Day Trips from Nice: 10 Amazing Places You Can Easily Visit (2026)

One of the biggest reasons I enjoyed staying in Nice so much wasn’t actually the city itself—it was how easy it was to explore the rest of the French Riviera. I only stayed there for three days, but using Nice as my base meant I could easily visit both Monaco and Menton, two places that had been on my bucket list for a long time.

What I quickly realized is that those aren’t your only options. There are so many amazing day trips from Nice that you could honestly spend over a week here without running out of places to explore. Whether you’re looking for colorful villages, glamorous cities, beautiful beaches or even another country, you’ll find it all within a short train or bus ride.

The good news is that most of these destinations are really easy to reach by train, so you don’t necessarily need a car. If you want to visit some of the smaller villages or explore at your own pace, though, renting a car can definitely give you more flexibility. There are also plenty of organized tours if you’d rather not worry about planning everything yourself.

In this guide, I’m sharing my favorite day trips from Nice, how to get to each one, and which ones I think are actually worth your time.

Best day trips from Nice: My Quick Picks

If you’re short on time, these are the day trips from Nice I’d prioritize:

1. Monaco
2. Menton
3. Èze
4. Antibes
5. Cannes
6. Villefranche-sur-Mer
7. Saint-Paul-de-Vence
8. Ventimiglia (Italy)
9. Grasse
10. Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat

1. Monaco

Monaco was actually the whole reason I came to Nice in the first place. Visiting every country in the world has been my biggest dream for years, so being able to jump on a train and arrive in a completely different country in less than half an hour felt pretty surreal. Even though Monaco is the second smallest country in the world, there’s a lot more to it than just the famous casino. I loved walking around the harbor, seeing the luxury yachts, exploring the old streets and enjoying some incredible Mediterranean views.

How to get there

The easiest way to visit Monaco is by train. The journey from Nice takes around 20–25 minutes, making it one of the easiest day trips from Nice.

Book your train tickets to Monaco here

2. Menton

If I had to recommend just one day trip from Nice, it would probably be Menton. It ended up being one of my favorite places on the French Riviera thanks to its colorful Old Town, beautiful coastline and much slower pace compared to Nice. It’s also one of those places where you can easily spend a full day without ever feeling rushed.

How to get there

The train from Nice takes around 40 minutes, making it one of the easiest and cheapest day trips you can do.

Find train tickets to Menton here

Also Read:

Day Trip to Menton from Nice and 25 Best Things to Do in Menton

3. Èze

If you’ve ever seen photos of the French Riviera with tiny stone streets sitting on top of a cliff overlooking the Mediterranean, chances are you’ve seen Èze. It’s one of the prettiest villages in the region and an easy day trip from Nice. Besides wandering around the medieval streets, you can also visit the famous Fragonard Perfume Factory, which is free to enter.

How to get there

You can get to Èze by bus from Nice, but if you want more flexibility, renting a car is a great option. There are also plenty of French Riviera tours that include Èze together with other nearby villages.

Explore French Riviera tours here.

4. Antibes

Antibes is another beautiful coastal town that’s perfect if you’re looking for a more relaxed atmosphere. Spend the day wandering around the Old Town, admire the luxury yachts at Port Vauban or simply enjoy one of the beaches before heading back to Nice.

How to get there

The train from Nice takes around 20 minutes, making Antibes one of the easiest day trips from Nice that you can do.

Find train tickets to Antibes here

5. Cannes

Yes, Cannes is famous for the film festival, but there’s plenty more to see throughout the year. Walk along La Croisette, admire the luxury hotels, relax by the beach or wander through the charming old quarter, Le Suquet, for some of the best views over the city.

How to get there

The train from Nice takes around 40 minutes.

Book your train tickets to Cannes here

6. Villefranche-sur-Mer

Villefranche-sur-Mer is one of those places that still feels a little underrated despite being so close to Nice. It has one of the most beautiful bays on the French Riviera, colorful waterfront buildings and a much quieter than Nice itself. If you’re looking for a slower day, this is a great choice.

How to get there

The train from Nice takes less than 10 minutes, making it one of the quickest day trips on this list.

Find train tickets here

7. Saint-Paul-de-Vence

If you enjoy art galleries, narrow cobbled streets and villages that look like they haven’t changed in centuries, you’ll probably love Saint-Paul-de-Vence. It’s one of the most famous hilltop villages on the French Riviera and a great place to spend a relaxed afternoon.

How to get there

Public transport is possible, but renting a car or joining a guided tour is definitely the easiest option.

Compare car rental prices here.

Find the Best French Riviera tours here

8. Ventimiglia

One of my favorite things about staying in Nice was realizing I could literally have lunch in another country. Ventimiglia is just across the Italian border, and getting there is as easy as hopping on a train. Spend the day wandering around the markets, eating fresh pasta or pizza and enjoying a completely different atmosphere without traveling very far. And just because you can literally go for lunch in a new country, Ventimiglia belongs on this list of best day trips from Nice.

How to get there

The train from Nice takes around 50 minutes.

Find train tickets to Ventimiglia here

If you’re planning to use mobile data in both France and Italy, I’d recommend getting a Europe eSIM before your trip.

