Top Day Trips From Nice

Discover Top Day Trips from Nice

Day 1: Nice – The Beautiful

As one of the most popular vacation destinations along the Côte d’Azur, Nice enjoys almost year-round sunshine. You can soak in some sun and go for a run at the world-famous beachfront Promenade des Anglais. I recommend visiting from May to June or September to October. This way you can avoid peak summer crowds in July and August. 

You can start your city tour by hopping on a 30-minute tram ride from the airport to Garibaldi station. Located on Place Masséna, this brightly colored main square of Nice is known for its checkered-board tiles.

From here you can walk through the narrow, colorful streets, past the Cours Saleya, where you will find Nice’s open-air market, filled with stands of vegetables and freshly cut flowers.

Head uphill to Colline du Château. Besides offering splendid views of the city and the Mediterranean, Castle Hill Park also has a manmade waterfall, Cascade Dijon.

Note: There is also a free elevator if stairs aren’t your thing.

For lunch, I recommend Lou Pilha Leva for the most authentic street food in Nice. For less than €3.00 you can taste an iconic dish of Nice, known as Socca. This local specialty reminds me of a tortilla made of chickpeas.

Lastly, you can treat yourself to an unforgettable dinner at Le Plongeoir. Hovering above the sea on a pillar of rock, this restaurant offers a fine dining experience with the best views.

Day 2: Menton – The Pearl of France

Located only 45 minutes from Nice, the coastal town of Menton is a great stop along the French Riviera. With its colorful buildings contrasting with the blue Mediterranean Sea, this town is a gem for photos!

My first mission in Menton was to have breakfast in one of the many boulangeries in Quai Gordon Bennet. I stopped at Pâtisserie Gérald Canet for a tasty pain au chocolate.

As you wander the vibrant alleyways listening to Italian and French being spoken at the same time, make sure to keep an eye out for the lemon trees. They are everywhere! Lemons are so popular that the city even has a Carnaval Lemon Festival, “Fête du Citron” every year. 

As you walk uphill you will reach the Basilica of St. Michel Archangel. With its yellow facade and ramped staircases, the Old Town of Menton will keep taking your breath away.

You can take the stairs back down and walk towards the beach of Plage des Sablettes. From here you can venture onto the rocky breakwater to look back at Menton and its snow-capped mountains behind it.

Day 3: Èze – Fairytale Village

Perched on a hill is the most fairytale-looking town on the French Riviera. The enchanting medieval village of Èze makes for a great half-day trip from Nice. Filled with art galleries, winding steep cobblestone streets, and an exotic garden at the peak of the hill, Èze is a must-see and one you should include on your top-day trips from Nice itinerary. Some extremely high-end hotels and restaurants like the 5-star La Chevre d’Or can also be found here.

Day 4: Monaco – Casinos, And Princes

Another city not to be missed is Monaco. As one of the most glamorous places in the world, Monaco has plenty to offer. Make sure to check out the oceanographic museum, the Prince’s castle, the exotic garden, and the casino. 

Visiting the oceanographic museum is a must during your trip to Monaco. The palace that houses it is a stunning building located on the edge of a cliff.

It contains an expansive aquarium, as well as, large oceanographic exhibitions. Lastly, do not forget to visit the rooftop for a delicious and affordable lunch.

From the museum, you can easily head to the Prince’s Palace, where a changing of the guard happens daily at 11:55. The plaza in front of the Prince’s Palace has a great outlook across all of Monaco and its port is filled with boats and luxury yachts.

Perched on a cliffside with a breathtaking view, you can find the exotic garden of Monaco, Jardin exotique de Monaco, with a great variety of succulent plants and cacti.

Lastly, go visit the Monte Carlo casino to check out all the expensive cars parked around the square.

Tip: You can poke your head into the main entrance of this exclusive casino by stopping for a toilet break.

Lastly, soak up the lifestyle of the rich and famous by walking along the harbor and admiring all the superyachts. 

Day 5: Cannes – Fame

Best known for its film festival, Cannes, is a great city for day trips from Nice and is easily accessible on foot. Start your visit by taking pictures on the red carpet at Palais des Festivals. Then, see what famous signatures you can recognize engraved on the floor. Continue walking along Pointe de la Croisette to reach the old harbor in Quai St Pierre. From here turn uphill to go into the narrow streets of the historic center until you reach Le Suquet hill. Surrounded by castle walls this area was the birthplace of Cannes. Nowadays, it offers the best panoramic view of the city. 

Note: For lunch make sure not to miss out on steamed mussels. Rue Meynadier has a wide range of shops and restaurants. 

Day 5.5: Grasse – Perfume

Grasse is a town located just north of Cannes. It is considered the fragrance capital of the world. The main reason I was interested in visiting Grasse was to check out the Fragonard Parfumerie Museum. Besides the guided tour explaining the process and history of developing perfumes, the museum also has an activation center set up to make your perfume. There is also a store where you can purchase perfumes, body creams, and handbags.

Day 6: Cotignac & Gorge Du Verdon – Cliffs And More Cliffs

Cotignac is a typical village of Provence that exists up to this day since it sits at the bottom of a huge cliff, which served as protection during times of war. This imposing cliff hides several stairs and narrow paths leading up to the cliffs’ caves, which were once used as shelter and refuge in times of invasion. Nowadays, the cliff offers spectacular views of the town below as well as of the olive groves and vineyards of Provence. 

Another one of my favorite day trips from Nice is the Gorges du Verdon. With limestone cliffs and impressively beautiful turquoise water, it is the perfect place to spend a sunny day out kayaking or water biking up the canyon.

Looking for other top Day Trips From Nice? Check out my Blog about Provence

Read My Tips For Visiting Côte d’Azur

Getting Around The French Riviera

Ideally, you should begin your visit in Nice because it has a well-connected airport and train lines, making it convenient for day trips. If you want to travel on your schedule and visit smaller off-the-beaten-path towns, then I recommend renting a car.

Where to eat in Côte d’Azur

• Authentic street food in Nice: Lou Pilha Leva.
• On-the-go/takeaway sandwiches at Le Petrin Ribeirou.
• Fine dinning at Le Plongeoir.
• Boulangeries and Patisseries in Menton.
• Restaurants along Rue Meynadier in Cannes.
• 5 star restaurant La Chevre d’Or in Èze.

Where to stay in Côte d’Azur

I visited some of the prettiest cities and coastal villages on multiple-day trips in Côte d’Azur. I chose Nice as my home base to explore the French Riviera, so I didn’t stay overnight in other villages. However, there are lots of affordable options for accommodation! When searching for a place to stay, I usually start with Airbnb since there is always something within budget to suit everyone’s needs.

Did you Know

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Day Trips In The French Riviera: Can’t-Miss Spots & Activities

Cities and coastal villages in the French Riviera seem to come straight out of a fairytale. I highly recommend spending 3-5 days exploring Côte d’Azur. With so much to do, below I have summarized my top can’t-miss spots and activities.

1. Wine & dine in Nice.
2. Swim in Menton.
3. Walk the promenade in Cannes.
4. Tour the Fragonard Parfumerie Museum in Grasse.
5. Visit the Oceanographic Museum in Monaco.
6. Kayak or water bike in Gorge du Verdon.

Only a 2-and-a-half-hour drive from Nice: Why not explore some of the most popular destinations in the region?

Need trip ideas for other European destinations?