If you’re looking to explore beyond Nice,
here are some fantastic day trips:
🏝️ Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat (by train or bus)
One of the most exclusive and beautiful peninsulas on the entire Côte d’Azur — and one of my favorite escapes from Nice. The light here is extraordinary, the water impossibly blue, and the pace of life wonderfully slow. It’s an easy half-day from Nice and pairs perfectly with a stop in Monaco.
- Sentier du Littoral – A stunning 10km coastal path that hugs the rocky shoreline. Walk it early in the morning for the best light and fewer crowds.
- Chapelle Saint-Hospice – A small, peaceful chapel perched above the sea with sweeping views. Locals light candles here for sailors — it feels genuinely timeless.
- Paloma Beach – Once frequented by Paloma Picasso, this is one of the most beautiful private beaches on the peninsula. Worth the splurge for a sunbed.
- Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild – An extraordinary Belle Époque villa with nine themed gardens (including a rose garden, a Japanese garden, and a Provençal garden). Unmissable if you love gardens or architecture.
- Villa Kérylos – A remarkable early 20th-century reconstruction of an ancient Greek villa, right on the waterfront at Beaulieu-sur-Mer next door. Quirky and fascinating.
🏖️ Villefranche-sur-Mer (by train, bus, or even on foot)
Villefranche is my go-to recommendation for guests who only have time for one day trip from Nice. It has everything: a perfectly preserved medieval citadel, a gorgeous sheltered bay of deep blue water, and an authenticity that busier spots on the Riviera have long since lost. You can walk there from Nice along the coastal path in about an hour — one of the most beautiful walks I know.
- Sentier du Littoral – The scenic coastal path from Nice to Villefranche — arguably one of the most beautiful urban walks in France. Give yourself 1.5 hours and comfortable shoes.
- Chapelle Saint-Pierre – Decorated by Jean Cocteau in 1957 with extraordinary pastel frescoes. Small, intimate, and genuinely moving — a hidden masterpiece on the harbor front.
- Rue Obscure – A vaulted medieval street from the 13th century running under the town, used by inhabitants to shelter from bombardments. Walking through it feels like stepping into another century.
- The harbor and citadel – Have lunch at one of the restaurants overlooking the bay, where the water is so clear you can see the bottom. The citadel houses several small free museums worth a look.
🇲🇨 Monaco (Train: 25 min from Nice | Bus: 100 from the port)
Monaco is like nothing else in the world — an entire sovereign state packed into 2 square kilometers of extraordinary wealth, history, and glamour. It’s worth a visit even if casinos aren’t your thing. The Rock, the architecture, the harbor full of superyachts, and the surprisingly down-to-earth Condamine market all make for a fascinating day out. Here’s how I’d spend half a day there:
- The Rock and the Prince’s Palace – Don’t miss the changing of the guards at exactly 11:55 AM every day. The walk up to the Rock also gives you the best panoramic views of the harbor and the sea.
- Cathedral of Our Lady Immaculate – The final resting place of Princess Grace Kelly. Simple, elegant, and unexpectedly moving.
- Monte Carlo Casino – Even if you don’t gamble, the Belle Époque interior is extraordinary. Dress smartly — the entrance to the main rooms requires it.
- Japanese Garden – A serene, beautifully maintained garden offering a genuine moment of calm in the middle of all the opulence. Free to enter.
- Oceanographic Museum – Founded by Prince Albert I, this is one of the finest aquariums in Europe, perched dramatically on the cliff edge of the Rock. The shark lagoon alone is worth the entrance fee.
- Condamine Market – The best-kept secret in Monaco. A genuinely local covered market selling Monégasque specialties, fresh produce, and rotisserie chicken. Go here for lunch instead of the tourist restaurants.
🏰 Èze (Bus: 82 or 83 from Nice)
Perched 429 meters above the sea, Èze is one of the most dramatically situated villages in France — a medieval eagle’s nest with streets so steep they’re essentially staircases. The view from the top (where an exotic garden grows among ancient ruins) is one of the most breathtaking on the entire Riviera. Combine it with Monaco for a perfect day out.
- 🥾 Chemin de Nietzsche (Nietzsche Path) – A beautiful 1-hour hike linking Èze train station to Èze Village, through fragrant Mediterranean garrigue. Friedrich Nietzsche walked this path while writing Thus Spoke Zarathustra. Allow extra time — it’s steep but magnificent.
