Nice is located in the heart of the famous French Riviera region. It is one of the most beautiful cities to visit all year round, mainly because of its Mediterranean climate. It has it all, beaches with azure waters, palm trees and vibrant colors. As it is more affordable than other nearby places and has many things to do and see, we would recommend using it as a base on your trip to the French Riviera. You will be amazed by its unique architecture, beaches and vibes. In this article, you will find the 10 best day trips from Nice that will leave you speechless.
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Things to know before visiting the French Riviera
The French Riviera or Côte d’Azur (in French) is the coast of the southeastern France. It is one of the most dreamy and most visited regions in Europe. There are countless charming places to explore. Some of them are world-famous while others are less well-known, but equally beautiful ! The best way to visit all these French gems is to take day trips from Nice. Otherwise, you will need a month to fully enjoy each destination. It is a diverse region with impressive landscapes. You will also find famous beach resorts, luxury hotels and villas, marinas with futuristic yachts, luxury shops and even a palace in Monaco. A summer vacation on the French Riviera is a unique travel experience.
Another thing to keep in mind is that France does not provide affordable mobile phone plans. So, if you come from a country outside of Europe, we highly recommend purchasing a digital e-SIM card online to save time and money. It is something that we personally use on every trip outside of Europe and it really helps us have mobile data instead of chasing free wifi hotspots. Obviously if you are from a European country, you can use your free roaming right away.
How to get to the French Riviera ?
The French Riviera has its own airport which is Nice Côte d’Azur International Airport. So, we would suggest flying there directly. Alternatively, there is Marseille Provence Airport where you can fly in and then take the train or bus to reach the French Riviera. However, we would not recommend flying into Paris and then heading to the South of France, because it is a long distance and the train tickets are quite expensive. A direct flight to either Nice or Marseille is the best solution.
As the French Riviera is a luxury destination in France, there are also private transfers that you can book online to take you to any part of the French Riviera or even Monaco. If you are more than one person and want a comfortable transfer, you can definitely consider it. Of course, if you are on a budget, you can easily use the train to get around and the public transport to get from Nice airport to the city center. It is easy and very affordable.
How to get around the French Riviera ?
It totally depends on your needs and preferences how to get around the French Riviera. You can choose trains, personal transfers or by car. Whichever way you go from one place to another, we recommend that you book in advance to have a well-organized trip at the best prices ! However, the most economical way to do your day trips from Nice is either by train or by taking organized group tours. It is a common and pleasant thing to do on the French Riviera that will save you a lot of personal research time and in many cases money. If you go on a road trip, you can start your day trips early in the morning and then return to Nice late at night. It is more tiring, but you will have the opportunity to visit remote beaches and go where you want at your own pace.
The best time to visit the French Riviera
You can’t be on the French Riviera and not take a dip in its dreamy beaches. During the peak summer season, which is from early July to late August, it is packed with high prices. So, the best way to avoid them is to skip the high season and visit it in the shoulder season, either spring or autumn. During this period, the weather is quite good with many sunny days and colorful flowers everywhere. However, if you want to visit the French Riviera on your August vacation, we recommend booking your tickets, accommodation and guides as soon as possible !
Where to stay on the French Riviera ?
There are many places you could base yourself on the French Riviera, such as Cannes, Monaco etc. But, Nice is the biggest city with many more options. Its famous coastline called “Promenade des Anglais” has some of the most luxurious hotels on the Côte d’Azur ! Of course, you can also find more affordable hotels and Airbnb’s in the city center or just outside the city. Thus, Nice covers all tastes and budgets.
Best Day Trips from Nice
1-Menton
Menton is considered the hidden gem of the French Riviera. Since it is the last French city before the Italian border, it has a great influence by Italian culture, which makes it a very special place. Another interesting fact about Menton is that it is called the city of lemons, mainly because of the countless lemons and palm trees. It has a very charming old town with cute cafés, restaurants with delicious food and lots of little shops. However, the main tourist attraction is the photogenic “Plage des Sablettes” which is one of the most beautiful beaches on the Côte d’Azur.
2-Monaco
In less than 30 minutes from Nice, you will have the opportunity to visit one of the most iconic and expensive places in the world. But, in addition to this luxury lifestyle, it also offers amazing things to do and breathtaking panoramic views. Because of its size, you can easily visit as a day trip and still manage to get a good taste of this charming state. Keep in mind that although it is geographically part of the Côte d’Azur, it is an independent state. We highly recommend opting for a round-trip ferry transfer to Monaco so you can enjoy the stunning coastal views along the way.
