Just a stone's throw from the French border lies the enthralling town of Dolceacqua in Italy. With its romantic bridge and crumbling castle, this village charmed the world-famous artist Claude Monet into painting it twice.

Day trips to Dolceacqua from Nice take you on a journey through the bustling market towns of the Italian Riviera and into the sleepy village itself. Discover medieval ruins, learn about the artist who was so inspired by the town or simply enjoy a coffee overlooking it all.

Here's all you need to know about Dolceacqua, one of the most exciting day trips from Nice.

How to get to Dolceacqua from Nice?

Dolceacqua is located in the northwest of Italy, close to the border with France. It is approximately 50 kilometers from the city of Nice.

From Nice to Dolceacqua by car

The journey to Dolceacqua takes just over an hour by car and follows the A8 as far as the Italian border when it morphs into the E80. You'll merge onto the SS20, followed by the SP64 to reach the town.

From Nice to Dolceacqua by public transport

If you wish to make the jaunt to Dolceacqua by public transport, you can take a train as far as Ventimiglia. From there, you'll hop on the Line 7 bus all the way to the town. Buses and trains both run regularly, and the entire journey takes around 1.5 hours.

Guided tour to Dolceacqua from Nice

Alternatively, opt for a guided excursion to Dolceacqua. These begin around 8.30 AM and tend to last approximately 8 hours. You'll enjoy a convenient hotel pickup service and return to Nice in the late afternoon.

What is the typical itinerary?

After being collected from your hotel lobby by your friendly guide, you'll begin any Dolceacqua day trip with a drive along the picturesque coastal road into Italy. Some excursions travel to the town of Menton first, which is famed for its abundance of lemons and colorful architecture.

However, many tours journey straight to the market towns of the Italian Riviera. You will usually explore San Remo — widely known for having the best market in the region — and you may also see Ventimiglia.

After a morning spent wandering through a maze of stalls offering everything from clothing to cheeses, you'll make the short drive to Dolceacqua. Here you'll have some free time to discover the main attractions of the village before making your way back to Nice where your Dolceacqua day tour ends.

What kinds of tours are available to go to Dolceacqua?

The Dolceacqua day trip you take will depend on your travel style and the level of personalization you prefer on an excursion.

Guided tour to Dolceacqua plus San Remo from Nice

This Dolceacqua day trip begins by taking a scenic drive across the Italian border to San Remo. Admire the art nouveau architecture and shop for leather goods as you stroll through the town's market stalls.

Moving on to Dolceacqua, you'll discover the medieval town at your own pace. Waltz over the enchanting stone bridge that Claude Monet captured in two of his paintings or journey up to the village's abandoned castle before returning to Nice.

Private tour to Dolceacqua from Nice

A private Dolceacqua day tour enables you to see more with the one-on-one attention of a knowledgeable guide.

You'll head to Menton to see its array of colorful buildings before journeying on to the market towns of San Remo and Ventimiglia. After shopping for local produce, you'll travel on to Dolceacqua, where you'll discover its charming bridge and castle.

How much does a day trip to Dolceacqua from Nice cost?

Group day tours to Dolceacqua and San Remo cost approximately €100 per person, and include round-trip transportation, as well as a professional guide.

Private tours cost €800 per group of up to seven people. If you have the maximum number of participants, you'll each pay just over €110 per person, which makes this a great option for larger parties.

What will you see and do?

Dolceacqua is a medieval town founded in the 12th century, and is known to have been a favorite spot of the renowned painter, Claude Monet.

While the 19th-century artist loved everything about the village, from its cobbled streets to its striking architecture, its bridge — Ponte Vecchio — is what inspired him to paint here.

Monet referred to this stone walkway as a "jewel of lightness" and you can stand on the spot where the painter laid down his brushes yourself to see what all the fuss is about.

The medieval castle of Dolceacqua was named after the Doria family who owned it for centuries. While it is now a series of ruins, the castle was historically used as both a military fortress and a noble residence at different times. In recent years, there has been an enormous effort to restore this site to its former glory.

When is the best time to visit Dolceacqua?

The best time to plan a day trip to Dolceacqua is between May and September when you can experience the long sunny days of northwestern Italy. During these months, temperatures range from 19 to 26 degrees Celsius.

If you wish to avoid the crowds, opt to visit Dolceacqua in the shoulder months of May or September instead of the peak summer months of June, July or August.

What other day trips can you do from Nice?

Travel tips

Take cash with you on your Dolceacqua day tour, so that you can purchase goods at the markets easily.
Make sure you bring your camera as the streets of Dolceacqua are extremely quaint.
The San Remo markets happen on Tuesdays and Saturdays, while the market in Ventimiglia pops up every Friday. Consider this when booking an excursion.

Dolceacqua: Day Trips and Tours from Nice