Nice is one of the best places to base yourself on the French Riviera, especially if you want to explore without renting a car. It's the biggest city in the region, has plenty of hotels and restaurants, and is home to one of the main train stations on the Côte d'Azur.
That means you can wake up in Nice, hop on a train, and be in another beautiful Riviera town in less than an hour.
After living in Nice and exploring the region, these are my favorite easy day trips from Nice by train. I've also included a few popular French Riviera towns that aren't as easy by train, because not every place that looks close on a map is actually simple to reach without a car.
Best Day Trips from Nice by Train
1. Antibes
Travel time from Nice by train: 20 minutes
Antibes has to be first on this list because it is one of the most beautiful spots along the French Riviera. I honestly think it's a shame if you come to the French Riviera and don't visit Antibes.
Antibes' Old Town sits behind 16th-century medieval walls. Behind these walls you'll find narrow, winding streets full of restaurants, shops, and beautiful facades.
In my opinion, Antibes actually has some of the best restaurants in the region. Whether you want something quick to take to the beach, or a sit-down meal with locally sourced ingredients, there are plenty of great options here. In fact, it's actually home to my favorite gelato shop anywhere in the world, Gusto, be sure to make a stop there!
Antibes is where the coast's beaches change from rocks into sand. From here and as you continue further west, sandy beaches are the norm, whereas in Nice they're made from very difficult to navigate rocks.
Antibes is also great for those who love boats. It's an easy spot to rent a boat for the day and get out on the water. You can easily navigate over to Billionaires Bay, or even all the way to Île Sainte-Marguerite.
2. Monaco
Travel time from Nice by train: 30 minutes
The novelty of visiting another country "just for the day" never really gets old, and Monaco is one of the easiest day trips from Nice. Monaco is definitely worth visiting at least once, and you don't have to spend a fortune to hang out there for the day (although you easily can if that's your thing).
Of course there's the famous casino, luxury shopping, and tons of high end restaurants, but you can enjoy a day here on a more reasonable budget. I love to grab a coffee or a juice at Seaside Juicery, hang out on the beach (I especially like Monaco's beach because they put up a jellyfish net in the Summer) or visit Brasserie de Monaco for great happy hour deals.
Of course, you can also sit outside on the patio at famed Café de Paris and just sip an espresso or a drink to take in all of the people watching without having to order an entire expensive meal.
3. Menton
Travel time from Nice by train: 40 minutes
The last stop in France before you hit Italy, Menton is one of those rare places that actually looks as good (maybe even better) in person as it does in photos. The colorful buildings, set against a bright blue sky and shimmering water, it's just unreal.
Menton is famous for its lemons, so you can find citrus-flavored everything here. The lemon tart at Mitron Bakery is especially good! It's also well known for its 3 Michelin-starred restaurant, Mirazur, but if you don't have the budget or the luck to get a reservation there, the same chef has a more casual restaurant, Casa Fuego, focused on Argentinian grilled meats. And if you've ever been to Argentina you know no one does meat quite as well as they do.
Menton also has a lovely market, open most mornings from Tuesday through Sunday. You'll find local cheeses, fresh pasta, produce, and one of my personal favorites: barbajuans, little fried pastries usually filled with greens and cheese.
4. Cannes
Travel time from Nice by train: 30 minutes
In the Summer, Cannes is my go-to spot for a fun beach day. If you're going to splurge for a lounger at a beach club, Cannes is the place to do it.
Unlike Nice, the beach here is soft and sandy. It's the perfect spot to nap in the sun, have a leisurely lunch in the sand, and bask in the glamour of the French Riviera. If you want to book a beach club, make a reservation in advance, especially in summer. Also be aware that during major festivals and conferences, some beach clubs may be closed for private events or much harder to book.
A more local side of Cannes can also be experienced at the local market, Marché Forville. As far as French Riviera markets go, this is one of my favorites because it feels like it really caters to what the people who live there need. I never skip the freshly fried zucchini flowers, and love the freshly pressed juices and ginger shots.
5. Villefranche-sur-Mer
Travel time from Nice by train: 10 minutes
I used to think Villefranche was a pretty, but kind of boring, little town. And after a few visits, I've realized that's kind of what's charming about it. It's so close to Nice, yet so much quieter and more reserved.
There are restaurants all along the harbor, making it easy to find a place for a seafood or pasta lunch with a beautiful view. After lunch, wander through the narrow streets, grab a coffee or spritz, and let yourself slow down for a while.
What towns are not on this list, and why?
Not all French Riviera towns are easily reachable by train. For some, it's much easier to drive there yourself, or to take a taxi.
Èze
Èze is another one of those places that really is stunningly beautiful, but getting to see that beauty takes some effort. You can take the train to Èze, but what a lot of people don't realize is that from the train station it's going to be a long, steep walk uphill to get to the points where the views are. You can also take the train to the bus, which requires less walking, but it takes quite a while.
I recommend taking a taxi to get to Èze; they'll be able to drop you off closer than the train, so you can save your energy for walking around the village. It's also good to know that Èze gets very busy in the summer; the earlier you go, the fewer crowds you'll run into.
Saint-Paul de Vence
While Saint-Paul de Vence is one of my personal favorite towns in the French Riviera, and a spot I definitely think is worth seeing, it's another spot that's better reached by car. Again, take a taxi or drive yourself, and spend some time exploring the artsy village, and definitely try to have a meal at La Colombe d'Or.
Saint-Tropez
Unfortunately, there's no good way to get from Nice to Saint-Tropez by public transport. It's also about an hour and a half drive (more in summer traffic), meaning it will be very expensive to go by taxi. If Saint-Tropez is high on your list, I'd either rent a car or split your trip so you can stay there for a few nights instead of trying to force it as a day trip from Nice.
Mougins, Valbonne, and Biot
More and more I see people interested in visiting these villages, but to be honest, I find them a bit boring. They are cute, but to be honest, I find them a little boring compared to other places in the region.
They're small, calm, and pretty, so if that's exactly what you're looking for, they can be nice. But if it's your first trip to the French Riviera, I wouldn't prioritize them over places like Antibes, Menton, Cannes, Monaco, or Villefranche.
They're also much easier to visit by car.
Planning a Trip to the French Riviera?
📖 My French Riviera Road Trip Guide has all the information you'll need to plan a perfect road trip. Available on Substack.
🗺️ My personally curated maps have all of my favorite spots along the Riviera pinned for easy use on-the-go. Get them on Substack.
▶️ My French Riviera playlist on YouTube has in-depth videos about some of my favorite towns.