Solo Travel South of France: Mini Guide (2026)

I visited the South of France during a longer solo trip through Italy, France and Monaco. I based myself in Nice for three days and from there I explored Monaco and Menton by train before continuing my trip.

Before going, I honestly thought the South of France was going to be one of those places that only rich people could enjoy. Luxury hotels, expensive restaurants, yachts… you know the image everyone has. But after actually visiting, I realised you absolutely don’t need a luxury budget to enjoy it.

If you’re planning to solo travel South of France, this guide will walk you through everything I wish I’d known before going. I’ll share where to stay, how to get around, the best places to visit, what surprised me the most, and whether I’d actually recommend it for solo travelers.

Solo Travel South of France

Is the South of France Good for Solo Travelers?

Yes, I genuinely think the South of France is a great destination if you’re travelling alone.

Getting around is incredibly easy thanks to the regional trains, most towns are connected by public transport, and you can visit several places without ever needing a car. That alone already makes solo travel much less stressful.

I also found it to be one of the easiest places in Europe to do multiple day trips from a single base. Instead of constantly packing and unpacking your backpack, I stayed in Nice and visited Monaco and Menton independently, which made the trip much cheaper and much more relaxed.

The only downside is that the South of France isn’t a particularly cheap destination. Accommodation, restaurants and attractions are generally more expensive than many other parts of Europe. But with a bit of planning, it’s still possible to visit without spending a fortune—which is exactly what I did.

Where Should You Base Yourself?

Without even thinking twice, Nice is the best place to base yourself to Solo travel south of France.

That’s where I stayed for my entire trip, and if I went back tomorrow, I’d do exactly the same.

Nice is the largest city on the French Riviera, it’s well connected by train, and it’s by far the easiest place to find accommodation for different budgets. It’s also the only place where you’ll find hostels, making it the best option if you’re travelling solo or backpacking.

From Nice you can easily visit Monaco, Menton, Villefranche-sur-Mer and even Èze without changing hotels every night. It saves you money, saves you time, and honestly just makes the whole trip much easier.

→ Find the best places to stay in Nice

Here are 4 great accommodations for Nice depending on your budget:

• Backpacker: SLO Hostel Nice 
• Budget: Best Western Alba
• Mid-Range: Best Western Plus Hotel Brice Garden Nice
• Luxury: Hotel Le Negresco

→ Check hotels in Nice here

Solo Travel South of France: Best Places to Visit

Nice

If it’s your first time in the South of France, I’d stay in Nice. It’s the biggest city on the French Riviera, has the best transport connections, and it’s the perfect base for exploring the surrounding towns. Between the beaches, Old Town, Castle Hill and food scene, you could easily spend a few days here without getting bored.

→ Read my Nice Travel Guide

Menton

Out of everywhere I visited, Menton was actually my favourite.

It’s much quieter than Nice, less flashy than Monaco, and has that colourful postcard look that made me fall in love with it straight away. If you only have time for one day trip, this would honestly be my pick.

→ Read my Menton Travel Guide

Monaco

Monaco is absolutely worth visiting, but I’d only recommend it as a day trip.

It’s tiny, easy to explore on foot, and you can see all the main attractions in a day. Staying overnight usually isn’t worth the price unless you’re specifically looking for the luxury experience.

Èze

Èze is one of the most beautiful villages on the French Riviera.

Perched on top of a hill overlooking the Mediterranean, it’s famous for its incredible views and narrow cobbled streets. It’s small enough to visit in half a day and combines perfectly with Monaco or Nice.

Villefranche-sur-Mer

If you’re looking for a quieter beach town, Villefranche-sur-Mer is a great option.

It’s only a short train ride from Nice, has a beautiful waterfront, colourful streets and a much more relaxed atmosphere than the larger cities on the French Riviera.

Solo Travel South of France: How to Get Around

One of the things I loved the most about travelling around the South of France was how easy it was to get everywhere without renting a car.

I used regional TER trains for almost everything, including my day trips to Monaco and Menton. They’re fast, affordable and connect most of the towns along the coast.

For places like Èze, buses are often the easiest option, while inside each town you’ll mostly be walking.

Unless you’re planning to explore more remote villages, I honestly don’t think you need a car.

→ Find train schedules and tickets here

Solo Travel South of France: Budget

The South of France definitely isn’t the cheapest destination in Europe, but it’s much more affordable than most people think.

The biggest money-saving tip is simple: stay in Nice and visit the surrounding towns as day trips instead of moving accommodation every day.

I break down exactly how much things cost, how I saved money, and how you can visit without spending a fortune in my complete budget guide.

→ Read my French Riviera on a Budget Guide

Solo Travel South of France: Safety

Overall, I found solo travel South of France very easy.