3-Villefranche-sur-Mer
Villefranche-sur-mer is the closest town to Nice and you can get there easily by train, bus, car or on foot. It is one of the most charming places to visit on the French Riviera with a beautiful old town and an adorable harbor where you will find many restaurants. It is known for its delicious seafood. Since Villefranche-sur-Mer offers great panoramic views, we suggest you either hike or take an e-bike tour to enjoy them to the fullest. For us, Monaco and Villefranche have the best panoramic views of the French Riviera !
4-Cannes
Cannes owes its fame to the International Film Festival that takes place every year in Cannes and attracts thousands of tourists. That is why it is an expensive city where many luxury brands have their stores. However, Cannes is not only that. It is a great city to visit with a beautiful 15km coastline ! It is even more magical at sunrise or sunset with the pastel colors. It has picturesque districts to visit where you can enjoy a meal or coffee. It also has a vibrant life, so it is the perfect day trip, especially in the summer. At this time, you can take a half-day catamaran cruise to see another perspective of this special city.
5-Èze
Èze is a medieval village just 22 minutes from Nice. The most convenient way to get there is by bus. Once you arrive, you will find a picturesque village with gorgeous ocean views, narrow cobbled streets, colorful flowers, old houses and gardens. If you want to spend half a day in the village and half a day at the beach, we recommend adding Èze beach to your itinerary. Since Èze and Monaco are nearby, you can easily make a half-day trip to these 2 destinations for a more organized trip.
6-Marseille
If you have enough time in France, we recommend adding Marseille to your list. It takes almost 2 hours and 30 minutes to reach Marseille from Nice by train. It is home to Europe’s oldest port and is the second largest French city after Paris. There are many places to visit, such a the historic district of Panier, the Vallon des Auffres, the beaches of the city etc. It is very easy to get around Marseille, either by metro or bus. We suggest starting your day early by taking the first train and returning to Nice in the early afternoon.
7-Cassis (Calanques)
Cassis is one of the best summer destinations in France. More specifically, the Calanques National Park is a natural wander that is really worth a visit. The Calanques are located between Marseille and Cassis which is a fishing village. They have amazing cliffs, turquoise waters and beautiful surroundings. However, to get the most out of the Calanques, you need to hike quite a bit. That is why it is best to take a sailing day trip to Calanques to admire these natural wonders while avoiding hiking. If you are an ocean lover, snorkeling is one of the best things you can do there. But, the water is quite cold even in summer.
8-Avignon
Avignon is a completely different city from Marseille and Nice. Located in the heart of the Provence-Alpes-Côte-d’Azur region, close to the famous villages of Provence. Direct trains run regularly from Nice to Avignon and take around 3 hours. It is the perfect place to visit as a day trip, as it is very walkable. Its medieval architecture and rich history make it an interesting place to explore. The historic center completely enclosed by the city walls attracts thousands of tourists and is the perfect place to wander. You can alternatively take a leisurely stroll along the Rhone River which offers incredible views.
9-Provence
Provence is perhaps the region that surprised us the most. It exceeded our expectations and made us visit at least 4 times. This special French region takes you to another era with its old medieval villages and diverse landscapes. Although Provence is quite far from Nice, we would do a full day tour to visit as many villages as possible even in one day. The villages of Gordes and Roussillon are the best villages of Provence and will leave you in awe. Gordes is voted as the most beautiful village in the world by Travel + Leisure magazine. Roussillon has a unique ochre color reminiscent of the American Western.
10-Lavender Fields
If you are lucky enough to visit the French Riviera by late June or early July, you should take a day trip to the famous lavender fields of Provence. You will find lavender fields almost everywhere. The smell and purple color will leave you speechless. However, we would not advise you to visit the villages and the lavender fields on the same day. We recommend taking 2 different day trips from Nice to get the most out of Provence and the lavender fields.
Final Thoughts
Traveling to the French Riviera is one of the most exciting trips you could take in Europe. All its parts are real gems that will leave you with the best impressions. Even for us that we have been living in France for the last few years, the South of France in general was a huge surprise. We honestly can’t recommend it enough. Just make sure you do a proper research and book your trip in advance. Each one of the above places has something unique to offer.
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