Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur Travel Inspiration

Best Places to Visit Near Nice Without a Car

03/08/2024

Article written by Elisa
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Nice, the capital of the French Riviera, is a beautiful city boasting plenty of things to see and do. But the Côte d’Azur region offers many other places to visit. 

If you have enough time during your vacation, I suggest you take one (or more) day trips to explore the hilltop villages and glam seaside towns near Nice. Many of them are within easy reach of Nice by public transport or guided tours.

Are you looking for fun things to do near Nice, France, without a car? Here’s my pick of the best places to visit near Nice. Be ready for a magnificent day!

TIP: Do you have only one day available? You can see it all in one single day!

Things to Do Near Nice, France, Without a Car

GOOD TO KNOW: Nice’s central station is called Nice-Ville and is located on Avenue Thiers. There are two other train stations in Nice: Nice Saint-Augustin (on the west, close to the Airport) and Nice Riquier (on the east, close to the Old Port). Train times mentioned in this post are from Nice-Ville.

Cannes

Old Port - Cannes

Cannes is one of the best day trips from Nice, and it is known for its glamorous allure. Located 31 km west of Nice, the city is famous worldwide for hosting the renowned Cannes Film Festival. Winter in Cannes has mild temperatures so it is an ideal destination all year round.

Among the most popular things to do in the city is walking the Boulevard de la Croisette, where you can indulge in high-end shopping and relax in luxurious beach clubs. On La Croisette, you can also admire the Chemin des Étoiles (or Cannes’ Walk of Fame).

Besides being the playground of the rich and famous, Cannes is a great place to visit for those interested in history. Le Suquet neighborhood is Cannes’ historical neighborhood. Not far from it, the Old Port boasts a charm like no other, with fishermen’s boats and luxury yachts anchored side by side. If you arrive in Cannes before 10:30 a.m., you can join this Cannes walking tour with an English-speaking guide.

How to get from Nice to Cannes by public transportation: TGV-InOui (fast) trains take you to Cannes in only 25 minutes without intermediate stops. Book online in advance for availability and the best prices. Regional trains (TER) are slower, but they are cheaper, and you don’t need to buy them online in advance.

Antibes

Antibes - France

Antibes is a charming small city on the coast, 20 km south of Nice, and is perfect for a laid-back day trip from Nice. The Old Town is filled with narrow streets lined with cafés and boutiques where you can spend time people-watching and shopping.

The Old Town also boasts the fascinating Picasso Museum, located in a château from Medieval times overlooking the sea promenade. The colorful Marché Provençal is a bustling covered market where you can find fresh local produce and crafts. If you arrive in Antibes before 10:00 a.m., you can join this tour through the historical center with an English-speaking guide.

As a seaside city, Antibes offers stunning coastal views. You can’t miss enjoying the area’s beaches and the beautiful promenade along the peninsula of Cap d’Antibes.

How to get from Nice to Antibes by public transportation: TGV-InOui (fast) trains take you to Nice in only 13 minutes without intermediate stops. Book online in advance for availability and best prices. Regional trains (TER) are slower, but they are cheaper, and you don’t need to buy them online in advance.

Eze Village

Eze Village - French Riviera

Eze Village is one of the most picturesque places to visit near Nice, France. Located only 12 km east of Nice, it is the perfect village for a day trip that mixes history and spectacular views. 

Eze Village is a small medieval village perched on an imposing cliff overlooking the sea. Relax in the narrow streets of the Old Town while admiring beautiful stone houses and stores selling beautiful crafts.

Another thing to do in Eze-Village is to visit the beautiful Botanical Gardens (paid entrance). In addition to an impressive collection of succulents and Mediterranean plants, you will find the ruins of the ancient castle at the top of the hill and breathtaking views!

If you like panoramas, check out the delightful Nietzsche Path, nicknamed after the German philosopher. This path connects Eze Village and Eze Plage, where you can take a well-deserved refreshing bath.

How to get from Nice to Eze Village: In Nice, take tram #1 to Vauban tram station. From here, there’s a 5-minute walk to the Gare Routière (bus station). There are two buses going to Eze-Village, bus #82 and bus #602. They follow the same route, so take the first one that leaves for Eze-Village. The journey to Eze-Village takes around 20 minutes, depending on the traffic, and you can use the same ticket for the tram and for the bus.

