French Riviera Day Trips from Nice

Nice is not only one of France's largest and most beautiful cities, it is also the gateway to the stunning French Riviera, known to locals as the Côte d'Azur (French Riviera).

Famous the world over for its connection with some of the country's best artists, any trip to this idyllic city should include an excursion beyond its borders among the thingsto do in Nice. The intention is to immerse the traveller in the French Riviera and its wonderful scenery.

As you will see in this article, the options are many! So it will be easy to find an option that suits your requirements, budget and specific needs.

The full day excursion to explore the French Riviera from Nice is one of the favourite options for tourists and one that I recommend to all of my traveller friends who are visiting Nice for the first time.

Unlike the half day tour from Nice, this alternative allows you to expand the itinerary of activities and include a greater number of destinations to visit during the tour, from panoramic views at Cap Ferrat, to the Fragonard perfume factory or the Principality of Monaco.

Note that the final travel plan will depend largely on the company you choose to hire, however, all local companies in Nice offer several of the following destinations in their travel plans: Eze, Monaco, Antibes, Saint-Paul-de Vence and the beautiful Cannes.

If you are looking for Cannes tours from Nice, this tour format is one of the best alternatives available. Local companies offer facilities such as direct pick-up from your hotel in Nice and professional multilingual guides.

Useful Information:

• Price: Group tours are available from €70 per participant; private tour
• Duration: Depending on the company you hire this tour can take around 9 to 10 hours to complete.
• Means of transport: This tour takes place in a shared minibus or by car if you book a private tour.

If you feel like exploring the French Riviera on an express trip, this tour format is ideal for you. Recommended for travellers who are staying 3 days in Nice and want to make the most of every second. This tour allows you to dedicate half a day's itinerary to discover the most outstanding cities of the Côte d'Azur.

Regarding the itinerary, keep in mind that, depending on the company you hire, some aspects may be modified. However, a good percentage of local tour operators depart from Nice heading east to make stops in Éze and Monaco, where you can visit the Prince's Palace.

The tour is commonly offered in two time slots: morning and afternoon, and most local tour companies include hotel pick-up and drop-off facilities. Due to its popularity this tour is offered in several languages including Spanish, English, French, German, Italian and Russian.

Visiting Eze and Monaco from Nice is considered by many travellers to be one of the best adventures to experience during a short holiday, so you can also find companies offering full day itineraries for a few extra euros.

Useful Information:

• Price: The price to pay for this experience is around €40 per participant.
• Duration: You will need to reserve about 5 hours of your itinerary for this experience.
• Means of transport: Minibus shared with other travellers.

This is an alternative way for visitors to explore the French Riviera from Nice and enjoy magnificent views of the coastline aboard a luxury sightseeing cruise.

It is highly recommended for travellers exploring the city for the first time and looking to enjoy the scenery from different angles.

Tourists and locals alike consider this tour to be one of the best things to do in Nice during the summer; due to its short duration and high demand, it can easily be included in any itinerary of a few days in Nice.

Certain details of the experience vary greatly depending on the company, but in most cases a guide in different languages (predominantly English and French) is provided. Budget options do not include any refreshments during the tour.

The tour plan may vary from company to company, but most include the route from Nice to Citadelle to see the old hillside villages, the famous Promenade des Anglais and many other tourist and historical sites.

Useful Information:

• Price: Around €26 per traveller.
• Duration: The tour of the Mediterranean coast takes approximately 1 hour to complete. You will need to be at the meeting point 15-20 hours prior to boarding.
• Means of transport: The tour takes place on board a private cruise ship.

If you are a traveller looking for an immersive experience and to enjoy your destination to the full in Nice you will find several alternative excursion options that take the traveller to specific destinations within the vast French Riviera.

One of the most interesting options is the opportunity to visit Saint Tropez and Port Grimaud on a cruise trip departing from the port of Nice.

Although certain aspects may vary depending on the company organising the experience, most tour operators in Nice organise this trip in a format of approximately 10 hours in duration.

Exploring Saint-Tropez from Nice is one of the most recommended adventures if you are several days away from the city. Additionally, the longer tour format is ideal as it leaves the traveller free time to wander around Saint Tropez, admire its colourful houses, and sit and enjoy an aperitif in one of its many elegant cafes.

After spending time in Saint Tropez you will continue on your way to Port Grimaud, a picturesque little seaside town known as the Little Venice of France.

Useful Information:

• Price: Around €125 per participant; usually done in small groups of less than 10 participants. Many local companies offer the traveller direct pick-up from their hotel in Nice.
• Duration: The adventure takes around 10 hours to complete, so I recommend booking a full day for this experience.
• Means of transport: You travel by private car to Sainte-Maxime and then by boat to Saint Tropez.

