Daytrips from Nice - The Best Cities to see in the South of France
Nice is a great place to base yourself, whilst travelling around the South of France. It has great transport links making it really easy to visit lots of towns in Provence!
Villefranche-sur-Mer
The easiest and most common way to travel the short 8.3 km distance from Nice to Villefranche-sur-Mer is by a 5-10 minute train ride or drive.
Make the most of exploring this coastal village by:
- Wandering along Rue du Poilu, the main street
- Discover Rue Obscure, a 14th-century underground street
- Take a Photo at Rue de l’Eglise for a perfect view of the town
- Visit the Fortress, a massive, beautifully preserved 16th-century stone fortress overlooking the sea.
Monaco
Monaco is only a 30 minute train from Nice, making it a popular daytrip to do. Some of Monacos must-sees include:
- Watch the Changing of the Guard at the Prince’s Palace of Monaco at exactly 11:55 AM
- Visit the Monaco Cathedral, a 19th-century Romanesque-Byzantine church where Princess Grace and Prince Rainier III are buried
- Visit the Casino de Monte-Carlo to admire its breathtaking 1878 Belle Époque architecture and discover the filming location of James Bond’s GoldenEye
Menton
A day trip from Nice to Menton takes about 40 minutes by regional TER train or 50 minutes by car. Some things to do are:
- Explore the Old Town, full of pastel-colored streets and climb up to the Basilique Saint-Michel Archange for views over the bay.
- Visit the Covered Market, Le Marché, near the seafront for local cheeses, fresh produce, and regional treats.
- Relax on the Beach of Plage des Sablettes, a calm and sandy beach near the old port.
- Try Local Lemons, through sampling lemon tarts or local citrus specialties at famous spots like the Mitron bakery
Antibes
A day trip from Nice to Antibes takes only 20 to 25 minutes by a direct TER train, costing about €5 to €7 each way. The top things to do include:
- Browse the vibrant covered food market at Marché Provençal for local treats and breakfast.
- Visit the famous Picasso Museum (Musée Picasso), located in the historic Grimaldi Castle right by the sea
- Walk along the old stone sea ramparts (Les Remparts).
- View the massive luxury yachts docked at Port Vauban.
Cannes
A day trip from Nice to Cannes is quick and easy. The cheap and fast TER train takes about 35 minutes each way from Nice-Ville station to Cannes
- Walk down La Croisette to see luxury shops, grand hotels, and the Mediterranean Sea.
- Get a photo on the red carpet stairs at the Palais des Festivals.
- Explore Le Suquet, the old quarter, for narrow streets and views from the top.
- Relax on public sand beaches like Plage du Midi
Eze
A day trip from Nice to the medieval hilltop town of Èze takes about 30 to 45 minutes. You can catch regional bus 82 or 112 from Nice for a scenic ride along the middle corniche, Some things to do on your daytrip include:
- Explore the historic stone alleyways
- Walk around Eze Jardin Exotique, the cliffside exotic cactus grarden, with statues, a secret grotto and a waterfall.
- Go on a perfume factory tour: There are two perfume factories in Eze, Parfumerie Fragonard and Parfumerie Galimard
Make the most of your daytrip with a guided tour
A guided tour saves time and hassle so you can see more in a day. You won’t waste time figuring out transport or missing key spots or doing lots of your own research. A Private Tour Guide share local tips and shortcuts, so you get the best experience without the stress!