9. Grasse

Known as the perfume capital of France, Grasse is a great day trip if you want something a little different. Besides visiting the perfume factories, you’ll also find museums, pretty streets and some beautiful views over the surrounding countryside.

How to get there

The easiest option is by car or as part of a guided tour.

Compare car rental prices here.

10. Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat

If your perfect day involves coastal walks, quiet beaches and beautiful scenery, don’t skip Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat. One of the highlights is visiting Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild and its incredible gardens, but honestly, simply walking around the peninsula is reason enough to come.

How to get there

You can easily reach Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat by bus from Nice.

Should you visit the French Riviera by Train or car?

One thing I loved about exploring the French Riviera is that you really don’t need a car for most of the popular destinations. The train network is surprisingly good, and for many places it’s actually faster and less stressful than driving.

I’d recommend taking the train if you’re visiting places like Monaco, Menton, Antibes or Cannes. They’re all well connected to Nice, the stations are usually right in the city center, and you won’t have to worry about parking or traffic.

A car makes more sense if you want to visit several hilltop villages in one day, discover quieter beaches or simply have the flexibility to stop whenever you want. It’s definitely the better option if your itinerary includes places like Saint-Paul-de-Vence, Grasse or smaller villages that aren’t as easy to reach by public transport.

If you’re still deciding, you can find train tickets here or compare car rental prices here to see which option works best for your trip.

Where Should you Stay in the French Riviera?

If you’re planning to explore the French Riviera, I’d definitely recommend staying in Nice. That’s exactly what I did during my trip, and I honestly think it’s the most convenient base in the region and as you can see there are plenty of day trips from Nice for you to explore the entire region with a base.

Nice has the biggest selection of hotels, hostels and apartments, so it’s much easier to find something that fits your budget. It’s also one of the best-connected cities on the French Riviera, making it incredibly easy to take day trips by train to places like Monaco, Menton, Cannes and Antibes. Even if you’re planning to rent a car for a few days, Nice is still a great place to start and end your trip.

If you’re still deciding where to stay, I’ve put together a complete guide covering the best neighborhoods and hotels for every budget.

Find the best hotels in Nice here.

Practical Tips

These are a few things that made exploring the French Riviera much easier for me and that I hope will help you plan your day trips from Nice.

Leave early if you’re visiting popular places like Monaco or Èze, especially during summer. They get busy pretty quickly.
If you’re traveling during the peak season, it’s worth booking your train tickets in advance. Some routes can get surprisingly crowded.

If you’re planning to cross into Italy during your trip, I’d recommend getting a Europe eSIM before you arrive so you don’t have to worry about losing data when changing countries.

Wear comfortable shoes. Even if you’re taking the train everywhere, most of these towns involve a lot of walking, hills and cobbled streets.

Useful Links for to help you plan Day trips from Nice

Get a Europe eSIM here.

Find train tickets here.

Compare car rental prices here.

FAQs

What is the best day trip from Nice?

If I had to pick just one of the day trips from Nice, I’d say Menton. It ended up becoming one of my favorite places on the French Riviera thanks to its colorful Old Town, relaxed atmosphere and beautiful coastline. If you’re looking for something a little more glamorous, Monaco is another fantastic option.

Can you visit Monaco and Menton in one day?

Yes, it’s definitely possible since they’re both connected to Nice by train. That said, I think each place deserves its own day if you have the time. They’re very different from each other, and rushing through both means you’ll miss a lot.

Are day trips from Nice worth it?

All the day trips from Nice I showerd you on this blog post are absolutely worth it. In fact, I think exploring beyond Nice is one of the best parts of staying there. The French Riviera has so many beautiful towns within easy reach that using Nice as your base just makes sense.

Is is better to take the train or rent a car from Nice?

For places like Monaco, Menton, Antibes and Cannes, I’d stick with the train. It’s fast, affordable and usually easier than driving. A car becomes much more useful if you want to visit smaller villages, hidden beaches or create your own itinerary.

Can you visit Italy from Nice?

Yes! One of the coolest things about staying in Nice is how easy it is to visit another country for the day. Ventimiglia is less than an hour away by train, making it one of the easiest international day trips from Nice you’ll probably ever do. As well as Monaco of course.

Final Thoughts: Day trips from Nice

One of the biggest reasons I enjoyed Nice so much wasn’t actually the city itself—it was how easy it made exploring the French Riviera and how there are so many day trips from Nice to do. Every morning I could jump on a train and end up somewhere completely different, whether that was Monaco, Menton or even Italy. If you’re staying in Nice, don’t just stay in Nice. Some of my favorite memories from this trip happened outside the city, and that’s what made the French Riviera so special to me.

Read my other Nice Guides

Is Nice Worth Visiting? My Honest Review (2026)

Read my Menton Guides

Nice to Menton: Best Ways to Get There (Train, Bus, Car & Day Trip Guide) (2026)

Day Trip to Menton from Nice: The Perfect Itinerary (2026)

Menton Itinerary: How I’d Spend 1, 2 or 3 Days in Menton (2026)

25 Best Things to Do in Menton, France (2026 Guide)

Menton Guide (2026): Everything You Need to Know Before Visiting The Most Beautiful Village of the French Riviera