Bike tours in Nice are considered among the best tours of the city by the many adventurous tourists who tour the area. Some local tour operators also offer cycling tours of the Riviera as a way to explore beyond the borders of Nice.

The companies provide all the necessary equipment for the experience, as well as an expert guide to lead the group through the route and highlights. You'll depart from Nice for the seaside town of Villefranche-sur-Mer, famous for its picturesque scenery and colourful architecture.

Although you won't have the opportunity to go as far or visit as many towns as the other options discussed in this article, the main advantage of this experience is the chance to fully absorb and enjoy the distinctive scenery of the Côte d'Azur.

Useful Information:

• Price: Around €55 per traveller; the tour is conducted in small groups of approximately 8 participants to ensure personalised service.
• Duration: You will need to set aside about 4 hours of your itinerary for this experience.
• Means of transport: This tour is almost always offered by electric bike to cover longer distances in shorter periods of time.

If there is one corner of the French Riviera that is totally worth a day's exploration, it is undoubtedly Monaco. Famous the world over for its splendid viewpoints and luxurious experiences, it is a tourist destination that complements a holiday in Nice very well.

Many local tour companies and tour operators offer this type of excursion, as seeing Monaco and Èze from Nice is a highly sought-after travel experience, not only by tourists but also by locals looking for getaways to nearby destinations.

Note that the specific details of the experience may vary depending on the company you hire; the tour is offered in several languages including private transport, private guide and hotel pick-up.

Most companies include several of the following activities in their itinerary: See the Old Town Le Rocher with its breathtaking views of the sea and harbour; explore the Prince's Palace and wait for the changing of the Guard at midday; visit the Notre-Dame-Immaculee Cathedral, the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco and the Monte Carlo Casino.

Useful Information:

• Price: Available from €85 per traveller.
• Duration: You will need to set aside approximately 7-8 hours for this experience.
• Means of transport: A private minivan is generally used, as the tour is organised in small groups.

Another alternative excursion offered by some tour operators in Nice is the possibility of taking a private tour to Monaco to enjoy the atmosphere and nightlife of this beautiful city.

This is a perfect alternative if you are looking to enjoy the glamorous nightlife of Monaco and be back at your hotel in Nice the same night. It is also a great alternative for those who spend many days in the city, for example 7 days in Nice or more, and are looking for alternative evening plans. Although I recommend checking with the company you hire for specific details of the experience, most of them include in their plans some of the following activities: driving through the mountain village of Eze to enjoy panoramic views of the Riviera and the Mediterranean Sea; in Monaco enjoy the Monte Carlo Casino, the Paris Hotel and the famous Monaco Racing Circuit.

Useful Information:

• Price: This is a private tour priced at approximately €500.
• Duration: The full tour takes around 4 hours to complete.
• Means of transport: The tour is conducted in a private vehicle with driver included.

Here are some simple but effective tips to help you organise your trip to the Riviera.

Summer is not the best alternative.

Summer in France is undoubtedly a great time for sightseeing in cities such as Paris, but it is important to remember that the period from July to August is when the locals take their holidays and head to the beach.

This means higher prices, crowded hotels and attractions, especially in high-demand areas such as Nice. If you can wait until September to April you'll find better prices and fewer visitors.

Sandy beaches are not common...

In Nice and the rest of the French Riviera, stretches of sandy beaches are scarce; mostly you'll find pebble beaches that locals call galets. Pack water shoes for you and the whole family so you can walk on the shore, enjoy the sea and not get sore feet.

If you want to enjoy sandy beaches you'll find alternatives in Villefranche-sur-Mer.

The French Riviera is a gastronomic paradise.

In terms of dining options, France's Côte d'Azur offers everything from Michelin-starred restaurants to rustic fare; make the most of your trip to enjoy the world of flavours offered by the Riviera's different towns and cities. You won't regret it!

Visiting the French Riviera with an organised tour is one of the best decisions you can make. This alternative offers you numerous advantages such as the possibility to save time and effort looking for transport options; and the opportunity, in many cases, to be accompanied by an expert guide.

As you may know, the French Riviera is an area in the south of France made up of several impressive cities; this fact leaves you facing a very exciting adventure but with many activities and interesting places to visit.

How do you decide which places, attractions, monuments or museums to prioritise? Tour operators structure itineraries to suit your travel plans and allow you to enjoy the best the Côte d'Azur has to offer.

Complement your Riviera excursion with other unique excursions such as a visit to the Verdon Gorge and a tour of Provence from Nice, and you'll fall in love with the South of France.