What is the best day trip from Nice?

The classic choice is the Monaco, Monte-Carlo and Eze loop, which packs the Riviera's glamour and its prettiest hilltop village into a single half or full day. Cannes and Antibes to the west, and the nearby bay of Villefranche-sur-Mer, are equally rewarding alternatives.

Do I need a car to explore the French Riviera from Nice?

No. Shared, small-group and private tours run daily from Nice to Monaco, Eze, Cannes, Antibes and Villefranche, with round-trip transport and a guide. Trains also link the coastal towns, but a guided tour is the easiest way to combine several stops in one day.

How long is a Riviera day trip from Nice?

Half-day tours to Monaco and Eze run about four to five hours, while full-day trips that add Cannes, Antibes or Saint-Paul-de-Vence last roughly seven to eight hours, including transport and free time at each stop.

Home/Destinations/Nice/French Riviera day trip

Full day · Nice itinerary

French Riviera Day Trip from Nice: Monaco, Eze, Cannes & the Coast

Nice is the perfect base for exploring the Côte d'Azur, with glamorous Monaco, medieval Eze, film-star Cannes and the pretty bay of Villefranche all within an easy drive. Here is how to plan the ideal French Riviera day trip from Nice — with the best-rated small-group and private tours to book for each route.

At a glance

1Monaco & Monte-Carlo glamour
2Hilltop village of Eze
3Cannes & Antibes on the bay
4Villefranche scenic coast

Morning: Monaco & Monte-Carlo

Start the day heading east from Nice along the Corniche coast to the tiny principality of Monaco. Wander Monaco-Ville and the Prince's Palace on its rocky headland, then cross to Monte-Carlo for its famous Belle Époque casino, superyacht harbour and Formula 1 street circuit. Most shared and small-group tours give you a couple of free hours here — long enough to soak up the glamour, take in the views and grab a coffee before moving on.

Midday: the hilltop village of Eze

Perched 400 metres above the sea, the medieval village of Eze is the Riviera's most photogenic stop. Cobbled lanes spiral upward past artisan workshops and a famous perfumery to an exotic garden with sweeping Mediterranean views. Eze sits neatly between Nice and Monaco, so nearly every Monaco tour pauses here. Give yourself time to climb to the top, where the panorama over Cap Ferrat and the coastline is simply unforgettable.

Afternoon: Cannes, Antibes & Saint-Paul

Head west instead and the Riviera turns glamorous in a different way. Cannes dazzles with its film-festival Croisette and palm-lined seafront, while old Antibes charms with ramparts, a Picasso museum and the largest yacht marina in Europe. Many tours add hilltop Saint-Paul-de-Vence, a walled artists' village of galleries and cobbled streets. It is an easy full-day loop from Nice that pairs beaches, culture and Provençal atmosphere in one trip.

The coast: Villefranche & the Corniche

For a gentler day, stay close to Nice and explore the bay of Villefranche-sur-Mer, one of the deepest natural harbours in the Mediterranean. Its pastel Old Town, colourful fishing boats and clear water make it a favourite for boat trips, snorkelling and e-bike rides along the coast. Panoramic Riviera tours and sunset sailings round off the afternoon before the short drive back into the centre of Nice.