10 Best Day Trips from Menton You Shouldn’t Miss (2026)

If you’re planning to spend a few days in Menton, don’t just stay there the whole time.

As much as I loved Menton, one of the best things about it is actually its location. You’re right on the French-Italian border, just minutes from Monaco and within easy reach of some of the most beautiful places on the French Riviera.

Most of these day trips from Menton are incredibly easy to do by train, but you can also drive or book a guided tour if you’d rather not organize everything yourself.

Whether you’re looking for glamorous Monaco, colorful villages like Èze, beautiful beaches or even a quick trip into Italy, there are plenty of amazing day trips from Menton that are honestly worth adding to your itinerary.

These are the ones I’d personally recommend.

Best Day trips from Menton: My Quick Answer

If you don’t have time to read the full guide, these are the day trips from Menton I’d recommend the most:

1. Monaco
2. Nice
3. Èze
4. Villefranche-sur-Mer
5. Antibes
6. Cannes
7. Saint-Paul-de-Vence
8. Grasse
9. Ventimiglia, Italy
10. Saint-Tropez

1. Monaco (Best Overall Day Trip)

If I had to recommend just one of all the day trips from Menton, it would be Monaco.

I actually visited Monaco and Menton on the same day, and they work really well together because they’re only around 15 minutes apart by train. Monaco feels completely different from Menton—it’s bigger, busier and much more glamorous—but that’s exactly why I think they’re such a good combination.

The easiest way to get there is by train, and since trains run frequently throughout the day, you don’t really have to worry about planning everything down to the minute. If you’re renting a car, the drive is also very short, but parking in Monaco can be expensive.

Once you’re there, I’d recommend walking around the old town, visiting the Prince’s Palace, seeing the famous Monte Carlo Casino, wandering through Port Hercule and simply enjoying the views over the Mediterranean.

I think Monaco is perfect if it’s your first time visiting the French Riviera or if you enjoy big landmarks and iconic places. Even if you’re not into luxury cars or casinos, it’s still worth seeing at least once.

• Book train tickets from Menton to Monaco
• Compare rental car prices if you’re planning to explore more of the Riviera

2. Nice (Best City Day Trip)

If you’re staying in Menton for a few days, spending one day in Nice is an easy choice.

Nice has a completely different atmosphere. It’s much bigger than Menton, there are far more restaurants, museums, shopping streets and viewpoints, and it’s the kind of place where you can easily spend an entire day just walking around.

The train journey only takes around 40 minutes, so getting there couldn’t really be easier.

Some of my favorite things to do in Nice are walking along the Promenade des Anglais, exploring the Old Town, climbing up to Castle Hill for the views and wandering around Place Masséna.

I think Nice is the perfect day trip if you want a busier city after spending time in quiet Menton.

If you don’t want to plan everything yourself, there are also guided French Riviera tours that include Nice together with other villages.

3. Èze (Best Mediaval Village)

If you’re looking for postcard views, Èze is probably the most beautiful day trip from Menton.

This tiny medieval village sits high above the Mediterranean and feels completely different from anywhere else on the French Riviera. The narrow stone streets, little shops and incredible viewpoints are the main reason people visit.

It’s easy to reach by train and bus, or by car if you’re already driving around the Riviera.

I think Èze is one of those places you don’t need a long itinerary for. Just wander around, enjoy the views and take your time.

There are also several tours that combine Èze with Monaco, making it a really easy day trip.

4. Villefranche-sur-Mer (Best Beach Day Trip)

If your perfect day involves beaches and colorful houses, I’d pick Villefranche-sur-Mer.

It’s one of the prettiest seaside towns on the French Riviera, with crystal-clear water, a beautiful harbour and a relaxed atmosphere that feels very different from Nice.

Getting there from Menton is easy by train, and once you arrive, everything is within walking distance.

It’s a great place to spend the day swimming, having lunch by the harbour and simply enjoying the coastline.

5. Antibes (Best Old Town)

Antibes is another day trip from Menton I’d happily recommend.

The Old Town is full of narrow streets, little cafés and local markets, while the marina is home to some of the biggest yachts you’ll ever see.

It’s easy to reach by train and makes a great day if you want a mix of history, beaches and seaside views.

If you enjoy wandering around old streets like I do, I think you’ll really like Antibes.

6. Cannes (Best Luxury Day Trip)

Cannes is famous for the film festival, but even outside festival season it’s still worth visiting.

You’ll find luxury hotels, designer shops, the famous Promenade de la Croisette and beautiful sandy beaches.

It’s another easy train journey from Menton and a good option if you want to experience the more glamorous side of the French Riviera.

Even if you’re not planning on spending much money, it’s still fun to walk around and people-watch.

7. Saint-Paul-de-Vence (Best Art Village)

Saint-Paul-de-Vence feels completely different from the coastal towns.

It’s a hilltop medieval village known for its art galleries, little boutiques and beautiful stone streets.

If you enjoy photography or quieter villages, I honestly think this is one of the nicest day trips from Menton.

You’ll normally need a bus or rental car after taking the train, although plenty of tours include it together with other Riviera highlights.

