Best Day Trips from Nice France

Best Day Trips from Nice France

Nice, located on the beautiful French Riviera, is a perfect home base from which to visit some of the most magical places France has to offer, along with many others.

The day trips from Nice range from the glitz and glamour of Monaco to the medieval charm of Eze, or to the artistic soul of Saint-Paul-de-Vence—whichever you prefer, there is sure to be a day trip tailored especially for you.

A guide to the best day trips from Nice France, that will make your travel experience even more memorable.

Key Takeaways:

  1. Monaco: A 30-minute train ride from Nice, Monaco offers luxury, stunning views, and iconic sites like the Prince’s Palace and Monte Carlo Casino.
  2. Eze: A medieval village 20 minutes by bus from Nice, known for its breathtaking views and the Jardin Exotique.
  3. Cannes: Just 40 minutes by train, Cannes is famous for its film festival, sandy beaches, and charming old town, Le Suquet.
  4. Saint-Paul-de-Vence: A hilltop village rich in art and history, reachable in 30 minutes by car, featuring the Fondation Maeght and historic ramparts.
  5. Ventimiglia, Italy: A 1-hour train ride takes you across the border to experience Italian markets, historic sites, and delicious cuisine.
  6. Antibes: A 25-minute train journey from Nice, offering beautiful beaches, an old town, and the Picasso Museum.
  7. Grasse: An hour by car, Grasse is the world’s perfume capital, perfect for exploring perfume factories and the International Perfume Museum.
  8. Travel Tips: Nice is a perfect base for day trips, with excellent transport links to nearby towns and cities on the French Riviera.

Monaco – The Epicenter Of Luxury And Glamour

Distance: 20 km | Time: 30 minutes by train

The small but splendid principality of Monaco is a dazzling playground for the rich and famous. Every first glance at Monaco will mesmerize you with the unparalleled feeling of immense luxury.

Start your day at the Prince’s Palace perched on a rocky promontory, offering breathtaking views of the Mediterranean. The palace is the official residence of the Sovereign Prince of Monaco, and parts of it are open to visitors during the summer.

Monaco - The Epicenter Of Luxury And Glamour
Credit/ JÉSHOOTS

The Changing of the Guard ceremony will welcome you to this palace, which still enriches the splendor of Monaco’s royal heritage.

If you feel a strong affection for the sea depths and marine life, you will want to visit the Oceanographic Museum. An excellent marine fauna museum established by Prince Albert I, hosting an unbelievable creatures collection, from sharks and turtles to many-colored fish. The panoramic views from the rooftop terrace are worth a snap.

Moreover, if speed and class are the things that leave you impressed, just walk the Monaco Grand Prix circuit—with a thrill at every step. Imagine the roar of the engines as you follow the route of one of the most prestigious races in the world.

End the day with a touch of elegance at the Monte Carlo Casino, where you may try your luck or just gaze at the breathtaking Belle Époque-style architecture. Monaco is more than just a day trip; it’s divesting into a world of luxury and sophistication.

Eze: A Medieval Village Around The Hill With The Views You Will Never Forget

Distance: 12 km | Travel Time: 20 minutes by bus

Eze lies like a jewel on the French Riviera. It is a medieval hamlet perched on cliffs that overlook mills and the Mediterranean.

You can truly be transported back in time while walking through the scrunched cobblestones of the highly tortuous street, bobbing gently up and down.

It is discovering each new charming shop, art gallery, and quaint café that makes the village a labyrinth.

Eze: A Medieval Village Around The Hill With The Views You Will Never Forget
Credit/ Paula

The absolute highlight of Eze is the Jardin Exotique: an exotic garden situated at the village’s very peak. Here, various cacti and succulents of different colors and sizes can be seen—all amidst one of the best views within the French confines. On a sunny day, visibility goes up to Corsica.

Eze is also famous for its perfume. A visit to the Fragonard Perfume Factory takes earlier on back to the art of perfume making. Get an education specifically for the delicate steps in making some of the most exceptional perfumes in the world.

