5 Of The Best Day Trips From Nice, France – You Don’t Want To Miss These!

Are you planning a trip to the French Riviera? If so, here are 5 of the best day trips from Nice that are actually worth it!

Welcome to the beautiful city of Nice, nestled in the breathtaking French Riviera. While there are many things to do in Nice, one of the main draws of this city is how central it lies within the Cote d’Azur region. There are so many incredible must-visit destinations near Nice. Therefore, many people choose this city as their base for their vacation in the French Riviera. I did the same, and it was absolutely incredible! It is so easy to get to nearby cities from Nice so I highly recommend staying here during your trip. 

There are so many incredible day trips near Nice, that it is almost impossible to see them all, especially if you only have a few days in the South of France. We didn’t even manage to visit all the spots we have planned to, since we also wanted to ensure that we truly experienced each location rather than rushing our experience. In this guide, I will be focusing on the 5 best day trips from Nice that are definitely worth it. Although there will be some other notable mentions below, these are going to be small villages that you can easily combine with other spots to maximize your time in France. 

In this guide, I will be showing you why you should add both the touristy locations as well as hidden gems to your itinerary. The guide will be geared mostly towards people who are visiting Nice and the French Riviera for the first time since some of these locations will be well known. However, you might still find some new travel inspiration below! Before getting into the 5 best day trips from Nice I will answer some frequently asked questions. 

PS. If you don’t have time to go to all of these locations, you could consider joining a guided tour that will take you to the best spots along the French Riviera. 

This post is all about the 5 best day trips from Nice.

FAQs About The Best Day Trips From Nice

Is Nice Worth Visiting?

The short answer is yes, Nice is absolutely worth visiting. Nice is one of the most popular cities on the French Riviera and for good reason. The city offers lots of unique activities during the day, a beautiful beach, a charming old town, as well as a bustling nightlife. In addition, the city is located so centrally on the French Riviera coast that it makes it the ideal base for your trip to the South of France. 

What Is The Best Time To Visit The French Riviera?

As I am sure you can imagine, the French Riviera is a tourist hotspot during the summer. While this isn’t necessarily a bad thing, it does become an issue if you want to travel around to the top-rated day trips near Nice, as the public transportation will be overflowing with people. Therefore, I recommend visiting during the shoulder season for fewer crowds and more travel flexibility.

The French Riviera is the hottest region in France and gets a total of 300 days of sunshine a year. Due to this you could visit at almost any time of the year and get to enjoy beautiful weather. Although this, I would recommend visiting in the shoulder season between April – Mid-June, and again between September – early November. This way, you will also ensure warm weather which will enable you to swim in all of the beautiful beaches this region has to offer.

5 Of The Best Day Trips From Nice, France

1. Villefranche-Sur-Mer

This is by far my favorite day trip from Nice! The village of Villefranche-Sur-Mer lies just on the other side of Parc du Mont Boron in Nice, making this one of the closest and easiest day trips from Nice! To get to Villefranche-Sur-Mer, you can either take a long walk or the bus. Walking here from Port Lympia will take you just 50 minutes if you walk through Parc du Mont Boron. If you would rather take the scenic route, then it will take you just over an hour to walk here along the coast. If you prefer to get here by bus, you can take line number 15 from Port Lympia and ride for 15 minutes until you reach a stop called Octroi. It will cost you around 1.5 euros and once you get off here, simply walk a few minutes to get into the center of Villefranche-Sur-Mer.

The main draw of Villefranche-Sur-Mer is how colorful the town is. Additionally, it lies by the water and has a lively promenade by the harbor. Make sure to bring your bathing suit for this day trip, as Villefranche-Sur-Mer has an amazing beach with the most beautiful blue water! 

Things To Do in Villefranche-Sur-Mer

While visiting the beautiful village of Villefranche-Sur-Mer, make sure to wander around the narrow streets and enjoy the picturesque scenes you get at every corner. This village is so special because the primary colors to be found here are shades of yellow and orange. It gives the town such a unique feel and sets it apart from the rest of the towns around Nice. If you enjoy visiting beautiful churches, then make sure to check out Église Saint-Michel de Villefranche-sur-Mer.