- 🌿 Exotic Garden – The ruins of the medieval castle are now a stunning cactus and succulent garden with uninterrupted sea views. Sunrise or late afternoon light is magical here.
- Fragonard Perfume Factory – A free guided tour explaining the traditional art of perfume-making in Grasse’s greatest factory. Informative and a lovely opportunity to find a beautiful gift.
🌿 Vence
A wonderfully authentic Provençal village set back in the hills above the coast, away from the tourist crowds. Vence has kept a real local character — potters, painters, and artisans still work here — and the old town’s medieval ramparts and fountained squares are a genuine pleasure to explore. It’s also home to one of Matisse’s most personal and moving works.
- Chapelle du Rosaire (Matisse Chapel) – Henri Matisse designed this small Dominican chapel in his 80s, considering it his masterpiece. The interplay of the stained-glass light across the white ceramic tiles has to be seen in person. Open Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday mornings — check hours before visiting.
- The old town and Place du Peyra – Wander through the medieval lanes, pause at the Roman-era fountain, and browse the local art galleries. Vence has an active creative community and some of the most interesting small galleries on the Riviera.
- Practical tip – Take bus 400 from the Nice seafront near Phoenix Park. Combine with a visit to Saint-Paul-de-Vence on the same day — they are just 4km apart.
🍋 Menton (near the Italian border)
Menton is the gentlest, most painterly town on the French Riviera — its Italian-influenced baroque architecture, pastel-painted facades, and famously mild microclimate give it a personality entirely its own. It sits right on the border, and the old town climbs steeply up a hill in a cascade of terracotta roofs. Come in February for the legendary Fête du Citron — the Lemon Festival — when the whole town is decorated with enormous sculptures made entirely from citrus fruits.
- Musée Jean Cocteau – A beautiful modern museum dedicated to the artist and filmmaker Jean Cocteau, who had a deep connection to Menton. The collection is exceptional and the building itself is a work of art.
- The Serre de la Madone – One of the most extraordinary gardens on the Riviera, created by American horticulturalist Lawrence Johnston. A hidden paradise of rare plants and terraced water features.
- Palais Carnolès – The former summer residence of the Princes of Monaco, now housing a fine arts museum surrounded by a beautiful citrus orchard — the largest in the region.
- The old town market (Marché du Carré) – A wonderful morning market with excellent local produce, Ligurian specialties, and some of the best lemons in Europe. Go early.
🏰 Roquebrune-Cap-Martin
Sandwiched between Monaco and Menton, Roquebrune is one of the least visited and most rewarding stops on the Riviera — a medieval village perched above a headland with extraordinary coastal views. The Cap Martin peninsula below it is a fascinating place in its own right, associated with Le Corbusier, Coco Chanel, and Eileen Gray.
- The medieval keep – One of the oldest fortified keeps in France (10th century), still remarkably well-preserved. The views from the battlements over Monaco and the sea are extraordinary.
- The oldest olive tree in France – Estimated to be over 1,000 years old, this ancient tree grows in the village itself. Standing next to it is a quietly humbling experience.
- Villa E-1027 (Le Corbusier) – Eileen Gray’s legendary modernist villa on the Cap Martin coastline, open for guided tours in summer. A pilgrimage site for architecture lovers.
- Cap Martin coastal path – A beautiful 2-hour walk linking Roquebrune to Menton and Monaco through dramatic rocky coastline. One of the lesser-known gems of the Riviera.
🌊 Cannes
Famous for its film festival, but worth visiting any time of year. Cannes has a wonderful old quarter that most day-trippers miss entirely, a beautiful waterfront, and some excellent restaurants. Take the train from Nice (about 40 minutes) and stop in Antibes on the way — they make a perfect pair for a full day out.
- La Croisette – The iconic palm-lined promenade where film stars walk during the festival. In quieter months it’s a lovely evening stroll with the sea on one side and grand hotels on the other.
- Le Suquet (Old Town) – Climb up to Cannes’ historic hilltop quarter for the best views over the bay and the Lérins Islands. The morning market at Marché Forville below is one of the best on the Riviera — fresh produce, flowers, and local specialties at their finest.