On the way back, you can use the same buses or take the Nietzsche Path (40 min downhill) down to Eze Plage for some lazy hours on the beach. From Eze Plage, you can take a regional train (TER) to Nice (14-minute ride).

TIP: This day tour to the medieval village of Eze and Monte Carlo is the perfect combination of spectacular views, a charming village, and the fascinating smallest country in the world!

Monaco

Monaco

Monaco is the destination for a day trip that is all about luxe. Located 22 km east of Nice, Monaco is known for its high-end casino, the Formula 1 Grand Prix, and glamorous restaurants, hotels, and boutiques. Although part of the Côte d’Azur, Monaco is an independent state ruled by His Highness Prince Albert.

Monte Carlo, the capital, is one of those places where you will see luxury cars and limousines darting on the streets and paparazzi lurking to see if there’s somebody famous around.

Besides living a day like a member of the jet set, in Monte Carlo, you can check out interesting sights like Le Palais Princier de Monaco (with the guards changing at 11:55 a.m.), the Cathedral, and the Oceanographic Museum and Aquarium. Monaco’s Botanical Garden is world-known for its impressive collection of plants, but it is currently closed for work. If you arrive in Monaco before 9:30 a.m., you can join this tour through the historical center with an English-speaking guide.

How to get from Nice to Monaco by public transportation: Regional trains (TER) take less than 30 minutes, and you don’t need to buy your tickets online in advance.

TIP: this day tour to the medieval village of Eze and Monte Carlo is the perfect combination of spectacular views, a charming village, and the fascinating smallest country in the world!

Menton

Menton - French Riviera

If you’re looking for beautiful towns near Nice, France, that offer charm and sunny days even in the middle of winter, Menton is a great option.

Located 22 km east of Nice, Menton is known as France’s sunniest city and for its lemons. Thanks to the pleasant weather, lemons grow fabulously well here, so much so that there is an entire eventthe Lemon Festival in February—dedicated to them. A must-have while in Menton is trying food produced with citrus!

The Old Town is lovely for a stroll among colorful houses, gorgeous staircases, and ceramic murals. For a more cultural visit, you can check out the Jean Cocteau’s Museum and the Beaux-Arts Museum in the Palais Carnoles. If you prefer relaxing, you can also find pretty gardens and beautiful beaches in Menton. Plage des Sablettes is the most picturesque and is considered one of the best beaches in the French Riviera.

How to get from Nice to Menton by public transportation: Regional trains (TER) take less than 40 minutes, and you don’t need to buy your tickets online in advance.

Villefranche-sur-Mer

Villefrranche-sur-Mer, France

Villefranche-sur-Mer is a stunning French Riviera town 5 km east of Nice, coveted by the world’s millionaires. Like other places to visit from Nice, Villefranche-sur-Mer is all about relaxation, glam, and pretty views.

Stroll around the Old Port with its colorful boats and admire the Old Town with its narrow streets, stairways, pastel-painted houses, and the peculiar Rue Obscure.

Don’t miss the 16th-century Citadel overlooking the sparkling Mediterranean Sea and the Chapelle Saint-Pierre (paid entrance), beautifully re-decorated by the filmmaker Jean Cocteau.

Before returning to Nice, visit one of the town’s beaches, like the Plages des Marinieres or the Plage de la Darse. Unlike the beaches in Nice, these are sandy beaches. At lunchtime or dinnertime, the promenade along the Old Port is populated by restaurants with a terrace, perfect for drinks and eating fresh seafood.

How to get from Nice to Villefranche-sur-Mer by public transportation: Regional trains (TER) take you to Menton in less than 10 minutes, and you don’t need to buy your tickets online in advance.

TIP: See Nice, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, and Villefranche-sur-Mer on a sightseeing cruise along the French Riviera.

Saint-Paul-de-Vence 

Saint Paul de Vence - France

Located 12km west of Nice, inland, Saint-Paul-de-Vence is built on a rocky outcrop, offering magnificent views of the Mediterranean Sea and surrounding countryside. The town’s beauty and exceptional light inspired many famous artists, including Picasso, Matisse, and Chagall.