Nice requires the usual awareness around busy tourist areas, while Monaco felt incredibly safe at any time of the day. Menton was probably the most relaxed place I visited during the trip.

If you’re travelling alone and want more detailed advice, I’ve written dedicated safety guides for each destination.

→ Is Nice Safe for Solo Female Travellers?

→ Is Monaco Safe for Solo Female Travelers?

→ Is Menton, France Safe?

Suggested Itinerary

Solo Travel South of France: 2 Days

Stay in Nice and spend one day exploring the city before taking a day trip to Monaco.

→ 2 Days in Nice Itinerary

Solo Travel South of France: 3 Days

Base yourself in Nice and visit Monaco and Menton as day trips. This is exactly how I explored the French Riviera and I genuinely think it’s the perfect first-time itinerary.

→ Itinerary Nice France: The Complete Guide for 1 to 4 Days

Solo Travel South of France: 5 Days

With a couple of extra days, you can add places like Èze and Villefranche-sur-Mer while still using Nice as your base.

→ Nice Guide

FAQs about Solo Travel South of France

Is the South of France good for solo travelers?

Yes. I travelled around the South of France by myself and found it to be an easy destination for solo travel. Public transport is excellent, the towns are well connected by train, and I never felt like travelling alone made the trip any more difficult.

Where should I stay to solo travel South of France?

I’d stay in Nice.

It has the best transport connections, accommodation for every budget, and makes the perfect base for visiting places like Monaco, Menton, Villefranche-sur-Mer and Èze without constantly changing hotels.

Is the South of France expensive?

It can be, but it doesn’t have to be.

Luxury hotels, beach clubs and restaurants can quickly become expensive, but staying in Nice, using public transport and taking day trips makes the South of France much more affordable.

Can you travel around the South of France without a car?

Absolutely.

I visited Nice, Monaco and Menton entirely by train and walking. Unless you’re planning to explore remote villages inland, you really don’t need a car.

What are the best places to visit in the South of France?

Some of my favourites include:

• Nice
• Menton
• Monaco
• Villefranche-sur-Mer
• Èze

Each offers something different, and they’re all easy to visit from Nice.

Is Monaco worth visiting during a South of France trip?

Yes, but I’d only recommend it as a day trip.

Monaco is beautiful and definitely worth seeing, but I wouldn’t spend the money staying there when Nice is so close and much better value.

How many days do you need in the South of France?

I’d recommend at least 3 days.

That gives you enough time to explore Nice properly and still visit Monaco and Menton without rushing. If you have 5 days, you can also add places like Èze and Villefranche-sur-Mer.

Final Thoughts

I honestly think the South of France is one of the easiest places in Europe to explore as a solo traveler. Staying in Nice and using it as your base makes everything incredibly simple, whether you’re planning to visit Monaco, Menton or some of the smaller coastal towns.

You definitely don’t need a luxury budget to enjoy it. With a bit of planning, public transport and a few well-chosen day trips, you can experience some of the most beautiful places on the French Riviera without spending a fortune.

Read my other French Riviera Guides

French Riviera on a Budget: How to Visit Without Breaking the Bank (2026)

10 Towns on French Riviera Ranked: From Overrated to Must-Visit (2026)

Read My Nice Guides

Is Nice Safe for Solo Female Travellers?

Day Trips from Nice: 10 Amazing Places You can Easily Visit 

Is Nice Worth visiting? My Honest Review (2026)

Nice, France Solo Travel: A Practical Guide (2026)

How Many Days in Nice do you Need? My Honest Recommendation (2026)

1 Day in Nice: The Perfect Itinerary (2026)

2 Day Nice Itinerary: Nice Plus a French Riviera Day Trip (2026)

Itinerary Nice, France: The Complete Guide for 1 to 4 days (2026)

25 Best Things to Do in Nice France (2026)

Nice France Guide (2026): Everything You Need to Know Before You Go

Best Day Tours from Nice: 15 Experiences Actually Worth Your Money (2026)

Read my Menton Guides

Is Menton Worth Visiting? My Honest Review (2026)

Is Menton, France Safe? My Honest Experience as a Solo Female Traveler (2026)

Best Time to Visit Menton: A Month-by-Month Guide (2026)

How Many Days in Menton Do You Need? My Honest Recommendation (2026)

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

Where to Stay in Menton: Best Areas & Hotels for Every Budget (2026)

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

10 Best Day Trips from Menton You Shouldn’t Miss (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

Read my Monaco Guides

Is Monaco Worth Visiting? My honest Review

Is Monaco Safe for Solo Female Travelers?

How Many Days in Monaco do you Need?

Best Time to Visit Monaco: Month-by-Month Guide (2026)

How to Get to Monaco from Nice: Every Option Explained (2026)

The Monaco Itinerary I’d Recommend to Anyone Visiting for the First Time