Nice is a beautiful city on the French Riviera rich with charm and history. It’s a great place to explore, but I think the real gems are the medieval and colorful villages in the surrounding area. If you’re spending a few days in the South of France, consider taking a day trip from Nice to one (or many) of these beautiful places. All are easily accessible by train from the Nice Ville Station.
Tip: I recommend downloading the SNCF Assistant app for the duration of your stay, as it provides up-to-date train departure information and will help you significantly in planning these day trips from Nice.
1. Eze
Eze is easily at the top of the list for me. This quaint and absolutely breathtaking medieval village is nestled in the mountains overlooking the Côte d’Azur and is one of my favorite places in the region.
Just 30 minutes by train from Nice Ville, you can access the village via a 45-minute to 1.5-hour moderate hike up the Nietzsche Trail (depending on your pace), or the 83 bus just outside of the Eze-sur-Mer train station for 2 euros. Be aware, however, that the 83 bus can be quite an unreliable means of transportation as the schedules change frequently and the times aren’t posted at the train station stop.
For more picturesque views and if you’re able, I highly recommend the Nietzsche Trail (and you don’t need special gear or shoes—the first time I walked in sandals because I thought we were taking the bus. I suggest tennis shoes or more sturdy walking sandals depending on the time of year).
You will find the signs for the Nietzsche Trail (Sentier) when you exit the train station. Turn right and it’s a short walk up the road to the trailhead.
Once you enter the village, you’ll be greeted with beautiful brick buildings crawling with vines and flowers and tiny streets to wander around. There are many art galleries and restaurants to explore, and the main attraction is the botanical gardens, or jardin exotique.
Most definitely worth the 7 euro entry fee, the botanical gardens offer a serene view of the area from the top of the village and gorgeous flora and fauna.
The Best Places to Stay in Eze:
Superb T2 Apartment Pool
Auberge de la Croix du Pape
Ezevacances Studio Capuccino vue mer
Les Terrasses d’Eze – Hôtel & Spa
Studio Tout Confort
Hôtel La Villa d’Eze
La Perle d’Eze
Hidden Paradise
2. Antibes
Several world-renowned artists have been captivated by Antibes throughout history, and once you visit it’s easy to see why.
A quick 30-minute train ride from Nice, Antibes is home to the lively Marché Provençal, the Picasso Museum in the Château Grimaldi, beautiful sandy beaches, and one of the largest yachting ports in the world. You don’t want to miss this enchanting city.
Stroll through the ancient streets of the old town and dine on one of the many terraces that sprawl the city, or take a walk along the port wall to the Nomad sculpture.
Related: The Best Things To Do in Antibes
The Best Places to Stay in Antibes:
Hotels:
Hôtel de l’Étoile
Hôtel Josse
Hôtel Le Petit Castel
Best Western Hôtel Journel Antibes Juan-les-Pins
Hôtel Le Collier
La Place Boutique Hotel
Hôtel La Villa Port d’Antibes & Spa
Royal Antibes – Luxury Hotel, Résidence, Beach & Spa
Hostels:
Backpackers House Antibes
3. Menton
Menton is a 45-minute train ride from Nice Ville right on the Italian border and is a lovely little land of lemons. Every year in February, the city hosts the lemon festival (Fête du Citron), and the colorful village is a French Riviera must-see.
For the most picturesque view of the Old Town, head over to the pier near Plage Les Sablettes.
Visit the Val-Rahmeh Botanical Gardens for a serene escape.
Climb the stairs to see the Basilique Saint-Michel and walk up to the Cimetière du Vieux Château for an impeccable view of the Mediterranean and the village below. (Though beware, it is quite a steep walk.)
Finally, be sure to get a limoncello spritz and relax in the sunshine.
Best Places to Stay in Menton:
Hôtel De Londres
Princess Et Richmond
Hôtel Vendôme Menton
Ibis Styles Menton Centre
Hotel Palm Garavan
Hôtel Richelieu
Best Western Hotel Mediterranee Menton
Best Western Premier Hotel Prince de Galles
4. Cannes
Home of the annual Film Festival, Cannes is the heart of luxury on the French Riviera and a 45-minute train ride from Nice. The white sand beaches are magnificent, but personally, I think the real beauty lies in the islands nearby.
Take the ferry 15 minutes (15 euros) from the port to Île Sainte-Marguerite and Île Saint-Honorat, two tranquil islands with numerous private swimming spots, a peaceful monastery, and eucalyptus trees galore.
Walking around the islands takes a couple of hours, exploring ancient ruins and secluded swimming spots.
5. Théoule-Sur-Mer
If hiking is your thing but you don’t want to rent a car to travel to the National Parks in the Côte d’Azur, Théoule-Sur-Mer is a great day trip from Nice about 50 minutes by train.
Take the train from Nice Ville to Cannes, where you’ll switch trains to go to Théoule-Sur-Mer as it’s a smaller city along the coast and there is no direct train from Nice.
You can easily access the hiking trail, Corniche de l’Esterel, from the Théoule-Sur-Mer train station. It’s about a 4-5 hour journey, depending if you decide to hike up to the Pic de l’Ours, or bear’s peak.
Start early in the morning and pack a lunch and you’re sure to have a wonderful experience. Hiking with spectacular views of the Mediterranean never gets old for me.
The end of the trail will lead you to the Le Trayas train station, where you can ride one stop back to Théoule-Sur-Mer. From there, spend the afternoon relaxing at the beach or exploring the town.
Have you been on any of these day trips from Nice? I’d love to hear about it!