During your day trip in Villefranche-sur-Mer, make sure to check out the port area, and head over to the Banc du Percher for the best view over the town. Although this is a fish booth, the walkway located right next to it offers an incredible photo spot. Lastly, grab a drink or something fresh to eat at one of the many restaurants and bars located here. 

You could also consider joining a snorkeling boat tour, which passes by Villefranche-sur-Mer, and explores the gorgeous Mala Caves. 

2. Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat

The next top-rated day trip near Nice is going to be Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat. Reaching this beautiful commune from Nice is very easy. Simply take the same bus number 15 from Port Lympia and ride for around 30 minutes until you reach Ferme de May.

Alternatively, you could combine a day trip to Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat together with Villefranche-Sur-Mer! It will take you 50 minutes to walk here from the city center of Villefranche-Sur-Mer. I highly recommend the walking option as you will be rewarded with incredible coastal views. This view will provide you with stunning views over both regions that will be missed if you decide to take the bus. If you aren’t convinced, just look at the photos I snapped during our walk below!

Things To Do in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat

One of the best things to do in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat is to go swimming! The peninsula has a large variety of stunning beaches, so make sure to plan enough time to simply relax, and perhaps even rent a sunbed. Paloma Beach is one of my favorite beaches here that should be the number 1 spot on your list too. This beautiful beach has even been featured in several Hollywood productions, including “Emily in Paris”.

While you can spoil yourself and book a spot at the beach club here, most of the beach is actually free. If you choose the beach club option, I recommend calling and making a reservation in advance, as this is a popular spot. Otherwise, you can bring your own towels and enjoy the public beachside. The sun shines here mostly in the morning hours, so make sure to come early!

Other things to do at Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat include taking a stroll along the harbor and visiting Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild. There is a little promenade along the harbor offering stunning views over the neighboring towns and mountains. Additionally, there are lots of cute restaurants. This area is really gorgeous so make sure you don’t miss it while here. You can also visit the gardens of Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild. Tours of the Villa run at around 16 euros, and you can find all of the information regarding opening times here. I hope that by now I have managed to convince you why Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat is one of the best day trips from Nice!

3. Antibes

Antibes is another must-visit destination near Nice. Although there are many things to do here, if you don’t have time to stay overnight, then a day trip from Nice is the perfect alternative. Getting to Antibes is super easy, as there are direct trains running frequently between these coastal towns. It only takes around 15-20 minutes to reach this charming town, making it one of the easiest day trips from Nice!

There are so many things to do in Antibes. From walking tours to cultural hotspots and stunning coastal views, there is really something for everyone here. I will be sharing some of my highlights below, however, I have a whole blog post filled with things to do in Antibes. If you are planning a day trip or even a longer stay here, make sure to check it out!

Read More: 11 Best (and mostly free) Things To Do In Antibes South Of France

Things To Do In Antibes

One of the best things to do in Antibes is to explore the old town. This area is filled with beautiful narrow streets lined with cafes, restaurants, and boutiques. Once here, make sure to visit the Safranier community. It is a small community located within the old town and is extremely picturesque. The streets you should be looking for are called Rue du Haut Castelet and Rue du Bas Castelet. Afterward, head over to the water to see the old city walls. 

Another great activity to do in Antibes is to walk along the coast. The peninsula of Cap d’Antibes offers stunning coastal views and is a very easy but beautiful walk to enjoy. In addition, you will even be able to see Nice from here. This spot is known for its luxurious villas, so make sure to admire them as you stroll by. You can even be lucky to find a little private beach you can stop and swim at if the weather is good. If you need any more inspiration for things to do on a day trip to Antibes, make sure to check out my blog post here! 

4. Monaco

This next-day trip almost needs no introduction. Known for its luxury, casino, and Formula 1 race, Monaco is a top-rated day trip near Nice. In case you didn’t know, Monaco is actually a sovereign city-state, so you will actually be leaving France during your day trip here! Best of all it only takes 30 minutes to get here with a direct regional train from Nice. 

Although many tourists typically stay at least one night in Monaco, I personally think it’s unnecessary. While I did enjoy my time here, everything is overpriced and often even overhyped. Although this, it is still worth coming here for a day trip, and I am glad we didn’t skip this city. Additionally, I will share some of the best things to do in Monaco below. You will quickly realize that there isn’t so much to do here if you are not a luxury vacationer. 