- Lérins Islands – A 15-minute boat ride from the port takes you to Saint-Honorat, a working monastery producing wine and honey since the 5th century. A remarkable and peaceful place for a half-day escape.
🎨 Antibes
Antibes is one of my favorite towns on the Riviera — more lived-in and authentic than Cannes, with a genuinely local feel. The old town sits within remarkably intact medieval ramparts right on the sea, and the port is home to some of the largest superyachts in the world (free to admire from the quay). Stop here on your way to or from Cannes — it rewards a few hours of unhurried wandering.
- Musée Picasso – Housed in the Château Grimaldi where Picasso actually worked in 1946, this museum contains a wonderful collection of his works from that period. One of the best Picasso museums in France.
- Fort Carré – The 16th-century star-shaped fortress overlooking the harbor. Guided tours reveal fascinating military history and extraordinary views.
- Sentier du Cap d’Antibes – My personal favorite walk here: a stunning 5km coastal path around the Cap d’Antibes peninsula, passing grand villas hidden behind pine trees, rocky coves, and open sea views. Allow 2 hours and bring swimming gear.
- Marché Provençal – A covered market in the old town running every morning (except Monday in winter). Some of the freshest local produce and best socca on the Riviera.
🏡 Saint-Paul-de-Vence
Elected one of the most beautiful villages in France, Saint-Paul-de-Vence sits on a hill surrounded by perfectly preserved 16th-century ramparts with breathtaking views over the Provençal countryside to the sea. It has been a magnet for artists since the 1920s — Chagall, Matisse, Picasso, and Miró all passed through — and that creative spirit is still very much alive in the galleries that line every street. Combine it with Vence for a full and wonderful day in the hills.
- Fondation Maeght – One of the finest modern art museums in Europe, set in a beautiful José Luis Sert building surrounded by gardens filled with sculptures by Miró, Calder, and Giacometti. Unmissable for anyone who loves contemporary art.
- The rampart walk – A free and beautiful walk along the medieval ramparts encircling the village, with sweeping views over olive groves and vineyards toward the sea. At sunset, it’s extraordinary.
- Art galleries and artisan studios – The village has dozens of serious galleries showing work by established and emerging artists. Even window-shopping here is a pleasure.
- Practical tip – Bus 400 from the Nice seafront (near Phoenix Park) goes directly to both Saint-Paul-de-Vence and Vence. By Uber it takes about 35 minutes and costs around €35 — worth it if you’re short on time.
🌸 Grasse — Perfume Capital of the World
Set in the hills above Cannes, Grasse has been the center of the global perfume industry since the 17th century, and the town itself is wonderfully atmospheric — a maze of steep medieval streets, fountain-filled squares, and the irresistible scent of flowers drifting from the surrounding fields. If you’ve done the perfume workshop in Nice, Grasse is the natural next step to understand the full story of French perfumery.
- 🏺 International Perfume Museum – A beautifully presented museum tracing 3,000 years of perfume history, from ancient Egypt to the great French houses. Allow a full 2 hours and don’t skip the interactive smelling stations.
- 🌼 Fragonard, Galimard, Molinard – The three historic perfume factories all offer free guided tours of their production facilities, explaining how raw flowers are transformed into the world’s most coveted fragrances. Each has its own personality — visiting all three makes for a fascinating comparison.
- The old town market – A lively Provençal market fills the squares on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Local honey, lavender sachets, and artisan soaps make perfect gifts.
🎭 Le Cannet
Le Cannet is a hilltop village just above Cannes that most visitors walk straight past — which is precisely why I love recommending it. It has a beautifully preserved old quarter with painted facades, a charming main square, and extraordinary views over the bay of Cannes and the Lérins Islands. Its main attraction is a museum that I consider genuinely exceptional and underrated.
- 🎨 Musée Bonnard – Dedicated to post-impressionist painter Pierre Bonnard, who spent the last years of his life in Le Cannet, this museum is a joy. His luminous, color-saturated paintings of the Riviera light feel as fresh today as when they were painted. One of the most undervisited art museums in the region — never crowded, always rewarding.
- The old village walk – A short stroll through the painted streets of the old quarter, past chapels and fountains, with panoramic views at every turn. Free, quiet, and genuinely lovely.
