Carol Barron of Live Like a Local Abroad, shares here her favorite day trips from Nice, France, where she recently spent three months experiencing the region and culture.
Riviera Itinerary – Day Trips from Nice
Nice is the perfect base for taking day trips in the Cote d’Azur!
I rented an apartment for three months in Nice’s old town sector which gave me ample time to enjoy Nice and the surrounding areas at a slower pace. Renting an apartment, shopping at local food markets, eating and playing where the locals do, let me experience the region’s lifestyle more like a local and less like a tourist.
As the Cote d’Azur’s capital, Nice definitely is an ideal home base to hang your hat and strike out on day trips from Nice to coastal villages dotting the Cote d’Azur like Villefranche-sur-Mer and inland where you find dramatic hilltop perched villages like Eze and St.-Paul-de-Vence.
10 of My Favorite Day Trips from Nice
Here are ten of my favorite day trips from Nice- these trips provide the perfect combination of exploring the sun-drenched coast and beaches as well as seeking out spectacular medieval hilltop villages.
Day Trip from Nice #1- Villefranche-sur-mer
One of the closest spots to explore from Nice is this Riviera gem, Villefranche-sur-mer, only 30 minutes from Nice. The quintessential fishing village is part of a ring of scenic walking trails that wind around the Mediterranean coast between Nice, Villefranche-sur-mer, Beaulieu, and Cap Ferrat (known as the Sentier du Littoral).
You can choose to start your walk in Nice by taking the trail (known as the Coastal Path) from Nice to Cap Ferrat which goes through neighboring towns and beaches, ending at Villefranche-sur-Mer.
Once there, you can stroll the seaside rim around Villefranche-sur-Mer, Beaulieu-sur-Mer, and Cap Ferrat, and wile away the better part of a day. Take some time to wine and dine, drinking in the picturesque Cote d’Azur from the Villefranche-sur-Mer’s old town coastal esplanade, packed with lively restaurants offering fresh-catch specialties.
Villefranche-sur-mer’s old town boasts a handsome ochre and pastel-hued old quarter, poised just above the sea. Particularly welcoming is the colorful marina adorned both with luxury yachts and small fishing boats lolling in the harbor.
I so love this charming laidback seaside town that it may be my Riviera home base for the next time.
Day Trip from Nice #2: Monte Carlo
Almost everyone’s heard of the Grand Prix, Princess Grace, the Monte Carlo Casino, and the famous James Bond movies made here. To see the Grand Prix circuit that curves around a beautiful crescent beach, and to walk part of the circuit that passes through the winding cobbled streets, is indeed a special treat.
Another fun up close and personal experience is to visit the famous hilltop Monte Carlo Casino. There is a lively outdoor café that sits just across from the Casino entrance, which is the perfect spot to people-watch, champagne cocktail in hand, as the Casino’s rich and famous clientele stroll by.
Monte Carlo’s seaside old town is lovely, with high-fashion boutiques and luxury jewelry shops in abundance. And, like the Larvotto Beach area lining the crescent harbor, several of the town’s cobblestone streets are also part of the annual Grand Prix circuit.
While there, walk up to the Prince’s Palace of Monaco, the official residence of Monaco’s Sovereign Prince. Try to visit around 11:55 am when the traditional changing of the guard ceremony takes place on the square in front of the impressive Palace.
Then, take some time to stroll around the Palace Square where you’ll discover a laid-back, upscale residential area of handsome houses, some with grand views over the city and coast below. Another stop that is a real treat is the Oceanique Museum of Monaco where the famous Jacques Cousteau was Director from 1957 to 1988. All in all, this has to be one of the coolest day trips from Nice.
Day Trip from Nice #4: Menton
A former fishing village, laidback Menton is a less touristed Riviera coastal town 20 minutes away from Monte Carlo, and only minutes from the Italian border.
Menton does not share the glitz of its neighbor Monte Carlo but rather it has a charming provincial vibe. The low key town has an old port and historic center with a large square rimmed by shops, cafes, and a bustling covered market. It’s fun to walk the cobblestone streets and browse the handicraft kiosks, catering mostly to tourists coming from Monte Carlo or Italy.
Being so close to the Italian border, the town’s traditional dishes reflect a blend of the two national cuisines resulting in delicious French-Italian dishes.
Try to see at least a few of Menton’s eight beaches ( two sandy and six pebbled). Menton is particularly proud of their beaches and boasts that they have the best winter weather on the Cote d’Azur.
You can also visit the town’s beautiful gardens at Bioves, Serre de la Madone, and Botanique Exotique de Menton.
Day Trip from Nice #5: Antibes
Recognized as a seaside resort for the rich and famous (like F. Scott Fitzgerald and the Kennedys), I was surprised at how comfortable and welcoming the town actually was.
Jetsetter yachts pack the picturesque port, and the famous Cap d’Antibes peninsula (named Billionaire’s Bay) sits just across the bay from Antibes. But, once in the old town, there’s a bustling village with a lively covered market (Marche Provencal) brimming with regional cheeses, wines from Provence, farm-to-table produce, and fresh-catch fish. And, if you follow the winding cobblestone streets, you’ll encounter artisan shops and pretty squares populated by umbrella-shaded outdoor cafes.