Do not leave the facility without buying a bottle of perfume to act as a reminder of the good scents that you experienced at the place.

Cannes: The Sparkling Capital Of Cinema

Distance: 33 km | Travel Time: 40 minutes by train

Cannes is the city of glamour, with its world-class film festival. Beyond the red carpet strip, however, lies a huge treasure of attractions that would make it the best day trip from Nice.

You might want to start your visit with a relaxed wander down La Croisette, the main boulevard in town, which is complete with statues, designer boutiques, and five-star hotels.

Cannes: The Sparkling Capital Of Cinema
Credit/ Helena Jankovičová Kováčová

If you have an interest in history and culture, come by Le Suquet—the old town section of Cannes. It is a charming area constituted with narrow streets, historical buildings, and local restaurants with Provençal cuisine.

You could climb up to the Church of Our Lady of Esperance for panoramic views out over Cannes and its harbor.

For the art enthusiast, though, there is always the Centre d’art La Malmaison, staging temporary exhibitions on contemporary art. However, what you would not want to miss after walking through Cannes’s cultural side is to unwind at one of its broad, sandy beaches or embark on a boat trip for a quieter time on the Lérins Islands, just a short boat trip away.

Saint-paul-de-vence: The Crossroads Of Art And History

Distance: 20 km | Travel Time: 30 minutes by car

Saint-Paul-de-Vence is far more than a picturesque village; it is a place where art and history blend harmoniously. This hilltop medieval village has long served as a haven for artists.

The narrow streets host galleries displaying the works of up-and-coming and established artists.

High on the list of attractions in Saint-Paul-de-Vence is the Fondation Maeght: a modern and contemporary art museum that counts among its collection works by artists like Chagall, Miro, and Giacometti. The sculpture is shown in its garden, set against the Mediterranean landscape.

Saint-paul-de-vence: The Crossroads Of Art And History
Credit/ Grafixart_photo Samir BELHAMRA

After taking on all that art, wander the ramparts of the village, covered in places with the flowers and vegetation of the hills, overlooking the surrounding countryside.

And perhaps grab a drink at La Colombe d’Or, a historic inn beloved by Picasso and Matisse. Even if you’re not here for a meal, the walls of the inn are hung with original artwork. A live art gallery.

Ventimiglia, Italy: An Italian Experience Just Across The Border

Distance: 30 km | Travel Time: 1 hour by train

Look for the day journey with enticing borders to Ventimiglia, Italy, with a little charm because it’s just a train ride away and offers an Italian experience. Start your visit at the Friday Market, one of the largest and most vibrant markets in the region. Here, you can shop for everything from fresh produce to Italian cheeses and leather goods to handmade crafts.

Ventimiglia, Italy: An Italian Experience Just Across The Border
Credit/ Péter Miklós

The old town of Ventimiglia is a pleasant maze of narrow streets full of ancient buildings. A Romanesque beauty is the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta. Nature lovers will want to visit the Hanbury Botanical Gardens after a short drive; some of the most beautiful plant collections in the world will leave you breathless against the backdrop of the Ligurian Sea.

Any trip to Italy will be incomplete without trying its food and dishes. Have a platter prepared of just-made pasta, and a slice of pizza from one of Ventimiglia’s heritage trattorias.

Antibes: History, Arts, And Fun Under The Sun

Distance: 23 km | Travel Time: 25 minutes by train

Antibes is a city where the history, art, and beauty of its Mediterranean coast merge into a single whole. To do this, start your day at the Picasso Museum.

Picasso lived in the city and worked for several months in Château Grimaldi. Most of his artwork, like paintings, drawings, and ceramics—material output from his creative work—can be found in this museum.

Walking is the best option in the old town of Antibes—a place of pure beauty. Even though the tradition repeats every day, Monday is an official off day for markets in the Marché Provençal. Some local products presented there include olives, cheeses, and Provençal herbs.

For sea lovers, the beaches along the shore of Antibes are one of the best on the French Riviera coast. Plage de la Gravette: for a bay of sandy beach to take good relaxation in afternoon sunlight. Walk around the Cap d’Antibes: beautiful views and small hidden beaches to take a swim.