Saint-Paul-de-Vence is one of the best places to visit near Nice, France, for art lovers. Walking around its picturesque streets, you can marvel at magnificent stone facades, little squares with pretty fountains, and many art galleries.

While in town, don’t miss the Maeght Foundation, France’s first independent art foundation. This museum has the most extensive collection of artworks by modern and contemporary artists in Europe!

The small cemetery is also worth a visit. Marc Chagall and the Maeghts are buried in this lovely cemetery.

How to get from Nice to Saint-Paul-de-Vence: In Nice, take a regional (TER) train to Cagnes-sur-Mer (20 minutes, no need to book online in advance). You will arrive at track #2. Take the underpass to track #1 and leave the train station. Just in front of the train station, there’s bus # 655 to Vence via Saint-Paul-de-Vence. The stop before Saint-Paul-de-Vence is the best stop for those who want to visit the Fondation Maeght. You can also visit the town first and walk downhill to the Foundation.

Until not so long ago, bus #655 was leaving from Nice, so you could get to Saint-Paul-de-Vence from Nice with only a bus ticket. This option is not available anymore, unfortunately.

TIP: If you prefer a more comfortable alternative, this half-day tour from Nice visits Saint-Paul-de-Vence and a local winery with tastings

Entrevaux

Entrevaux - France

A picturesque medieval village on the French Riviera, Entrevaux is along the Train des Pignes itinerary, one of the most scenic rides in France.

Entrevaux is a fantastic Nice day trip to discover a place with a rich cultural heritage and pristine nature. The village is indeed located in a raised position above a bend in the Var River, and all around are craggy slopes of the Provençal mountains. It is dominated by an imposing Citadel from which you will get your fill of breathtaking vistas!

The best activity to do in Entrevaux is a leisurely stroll around the city, exploring winding streets lined by ancient houses, shady squares, tall fortifications, and the Cathedral. There’s also the only museum in France dedicated to motorbikes (free entrance).

How to get from Nice to Entrevaux: In Nice, take the Train des Pignes, leaving from the Chemins de Fer de Provence train station (4bis Rue Alfred Binet). You can only buy your tickets on-site on the same day of your trip. Check out my article about Entrevaux on the Train des Pignes with all my Train des Pignes travel tips.

TIP: this full-day tour from Nice combines the most surprising hike in the Southern Alps with the visit to Entrevaux

Vallée de Roya – Baroque Route

Vallée de Roya - Tende

If you are looking for an astounding mix of nature and architecture, you can’t miss a day trip through the Vallée de Roya. This Valley has it all: alpine forests, breathtaking landscapes, and the Baroque Route, an ensemble of small villages built in Baroque style. These villages are connected with the Train des Merveilles, another scenic ride in France.

These traditional villages are jewels of baroque art and architecture, places bursting with history and surrounded by beautiful nature. Among the most charming villages are Saorge, Fontan, Tende, and La Brigue.

The Baroque Route offers a unique opportunity to escape the hot temperatures of the coast while discovering a unique heritage. It is also a good place for beautiful hikes.

How to get from Nice to the Vallée de Roya: At Nice-Ville train station, take the Train des Merveilles, leaving from the last track. The train ride from Nice to Tende (the latest town on this train line) takes 2 hours and 26 minutes. Buy the Daily Pass #6 for the Alpes-Maritimes department, and you can hop on and hop off the train all day!

TIP: I visited the Vallée de Roya with this guided tour with an expert guide. Our guide, Carmela, took care of all the logistics (train tickets, where to stop and when, and what to see), so I could get the most out of this beautiful Valley in just one day and no stress. Carmela seemed to know everybody in the different towns we passed by and we could visit places that are usually closed to the public so I can only recommend it! For lunch, the tour offers the options of picnic and restaurant. I suggest the restaurant because with the picnic they took the train one more time than us so they had less time to visit the towns.

GOOD TO KNOW: From 2 September 2024, the Train des Merveilles will be closed for 16 months for renovation works, so don’t wait longer and visit the Vallée de Roya now!

And there you have it, the best places to visit in Nice, France, for a lovely day out of the city. Which things to do near Nice would you like to book right now?

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