The Riviera by public transport
One of the joys of staying in Nice is how easy it is to explore the rest of the Côte d'Azur. A coastal railway runs east toward Italy and west toward Cannes, stopping at seaside towns along the way, and regional buses climb up to the hill villages. Many trips can be done in half a day, so you can combine sightseeing with time on the beach.
A rental car offers more freedom for the inland villages and mountain roads, though parking in summer can be a challenge.
East: Villefranche, Èze and Monaco
Just a few minutes by train, Villefranche-sur-Mer is a pastel-coloured fishing village on one of the deepest natural harbours in the Mediterranean. Wander the old town, visit the small chapel decorated by Jean Cocteau and swim at its sandy beach.
Further east, the medieval village of Èze is perched high on a rocky peak above the sea. Its narrow lanes lead to an exotic garden of cacti and succulents at the summit, with breathtaking views along the coast. Buses run up from Nice; there is also a steep walking path down to the station at Èze-sur-Mer, known as the Nietzsche path.
Monaco is around twenty minutes by train. See the palace and the old town on the Rock, the oceanographic museum on its cliff, the casino square in Monte Carlo and the harbour full of yachts.
West: Antibes and beyond
Antibes, a short train ride west, has well-preserved ramparts, a lively market and a large harbour. Its castle, the Château Grimaldi, houses the Picasso Museum, where the artist worked for a few months after the war, producing joyful paintings and ceramics inspired by the sea. Nearby Juan-les-Pins and the Cap d'Antibes offer sandy beaches and a coastal path.
Inland, the walled village of Saint-Paul-de-Vence has long attracted artists and is home to the Fondation Maeght, a celebrated museum of modern art set in gardens.
Further afield
Menton, close to the Italian border, is known for its lemons, gardens and pastel old town, while Cannes, to the west, is famous for its film festival and its seafront Croisette. If you want to cross into Italy, the train continues along the coast to Ventimiglia, a popular day out on market days.
Good to know
- Trains along the coast are frequent; check timetables for the last return service.
- Wear sturdy shoes for Èze; the village is steep and cobbled.
- Bring identification when visiting Monaco or crossing into Italy.