice.
There are many companies offering these type of day trips from Nice such as Viator, take a look on TourScanner to compare prices.
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