A popular day trip option from Nice is to combine a trip to Monaco together with a visit to the beautiful medieval village of Èze. However, getting to Èze can be a little tricky, therefore I recommend combining them through a guided tour. 

We visited Monaco in the month leading up to their Formula 1 race. This was totally unplanned and did make it a little difficult to walk around and explore since so many roads were closed off. However, it definitely added an extra layer to our experience. Especially with my boyfriend being a big Formula 1 fan. If you don’t have the budget to watch the actual Formula 1 race here, this is the perfect time to visit! You will be able to see the entire set-up, and many of the coaches and drivers will already be here. This by itself makes Monaco one of the best day trips from Nice! 

Things To Do In Monaco

The first stop in Monaco should definitely be the main harbor in the city. Not only do you get a great view of the city and mountains behind, but you get to see so many impressive yachts. Although there isn’t too much to do here, it is definitely worth taking a stroll. Especially considering that it is such an iconic spot in Monaco.

The next spot is also a must-see during your visit to Monaco. While here, make sure to visit the Monte-Carlo Casino. This casino is so famous that you can’t really say you have been to Monaco without visiting it. You may enter the Monte-Carlo Casino free of charge just to get a glimpse of the inside. However, entering the actual casino will set you back around 17 euros, and that’s without even playing anything. We chose to simply admire the Casino from afar, as neither of us is a fan of gambling. 

If you would like to visit some of the lesser-known spots in Monaco, I have got you covered. Climb up from the main harbor towards Le Palais Princier de Monaco. On the way up you will find a beautiful lookout spot over the main area of Monaco. Additionally, at the top you will find the Prince’s Palace of Monaco. From my understanding, the palace is not open the whole year, therefore I recommend checking the opening hours before your visit. You can find more information regarding admission and opening times here. Even if you don’t choose to enter the Palace, it is definitely worth seeing it from the outside.

Afterward, head over to my personal favorite spot in Monaco, which is often missed by a lot of tourists. This is the lookout spot over Port de Fontvieille. Simply search on google maps for the “Vue panoramique sur Monaco – Fontvieille” or click the name for a direct pin to the location. This lookout spot is honestly what made me want to visit Monaco in the first place, and it did not disappoint!

5. Cannes

Last but not least, one of the best day trips from Nice has to be Cannes. Known for its luxury, and the famous Cannes film festival, this town should not be missed while visiting the French Riviera. It is super easy to get to Cannes from Nice and only takes around 30-40 minutes with a regional train. 

Some of the most popular things to do in Cannes include strolling along the Bd de la Croisette. Along the promenade, you can find lots of stunning beach clubs to relax in, or simply grab a free chair overlooking the water, and enjoy the view. Make sure to head over to the Cannes Film Festival building. Although it may not be attractive for everyone to see it from within, it is still worth seeing from the outside!

Extra Things To Do In Cannes

Afterward, head over to the Vieux Port de Cannes. This harbor has some of the biggest and best yachts I have ever seen in real life! It was surprisingly fun comparing all of the yachts to see which was even more insanely luxurious than the rest 😂. The harbor lies right by the old quarter of Cannes, which has some of the cutest streets and views in the city. Make sure to take a stroll here and enjoy the views. 

Of course, if you love luxury shops then Cannes is the destination for you. Personally, we didn’t walk around the shopping area as it felt a bit too materialistic and overpriced for us. However, if you have come with the intention to shop til you drop, then you will be spoiled for choice in Cannes! Overall, Cannes is a beautiful city that makes it well worth the title of one of the best day trips from Nice.

That concludes my guide on the 5 best day trips from Nice. I have actually listed them in the order of my own personal preference, so if you only have time for a few day trips, I highly recommend starting from the top of the list. The French Riviera is such a stunning place full of incredible villages. Some notable mentions that I personally wanted to visit and did not have time for include Èze and Menton. If you have the time, make sure to visit those as well! For this guide, I have tried to really focus on what I believe are the best day trips from Nice. I hope you enjoyed this post and found inspiration for your upcoming trip. 

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