A 16th c. fortified wall rings the historic center and you can walk the ramparts along the city’s rocky coast. You can hop on and off the elevated walkway to explore historic sites along the way like the Grimaldi Museum which houses some 250 Picasso works and a little further down you’ll arrive at the Antibes Archeological Museum, filled with prehistoric fossils and ancient artifacts.
You can walk or hike nearby Cap d’Antibes and see the Cape’s natural beauty forested with tall skinny pine trees, opulent grand villas, top luxury hotels, and upscale Mediterranean restaurants. When there, go see the scenic beaches at Juan les Pins on the western side of the peninsula.
Day Trip from Nice #6: Cannes
Cannes is on the ‘must visit’ list for day trips from Nice for anyone who has dreamt of visiting the home of the glamourous Cannes Film Festival.
Cannes was once a fishing village like most of the other coastal towns. Today, Cannes is a stunning resort destination accented with a glorious sanded beach, bordered by the famous mile-long La Croisette promenade.
If an avid people-watcher like me, you’ll enjoy lounging at one of the upscale cafes or cocktail lounges beside the boardwalk while sipping a beverage and gazing at the hill-rimmed azure seascapes.
Off the promenade, local artists market their colorful work at the town squares alongside a bevy of high-end shops featuring trendy designer couture and extravagant jewelry. And, as far as the eye can see, sits some of the most luxurious hotels found on the Riviera.
For fun, tour the Palais des Festivals (where the Film Festival is held) – which sits right on La Croisette boardwalk.
Visit the Ile Sainte-Marguerite, the island home of the Fort Royal, 17th c. prison which once housed the ‘Man in the Iron Mask’.
Go to the spectacular Cassis beach resort which is famous for its Cassis Calanques, known as the fjords of the French Riviera.
Day Trip from Nice #6: Eze Hilltop Village
Just 30 minutes away from bustling Nice, lies one of the most idyllic spots I’ve ever experienced – the iconic 12th c. medieval village of Eze. The tranquil castle village is famous for sweeping views from its hilltop perch overlooking the Riviera coastline hugging the azure Mediterranean Sea below.
Along the narrow winding streets you’ll find a few art boutiques, medieval houses, and shaded courtyards as well as a luxury hotel with an outdoor café overlooking the picture postcard views below. There’s also an exotic garden (Jardin Exotique) at the hilltop’s edge where the breathtaking panorama is nothing short of heavenly.
This slice of Cote d’Azur paradise is easy to explore and a place where you can breathe in the Riviera’s splendor.
Day Trip from Nice #7: Gourdon Hilltop Village
Clinging to a 760 meters cliff, 13th c. Medieval Gourdon gifts dizzying views of the Mediterranean. And, since the village is one of the most elevated in the region, it’s sometimes possible to see as far as St. Tropez.
Ages ago, like other surrounding medieval fortified villages, Gourdon’s singular location and rocky perch served as a strategic defensive position and refuge from would-be invaders. You’ll find remainders of the imposing fortified castle as well as a charming old town which is famous for making crystal-like items on display in the old town shops.
Day Trip from Nice #8: Tourrettes-sur-Loup Hilltop Village
Not far from Gourdon sits the 13th c. Tourrettes-sur-Loup village, perched on a rocky outcrop and accented with attractive tall houses lining the town’s medieval ramparts. This hidden gem mountain village is one of the prettiest and most laidback towns I visited – it actually feels like a fairy tale town.
The small defensive town has a storied history with ancient tribes, Roman soldiers, the French revolution and more. Today, Tourrettes is known as the `city of violets’ and you will find art and porcelain shops in town selling their craft – usually decorated to some extent with violets.
Although lesser known than Eze or St.Paul-de-Vence, Tourrettes is literally a breath of fresh air. There are fewer tourists which means you may have an even better experience in the charming centuries-old town.
Day Trip from Nice #9: St.Paul-de-Vence
The hilltop village of St.Paul-de-Vence is reported to be the second-most popular village in the country due to its stunning beauty as well as its reputation as an artist destination. In St. Paul, you get to roam the narrow cobblestone streets that are full of art galleries, ateliers, and colorful boutiques to your heart’s content.
Today, the stunning medieval hilltop town is famous for a wealth of contemporary art galleries literally brimming with paintings and sculptures.
As in the past, the lovely town continues to serve as a place for artists to gather for inspiration and camaraderie. The trend began with artists like Picasso, Chagall, and Matisse who came to surround themselves with sheer beauty for inspiration.
Day Trip from Nice#9: Grasse
Known as the world capital of the perfume industry, scented Grasse is an interesting day trip for learning about the manufacturing and production of perfume. For that, I took a guided tour at the Fragonard Parfumerie.
You will learn the origins of various scents and some trade secrets for the creation of perfumes and cosmetics. Each individual scent has its own rich heritage whether it be lavender, jasmine, mimosa, or orange blossom and they are all grown in the surrounding hills.
After the tour, go enjoy town scents while strolling the old town, and stop by Grasse’s 11th c. Cathedral.
