Nice is a captivating jewel of the French Riviera with 300+ sunny days per year, mesmerizing turquoise waters, a charming old town, a relaxed vibe, delicious food… and many amazing nearby places perfect for day trips! Thanks to its excellent location, Nice is also a great starting point for discovering the area. Whether you’re looking for medieval villages, historic towns, or natural sites you’ll find it all here. Keep reading and we’ll show you amazing ideas for day trips from Nice, France.
Note. All places mentioned in this post are within a maximum of 2 hours’ drive from Nice by car. Using other means of transport, like taking a train, may take longer. Also, we visited all places personally, during our time of living on the French Riviera.
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Transport on day trips from Nice
The fastest way of getting to all the soon-mentioned places is by car, either yours or rented. If you don’t travel with your own, you can easily rent the best one for your needs through the Rental Cars website.
Most of the places are also accessible by public transport, via trains or buses. You can search for the connections that might interest you on the rome2rio.com or sncf-connect.com website.
If you don’t want to put too much effort into planning, you can always take advantage of the guided tours and let someone else take care of all the details. You can choose this interesting Medieval Villages Full-Day Guided Trip From Nice, or if you’re short on time, this French Riviera in One Day might be an excellent choice for you! For more well-reviewed tour options, visit GetYourGuide or Viator.
Day trips from Nice, France
Villefranche-sur-Mer
Villefranche-sur-Mer is located only about 8km from Nice. It’s one of the most colorful towns on Cote d’Azur that will fill you with positive vibes and energy. It’s pretty, colorful, captivating, and it’s a real delight to explore. Whether you want to explore charming old town streets and historic sites or just relax on the beaches in a picturesque setting – you’ll find it all in Villefranche-sur-Mer. Believe us, it’s a must-do day trip from Nice that will steal your heart.
Antibes
Antibes is located about 25km from Nice. It’s a picturesque town that perfectly blends old-world charm, luxury, wealth, and natural beauty. The pleasant old town located within ramparts, interesting museums, luxurious villas and superyachts, magnificent beaches, and coastal trails with striking views, attracts thousands of travelers each year. No wonder many felt, and still fall, for its captivating charm! Whether you are an art enthusiast, a history geek, or a nature lover, there’s something for you in Antibes. Without a doubt, it’s one of the best day trips from Nice, one you don’t want to skip!
Eze
Eze is located about 10km from Nice. It’s one of the most authentic and well-preserved villages on Cote d’Azur that offers a fascinating insight into how life might have looked hundreds of years ago. Eze is an enchanting place where you’ll find narrow winding streets filled with typical medieval architecture, tall stone houses, and unforgettable views over the coast from its Exotic Garden. It’s not without reason that Eze became one of the most popular day trips from Nice.
Mougins
Mougins is located about 30km from Nice. It’s a captivating medieval village perched amongst pines, olives, and cypress trees, on the hills midway between Cannes and Grasse. There you’ll find picturesque alleys, numerous art galleries, world-renowned Michelin restaurants, magnificent views over the surroundings, and even a giant Picasso head! Yes, you’ll be wandering around the village where the Master lived and died! Mougins can be your quiet getaway, perfect for a day trip from Nice.
Valbonne
Valbonne is located about 30km from Nice. It’s a well-kept secret of the Cote d’Azur that unfortunately seems to be missing from most travel blogs and guides. Valbonne is a pretty, charming, peaceful, and well-preserved little village that thanks to its distinctive street grid layout is a bit different from other villages in the South of France. To be honest, you won’t find dozens of exciting things to do in Valbonne, but even despite that, you shouldn’t skip a visit to this village while in the area – it’s truly charming!
Saint Jean Cap Ferrat
Saint Jean Cap Ferrat is located about 10km from Nice. Once it was a sleepy fishing village, and nowadays it’s a haven for millionaires and home to some of the most expensive real estates in the world! No wonder that it’s affectionately called the Peninsula of Billionaires. With its luxurious villas, pretty beaches, lush vegetation, natural beauty, and charming old town Saint Jean Cap Ferrat is ready to win you over! If you’re looking for a place for a luxurious day getaway from Nice, this town will be perfect for you.
Gourdon
Gourdon is located about 40km from Nice. It’s one of the most visited hilltop medieval villages on the French Riviera, also named one of the most beautiful villages in France! In Gourdon, you’ll find magnificent views over the surroundings, picturesque narrow streets full of old stone houses, small art galleries, craft shops, and a few historical buildings. Gourdon is a great place for a day trip from Nice if you want to step back in time for a few hours.
