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. Beaches with azure waters, palm trees, and vibrant colors create a unique setting. It is more affordable than other nearby places and has many things to do and see. That is why we would recommend using it as your base during your trip to the French Riviera. You will be amazed by its unique architecture, beaches, and ambiance. In this article, you will find the 10 best day trips from Nice in the French Riviera.
Travel Together Gr contains affiliate links. By purchasing through our links, you support us at no additional cost. Thank you for your support ❤︎ Read our full disclosure policy here.
Things to know before visiting the French Riviera
The French Riviera (“Côte d’Azur” in French) is the coast of 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-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 lot of time to fully enjoy each destination. It is a diverse region with impressive landscapes. You will find famous beach resorts, luxury hotels, marinas with futuristic yachts, and luxury shops.
How to get to the French Riviera?
The French Riviera has the 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. A direct flight to either Nice or Marseille is the best solution. 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 consider it.
How to get around the French Riviera?
It depends on your needs and preferences for how to get around the French Riviera. You can choose trains, private transfers, or rental cars. We highly recommend that you book everything 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. In cause 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 tiring, but you will have the opportunity to visit remote beaches and go wherever you want at your own pace.
Where to stay on the French Riviera?
There are many places you could base yourself on the French Riviera, such as Cannes, Monaco, etc. However, Nice is the largest city with many more options. The “Promenade des Anglais” (its famous coastline) has some of the most luxurious hotels on the Côte d’Azur. You can also find affordable hotels and Airbnb’s in the city center or outside the city.
The best time to visit the French Riviera
You cannot be on the French Riviera and not take a dip in its dreamy beaches. In the peak summer season (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. During this period, the weather is still nice. However, if you want to visit the French Riviera on your August vacation, we suggest booking your tickets, accommodation, and guides in advance.
Best day trips from Nice – French Riviera
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 strong influence from Italian culture. It is considered the city of lemons, due to the countless lemons and palm trees. 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. Besides its luxury lifestyle, it offers amazing things to do and breathtaking panoramic views. Because of its size, you can easily visit it as a day trip and still manage to get a good taste of this charming state. 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. You can easily get there by train, bus, car, or on foot. It is one of the most charming places to visit on the French Riviera, with an old town and an enchanting harbor. It is known for its delicious seafood. Since Villefranche-sur-Mer offers great panoramic views, we suggest you either hike or take a long walk 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. It 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. There are many picturesque districts where you can enjoy a meal or coffee. Because of its vibrant life, it is the perfect day trip, especially in the summer.
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.
6-Marseille
If you have enough time in France, we recommend adding Marseille to your list. You need 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. There are many places to visit, such as the historic district of Panier, the Vallon des Auffres, the beaches of the city, etc. It is 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. The Calanques National Park is a natural wonder that is 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 to do.
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, since it is very walkable. Its medieval architecture and rich history make it an interesting place to explore. The historic center enclosed by the city walls attracts thousands of tourists. You can alternatively take a 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. Gordes and Roussillon are the best villages in 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 West.
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. You should take 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 in Europe. All its parts are real gems that will leave you with the best impressions. Even for us who have been living in France for the last few years, the South of France in general was a huge surprise. We honestly cannot recommend it enough.
Don’t have time to read the whole article and want to save it for later? Just pin it!
