Top 5 one-day trips from Nice
Nice is one of the biggest cities of France (№5 after Paris, Lyon, Marseille et Toulouse) and the capital of the Alpes-Maritimes department. Being the largest city in the south of France, Nice has a lot of interesting sites and attractions. However, if you once arrive on French Riviera, we highly recommend you to discover all the sites of this marvellous destination. Here is a list of best places to visit during the one day if you are staying in Nice.
1. Monaco
This small city-state has a special charm and authentic atmosphere. Being the second smallest country in the world, Monaco is famous for its numerous Casinos, luxurious yachts and, of course, the annual Formula One Grand Prix.
There are few ways to get Monaco from Nice:
- By bus
- By train
- By helicopter
- By boat
It is well-known that the Principality of Monaco is a microstate with a Prince Albert 2 at the head of it. Thus, once you are there, one of the must-see places is definitely The Prince’s Palace. Built in 1191 as a Genoese fortress, it is today the official residence of the Sovereign Prince of Monaco. The staterooms are opened to visitors when Prince is not at home. Interesting detail: to know if the royal family is absent or not you should observe the main tower. If the flag is raised, then it means that the Prince is there.
To check out more about things to do and to visit in Monaco click here: Best of Monaco
2. Eze
If you are travelling to Monaco, you can easily visit Eze at the same day, as it is situated exactly on the road from Nice to Monaco.
This small Provencal village stands more than 400 meters above the sea and has a spectacular view on the coastline. Jardin Exotique is a famous cactus garden of Eze. It is the highest point of the village, from where you can observe a wonderful panorama.
Visit also cosy medieval streets of the village, with its numerous craft boutiques and atmospheric restaurants. After that, if not tired, go down to the sea by taking Friedrich Nietzsche path which will lead you to
More things to explore in Eze you can find here: Best of Eze
3. Cannes
A birthplace of the most famous film festival in the world, Cannes meet you with azure beaches, luxury hotels and a relaxing South atmosphere. A leisurely walk along the picturesque promenade with taking a fresh aperitif in one of the restaurants near the Festival Palace with a seaside view - isn’t it a perfect scenario for your summer afternoon?
For cinema lovers the best time to visit Cannes is on May when hundreds of stars pose on the red carpet and the city literally glows from sheeny jewels, luxury perfumes and great names of the movie industry.
You can go to Cannes by bus (around 1h30) or train, but the most convenient way is to book Tour to Cannes & Antibes from Nice. The comfortable minivan will pick you up in your hotel and bring you back in the end of the visit. During 4 hours you will discover highlights of Cannes: famous Croisette Boulevard, Festival Palace and other sites. On your back way to Nice, you will also visit Antibes and will have some free time to discover its luxury yachts and glamorous shops.
4. Menton
This sunny city, situated almost on the border with Italy, has many names: the City of Culture, City of Gardens and, of course, the City of Lemon. And it’s not for nothing, as in Menton, there are about 20 gardens which cover an area of 46 hectares! The symbol of the city is Lemon and every year in the end of the winter a fabulous Fête du Citron is organized there.
The most convenient way to go in Menton from Nice is to take a train - the ride will take approximately 40 min and will allow you to enjoy beautiful views of French Riviera.
More trips from Nice to Lemon Capital of France here: Best of Menton
5. Villefranche-sur-Mer
This small lovely village is undeservedly underestimated by tourist guides. Indeed, it is one of the most picturesque and charming places of French Riviera. With Monaco on one side and Nice on the other one, Villefranche-sur-Mer has retained its authenticity of a fishing village. It is a perfect place for the one-day relaxing trip, with a promenade in medieval streets and a Mediterranean dinner with a scenic view on the bay of Villefranche.
The village is easily accessible from Nice, you can even walk there from the Old Port for around 1 hour (6 km). The faster and most popular way to get Villefranche is to take a train: to check the schedule please visit SNCF website.