Grasse: Dive Into The World Of Perfumes

Distance: 44 km | Travel Time: 1 hour by car

It is really strong when you get to Grasse, which is set sublime as the perfume capital of the world. Many celebrated manufacturers have their headquarters right in this very town.

It includes Fragonard, Molinard, and Galimard, so you can find out all the basic principles of making fragrances on guided tours. At Fragonard, you can even become a formulator of your perfume, a unique souvenir from your trip.

The International Perfume Museum is a place where history and science in perfumery wish to show themselves. Exhibitions within the museum will tackle everything from ancient Egyptian perfumes to modern-day fragrances.

After this foray into the world of scents, take an easy walk through the old town of Grasse, with its narrow streets lined with shops of soaps and other items on lavender.

Meet the Cathedral of Notre-Dame du Puy, where masterpieces of Rubens himself away many other great names in painting. The picturesque streets of Grasse and the charming spots around can have no more than one wonderful option for day travel full of culture and appeal to each sense.

FAQs About Best Day Trips From Nice France

Are there guided group day trips from Nice?

Yes, easily one can make day trips from Nice since it is very well connected by trains, buses, and roads to go to the curiosities near it, such as Monaco, Eze, and Cannes.

Which is the best place to travel from Nice?

Well, from Nice, you can make it to a lot of beautiful sites such as Monaco, Cannes, Antibes, Eze, and even to the extent of crossing borders to Ventimiglia, Italy. Therefore, these are lovely places where you can make day trips.

What towns near Nice France by train?

The towns near Nice that can be reached by train are Monaco, Cannes, Antibes, and Menton. The train service in these towns is very available and the system of a train is one of the best to make these towns handy to be gone to.

How many days is enough to visit Nice France?

Three to four days is usually enough to explore Nice and take a few day trips to nearby attractions like Monaco and Cannes.

Is Antibes good for a day trip to Nice?

Certainly, Antibes is a day’s trip to Nice, filled with lovely beaches, an old town, and the must-see Picasso Museum.

Can you do a day trip to Provence from Nice?

Yes, you could do a day trip around parts of Provence from Nice. That would include—within reach—places like Grasse, famous for its perfumes, and the stunning countryside of the Provence region.

What towns around Nice are worth visiting?

Some of the towns around Nice that are worth visiting include Eze, Antibes, Saint-Paul-de-Vence, and Villefranche-sur-Mer. All are beautiful and have their unique charm and things to do.

Can one cross over to Monaco from Nice?

Yes, trips to Monaco are pretty simple and easy to take from Nice. The train and bus distances between the two are short; hence, you will skip every border check; it is so easy.

How far is it from Nice to Cannes?

The distance between Nice and Cannes is approximately 33 km. Usually, a train run from Nice to Cannes takes around 40 minutes.

Can a day trip be made from Nice to Cannes?

Yes, you can do a day trip to Cannes from Nice. It’s a very quick train ride, and you get to spend the day there on its famous Croisette, beaches, and the old town of Le Suquet.

Conclusion

The French Riviera is a place of unmatched beauty and diversity, with short day trips from Nice being perfect for an exploration of all the unique experiences this place has to offer. Be it the luxury of Monaco, the artistic heritage of Saint-Paul-de-Vence, or the fragrant fields of Grasse; these are some experiences that last forever.

Whether it is planning a romantic getaway, family adventure, or lone exploration, these day trips can only optimize your stay in Nice. Easy transportation by train or car to no other ways of seeing Riviera’s hidden gems beyond Nice makes it popular.

Start planning the best day trips from Nice France, today and just immerse yourself in rich culture, history, and natural beauty throughout this incredible region.

Maryam Khalid
Maryam Khalid

Maryam Khalid is the expert behind LaterTrends, delivering insightful travel tips and advice. With a passion for exploration and a knack for crafting engaging content, Maryam helps readers make the most of their journeys, offering practical tips that inspire wanderlust and enhance travel experiences.

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