Menton
Menton is located about 30km from Nice. It’s one of the most colorful seaside towns on the Côte d’Azur that will fill you with positive energy, good food, and… lots of lemons! Whether you want to explore a picturesque old town, relax on a beach, admire breathtaking views, eat delicious food, or take part in a unique Lemon Festival, you’ll find it all in Menton. Chances are high that this seaside town will enchant you from the first steps! Believe us, it’s a must-do day trip from Nice.
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Tourrettes-sur-Loup
Tourrettes-sur-Loup is located about 30km from Nice. It’s a captivating perched village where you’ll find typical medieval architecture, winding streets, hidden corners, small art galleries, and great views of the surroundings. Unfortunately, Tourrettes-sur-Loup is often overlooked and hard to find in most travel blogs… and it’s a shame as it’s a delightful place, and as beautiful as the famed Saint Paul de Vence or Gourdon! But on the other hand, with a fairly low number of tourists, you can really feel like you stepped back in time hundreds of years.
Peillon
Peillon is located about 20km from Nice. It’s one of the most authentic and well-preserved medieval villages on the Cote d’Azur where you can feel like you stepped back in time. Yet, it’s also one of the hidden gems of the area, not mentioned in many guides. It’s a captivating place where you’ll find typical medieval architecture, winding picturesque streets, tall stone houses, vaulted passageways, great views, and… lack of any touristy things! All of that makes Peillon one of the best day trips from Nice.
Peille
Peille is located about 25km from Nice. It’s an enchanting hidden gem, a delightful remote hilltop village tucked away in the mountains. Peille is a captivating place where you’ll step back in time for a few hours and feel like in medieval times. It’s pretty, well-preserved, peaceful, and yet undiscovered by many. Quaint stone houses, winding narrow streets, vaulted passageways, cozy squares, historic buildings, many friendly cats eager to be pet, and amazing views over the surroundings await you there. Just slowly wander among its streets and discover all its secrets.
Monaco
Monaco is located about 20km from Nice. It’s the world’s second-smallest country set alongside the glamorous French Riviera. Monaco is a fascinating place where the level of luxury and wealth is beyond comparison. If you wish to indulge in a sophisticated lifestyle for a moment, this is the perfect place. Monte Carlo, Grand Prix, Michelin restaurants, high-end shopping, super yachts, fast cars… All of that makes Monaco a world-renowned destination that attracts thousands of curious people. And it’s a perfect day trip from Nice!
Sainte-Agnes
Sainte-Agnes is located about 35km from Nice. It’s the highest coastal village in Europe, also listed as one of the most beautiful villages in France! Unfortunately, even despite that, it’s often overlooked and hard to find in travel guides. And it’s a shame as Sainte-Agnes is a truly delightful and picturesque place on the French Riviera. And for sure it’s just waiting for curious travelers to discover its history, fascinating secrets, and spectacular views over the surroundings.
Discover more beautiful places on the French Riviera ❤️
Roquebrune-Cap-Martin
Roquebrune-Cap-Martin is located about 25km from Nice. It’s one of the most picturesque towns on Côte d’Azur, often overlooked by many, even despite its privileged location right between Menton and Monaco. But thanks to that, Roquebrune is a more peaceful and quiet travel destination where each traveler will find something perfect for themself. Whether you want to explore a charming old town, relax on the beaches, or go on a walk in picturesque settings, you’ll find it in Roquebrune.
Grasse
Grasse is located about 40km from Nice. It’s a very interesting French town where everything revolves around scents and perfumes. World-renowned perfumeries, perfume museums, perfume-making workshops, flower fields, streets dotted with shops selling… perfumes. It’s not without reason that Grasse is widely known as the perfume capital of the world! Add to that mixture a charming old town and great views of the surroundings, and you’ll get a perfect blend that attracts thousands of travelers each year.
Saint Paul de Vence
Saint Paul de Vence is located about 25km from Nice. It’s a well-preserved medieval village that seems to be frozen in time. Since the 1920s’ it has been a strong magnet for countless artists and art lovers like Matisse, Chagall, and Picasso. Nowadays, Saint Paul de Vence is a fairy-tale place where you’ll find winding picturesque streets, cozy squares, hidden corners, tall stone houses, small art galleries, craft shops, and great views. No wonder that it became one of the most popular day trips from Nice!
Cannes
Cannes is located about 30km from Nice. It’s the world capital of cinema where glitz and glam reign. Cannes is a picturesque town on the French Riviera that perfectly blends old-world charm, luxury, and natural beauty. Iconic film festival, colorful historic old town, magnificent sandy beaches with turquoise waters, striking views, fancy shopping, posh parties… All of that makes Cannes a popular day trip from Nice loved by thousands of travelers.