8. Grasse

Grasse is known as the perfume capital of the world, so if you’ve ever wanted to visit one of the famous perfume factories, this is the place.

Besides the perfume museums and workshops, the town itself is also really nice to walk around, with colorful streets and great views over the countryside.

I think Grasse is a good option if you’ve already visited the coastal villages and want to see something a little different.

9. Ventimiglia, Italy

One of the coolest things about staying in Menton is that you can literally visit another country in less than 15 minutes.

Ventimiglia is just across the Italian border, and getting there by train couldn’t be easier.

It’s famous for its markets, Italian cafés, cheaper shopping and, of course, amazing Italian food.

I actually love the idea of crossing into another country just for lunch, and Ventimiglia is probably one of the easiest international day trips you’ll ever do.

If you’re visiting on a Friday, don’t miss the famous Ventimiglia market.

10. Saint-Tropez

Saint-Tropez is definitely possible as a day trip from Menton, but it’s also the longest journey on this list.

I’d only recommend it if you have a rental car or book an organised tour, because public transport takes quite a while.

That said, if Saint-Tropez has always been on your bucket list, it’s absolutely worth it.

You’ll find beautiful beaches, luxury yachts, colorful streets and the glamorous atmosphere the town is famous for.

It’s not the easiest day trip from Menton, but if you’ve got the time, it’s one you’ll probably remember.

Which day trip would I choose?

Honestly… I wouldn’t choose just one.

If you’re spending a few days on the French Riviera, I’d recommend doing exactly what I did and combining a couple of villages whenever it makes sense. Most of them are so close together that it’s actually really easy to visit two in the same day without feeling rushed.

I combined Monaco and Menton, and it worked perfectly. Monaco is only around 15 minutes away by train, so by the time I finished exploring Monaco, I simply hopped back on the train and continued to Menton for the afternoon.

If you have three or four days in the French Riviera, I’d probably spend each day exploring one or two different places instead of staying in the same town the whole time. That’s honestly the best way to experience the region because every village has its own personality, and they’re all close enough that moving between them is really easy.

For me, that’s what makes the French Riviera so special—you don’t have to choose just one place.

Practical Information for day trips from Menton

Getting Around

One of the reasons I love this part of the French Riviera is how easy it is to get around without a car.

For most day trips from Menton, I’d simply use the train. It’s affordable, runs frequently and connects Menton with places like Monaco, Nice, Antibes, Cannes and even Ventimiglia in Italy.

If you’re planning to visit smaller villages like Èze, Grasse or Saint-Paul-de-Vence, you can either combine trains with local buses or rent a car if you prefer having more flexibility.

Personally, unless you’re planning to visit lots of villages in one day, I’d stick with the train. It’s cheaper, easier and you don’t have to worry about parking.

→ Book train tickets here

If you’re planning a bigger French Riviera road trip, renting a car gives you much more freedom, especially for places that are harder to reach by public transport.

→ Compare rental car prices here

Prefer an Organised Tour?

If you’re staying in Nice instead of Menton, there are some excellent French Riviera tours that visit several villages in one day, including Menton, Monaco and Èze.

I personally explored everything independently, but if you’d rather not organize transport yourself, these tours can be a great option.

→ French Riviera Full-Day Tour

→ Monaco, Monte-Carlo and Eze small group tour

FAQs

What is the best day trip from Menton?

If I had to recommend just one, I’d probably say Monaco. It’s only around 15 minutes away by train, incredibly easy to visit, and completely different from Menton. That said, every place on this list offers something unique, so it really depends on what you’re looking for.

Can you visit Monaco from Menton?

Yes, and it’s one of the easiest day trips from Menton. The train journey only takes around 15 minutes, with frequent departures throughout the day, making it perfect even if you’re only visiting for a few hours.

Can you visit Italy from Menton?

Absolutely. One of the best things about Menton is that Italy is literally just across the border. Ventimiglia is only around 10 minutes away by train, making it one of the easiest international day trips you can do.

Is Nice worth visiting from Menton?

Definitely. Nice is only around 40 minutes away by train and has a completely different atmosphere from Menton. If you’re looking for bigger beaches, more restaurants, shopping and nightlife, it’s well worth spending a day there.

How do you get from Menton to Monaco?

The easiest option is the direct train. It takes around 15 minutes, runs regularly throughout the day and is by far the simplest way to travel between the two.

Can you do Monaco and Menton in one day?

Yes, and that’s exactly what I did. Since the train journey between the two is so short, it’s actually very easy to combine Monaco and Menton in the same day without feeling rushed.

Final Thoughts: Best Day Trips from Menton

One of the things I loved most about Menton was how easy it is to explore the rest of the French Riviera.

Whether you want to visit glamorous Monaco, wander around colorful villages like Èze, spend the day in Nice or even cross into Italy for lunch, there are so many incredible day trips from Menton that are only a short train ride away.

If I came back tomorrow, I’d honestly spend a few days in Menton and just go village hopping all over again.

Read my other 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)

Menton Itinerary: how I’d spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Menton (2026)