Cagnes-sur-Mer
Cagnes-sur-Mer is located about 15km from Nice. It’s a nice and peaceful town in the heart of Cote d’Azur that will be your quiet getaway from bustling Nice. Cagnes is split into two parts – the inland village of Haut-de-Cagnes and the seaside area of Cros-de-Cagnes – a former fishing district and now a residential/holiday area. Picturesque alleys of the hilltop village, amazing views, lovely beaches, interesting museums… All of that, and more, together create a really attractive combination worth exploring!
Biot
Biot is located about 20km from Nice. It’s a medieval village full of history, culture, and art. Biot is best known for its glass-blowing traditions. Unfortunately, even despite its great location on the Cote d’Azur, it’s often in the shadow of other more popular towns nearby. But thanks to that, Biot is a peaceful destination that can be your quiet day trip from Nice. From the picturesque alleys, art galleries, and restaurants to interesting museums and glassblowing workshops – there’s so much to do in Biot!
Villeneuve-Loubet
Villeneuve-Loubet is located about 15km from Nice. It’s a delightful hidden gem on Cote d’Azur that is divided into two parts – the inland village and the seaside area of Marina Baie des Anges. Steep picturesque village alleys, amazing views, lovely beaches, interesting museums, restaurants serving tasty food… Villeneuve-Loubet is a great place to visit near Nice.
Saint Raphael
Saint Raphael is located about 75km from Nice. It’s one of the most popular holiday destinations on Cote d’Azur that attracts thousands of travelers each year. There you’ll find three main areas of interest – the coastal area with magnificent beaches and coastal trails, the old town with some historic monuments and charming streets, and the Massif de l’Esterel mountain range where you’ll get active while admiring magnificent views from above.
Frejus
Frejus is located about 80km from Nice. It’s a town with a rich past going back more than two thousand years! In Frejus, you’ll find three main areas of interest – the inland historic center where you’ll step back in time and discover traces of the Roman Empire’s power, the coastal area with port and magnificent beaches, and the Massif de l’Esterel mountain range with spectacular views of the surroundings. All are nicely intertwined, creating an impressive image.
Saint Tropez
Saint Tropez is located about 115km from Nice. It’s one of the most emblematic towns on Cote d’Azur that needs no introduction. Once a small fishing village, now a world-renowned travel destination loved by celebrities and tourists alike. The pastel-colored old town, luxurious yachts, iconic beaches, coastal walks, striking views, fancy shopping, vivid nightlife… Saint Tropez perfectly blends luxury, natural beauty, and old-world charm. It’s not the closest day trip from Nice, but definitely one worth the effort.
La Turbie
La Turbie is located about 15km from Nice. It’s a small French town with a long and rich history. There you’ll have a unique opportunity to go on a fascinating journey back in time thousands of years, immerse into a charming old town, and discover the traces of the Roman Empire’s past and Emperor Augustus’ power. And as befits a village located at a higher altitude, breathtaking panoramic views await too! La Turbie will especially be appreciated by history lovers.
Grimaud
Grimaud is located about 105km from Nice. It’s a charming French town with a long history and a rich cultural heritage. Grimaud extends from the coastline to the inland and can be divided into two main parts: a hilltop medieval village and the coastal area. In Grimaud Village, you’ll be transported back in time while wandering around old stone buildings and cobblestone streets. In Port Grimaud, commonly known as Little Provençal Venice, you’ll enjoy canals and bridges, alleys and colorful houses, as well as the sea, and sand on lovely beaches.
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Day trips from Nice, France – Summing up
That’s it, all our ideas for amazing day trips from Nice. It’s amazing how many beautiful and interesting places are waiting to be discovered on the French Riviera! Charming historic towns, medieval hilltop villages, natural sites… Well, one thing is for sure – if you’re staying longer in the area, you definitely won’t get bored! We hope this post was helpful, and now you’re one step closer to choosing your best day trips from Nice. Enjoy your time there!
Our opinion & subjective ranking of day trips from Nice
So far we’ve spent 12+ months on the French Riviera, and half of that time we lived right next to Nice. Invariably, it’s our favorite region in France that just keeps drawing us back! There are so many things to do and places to see that there’s just no way to get bored! And we’re sure that even after so many months there, we still have plenty more to discover.
We really loved our trips during which we explored all the mentioned villages, towns, and natural sites. We traveled there during various months, but mostly in the low season, so there were no wild crowds and we explored most of the places in peace. To be honest, we really can’t think of any of the downsides of this region, we just love everything about it!
So what are our TOP5 day trips from Nice? Menton, Villefranche-sur-Mer, Antibes, Saint Paul de Vence and Peillon.
